Research Methods Overview

• Research originates from a question or a problem.
• Research involves dividing the problem into sub-problems.
• Research requires clear articulation of a goal.
• Research follows a specific plan of work.
• Research is guided by a scientific question or hypothesis.
• Research accepts certain critical assumptions.
• Research is based on an open system of thought.
• Research involves the collection and interpretation of data.
• Research generalizes and specifies the limits on its generalizations.
• Research is cyclical in nature

Research process steps:

• Formation of the topic
• Articulation of hypothesis/question
• Conceptual definitions
• Operational definitions
• Collection of data
• Analysis of data
• Conclusion and recommendation

Research Process in Flow Chart

• Research process involves defining the research problem.
• Review concepts and theories.
• Formulate hypotheses.
• Design research including sample design.
• Collect data through execution.
• Analyze data, testing hypotheses.
• Interpret and report findings.
• Feedback helps control the sub-system to which it is transmitted.
• Feed-forward serves the vital function of providing criteria for evaluation

Principles of Research

• Replication
• Validity
• Reliability
• Objectivity
• Ethics
• Representativeness
• Precision in Measurement

Good Research Practices

• Honesty and Openness in research
• Documenting results clearly and accurately
• Being critical of research results
• Ensuring secure data storage for an appropriate time
• Fully acknowledging the role of collaborators
• Exercising a duty of care to all involved

Research Misconduct

• Fabrication: Creating non-existent data and reporting it
• Falsification: Manipulating research or omitting data for inaccurate representation
• Plagiarism: Appropriating another's ideas without credit

Research Misconducts

• Fabrication of evidence, data, results, or consent
• Falsification/Misrepresentation of evidence, data, or results
• Plagiarism includes copying ideas, data, or text without permission or acknowledgement
• Undisclosed duplication of publication
• Inappropriate attribution of interests
• Mismanagement of data or evidence
• Breach of duty of care to subjects/participants

Other Forms of Research Misconduct

• Conflicts of Interest
• Selective Citing
• Self-Plagiarism
• Ethical Misconduct
• False/Malicious Accusation
• Poor practices on data management
• Hampering work of other researchers
• Exaggerating the importance of findings
• Bias
• Poor practices publication & authorship

Ethical Implications of Scientific Misconduct

• Long-term consequences arise from scientific misconduct, especially by influential figures
• Breaches of academic integrity include plagiarism, data fabrication, and manipulation, undermining scholarly inquiry
• Unethical practices erode trustworthiness and credibility of research
• Compromised quality and academic rigor results from alarming drops in research output

Research Types

• Source of data is either primary or secondary
• Process of research is either qualitative or quantitative
• Outcome of research can be applied, pure, or action-oriented
• Purpose of research includes exploratory, descriptive, analytical/evaluative/explanatory/diagnostic, or predictive/prognostic research

Selection of Research Topic

• Important to be interesting to the researcher
• Be sufficiently original and niche
• Sufficiently broad
• Researchable (access)
• Be significant (relevant, adequate)
• Feasible with available resources
• Durable
• Nonpolitical (micro-politics)
• Career shaping

Developing a Research Topic

• Start with a problem/question.
• Sources of problems/questions include literature, experts, experience, and intuition
• Should indicate the core issue and focus of the study.
• Must be concise, clear and correct in language

Focusing a Research Topic

• Can be focused by date/time period, place, specific aspects/characteristics, or specific viewpoint
• Difficulties arise if the topic is locally confined, too recent, broadly interdisciplinary, or popular

Steps for Choosing a Topic

• Brainstorm for ideas.
• Read general background information.
• Set the scope.
• Refine the topic
• Make a list of useful keywords.
• Research and read about the topic more
• Be flexible.
• Find a theoretical basis to support the topic.
• Talk with prospective supervisors, choose a topic related to your program
• Look into advertised PhD Programs

Formulating a problem includes:

• Transforming the selected research problem into scientifically researchable questions or statements
• Identify the practical problem
• What you want to know or the Gap in knowledge
• Describe the rationale for the question/statement
• Specifying questions/statements

Statement of the Problem

• Poor communication and coordination among project participants limits stakeholder goal achievement in mass housing projects
• Ineffective communication is prevalent in mass housing projects, leading to unproductive time and delivery failures
• Communication ineffectiveness is inherent in the unique attributes and characteristics of mass housing
• The extent and nature of communication challenges remain empirically unknown
• Improving communication is a necessity for enhancing operational and organizational effectiveness in mass housing delivery
• Understand the attributes of MHPs and Communication will improve effective Communication

In addressing research problems

• List unique features of Mass Housing Projects (MHPs)
• List the key steps that project teams will face communication challenges
• How do contribution of unique project features to projects with communication ineffectiveness will be evaluated?
• List the key steps that contribute to over all communication processes

Types of Research Gap

• Literature Gap
• Conceptual Gap
• Time Gap
• Population Group Gap
• Methodological Gap

Research Gap Types

• Evidence Gap deals with contradictory conclusions from studies
• Knowledge Gap deals with desired research that do not exist
• Practical-Knowledge Gap deals with Professional practices deviate from from research findings
• Methodological Gap pertains to research methods generate new or avoid distorted research
• Empirical Gap deals with evaluating preopositions with emipirical evidence
• Theoretical Gap pertains to lack of theory and what theory be applied
• Population Gap is regarding the certain ethnic and reaces and genders are not equitably represented

Evidence Gap

• The researcher has identified an apparent evidence gap, citing a prior research concerning this issue.
• Previous work has covered some aspects of an issue, however the previous papers do not match up

Knowledge Gap

• Gap identified focuses on unexplored and uncovered research that has been unaddressed in previous issues

Practical Knowledge Gap

• Studies focus on theoretical and not practical application and practices

Methodological Gap

• Involves gaps in research design and methods that are necessary to implement more clear accurate, modern approaches

Empricial Gap

• Deals with some data has not been verified

Theoretical Gap

• No New Paradigms

Population Gap

• Subpopulations in the study are not adequately represented
• These sub-populations
  • have not been researched or discovered
  • their group has not been sufficiently explained

Research Synopsis Details

• Problem Statement: Concise statement of research topic and rationale
• Research question/hypothesis: Specific questions/statements for investigation
• Aim: Desired outcome or end
• Objectives: Specific ends the research seeks

SMART objective components

• Specific
• Measurable
• Agreed upon
• Realistic
• Time bound

Formula for objectives

• Action Verb + Activity + Purpose + Date (due)

• Assumptions things out the study that cannot be controlled -Limitations:: limits within the study

• Delimitation/Scope: boundaries for the study