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POSTGRADUATE METHODOLOGY COURSE UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH 5-9 JANAURY 2009

POSTGRADUATE METHODOLOGY COURSE UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH 5-9 JANAURY 2009. WRITING AND PRESENTATION OF ACADEMIC PROPOSAL FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE BY Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer Chan Kim Lian (PhD In Tourism and Hospitality Management) School of Business and Economics

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POSTGRADUATE METHODOLOGY COURSE UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH 5-9 JANAURY 2009

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  1. POSTGRADUATE METHODOLOGY COURSE UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH 5-9 JANAURY 2009 WRITING AND PRESENTATION OF ACADEMIC PROPOSAL FOR SOCIAL SCIENCE BY Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer Chan Kim Lian (PhD In Tourism and Hospitality Management) School of Business and Economics jkimchan@yahoo.co.uk Ext 1624/ 1534 9th January 2008 Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  2. Presentation outlines • Understanding of Research & Research Process & Research Proposal • Content/criteria of good research proposal • Discussions- Research topic/idea, Research problem statement, research objectives and questions, research method, timescale • Practice sessions • Questions and answers Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  3. Introduction • WHAT is research ? • WHY we do conduct research ? • HOW do we conduct research ? • WHO ? • WHERE ? Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  4. Process of writing academic research proposal for social science • Understanding of research and research proposal • Research Process • Research ideas/topics • Research questions and objectives • Selecting appropriate research strategy • Data collection • Data analysis techniques Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  5. What is Research? • Walliman (2001): Common perception of research means : • Collecting facts or information , no clear purposes • Assemble or reordering facts/information without interpretation Research means……. • To find out things in systematic way and increase knowledge! • An explanation of methods used to collect data, meaningful results and limitations systematic : data collection, data interpretation • Describing, explaining , understanding, criticizing and analyzing • Clear purpose; to find things out … Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  6. Basic Research : Purpose: -expand knowledge -result in universal principles relating to process and outcomes -findings of significance and value to society in general Context: -universities -choice of topic /objectives -flexible timescales Applied Research : Purpose: -improve understanding -results in solution to problem -new knowledge limited to problem -findings offer practical relevance and value to organizations /managers Context: -people based in variety of settings-organizations/universities -objectives negotiate with -tight schedules Basic and Applied research Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  7. **Characteristic of good research • Interesting topic/current issues • Good literature review • Sound primary research • Logical structure • Analytical • Theory integrated • Underpinned by conceptual framework • Integration between methodology, literature, analysis and conclusions Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  8. Research Process: Research is a multi-stage process 8 stages ( Saunder et al. 2003): • Formulate and clarify research topic • Critically review the literature • Choose research approach and strategy • Negotiate access and address ethical issues • Data collection • Data analysis • Writing project report • Submit report / presentation Revisit each stage –activities and time Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  9. Research Process for Empirical Study : stages and research activities (Clark et al, 1998, p.59) Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  10. Research Proposal • Key success to your research project • plan with timescale • guides/ directions to complete your research project • shows the activities need to perform • Evaluation : standard , feasible project • clear research questions & objectives • Draft research proposal Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  11. **Writing your research proposal • Critical part of research process- why ?? • The general purposes of the research proposal: a) academic research; b) research funding • Purpose of your research proposal : ??? • Organizing your ideas • Convincing your audience • Contracting with your client- commercial project Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  12. Writing your research proposal Content of Research Proposal: • Title • Background • Research Questions & objectives • Literature reviews- key concepts and theoretical framework • Research method • Timescale/gantt chart • Resources –time and financial • References Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  13. Criteria for evaluating research proposals • Viability of the proposal – timescale and available resource • Absence of preconceived ideas -Exciting journey into the unknown • May use expert system –peer review process • Interesting research topics Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  14. Research ideas/topics • Ideas/topics, research questions and objectives are key ingredients -research proposal and completion of research project • Research topics –starting point for research proposal; time consuming Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  15. Attributes of good research topic • meet the academic standard-master, PhD • Capability/feasible: -interest/comfortable, -current issues/ exciting project -achievable - financial /time resources , accessibility to other resources • Appropriateness/worthwhile : • issues link clearly to theory • clear research questions and objectives • fresh ideas? • Outcome of research • Career goals- expert in particular subject area/industry ; develop expertise • Good knowledge of literature: defining research questions and objectives; fresh insights into the topics Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  16. Checklist : good research topics • Capability: is it feasible ? • Achievable , skills, on time • Access to data • Appropriateness: is it worth while ? -meeting academic standards -issues clearly link to theory -provide fresh insights -likely outcome - -match your goal goals Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  17. Techniques to generate research ideas • Rational thinking: -own strengths and interests -past project titles -discussion -searching the literature • Creative thinking: -notebooks of ideas -exploring personal preferences –past projects/like and dislikes -relevance tress-broad concept to specific -brainstorming –group of people Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  18. Refining research ideas • Preliminary study- greater understanding –refine research questions • Integrating ideas: “working up and narrowing down”- research ideas –area, field and specific interest • Topics given by companies/organizations : preliminary investigations Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  19. Turning research ideas into research projects: Research questions and objectives -General focus research questions from your ideas- several detail questions or research objectives -Research idea – break down the research questions from the original statement -Focus research questions -generate new insights, “not too big or small, or too hot/sensitive” why ?? -just right for investigation at this time /within this research setting • Generate new insights -relevant literature • Progressive illumination –emerge during/untill the research process Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  20. Research ideas: Job recruitment via internet Guest satisfaction dimensions in hotel The use of internet banking General focus researchquestions How effective is recruiting for new staff via the internet in comparison with traditional methods? 2. What are the underlying dimensions of guest satisfaction in hotel ? 3. What effect has the growth of internet banking had upon the uses customers make of branch facilities? Examples of research ideas and the research questions Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  21. **Writing research objectives • Research objectives: -clear sense of purpose and direction -operational/ measurement framework: variables/constructs -theoretical basis ( link to theory) • Develop from general focus research questions & specific learning objectives • More rigorous thinking • Good & sound research objectives: -Specific – what? -Measurable – what measures will you use? -Achievable – target sets -Realistic –time, energy and finance -Timely- time to accomplish all the objectives Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  22. **Research objectives • Develop from your research questions/problem/issues • what the research aims to achieve??? • Exploratory, explanatory, clarification • Theory/conceptual • Problem –solving • Predictive • Words use : to explore, to determine, to identify, to study, to discuss, to investigate the relationships -- Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  23. Research Questions/hypothesis • Develop from research objectives • Words in research questions use will determine if it is qualitative or quantitative research : Quantitative- ‘what impact”, what is the pattern?”-cause and effect, ‘testing’ –relationship of the variables Qualitative- avoid use of words-effect, influence, impact, determine, -use open-ended questions, use single focus and specify research site, 1 or 2 research questions, words use – to explore, to examine, to describe, to highlight – use the word-” what or ‘how” and avoid use of word-”cause, relationship, association” Each objective follows a research question/hypothesis –attempt to answer/to test ( finding and discussions- link to literature review) Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  24. **The importance of theory in writing research questions and objectives • role of theory to decide your research design / approach to research • What is a theory? – cause and effect relationships between 2 or more variables which may and may not have been tested ( Gill and Johnson, 2002: 229) • -logical explanation ; explain the patterns observed • Sutton and Staw ( 1995: 375) : theory is about the connections between phenomena, a story about why events, structure and thoughts occur- nature of causal relationships • References, data, lists of variables, diagram and hypothesis that do not offer explanations of the relationships occurred- NOT A THEORY Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  25. Theoretical framework • State clearly any theories or assumptions you are using, constructs /variables • Justify why do you use this theory or constructs /variables – proven by other researchers and use before … Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  26. Research title • Title-may change as work progresses; reflect the content of proposal • May reflect research problem/main issues • General and research interest • Short, brief /precise and simple • Not more than 12 words • Measurable, time , access , potential outcome, capabilities and interest • Value and scope of the research • Brainstorming sessions Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  27. Research Problem/Issues • Clearly stated -1/2 sentences long, be specific • State why the research is of interest and or importance • Literature review- journals • Fill in the gap of previous studies • New area/ideas/emerging area • Problem solving type • Develop from your background of the research • Identify the degree of the problem/issues Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  28. Background • Important part of proposal • why you feel the research is worth to conduct /significance of the research:show the evidence; demonstrate the relevant literature, show a clear link between the previous work done and content of your proposal • Start from literature review • Tell the importance of the research topic • Your curiosity • Sufficient interest to sustain • Previous studies/evidence • Knowledge of relevant literature • Clarify where your proposal fits into the debate in literature • Clear link between previous work done and your research interest and content of proposal Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  29. Research method • Longest section of proposal: research design- method chosen • How you intend to go about achieving your research objectives • Justify your choice of method –based on your research objectives • 2 sections : • a) research design- where, unit of analysis, research population/sectors of industry with justifications; general way to carry out research- questionnaire, interviews, combination of data collection techniques and why , secondary data sources, method chosen & justification • b) data collection -types of data collected, sample size, ethical guidelines in research setting; data analysis and presentation, statistical tests – quantitative approach, qualitative data analysis procedures /techniques Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  30. Timescale, Resources and References • Timescale: Determine the viability of research proposal; divide research plan into stage • Gantt chart –activities vs time • Resources: finance, time ,data access and equipment, skills -travelling costs –field work , research assistants, data analysis -convince the access to the data needed -” large –scale data collection “ and no idea how data will be analyzed • References: -key literature sources: background section , research method Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  31. Factors attribute to the success/completion of the academic research 1) Motivation : -commitment to conduct and complete the research work -motives of researchers: learning, personal growth, solve real problems ( managerial skills) 2) Support academic research project : -supervisors or tutor –technical expertise-relationship with supervisor – coping with the different stages of the research process - availability-mutual commitment -emotional support Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  32. Personal qualities-qualities of competent researchers • 3) Style and creativity : quality and originality • -curiosity, persistence of researcher • -prepared mind • -individualized action-hobbies/lifestyles • -open system of thought ( Philip and Pug, 1987) • -generalize the research • 4) Personal qualities-qualities of competent researchers • a) Knowledge • -awareness of different assumptions • methods of data collection • subject of study • key networks and contacts Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  33. Factors attribute to completion of research • b) Skills • -ability to plan, organize and manage the time • -gain support and cooperation • -structure and argue in writing • -defend and argues views • -ability to learn from experience • c) Personal qualities • -strengths, weaknesses, values • -clarity of thoughts • -sensitivity to events and feelings • -flexibility • -creativity Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  34. Research qualities and skills Communications Intellectual skills Independences Perseverance Information technology skills Motivation Organizational skills Source:Hussey & Hussey, 1997, p. 3. Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

  35. End of session Questions ? Postgraduate Research method Course/5-9 January 2009/JCKL

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