- Synthesise secondary material into your overall argument
- Synthesise secondary material into your overall argument
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of other arguments or studies
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of other arguments or studies
- Engage with theory and apply it to your argument
- Engage with theory and apply it to your argument
# The research process
- Rigour is a key element in the systematic process of investigation.
- Careful identification of the research problem
- methodical data collection and
- thorough analysis lead to credible and trustworthy conclusions and good research.
- Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2000; Gray, 2017, proposes the following research steps
- Identify a research topic - this would usually be an issue, problem or phenomenon that is of interest and worthy of investigation
- Formulate research questions - consult relevant academic literature and other sources to explore the issue in more depth and identify feasible research objectives
- Frame research question(s) - decide on specific question(s) to ask about the issue; frame the question clearly
- Choose methodology/approach - think about how to conduct the research; consider the optimal approach to enable you to address the research objectives
- Select methods of data collection - choose how to collect the data; consider which methods will enable you to gather the sort of data you need to respond to the research question(s)
- Collect data - consider who and what you need to gain access to in terms of data collection; think about sampling; ensure ethical consideration is given to all aspects of data gathering
- Analyse data - choose how to analyse the data; draw from a range of analytical approaches most relevant to the type of data collected. Triangulate from different sources if appropriate
- Draw conclusions - discuss findings in relation to what is already known about the issue (academic literature and other relevant contextual information). Identify key results/outcomes, recommendations, limitations of research and opportunities for further research
- Disseminate research findings - think about who to communicate findings to (stakeholders) and choose an effective way to do that (report, academic paper, presentation etc.)
- The nature of the research will place emphasis on different elements of the process.
- For example, when exploring the research topic to come up with a research question, academic research will take account of the existing knowledge/theories and consider how the proposed research will contribute to and advance knowledge in the academic/scientific field.
- For a computer research project, emphasis will be on ensuring that findings are translated into actionable outcomes and there will be a phase beyond dissemination which focuses on decision making, action and evaluation.
- Research is messy!
The problem with illustrating the research as a step-by-step process is that this ignores the iterative nature of doing research. Cameron & Price (2009) discuss this in some depth, highlighting that practical research is not linear as it focuses on complex issues which, by their nature, tend to be quite messy. They describe the iterative nature of research as ‘messy looping’, representing the fluid and organic nature of enquiry, in which information gathering on the initial ‘problem’ raises more questions which leads to further information which leads to refinement of ideas which leads to more questions – an ongoing loop which is essential for gaining insight and in-depth understanding of the issue.
