Dissertation

TOPIC 02 RESEARCH TOPIC

LECTURER: THANG NGUYEN @ FSB HANOI BASED ON: SAUNDERS ET AL (2012)

RESEARCH METHODS FOR BIZ STUDENTS

OUTLINE Attributes of a good research topic Generate research ideas Refine research ideas From ideas to research projects Research proposal

A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC

STARTING POINT
What do you want to do? First, formulate & clarify research topic Then choose research strategy, data collection, and analysis techniques Steps 1) Generate & refine ideas 2) Research questions & objectives 3) Research proposal

A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC

SAMPLE RESEARCH
Topic: aging & health in Taiwan Variables: shopping freq. & health Sample: longitudinal, 1841 individuals (>65) Data: age, socioeconomic status, health, physical & cognitive wellbeing, shopping behaviors, life expectancy Daily shopping => 27% lower death risk Men: 28% lower risk; Women: 23% lower risk Reasons: exercise, social contact, pleasure Shop till you drop

A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC

ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC

Meet the program requirements Have your genuine interest in Suit your capability: skills & access Have feasibility: financial & time resources Be linked to academic theory (literature) Have clear questions & objectives Symmetry of potential outcomes (values) Suit your future aspirations

A GOOD RESEARCH TOPIC

CHECKLIST FEASIBLE?
1 Fascinated 2 Skills developed 3 Topic achievable 4 Topic current 5 Enough finance

Worthwhile?
1 Requirements 2 Link to theory 3 Clear Q. & Obj. 4 Fresh insights 5 Symmetrical 6 Org. Req. 7 Career goals

GENERATE IDEAS

GENERATING RESEARCH IDEAS

Rational thinking Creative thinking Use both rational & creative techniques

GENERATE IDEAS

Rational thinking
Your strengths & interests Staff research interests Past project titles Discussion Searching literature: review Scanning media

Creative thinking
Notebook of ideas Preferences from projects Biz relevance from literature Relevant trees Brainstorming

GENERATE IDEAS

BRAIN STORMING
Define the problem Ask for suggestions Record suggestions Review suggestions Analyze suggestions

REFINE IDEAS

DELPHI GROUP TECHNIQUE

6-step group activity: briefing; clarifying; generating 3; collecting ideas; commenting & revising; reaching a consensus

PRELIMINARY INQUIRY
Research idea => research question Literature review, discussions

INTEGRATING IDEAS
Working up and narrowing down

FROM IDEAS TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

WRITING RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Descriptive: what, when, where, who, how Explanatory: why Evaluative: how Avoid: too simple, too difficult, too big, too small Goldilocks test: time, researcher, setting Russian doll principle: find the essence

FROM IDEAS TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

WRITING RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Detailed investigative questions/objectives Objectives: purpose and direction

CRITERIA OF USEFUL RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

Transparency Specificity Relevancy Interconnectivity Answerability Measurability

FROM IDEAS TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

THEORY IN WRITING QUESTIONS & OBJECTIVES

Theory: critical for research design Theory: also important for Q & Obj What is theory? Why is theory important? How is theory developed? What types of theoretical contribution might be made?

FROM IDEAS TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

HOW IS THEORY DEVELOPED?

Deductive approach: theory driven Take a theoretical position Collect data to test theory Inductive approach: data driven Collect and analyse data Develop some theory

FROM IDEAS TO RESEARCH PROJECTS

TYPES OF THEORETICAL CONTRIBUTION?

Grand theories: universal Middle range theories Substantive theories: contextual

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Structured plan of your intended research A proposal requires broad knowledge Literature/theory Research philosophy/approach Research design: methods, strategy, timing Access and ethical issues Sample selection Data collection Data analysis

RESEARCH PROPOSAL Proposal checklist

What going to do? Why doing this? Why worth doing? Position in literature? Relevant theory? Research Q & Obj? How conducting? Research design? Necessary data? Intended participants? How to gain access? How to select sample? How to collect data? How to analyze data? How to develop theory? Data quality issues? How to overcome? Ethical issues? How to overcome?

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT
Coherence & lucidity Fit for purpose & can direct your research Ethical clearance Human participants, privacy, data storage Feasibility Timing, data, finance, skills

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

PROPOSAL STRUCTURE
Title: concise summary of research question Background: issues, worthwhile, literature Research questions & objectives: statements Method: design, data, sample, analysis, ethics Timescale: deadlines, stages in Gantt chart Resources References Example: Box 2.15 p56