Introduction to Social Science

Research

BUS8401 Research Methods

Dr. Melissa Johnson Morgan

 Office – T423
 Phone – 46311299
 Email – morganm@usq.edu.au
 Office Hours:
 By appointment for BUS8401 students
Your Program...Your Supervisor

 Meet your supervisor

 What will you say?
 What do you want to know?

 What will they want to know?

 When will you meet them again?

 The Student/Supervisor Relationship

Select the three items that you believe are the most important in a good working
relationship with your supervisor.
1. The student is capable of handling theories and concepts at an advanced level.
2. The supervisor selects a research topic for the student.
3. The student is able to work independently.
4. The student is willing to acquire new research techniques and skills.
5. The supervisor is always available when the student needs help with his/her research.
6. The student selects her/his own research topic.
7. The supervisor leaves the student alone to get on with his/her (the student’s) work.
8. The student and supervisor like each other.
9. The student and supervisor negotiate on how often to meet to discuss the student’s research.
10.The supervisor understands the particular difficulties involved in being an international student.
11.The supervisor and student jointly decide on the student’s research topic.
12.The supervisor tells the student exactly what to do and when to do it.
13.The supervisor is a critic of the student’s work.
14.The supervisor helps the student to write the student’s thesis.
15.The student and supervisor interact with respect and formality.
16.The student and supervisor have a teacher/pupil relationship.
17.The student and supervisor interact as colleagues.
18.The supervisor takes an interest in the student’s personal welfare.
19.The student does what the supervisor says, even if he/she disagrees with the supervisor.
 What makes a successful researcher?

Choose three characteristics below..

1. high level of intelligence 15. love of wide reading
2. open-mindedness 16. clear writing skills
3. creativity 17. physical fitness
4. courage 18. humility
5. clear-thinking 19. strong educational background
6. independent decision making 20. drive
7. patience 21. good organisation skills
8. even temperament 22. perseverance
9. risk taking 23. curiosity about natural
10. pleasure in experimenting phenomena
11. originality 24. imagination
12. lateral thinking 25. meticulous attention to detail
13. diligence 26. integrity
14. awareness of different levels of 27. practical aptitude
consciousness 28. ability to be critical of own work as
well as that of others
Outcomes of International Postgraduate Education
 What do you think are the three most important outcomes:
1. opportunities for cultural exchange
2. opportunities for future joint enterprises
3. trade between developed and developing countries
4. making personal and professional friendships
5. international travel opportunities for professionals
6. internationalisation of “Western” universities
7. potential loss of well-educated people from developing countries
8. transfer of advanced level professional skills from developed to developing countries
9. profitable commercial opportunities for “Western” universities
10. improved career prospects for students
11. development of students’ ability to communicate about their research in English
12. promotion of intercultural tolerance through sharing human values
13. potential loss of cultural identities through “colonisation” by English language and worldview
14. development of specialists as resources for governments
15. increased understanding by industrialised nations of global development issues
16. overall English language development for students
17. personal satisfaction through inter-cultural academic activity and research
18. enhanced status for students on their return home
19. positive anti-racism influence on future generations
Module 1 – Introduction to
Scientific Research
The scientific research process
What research really looks like??
Scientific Research

Welcome to the
“Club”
You are now a
scientific
researcher!!
Basic (scientific!) vs Applied Research
What is a literature review?
Literature Review

 A literature review is a well-organised discussion of

published (and sometimes unpublished) research
 and scholarship relevant to an area of study. The
literature review demonstrates that you have acquired
 a full professional grasp of your research area. A good
literature review also puts forward an argument
 for the research you intend to do; it points the way
towards your own work. Your literature review will
 continue to develop as you progress in your research.
Eventually it will probably form a chapter inyour thesis.
Format of the Lit Review

 Are the aims/ goals of the literature review

included in the introduction? Is the research
focus made clear/
 How well is the literature review structured? Are
the headings/ sub-headings used appropriately
to help the reader navigate the subject area?
 Is there a conclusion to the review? Are main
points summarised and future research
directions suggested?
Content of the Lit Review

 Is the nature of the material reviewed appropriate?

 Are important authors /research papers included in the review?
 Is the coverage of the literature sufficient … for the moment?
Are there any key items/areas overlooked?
 Have you synthesised the work – providing coherent
representation of the field? Or is the review pointing to previous
work in a disconnected manner?
 Do you take a critical approach to the literature (identifying
important contributions, comparisons, strengths and
weaknesses)?
 Does the review show appropriate depth of thinking for the
degree being undertaken?
Why do I need this course?

 To get started!
 To know what your choices are
 To formulate and design “QUALITY”
research
Why Do I Need to Know About Different Methods?

 As a graduate student...
 To be able to read and understand the
empirical literature in your field; to become
a critical consumer of information.
 As a graduate student preparing for a
thesis or dissertation…
 To be able to both design and implement
your thesis or dissertation as well as future
studies that interest you.
Why Do I Need to Know About Different Methods?

 As a future academic/supervisor…
 To be able to intelligently participate in
research projects, evaluations, and studies
undertaken by your institution.
 As an educated citizen ...
 To understand the difference between
scientifically acquired knowledge and other
kinds of information.
Next week....

 The research question

 Write your own and bring it to class
 Read Module 2 and your assignment!
 We are going to discuss how to approach
your 1st assignment
 Make a summary of Reading 2.1 and
bring it with you