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Research Methods

Research Topic Selection and Literature

Dr Frantz Clermont (Daryl Essam)

Email: daryl@cs.adfa.edu.au Phone: 6268 8167

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The Research Process: A generic prescription

Generic Steps:

1) Choose a Topic Idea-Generating Phase

2) Research Question Narrowing-Down Phase

3) Design the Study4) Collect Data5) Analyse Data6) Interpret Data7) Inform Others

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Topic/Question Search: An Iterative Process

Activity: Make a list of topics of interest/relevance/importance

Consider one or two topics about which you know

something Carry out exploratory/skeletal review of literature

relevant to broad area Consult with supervisor & others => perspectives on

worthiness & feasibility

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Topic/Question Search: Literature Review-1 (exploratory)

Aims: to assess importance/worthiness of topic(s) of

interest to clarify and justify a specific topic

Involves: Reading seminal papers, recent review/tutorial

papers Learning about state-of-the-art from papers’

introductions Learning of “ways forward” from papers’

conclusions Paying attention to titles, keywords and recurrent

citations Annotating a preliminary bibliography

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Research Topic/Question Search: In a nutshell!

Initial seed(s): Supervisor and/or Others Personal Background, Experiences,

Intuition Literature Review-1:

exploratory/skeletal Consultation with Supervisor and

Others

An Iterative Process An Incessant Search for Originality!

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Research Topic Formulation: Literature Review-1

Aims: to assess importance/worthiness of topic(s) of

interest to clarify and justify a specific topic

Involves: Reading seminal papers, recent review/tutorial

papers Learning about state-of-the-art from papers’

introductions Learning of “ways forward” from papers’

conclusions Paying attention to titles, keywords and recurrent

citations Annotating a preliminary bibliography

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Basic Research Strategies: Ways to Acquire Knowledge

1) Tenacity: “it has always been that way”

2) Authority: “the boss says it is true”3) Intuition: “it feels true”4) Rationalism: “it makes sense

logically”5) Empiricism: “I observed it to be true”

Research Process : [(4) + (5)] + (3)

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Formulating the Research Question/Problem:Some Guidelines

Some Crucial, Initial Determinants Your interest in the subject area Manageability of research study within your

constraints

Suggested Steps (assuming you already have a specific topic) Raise research questions you would like to

answer Formulate objectives (main & sub-) for your

study Assess objectives (feasibility, resources &

technical expertise) Double check

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On Formulating Main Objective & Sub-Objectives

re: Research Question/Problem

{Objective+Sub-Objectives} = {Goals to be Attained}

Main Objective = The Main Goal Thrust of Study Main Connections/Associations to be

Discovered/Established Ex.: To find out the effects of alcoholism on the family

Sub-Objectives = Specific Goals Ex.-1: To find out the effects of alcoholism on the financial

institution of the family Ex.-2: To determine the ways in which alcoholism affects different

aspects of children’s lives Wording Research Orientation/Type

Clarity Completeness Specificity

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Why? (1) Bring Clarity & Focus

The daunting paradox:– Effective literature search research problem– Literature review shape research problem

Expected (inevitable?) Benefits:– Better (& deeper) understanding of subject/problem

area– Conceptualisation of a viable, research problem

Clarity Conciseness

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Why? (2) Improve Your Methodology

Contra others’ procedures and methods– Similarity– Effectiveness– Limitations

Expected Benefits– Procedures/methods appropriate to research

problem– Defensible choices

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Why? (3) Broaden Your Knowledge Base

Ensemble of perspectives– Currency of similar and/or related problems– Types of theories & their explanatory

strengths– Trends in methodologies & their

effectiveness– Argumentations & interpretations– {… Gaps …}!

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Why? Purpose (in a nutshell)

Generic requirements: Learn from others and formulate new ideas Show prior research direction Integrate and summarise what is known Demonstrate strong familiarity with a body of

knowledge

Research degree requirements Evidence of: {your problem area} {high level of

expertise} Evidence of: {your study} {existing body of

knowledge}

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Why? Benefits (in a nutshell)

Expert knowledge of The topic finally selected and other related topics The theories relevant to a range of topics Range of viable and/or plausible hypotheses Research designs & methodologies applicable to

topic area Sound knowledge of

Leading Perspectives Leading Scholars

A way of thinking! Second nature!

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What? Goal-1: Familiarity w/ Body of knowledge

Common to all reviews Provides necessary

foundation/framework Expertise Credibility! Scholarship A way of thinking!

Not the only Goal: Generally Definitely Thesis Context

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What? Goal-2: Prior Research Paths

Essential Goal!

Unfold links within relevant body of knowledge

Research (sub-) objectives

A gradual build up to research question

Extension of a line of thought Conflicting views Unanswered question(s)

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What? Goal-3: Integrate and Summarise

Essential Goal!

What is (or appears to be) known Contrasts amongst Theories/Methodologies Unifying perspectives on Theories/Methodologies

What is (or appears to be) unknown Recall range of plausible research

hypotheses/questions Recall YOUR research question its relevance! Recall YOUR research question its significance!

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What? Literature = {???}

Primary Sources Academic Journals (serials) Electronic Journals Conference Proceedings Dissertations and Theses Abstract and Keyword Services

Secondary Sources Book Chapters Monographs

Other Sources Government Publications Industry Reports

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How?: Primary Sources

Primary sources publish the details of specific research projects

Journal articles– Thousands of journals covering every topic

imaginable– Abstract services makes it easy to find

relevant journal articles

Dissertations– Available through interlibrary loan or Web

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How?: Secondary Sources

Secondary sources provide reviews of broad areas of research

Review articles in journals or books– Provide integrative reviews of a

research area– Some journals specialize in these

kinds of integrative reviews Books and edited books

– Provide extensive reviews without the typical space constraints of journal reviews

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How?: Search Strategies

Many ways to find the information that you are after– Search by topic– Search by author using authors who

you know specialize in the area– Check out the references in relevant

articles– Use citation indexes to find articles

that cite classic articles in a field

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How?: Search by Topic

The most common search strategy Abstract and keyword indexes are

structured for topic searches– Most are now computerized– Easy to do sophisticated searches in

computerized databases using Boolean operators (OR & AND)

Identify all the work of authors you find who have done a lot of work in the field

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How?: Searching Backwards

Relevant research will likely reference other relevant research

Identify some recent relevant studies and then look through their reference sections

Not a substitute for a thorough topic search, but is a good supplementary strategy

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How?: Searching Forward

In most areas, there will be one or more articles that are SO critical that they will be referenced by every related study

Citation indexes can be used to find the studies that reference these classic studies

Again, not a substitute for a thorough topic search, but a good supplementary strategy

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How?: Literature Reading (A

suggested procedure)

Step-1: Skim article/chapter: title, abstract, (sub-) headings &

conclusion Step-2: Reflect for a moment

Formulate questions YOU expect to be answered

Step-3: Read article/chapter quickly Step-4: Read article/chapter while taking

notes & highlighting items Step-5: Reflect on article/chapter Formulate questions Your

potential research Step-6: Integrate all YOUR thoughts

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Literature Review In Sum

It involves a paradox in the first instance

A continuous process A way of thinking! searching for existing literature reviewing the selected literature using it to develop the antecedents to your

problem using it to develop the framework for your

investigations all materials presented must have a

purpose