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Understand research importance and report content. Define problem and objectives, choose research methods, and analyze data effectively. Learn step-by-step research process.
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Research Methodology For AEP Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai HÀ NỘI 12/2015
Key Objectives • Understand the importance of doing research • Understand the main steps in the research process • Understand the main content of a research report
The Purpose of Research • To review and synthesize existing knowledge • To investigate some existing situation or problem • To provide solutions to a problem • To explore and analyze more general issues • To explain a new phenomenon • To generate new knowledge • A combination of the above • …
Write and present research results Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research Define R. problem & objectives Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Identifying a Research Topic/Defining a Research Problem • Topic(general area of interest) needs to be narrowed down to a specific issue/problem • Sources of research topics/problems: • Personal experience • Information provided by practitioners • Media (general & business/professional) • Personal reading of the literature • Views of previous researchers • …
Issues Relevant to Determining a Good Research Topic • Researcher’s ability/interest • Value/scope of the research • Does it address a theoretical problem or a problem in the realm of practice? • Is it “re-inventing the wheel” (i.e., are you sure that it requires primary research and not just good information retrieval) • Access to required data • Time required • Financial support
Define the problem “ a problem well defined is half-solved” If we try to find best solutions for a not correct problem what happens???
Establish Research Objectives What information is needed to solve the problem? Problem
Identifying a research problem Specific issues should be considered • The availability of data • Knowledge gaps • Time and cost constraints • Stating the research problem: My research project is about…. Evaluation of debit card services at Bank X
Determining the objectives of the research What the objectives or aims of the research will be? E.g., This research project aims to achieve the following objectives. • To understand… • To identify … • To evaluate… • …
Write and present research results Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research(theories & design) Define R problem & objectives Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Theoretical Background • Which theories/concepts/models should be used to frame the research project? • Example of theories and models in business: • Motivation theories • Service quality & customer satisfaction (in banking industry) • Branding theory • Hofstede’s (1980) cultural dimensions • ... How about in the fields of marketing, accounting. finance & banking field?
Write and present research results Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research(theories & design) Define R problem & objectives Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Determine Research Design Research types by increasing level of sophistication • Exploratory Research • Descriptive Research • Analytical/explanatory Research • Predictive Research (Causal Research)
Identify Information Types and Sources Secondary Data Primary Data
Determine Methods of Accessing Data • Accessing Secondary Data: • Internal one: company records,... • External one: library, CD- Rom,... • Accessing Primary Data: • Observation, focus group, in-depth interview • Surveys
Research Methods Quantitative methods Qualitative methods Mô hình KT lượng Experiment Survey In-depth interviews Projective Focus groups Observation
Qualitative Methods In-depth interview • When to use? • Key concerns?
Quantitative Methods: Survey Key issues: • Questionnaire design • Sampling method and sample size • Data collection methods
Write and present research results Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research Define R. problem & objectives Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Discussion • Key concerns when collecting data in Vietnam: • Secondary data • Primary data • Solutions?
Write and present thesis/project report Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research Define R. problem & objectives Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Analyze the Data • Coding • Entering the Data in to the computer • Analyzing Data
Write and present research results Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research Define R. problem & objectives Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Write and Present the Research Result • Prepare the final written Report • Present the Research Report
Suggested report structureTable of Contents • Include key headings • Give page numbers for every section • Be sure it looks professional It’s where evaluators often look at! What can you see from the Table of Content?
Suggested report structure Acknowledgements • This is where you “thank” the people who helped you -- your sponsor, your supervisors, your family/supporters • Be generous! It is OK to thank many people for helping you get through the project
Suggested report structure Executive Summary • Should be 2-3 pages maximum • Should include ALL the key parts of the reports: • Objectives of the project • Theoretical background • Research Methods • Results • Recommendations • It may be the only part that some people read!
Suggested report structure Chapter I: Introduction • Provides the background on why the project was important to do • Also provides the objectives for the project • The project has three objectives: • to examine the market for ..... • to assess costs and benefits of ..... • to evaluate debit card services of....
Suggested report structure Chapter 2: Theoretical Background • Explain key theories/concepts/models used in your research as theoretical background • Do not ‘copy’ and ‘paste’ from textbooks! • Provide citations when appropriate
Suggested report structure Chapter 3: Research Methodology • Types of information that you needed • Ways you collected information • Secondary sources (reports, other data) • Primary sources (surveys, interviews, etc ...) • Description of data • Sample, response rates • How you analyzed the information • Statistics, creating tables
Suggested report structure Chapter 4: Results • What you found from your investigation • The results should refer back to each objective • The findings from the investigation relate to each of the objectives, stated below: • Objective 1: to determine the costs and benefits ... • The information showed that ....
Suggested report structure Chapter 5: Conclusions & Recommendations • Conclusions (if appropriate) • Summarize the findings • Recommendations • what actions should/could the Co./organization take • justification for the recommendations: link to the findings
Suggested report structure References • Pay attention to the format required
Suggested report structure Appendices • Appendix A: Forms for collecting data • surveys and interview questions • Appendix B: Data analysis done • Appendix C: Tables • Appendix D: Figures and Graphs • Appendix E: Other supporting materials
Good Cover the main issues in sufficient depth and detail Provide well-structured report Provide arguments & evidence Provide sources of information(in text and in reference list) Well written & good layout Not good Concept misunderstanding (e.g., quanti. vs. quali. aspect) Be poorly structured (e.g. lack intro. and/or conclusion; unclear transition), no focus Lack evidence Lack sources of information Writing style: use of one-sentence paragraph, ‘copied’ tables Spelling and grammar mistakes Inconsistency in format Final Report:GOOD & NOT GOOD POINTS
Write and present research results Analyze and interpret research data Determine how to conduct research Define research problem Identify research topic Collect research data 1 2 3 4 5 6 Steps in the Research Process
Love what you do • The most common ingredient for success is that people love what they are doing.