Research Literature Review

CORLA3-11 - WEEK 1

Eduvos (Pty) Ltd (formerly Pearson Institute of Higher Education) is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the
Higher Education Act, 101, of 1997. Registration Certificate number: 2001/HE07/008
This Introduce the
program / MG /
Groups
Introduce the POE
due Wk 3

Session
Choosing a topic
The research and problem
process revision statement. Eduvos
Themes.

RQs/Objectives. Qualitative v
Hypotheses Quantitative

Eduvos Research
GO THROUGH AN
Agenda/ block 4
Research is about finding answers and generating new knowledge

What makes a good research? Discuss

Research makes philosophical assumptions

Research follows a cyclical or iterative process. IF HAP P-CAR

Refer to the Example: See the one on Bullying

 THE RESEARCH PROCESS
An overview.

1. Identifying and analysing the

problem
2. Conducting a literature review
3. Formulating a research question
4. Deciding on a research approach
5. Writing your research proposal
6. Pre-testing data collection
methods or instruments
7. Analysing and interpreting your
data
8. Writing your research report
 EXPLORATORY DESCRIPTIVE EXPLANATORY

Focuses on topics Paints a detailed Looks for the

that are new or picture of a social reasons and
have not been situation or causes of an
studied relationship occurrence
Aims to generate Addresses ‘how’ Addresses ‘why’
questions for future and ‘who’ questions
research to solve questions
Addresses ‘what’
questions
 QUALITATIVE:
QUANTITATIVE: • Collects information
in the form of words
• Collects information
• Explores, describes,
in numbers
identifies or explains
• Uses data to social phenomena
explain social
phenomena
• Determines
relationships
between variables MIXED:
• Looks for cause and • Combines
effect relationships quantitative and
qualitative
METHOD research
approaches
-OLOGY

Reality – what is real?
Ontology
Knowledge – What is true
knowledge and knowledge
systems. epistomology
Values – What are the
fundamental beliefs. How
do they affect research.
Axiology
Methodology
Data collection methods
Data collection instruments
Data analysis
Realism/Positivism Pragmatism – critical Relativism/
theory, transformational, Constructivism/
etc Interpretivism.
One reality What matters is what Multiple realities. Is a
produces results. social and contextual
construction.
Objective. Scientifically What matters is what Subjective. It is constructed
proven produces results. by the participants and the
context.
Value-free, The values and What matters is what Value laden, Values matter
beliefs of participants do produces results.
not matter.
Quantitative – number Mixed - What matters is Qualitative – subjective,
based, objectiive what produces results. words
Surveys, experimental Mixed Interviews, focus group,
methos phenomenological,
grounded theory, etc
Questionnaires with close- Interview schedule/guide,
ended questions recordings, etc Survey with
open ended questions.
Statistical analysis - Thematic analysis
Descriptive or/and
inferential statistics
Types of Research and their aims

1. applications
of the
findings of
the research
study;
2. objectives of
the study;
3. mode of
enquiry used
in conducting
the study.

FIGURE 1.2 Ranjit_Kumar,

Research_Methodology_A_Step-
by-Step_G
 BASIC RESEARCH:
• Forms the foundation of social
knowledge
• Tests new theories
• Generates knowledge not
directly applicable to the social
world

APPLIED RESEARCH:
• Used to make decisions and
has practical use
• Attempts to solve specific
problems in the social world
THE ITERATIVE RESEARCH PROCESS
• Research should be seen as iterative: each component is
revisited, and if necessary revised in relation to the other
components until differences are minimised and you have a
logical argument
• All choices and assumptions in one component influences
choices and assumptions elsewhere
First steps in the research process

From Topic to Research Questions

PROCESS OF CHOOSING A RESEARCH TOPIC

Sources of research problems

Theories Previous Practical Personal interest

research problems

Ideas for a topic area

Brainstorming Discussion Pros and cons Preliminary

searches

Preliminary topic

Reading Researching Pros Cons

Research topic
TOPIC
• Researchable
• Plausible
• Company permissions
• Narrow the scope
• Refer to the Eduvos themes
• Refer to the example on Worksheet 1.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS: WHY DO WE NEED THEM?

What is a Problem statement? Discuss

A clear problem statement will result in a research

question (s) the research will answer. Research
questions:
 Identify what you want to study
 Help to narrow your research down
 Lead directly to a hypothesis
 Provide direction for the methodology

 See examples on page 19

RESEARCH QUESTIONS: What are they?

•NOTE: A research question is just that – a question ????

 Can be answered by an empirical study
 Has not been satisfactorily answered before
 States the problem clearly and completely
 Does not presuppose the outcomes of the study (avoid
wording such as ‘what is the extent to which…’
 Avoids value-laden words
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES:

 The research objectives are based on the research problem that

has been defined in the previous step of the research process.
 The research objectives specify exactly what the research will
achieve.
•Why set research objectives?
 provide focus and direction for the research team
 enable diverse groups of people to work on a research project
 Without objectives, the researcher will not know if he or she has
successfully gathered the information that the organisation
requires in the decision-making process.
 The objectives also keep the researcher focused on the outcome,
which is how the research will be evaluated.
 Having clear objectives is also necessary if the correct research
decisions are to be made.
Examples of Questions and objectives

•Research question 1: What practices in the hospitality industry can be considered as green or eco-
friendly management practices?

•Research question 2: How do accommodation establishment managers and owners in Gauteng

perceive the concept and implementation of eco-friendly management practices?

•Research question 3: What management practices have been implemented by ecofriendly

accommodation establishments in Gauteng?

•Corresponding objectives
• Objective 1: To determine what green or eco-friendly management practices in the hospitality
industry consist is.
•Objective 2: To determine how accommodation establishments in Gauteng perceive the
implementation of eco-friendly management practices.
• Objective 3: To evaluate the management practices that eco-friendly establishments in Gauteng
have implemented.
18
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
 An educated guess
 Describes the expected relationship between variables or
difference between groups
 Written as a statement
 Is founded in theory or developed from the results of previous
research
 Is testable: possible to observe variables involved
 Requires a thorough review of literature
 ACTIVITY

Register groups and your provisional topic on an online sheet

using the provided link

Begin to complete the four worksheets provided on Mylms for

choosing a research topic.
Read about Research
Designs and Paradigms

• Go through MyLMS
notes
• Complete activities
on MyLMS