Research Design Overview

Research Design

• Research design is the crucial steps in planning a research study.
• Its core function is to delineate how researchers will find answers to research questions.
• It outlines a structured and systematic plan for conducting research.
• This plan encompasses a framework for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer a specific research question.
• Research design involves decisions about methodology, data collection techniques, data analysis methods, and the approach to achieving research objectives.

Introduction

• Designing a research study is often a significant challenge for researchers.
• Many researchers are unsure how to identify and frame the primary research question.
• A key component is conceptualizing a research idea.
• Defining the scope of the research problem is essential.
• Evaluating if the problem is researchable is also critical.

Funnel Strategy

• Locating a researchable area isn't always straightforward.
• Researchers may need to use the funnel strategy.
• It is a mental model, helping adapt the research process and enabling the flow of ideas.

The Subject Area

• The first step involves identifying a broad area of interest (e.g., cybersecurity vulnerability).
• Reviewing relevant scholarly literature is necessary to determine a worthwhile research area.
• Identifying knowledge gaps and current ideas related to the topic is crucial.
• Creating a list of keywords contributes to advancing knowledge.
• Building a knowledge tree broadens understanding of the topic.

Preparing and Writing the Background Discussion

• The background section provides context on relevant theories and concepts for the study.
• It helps to scope the problem space and domain.
• This step links the research to existing knowledge, which leads to a better comprehension.
• The section can aid in choosing research methods.
• For qualitative research, this clarifies the research problem; for quantitative, it supports the formation of hypotheses.

Theoretical Backgrounds

• Theoretical backgrounds complement a literature review.
• Guiding theories and concepts are "planted" in the background discussion.
• They are then extensively discussed in the literature review.

Narrowing the Focus

• The funnel strategy further narrows the focus to a specific topic of interest (e.g., cybersecurity challenges in a particular economic sector).
• The researcher should have a strong grasp of relevant theories and concepts from various security fields like computer security, network security, etc.
• This helps to refine the research focus further, through factors and variables related to the topic.
• Concepts like cyber risk governance, cybersecurity-related skills, and sector-specific applications (e.g., banking) can be considered.

Scope of the Study

• Limiting the study's scope to a clearly defined research problem and its specific elements is vital.
• This process involves deciding what to include and exclude in the research.
• This makes the problem clearer.
• Use specific examples to define the area, like narrowing down cybersecurity to cyber risk management.

The Research Problem Statement

• A well-structured problem statement enhances comprehension and contextualization of the problem.
• A well-understood problem facilitates its resolution and effective solutions.
• The problem should be situated appropriately within its domain and context.
• A problem statement aims to offer the potential for generating answers, solutions, or significant contributions to existing knowledge.
• Theory plays a critical role in developing enduring solutions and innovations across various domains.

Sample Research Problem Statement

• Recent financial trends demonstrate a need to understand factors contributing to large-scale cyberattacks.
• Insider abuse of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is a significant issue in many instances.
• Losses from identity theft and the resulting erosion of customer trust are consequential for the financial industry.
• Effective cybersecurity governance, legislation, and regulation are essential for mitigating identity theft.

Developing the Flow of Ideas

• Funnel strategy diagrams illustrate the thinking process used to design a research project. This helps researchers follow the path in designing a study.

Researcher's Questions

• Where does the problem lie? Who does it affect? What is its context?
• What is the main issue? What key components are related to this issue?
• How can research findings address the issue within their sector (e.g., economic or social)?
• Is there a practical timeframe to resolve these problems?
• How critical is it to fix the problems?
• Is it a short-term or long-term issue?

Literature Review

• A literature review helps understand the research issue comprehensively.
• This step narrows the research focus, like in the funnel strategy.
• A thorough review includes academic journals, books, and conference proceedings related to the topic.
• It leads to a critical review of relevant work and important ideas.

Gaps, Flaws, and Weaknesses

• A comprehensive literature review critically analyzes gaps, flaws, defects, and weaknesses.
• Identifying such shortcomings improves understanding of a study's position.
• These shortcomings show how the current research fits in the broader field.
• The review substantiates how the research contributes to understanding the problems, strengths, and gaps in the body of knowledge.

Writing the Research Proposal

• The first step is identifying the core research goal. Note the specific goal.
• The researcher needs to define and organize the steps needed to write the research proposal.
  • Selecting the title, problem, and purpose statement of the research, including research questions or hypotheses.
  • Developing a logical conceptual/analytical framework. This steps involves a review of literature, the selection of relevant concepts/theories, and constructing an analytical framework diagram.
  • Determining methodology for data collection and analysis.
• Allocate timeframes to each step, creating a schedule, which helps in managing the tasks and submit the proposal on time.