Special Gift
1 research and the research Problem
AIMS INTRODUCTION WHAT IS RESEARCH? WHAT IT IS FOR – THE OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH TYPES OF RESEARCH Historical Comparative Descriptive Correlation Experimental Evaluation Action Ethnogenic Feminist Cultural THE RESEARCH PROCESS Desirable characteristics of research findings STARTING YOUR OWN RESEARCH Finding and defining a research problem Some common mistakes Aids to locating and analysing problems Research problem definition The sub-problems PLANNING A RESEARCH PROJECT Choosing a research strategy Planning your projects THE NEXT STEPS: FINDING YOUR RESEARCH PROBLEM AREA Checklist of activities that will progress your research Consolidation and assessment FURTHER READING 2 2 2 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 18 19 19 20 22 27 28 29 31 33 35 36 40 40 42 51 52 54 54
01-Walliman-4197-Ch-01.indd 1
07/03/2011 9:50:58 AM
2 Your research Project
aims
• • • • To explain what research is, and what it is not, and the objectives of research To outline the different types of research To discuss the research process To introduce the concept at the heart of any research project – the research problem – and to discuss what a researchable problem is • To warn of common mistakes • To describe how to choose your research strategy and plan your research project
Introduction
The shortest way of describing the contents of this chapter is to say that it provides a starting point for your research efforts. It introduces the concept of research as understood in the academic world, and contrasts it to the loose way the word ‘research’ is used in everyday speech. However, even in the academic world, the nature of research is the subject of a great deal of debate. The characteristics of scientific method are briefly explained, and the interpretivist alternative is discussed as one of the aspects of the debate about research methods. This debate is treated in much greater detail in Chapter 2. An overview of the research process is given showing
AIMS INTRODUCTION WHAT IS RESEARCH? WHAT IT IS FOR – THE OBJECTIVES OF RESEARCH TYPES OF RESEARCH Historical Comparative Descriptive Correlation Experimental Evaluation Action Ethnogenic Feminist Cultural THE RESEARCH PROCESS Desirable characteristics of research findings STARTING YOUR OWN RESEARCH Finding and defining a research problem Some common mistakes Aids to locating and analysing problems Research problem definition The sub-problems PLANNING A RESEARCH PROJECT Choosing a research strategy Planning your projects THE NEXT STEPS: FINDING YOUR RESEARCH PROBLEM AREA Checklist of activities that will progress your research Consolidation and assessment FURTHER READING 2 2 2 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 18 19 19 20 22 27 28 29 31 33 35 36 40 40 42 51 52 54 54
01-Walliman-4197-Ch-01.indd 1
07/03/2011 9:50:58 AM
2 Your research Project
aims
• • • • To explain what research is, and what it is not, and the objectives of research To outline the different types of research To discuss the research process To introduce the concept at the heart of any research project – the research problem – and to discuss what a researchable problem is • To warn of common mistakes • To describe how to choose your research strategy and plan your research project
Introduction
The shortest way of describing the contents of this chapter is to say that it provides a starting point for your research efforts. It introduces the concept of research as understood in the academic world, and contrasts it to the loose way the word ‘research’ is used in everyday speech. However, even in the academic world, the nature of research is the subject of a great deal of debate. The characteristics of scientific method are briefly explained, and the interpretivist alternative is discussed as one of the aspects of the debate about research methods. This debate is treated in much greater detail in Chapter 2. An overview of the research process is given showing