Course title: RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Lecture 1 Introduction to postgraduate research

Course Contents Introduction to postgraduate research Rules, procedures, expectations Research Design Research enquiry process Exercise: Selecting a topic and developing a working title Designing the Research Proposal Exercise: Developing the Background, Problem & Purpose Statements Literature reviews and online resources Literature reviews, using the Internet to support research Theoretical approaches Problem and Purpose statements Research Question/ Hypothesis Quantitative methods Designing and using surveys, writing up and interpreting statistical results

Qualitative methods Data collection & analysis methods Analysing primary and secondary data Data Coding and Analysis Wits Graduate School of Public & Development Management: Master of Management in the field of ICT Policy and Regulation Using databases for literature reviews Exercise: Drafting proposals Research proposals Drafting proposals and presenting to research proposal panels

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Research is: Exploration, and analysis carried out to increase knowledge and understanding. Invention and generation of novel or enhanced understandings, materials, devices, products, artefacts, processes, or performances. Includes design, construction and work of significance to the needs of commerce and industry, as well as to the public and voluntary sectors. Categories Basic researchApplied research

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Postgraduate research Scholarly work in a discipline area at a higher level. Undertaken in an area closely related to the undergraduate discipline or the industrial/professional work-experience. Requirement Carried out under the supervision and guidance of an academic member staff in the specialist area or field involved. Outcome Production of thesis Publication of research data

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Rules/Principles for Postgraduate Research Ethical and accountable environment Proper code of conduct Relevant legislation and Institutional research policies Appropriate training in relevant research policies and procedures Proper management of research data records Effective publicising of novel research findings Publication and dissemination of research findings Peer review Joint research with other institutions

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Procedures/Protocols Strong Research Proposal  What are the Characteristics of a Successful Research Proposal? Procedure for Ethics Clearance Examples from Bioscience  Pharmaceutical research Release of novel drug  Clinical research Patients with physical and mental disorder Working with animals Samples/biopsies of human origin  Assessment of Ethics and/or Risk in Research  Research proposal approval by the Research Ethics Committee.

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Research Plan  Research design  Scientific techniques to apply  Sampling and data collection  Methodology and processing  Data analysis Literature survey/strong knowledge about the field of research  Available research articles  Latest research training  Thorough study on the research technique going to apply

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Postgraduate Research Skills Training  One–two day research skills training session to be conducted  To enhance technique skills in applied field of research Management of research data and final analysis Research and Development skills Draft writing and publication of research findings

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING Expectations to postgraduate research Completion within standard time frame Proper thesis draft Excellent writing skills Publication/ Research article Capability to write succinct research proposal Project management Research development

RESEARCH PLANNING AND REPORT WRITING