Chapter 4 – Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan

1. Chapter 4 – Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan Brian – Part I – Quantitative Research Asim – Part II – Qualitative Research Christina – Part II – Epic Summation

2. Introduction • Research plan – detailed description of a study proposed to investigate a given problem. • Generally include an: • Introduction – review of literature • Discussion of research design and procedures • Information about data analysis

3. Introduction Continued May be relatively brief and informal or lengthy and formal. Most colleges/universities require a proposal for approval before thesis or dissertation. Quantitative research – hypothesis basis for almost the entire paper.

4. Research Plan Purposes Forces you to think through every aspect of the study. Facilitates evaluation of study. Provides detailed procedures to guide the study. **Research plans force you to plan properly, therefore avoiding future catastrophes.**

5. Components of a Quantitative Research Plan Introduction Method Data Analysis Time Schedule Budget (if necessary)

6. 1. Introduction Section Statement of Topic Statement of Research Questions Review of Literature Statement of Hypothesis

7. 2. Method Section • Participants – population – larger group from which the sample will be collected. • Instruments – test or tool used for data collection. • Design – general strategy or plan for conducting a study. • Procedure – describes all steps of data collection, from beginning to end, and in order. • Assumption – assertion presumed to be true but not verified. • Limitation – aspect researcher cannot control but believes negatively impacts the study.

8. 3. Data Analysis Description of the technique or techniques used to analyze data. 1 or more statistical methods will be required (usually). Probably the most frustrating part of the research plan.

9. 4. Time Schedule Important for both new and experienced researchers. Deadlines necessitate careful budgeting of time. List of major activities or phases of the study. Allow yourself more time than you think you may need.

10. 5. Budget Proposals to agencies almost always require a budget section. Researchers not seeking external funding for their research are not required to submit a budget for obvious reasons.

11. Chapter 4 – Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan Components of Qualitative Research Plan

12. Back to the definition“Qualitative Research” Generally: • Qualitative research—seeks to probe deeply into research setting to obtain in-depth understandings about the things are, why they are that way and how participants in the context perceive them (Gay, L.R. 2012 p.12). • Qualitative research is an inductive approach, and its goal is to gain a deeper understanding of a person's or group's experience. (Cynthia A. Hunt, n.d, http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/wstevens/PROPOSALCLASS/Huntpaper.htm)

13. Dilemma in Qualitative Research Qualitative research plan is less structured document than the quantitative research plan. Bogdan & Biklen highlight (Gay, 2012, p116): Plan for qualitative research sometime places graduate students and contract researcher at odds with IRBs and funding agencies who are more accustomed to dealing with quantitative proposals.

14. Dilemma in Qualitative Research (continue) How to report issue of validity and reliability in proposal????? This basic issue (reliability and validity) was addressed in three ways: prolonged engagement, persistent observation, and triangulation (Cynthia A. Hunt, n.d, http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/wstevens/PROPOSALCLASS/Huntpaper.htm). Is this possible to report all confronted situation which may change result of study earlier—(Qualitative Researcher avoid Pilot testing to avoid traditions of qualitative Research) (Gay,L.R. 2012,p116)

15. Conclusion to dilemma Qualitative Research methodologies have there unique features which may not be vividly addressed in research plan at early stages. However, the less structure format of Qualitative research enables researchers to add or subtract any component about the topic, field work, data collection.

16. Components of Qualitative Research Plan TITle Provides “Frame of Reference” to researcher for continuous reflection. “Conceptual point of Reference” to readers. Enable Librarian to catalogue the thesis on the basis of title alone.

17. Components of Qualitative Research Plan Introduction section Topic Statement It is the every thing about research plan It should be written in C3 format (clearly, concisely and comprehensively )

18. Components of Qualitative Research Plan Introduction section Framing the study Researcher should demonstrate the relevance of proposed study using a frame of reference that reader will be able to relate.

19. Components of Qualitative Research Plan Introduction section Statement of Research Question It is tricky to maintain inherent flexibility in qualitative research while posing initial research. It is suggested to pose initial questions closely link to theories and policies and practical problems It should be linked to literature

20. Components of Qualitative Research Plan Review of Literature Review of literature should describe the assumption and theories that underlie to initial research question Review of literature should highlight the potential gaps in existing theories and preparedness of research to bridge them. Suggestions, further refinement and possible direction for further research

21. Components of Qualitative Research PlanResearch Procedure section Generally it includes: Description of qualitative approach used Rationale of the study Location of research context, gaining access (to authorities, research participants) Researchers role Population and procedure of sampling Data management strategies and analysis Limitation of study

22. Components of Qualitative Research PlanResearch Procedure section Description of approach & Rationale for the study Classify over all approach used in qualitative paradigm (Case-Study, historical, ethnographic) Provide rationale for the appropriateness and link in literature.

23. Components of Qualitative Research PlanResearch Procedure section LOCATION OF RESEARCH CONTEXT, GAINING ACCESS (TO AUTHORITIES, RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS) In contrast to quantitative research, qualitative research is more exploratory, understanding-oriented and in-context research (Gay,L.R. 2012, Pp.12-15) in natural setting. Thus research plan provides information about:GAINING ACCESS TO AUTHORITIES, RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS Discuss in detail the role of researcher during the process of research

24. Components of Qualitative Research PlanResearch Procedure section Population & Procedure of Drawing Sampling In contrast to quantitative research, qualitative research more focuses on small size of sample and not tend to be representative of whole phenomena. Sample size: Possible Answers are “No hard and fast rules” “It Depends” “it can be single sample or 60-70 participants from multiple contexts”

25. Components of Qualitative Research PlanResearch Procedure section Population & Procedure of Drawing Sampling (continue) Sampling size also matter on Research deadlines, funding and resources availability, interests of volunteer as sample, pertinence of sample to research to research topic and data saturation.(Gay,L.R.2012, p143)

26. Components of Qualitative Research PlanData Collection, management and analysis strategies Data Collection strategies Describe specific fieldwork technique or tool used for the data collection Discuss the appropriateness of tool Provide the evidence of tool used during the data collection Finally the golden words: “Convince the reader that researcher has sensible plan and instrumentation for collecting the data”

27. Components of Qualitative Research PlanData Collection, management and analysis strategies Data Management strategies Qualitative research plan must address the insight about When material would becollected(provide schedule) and how it would be stored and protected and what is the time to write the research report.

28. Components of Qualitative Research PlanData Collection, management and analysis strategies Data Analysis strategies Qualitative research Heavily weighted toward interpretive rather than statistical data analysis The data is analyzed from interview, field-note, observation by organizing and interpreting data. (Either by Macro analysis or Micro Analysis)

29. Components of Qualitative Research PlanTrustworthiness A research plan must address an aspect of trustworthiness about the research findings and processes.

30. Components of Qualitative Research PlanEthical consideration It is advised to incorporate a discussion about ethics in research plan, Because Sensitivity to possible ethical issues that may arise during the study is critical to the success of the research (Gay,L.R 2012,p.119). Maintaining equilibrium between personal and professional perspective while writing research report. Protecting research participant from any possible harm and obliging promised committed during negotiation while writing research report..

31. Components of Qualitative Research PlanPotential Contributions/Implications of the research SO What? Link the possible implications to the broader ideas about theory, practical solutions discussed in literature review or generalize potential findings while considering the specificity of research context or address how it contribute o the existing body of knowledge.

32. Components of Qualitative Research Plan Limitations of the study Your research cannot answers all questions pertaining to your topic Discuss possible resources and hurdle in your research plan which may affect the result of study.

33. Components of Qualitative Research Plan Limitations of the study Your research cannot answers all questions pertaining to your topic Discuss possible resources and hurdle in your research plan which may affect the result of study.

34. Components of Qualitative Research PlanCritiquing Research plan for improvement Assessment of research plan and it adequacy can be informal or formal both. Read Research Plan to ensure that all the relevant material have been included with sufficient detail. Request Critical Friend—to read proposal. “An External reader can often se gap in Your logic”

35. EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHCompetencies for Analysis And Applications Chapter Four The Epic Summation Christina Rizza-Carrano

36. Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan • Definition: Research Plan: A Detailed Description of a Study proposed to investigate a given problem. Both Qualitative and Quantitative research studies should have the following within the research plan: • Introduction which includes the review of related literature • A Discussion of the research design and studies • Information about data analysis

37. Components of the Quantitative Research Plan 1. Introduction * Statement of the topic * Statement of Research Question * Review of Related Literature * Statement of the Hypothesis 2. Method 3. Data Analysis * Participants 4. Time Schedule * Instruments 5. Budget ( if applicable) * Design * Procedure

38. Components of a Qualitative Research Plan • 1. Title of Study • 2. Introduction to the Study • Describe the purpose of the research study • Frame the study as a larger theoretical policy or practical problem • Pose initial research questions • Describe related literature that helps to frame the research questions

39. Components of a Qualitative Research Plan • 3. Research Procedures • Overall approach and rationale of the study • Site and Sample Selection • The researcher’s role –entry to the research site, reciprocity and ethics • Data collection methods • Data management strategies • Data analysis strategies • Trustworthiness features • Ethical considerations

40. Components of a Qualitative Research Plan • 4. Potential Contributions of the research • 5. Limitations of the study • 6. Appendixes • Timeline for the research • Proposed table of contents for the study • Consent Forms, IRB approval • Samples of structured surveys or questionnaires

41. Revising and Improving the Research Plan A Research Plan Should be reviewed by at least one skilled researcher and at least one expert in the area of investigation If Possible, a researcher should carry out a small scale “pilot study” to help in refining or changing planned procedures.

42. A WINNING PLAN!! A research Plan serves an important purpose… 1. Forces the thought process throughout the study 2. Getting down details helps the researcher from overlooking aspects of the study 3. Facilitates evaluation of the study 4. Saves time and funds Reduces mistakes Supports higher quality research