Methodology - Trimester 1 Flashcards
Theory
A Hypothesis which is tested
Hypothesis
is merely an idea
is a prediction of the relationship of two variables
(independent and dependent)
- null hypothesis:
there will be not relationship btw. the variables
- alternative hypothesis:
there may be an important relationship btw. the variables
A good research topic
Capability:
- interested?
- achievable (time, money)
- current topic?
- enough data, new knowledge?
Appropriateness:
- meet examination standards?
- link to theory and to the idea that has been given to you?
- new insights?
clear defined research question
one aim and one objective
symmetry of potential outcomes (all of your results will have similar value whatever you find out)
Ways of thinking to find a research idea
rational and creative thinking
rational thinking
- examining own strengths and interests
- looking at past project titles
- searching literature
- scanning media
creative thinking
- notebook of ideas
- brainstorming
- relevance trees
- exploring relevance to business using literature
Refining ideas
- Delphi Technique
- preliminary study/initial inquiry
Delphi technique
A group of people who are interested or involved in the research idea generate and choose a more specific research idea after telling them the initial one. They should comment each idea and put further refinements to the idea.
Preliminary study/ initial inquiry
process of refining the research idea in order to create a research question and afterwards your project. Involves searching and evaluating further literature and other sources (visiting a company etc.)
Purpose of the research question:
descriptive research question
What, when, why, how, who where
To portray an accurate profile of people/situations/events
Purpose of the research question:
exploratory research question
how, what
To ask questions and assess phenomena in a new light.
Purpose of the research question:
explanatory research question
why
Goldilocks Test
to see if the rq is too big (demanding too many resources) or too small (insufficient substance) too hot (sensitivities) or just right.
Generate new insights in the idea.
General focus research question
form a general idea and go into something specific
after research topic
research aim and research objective
research aim
short statement of the purpose of your project
a good theory
is about the connections between phenomena, a story about why events, structures and thoughts occur.
A good theory explains and predicts.
deductive approach in the research project
when it is theoretically driven (when you test a theoretical position)
inductive approach
when the research topic is data driven (when you aim to explore a topic and develop theoretical explanations after collecting and analyzing the data)
Types of theories
Grand theories
(province (Fachgebiet) of natural scientists (Darwin)
Middle-range theories
(not able to change the way we think about the world, but are significant)
Substantive theories
(restricted to a particular time, research setting, group or population or problem)
research proposal
is to clarify your thoughts and create a structured outline of your research project
feasible
within your capabilities
The structure of your project
Title
- it should summarize your research question
Background
- introduction to the reader to the issue of your research and why it is worth it.
- showcase of your knowledge of relevant literature
- showing link btw. proposal and previous literature
Method
- longest section of proposal
- Research design: explains where you will cary out the research (quantitative, qualitative or multiple methods) + time frame
- The data collection: how data is collected and which type (secondary or survey) and the various analysis techniques during the research
Timescale
- divide research into different stages and explain how much time each one will take
Resources:
- finance, data access and equipment
References:
- literature sources to which you have referred to
literature review
- making reasoned judgments about the value of piece of work
- organizing ideas and findings of the value of a piece of work into a review