Key considerations for planning and undertaking research

Determine what the key considerations are for planning and undertaking research.

1. Research questions. Certain research questions are better answered with qualitative research. Studies that seek to understand, explore or describe occurrences rather than find a definitive answer lend themselves to the qualitative method. Some students even choose a mixed-method dissertation which employs both quantitative and qualitative research. A great way to determine which method is best for your study is to consider the research methods of studies on similar topics. It’s important to let the research questions inform the qualitative analysis process.
2. Method of data collection. Data collection for qualitative research exists in several forms. Interviews, focus groups, surveys, and extensive literature review are common methods used to collect qualitative data. Furthermore, some studies choose to use a variety of methods to come to the conclusion.
3. Your collection tools. Most often qualitative research involves surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Since qualitative studies are exploratory in nature it’s important to avoid asking leading questions. Carefully examine, and better yet, have a second set of eyes examine your study to avoid leading questions, which can weaken your methodology.
4. Data analysis. Qualitative analysis involves more than just merging a list of facts. A dissertation consultant can work with you to thematize the data for your study.
5. Hiring a dissertation consultant. Your research advisor is busy and does not always have the time to work with you on your project or address your research-related concerns. A dissertation consultant helps you work through the qualitative analysis, regardless of your level of knowledge in the area.
6. Early data analysis. Early explorations and pilot studies serve as a way to explore the field without narrowing down on any specific topic just yet. Explore the data to pick out early findings that you may want to explore in depth. In a qualitative study this can take the form of doing focus groups with a small sample size or doing a few interviews. You can also reconsider your research focus with informed early data analysis.
7. Clean and easy is not always best. Because qualitative projects are not as strictly defined, it’s important to avoid the easy way out during the research process. Instead, let your questions and data drive the research methods and qualitative analysis that you undertake in your project.

Issue that can be encountered research.

Problems Encountered By Researchers

1. Lack of scientific training in the methodology of research

There is a paucity of competent researchers. The scenario in most cases is like a blind leading the blind. Most of the people who hold the position of research guide arethemselves not thorough with the various methodologies. They lead theresearcher/students to copy methodology of similar studies.

2. Copying of data (Plagiarism)

Some researchers (as they call themselves), merely copy other international studies or studies which have been done by researchers/students of other universities. This is a crime and should not be promoted. A Researchers can re-evaluate others study by considering and overcoming the limitations of previous study, but at no cost should be copied or repeated. One should learn to respect others hard work. The act itself leads to lack of awareness in research methodology.

3. Manipulation of data.

Every researcher tries or does one or the other kinds of manipulation of data. May be multiplying the sample size or to make the result in the way they want. The lack of confidence over the result they may get after the completion of study is the reason for manipulation of result. This never reveals the reality, as the intuition of the researcher is guided by mere theoretical knowledge. In reality sometimes theory and practice may be contradictory. Some researchers just finish off their study by simply sitting in their home; they don’t even interact with their subject or have any one.4.Lack of availability or access to literature needed. This is a major problem faced during the literature review. The lack of availability of access to Internet, ignorance of the way to search needed articles from journals and other databases are other problems. Searching books and newspaper articles from conventional libraries consumes a lot of time and effort. These kind of libraries, especially which are situated away from the capital cities lack copies of new acts/rules published by the government. There is also timely unavailability of published data.

5. The outlook of the researcher/research student

All students before being selected by the guide interact with their senior students.They already finding difficulty with research, tells the hardships they suffer or suffered. This changes the outlook of the students. Research is the way you take it. It can be either.

6. Lack of confidence to take up a new study especially explorative study.

This may be due to any of the above-mentioned reasons, also the fear of the result and fear of not able to answer questions during presentations. One should be dare enough to disseminate the result of the study, as it is the truth he/she has come to know after the research process. Limitations of the study are always considered and no one is going to blame on that, unless until the research is re-done. This leads to undertaking of overlapping studies, as there is a want of information.

7. Unavailability of permission to do research in specific centers

Hospitals and business establishments usually don’t allow third party inside toconduct research. This may be due to security reasons or may be due to lack of confidence in keeping the confidentiality of the data or names. No establishments will agree a third person to get in and find out the problems within and it being gets published. Some organizations charge heavy fee or donation (whatever it may be) from students to allow doing research within.

8. Research: a mere formality to fulfill course requirement

Yes, of course research is a part of curriculum. But most of the students find it as a mere formality to fulfill their course requirement. They just want to finish off the study. For this they search the shortcuts. But the fact is that once a study is done, it will be referred in future by other researchers. They won’t be aware if the study was sincerely done.

9. Publishing may be expensive

Research study once it is completed, the further step will be the publishing of the same. Printing and binding may turn to be expensive. Also, it will be very expensive the paper has to be published in any international journals or conferences. These expenses may not be affordable by the student researchers.10.Lack of availability of sponsors. This may be due to lot of reasons.

A. Hesitation to contact sponsors

B. Not able to convince the sponsors.

C. Lack of confidence of sponsors over the researcher.

References

Statistics Solutions. (2013). 7 Essential Considerations for your Qualitative Research Project - Statistics Solutions. [online] Available at: https://www.statisticssolutions.com/7-essential-considerations-for-your-qualitative-research-project/ [Accessed 13 Apr. 2020].

Scribd. (2020). Problems Encountered by Researchers | Publishing | Communication. [online] Available at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/15238122/Problems-Encountered-by-Researchers [Accessed 13 Apr. 2020].

Types of Research - Case Study

Case study

a research method to gain a better understanding of a subject or process. Case studies involve in-depth research into a given subject, in order to understand it’s functionality and successes. 

Mostly importantly: case studies are stories. In particular, business case studies tell the story of how your product or service helped a person or a company achieve their goals.

·         A case study is a research methodology that has commonly used in social sciences.

·         A case study is a research strategy and an empirical inquiry that investigates a phenomenon within its real-life context.

·         Case studies are based on an in-depth investigation of a single individual, group or event to explore the causes of underlying principles.

·         A case study is a descriptive and exploratory analysis of a person, group or event.

·         A case study reserach can be single or multiple case studies, includes quantitative evidence, relies on multiple sources of evidence and benefits from the prior development of theoritical propositions.

·         Case studies are analysis of persons, groups, events, decisions, periods, policies, institutions or other systems that are studied holistically by one or more methods.

Advantages of Case Study

1. ntensive Study. Case study method is responsible for intensive study of a unit. It is the investigation and exploration of an event thoroughly and deeply.
2. No Sampling. It studies a social unit in its entire perspectives. It means there is no sampling in case study method.
3. Continuous Analysis. It is valuable in analyzing continuously the life of a social unit to dig out the facts.
4. Hypothesis Formulation. This method is useful for formulation of hypothesis for further study.
5. Comparisons. It compares different type of facts about the study of a unity.
6. Increase in Knowledge. It gives the analytical power of a person to increase knowledge about a social phenomena.
7. Generalization of Data. Case study method provides grounds for generalization of data for illustrating statistical findings.
8. Comprehensive. It is a comprehensive method of data collection in social research.
9. Locate Deviant Cases. The deviant cases are these units which behave against the proposed hypothesis. So, it locate these deviant cases. The tendency is to ignore them but are important for scientific study.
10. Farming Questionnaire or Schedule. Through case study method we can formulate and develop a questionnaire and schedule.

Disadvantages of Case Study

1. Limited Representatives. Due to as narrow focuses a case study has limited representatives and generalization is impossible.
2. No Classification. Any classification is not possible due to studying a small unit.
3. Possibility of Errors. Case study method may have the errors of memory and judgment.
4. Subjective Method. It is a subjective method rather than objective.
5. No Easy and Simple. This method is very difficult and no layman can conduct this method.
6. Bias Can Occur. Due to narrow study the discrimination & bias can occurs in the investigation of a social unit.
7. No Fixed Limits. This method is depend on situation and have no fixed limits of investigation of the researcher.
8. Costly and Time Consuming. This method is more costly and time consuming as compare to other methods of data collection.

Example of Case Study

• Highlight the key take away from the case study. ...
• Use icons to summarize information. ...
• Use data to make concrete points. ...
• Add direct quotes into your case study. ...
• Use high contrast shapes and colors to draw attention to key information. ...
• Conduct a case study by researching the company holistically.
• Cover short term and long term goals in your case study
• Use emotive, persuasive, or action based language in your case study
• Use a monochromatic color palette to create a professional and clean case study
• Keep your potential customers in mind when creating a case study

References

PressAcademia. (2020). Definition of Case Study. [online] Available at: https://www.pressacademia.org/definition-of-case-study/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Study Lecture Notes. (2013). Advantages & Disadvantages of Case Study Method of Data Collection | Study Lecture Notes. [online] Available at: http://studylecturenotes.com/advantages-disadvantages-of-case-study-method-of-data-collection/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Venngage. (2019). 15+ Professional Case Study Examples [Design Tips + Templates] - Venngage. [online] Available at: https://venngage.com/blog/case-study-examples/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Types of research objectives and qualities of research objectives

Types of research objectives

There are two types: 

General objectives

General or secondary objectives provide a detailed view of the aims of the study. They provide a general overview of the study usually, there is one general objective in each study.

Specific objectives

The specific or broad objectives define what is the main aim of the study. There can be many specific objectives because every “what”, “where” and “how” of the research should'd be provided in the specific objectives. The specific objective is the essence of the study and it gives the main idea since they provide focus to the study.

They define the research and make the research valid and reliable because the research becomes focused with research objectives.

Qualities of research objective

1 - Specific – this means it must be clear what the firm is trying to achieve. For example, managers may want to increase sales, increase profit or increase customer satisfaction.

2 - Measurable – this means that all objectives should include a quantifiable element. For example, the firm might aim to increase profit by 30 %. This means that the managers can easily check whether the target has been achieved.

3- Agreed – targets need to be agreed by the different people who are involved in the process. There is no point imposing a target on someone.

4 - Realistic – a target should always be achievable. If you set an objective which cannot be achieved people will not be motivated by it. It may even discourage them, because they know the target can never be reached anyway. To work well employees must believe that their efforts can be successful.

5 - Time specific – all objectives should state quite clearly when they should be achieved. Managers need to know exactly how long they have so that they can plan accordingly.

References:

Objectives, T. (2017). Types of Research Objectives - Reading Craze. [online] Reading Craze. Available at: https://readingcraze.com/index.php/types-research-objectives/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Lessons.lerntipp.at. (2020). [online] Available at: https://lessons.lerntipp.at/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/the-features-of-a-good-objective1.pdf [Accessed 9 Apr. 2020].

Research objectives and proposals

Research objectives

Is the study very important?

- Define the focus of your study.

- Clearly identify variables to be measured.

- Indicate the various steps to be involved.

- Establish the limits of the study.

- Avoid collection of any data that is not strictly necessary.

Your Survey Research Project

1- Measure

2- Categorize

3- Target

4- Compare

Comparing the information within the year range. For example comparing information with previous years.

Research Proposals

- Primary problem

- Methodology

- Importance of the research

- Design a specific structure

RP format consists of 6 main parts:

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Review of the sources

4. Research Methods

5. Assumptions and consequences

6. Conclusion

References

Open.edu. (2020). OLCreate: HEAT_HMER_ET_1.0 Health Management, Ethics and Research Module: 13.  Writing Your Community Profile Report and Moving on to Small-Scale Research: 13.4.2  Research objectives. [online] Available at: https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=231&section=8.6.2 [Accessed 8 Apr. 2020].

now, O., Us, C., in, S., Bibliography, A., Statement, T., Paper, T., Review, B., Paper, R., Proposal, R., Proposal, T., Critique, A., Study, C., Paper, R., Service, C., Essay, A., Essay, P., Essay, N., Essay, D., Essay, P., Essay, A., Essay, P., Essay, S., Essay, D., Essay, E., Essay, R., Essay, S., Essay, L., Essay, 5., Essay, I., Essay, 5., Speech, P., Essay, R., Essay, C., Essay, C., Essays, F., Checker, P., Paper, R., Essay, E., Essay, C., Essay, 1., Essay, E., Essay, C., Essay, P., Essay, T., Essay, P., Essay, D., Paper, R., Topics, R., Topics, I., Topics, A., Topics, C., Topics, P., Speech, I., Statement, P., Essay, H., Topics, P., Essay, W., Report, L., Editor, E., Citation, A., Citation, A., Format, A., Topics, E., Tips, E., Precis, H., Speech, P., Essay, C., Essay, A., Essay, F., Essay, C., Policy, R., Policy, P., Guarantee, P., Back, M., Conditions, T. and Policy, C. (2020). How to write a research proposal with examples at KingEssays©. [online] Kingessays.com. Available at: https://kingessays.com/research-proposal.php [Accessed 8 Apr. 2020].