a.

) Selecting a Topic
The ability to develop a good research topic is an important skill. An instructor may assign you a specific topic, but most often instructors require you to select your own topic of interest. When deciding on a topic, there are a few things that you will need to do:

brainstorm for ideas choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the literature ensure that the topic is manageable and that material is available make a list of key words be flexible define your topic as a focused research question research and read more about your topic formulate a thesis statement Be aware that selecting a good topic may not be easy. It must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate information.

b.) Reviewing the lecture

One of the most important early steps in a research project is the conducting of the literature review. A literature review is designed to identify related research, to set the current research project within a conceptual and theoretical context. the literature review will help you to find and select appropriate measurement instruments. the literature review will help you to anticipate common problems in your research context.

c.) Formulating the problem

Reseach problems are questions that indicate gaps in the scope or the certainty of our knowledge. They point either to problematic phenomena, observed events that are puzzling in terms of our currently accepted ideas, or to problematic theories, current ideas that are challenged by new hypotheses. Problem formulation is the logical first step towards doing a reseach. As Northrop (1966) writes, Inquiry starts only when something is unsatisfactory, when traditional beliefs are inadequate or in question, when the facts necessary to resolve ones uncertainties are not known, when the likely relevant hypotheses are not even imagined. What one has at the beginning of inquiry is merely the problem

d.) Creating a research design

Research design provides the glue that holds the research project together. A design is used to structure the research, to show how all of the major parts of the research project -- the samples or groups, measures, treatments or programs, and methods of assignment -- work together to try to address the central research questions.

e.) Collecting Data

Data collection is a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting data, for example, as part of a process improvement or similar project. The purpose of data collection is to obtain information to keep on record, to make decisions about important issues, to pass information on to others. Primarily, data are collected to provide information regarding a specific topic. Data collection usually takes place early on in an improvement project, and is often formalized through a data collection plan which often contains the following activity. 1. Pre collection activity agree on goals, target data, definitions, methods 2. Collection data collection 3. Present Findings usually involves some form of sorting analysis and/or presentation.

f.)

Interpreting and Analyzing the Data

Analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision making. Data analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing diverse techniques under a variety of names, in different business, science, and social science domains. Data integration is a precursor to data analysis, and data analysis is closely linked to data visualization and data dissemination. The term data analysis is sometimes used as a synonym for data modeling.

g.) Publishing Findings

Research is all about sharing your findings with others so that they can benefit from the new knowledge you have discovered. It also gives your project findings the opportunity to be critically evaluated, reproduced and thus gains validity. The way to reach the widest audience is to publish your findings in a reputable journal. WHY PUBLISH? To share the results of your research with others, which may help with their own research To allow your colleagues to criticize your research, therefore potentially giving it validity To use as a basis for future research To gain recognition in a particular sphere, or establish ownership of a n idea or principle For your own sense of achievement and satisfaction To enhance promotion prospects.

h.) Replication
Replication is a term referring to the repetition of a research study, generally with different situations and different subjects, to determine if the basic findings of the original study can be generalized to other participants and circumstances. The researchers will apply the existing theory to new situations in order to determine generalizability to different subjects, age groups, races, locations, cultures or any such variables. The main determinants of this study include:

To assure that results are reliable and valid To determine the role of extraneous variables To apply the previous results to new situations To inspire new research combing previous findings from related studies

A replication study is possible and should be carried out, when

The original research question is important and can contribute to the body of information supporting the discipline The existing literature and policies relating to the topic are supporting the topic for its relevance The replication study if carried out carries the potential to empirically support the results of the original study, either by clarifying issues raised by the original study or extending its generalizability. The team of researchers has all expertise in the subject area and also has the access to adequate information related to original study to be able to design and execute a replication. Any extension or modifications of the original study can be based on current knowledge in the same field. Lastly, the replication of the same rigor as was in original study is possible.