My version of the research process Presentation by Lenore Benefield

A research question is developed... Out of the darkness... A pattern is noticed...or ...Something stands out Beckoning to be explored A research question is developed... (Sometimes a research question arrives as a memo)

No Yes Research question Is it worth the research Effort? Memo Refrain from rolling your eyes Memo or request Curiosity arousing observation Research question Is it worth the research Effort? Can anyone possibly benefit if you do this research? Will anyone use the information you find? No Yes

Write it in your journal And move on ...

Literature Review No Yes Gather Sort Synthesize What is known about this subject? What research has been done? How? What theories apply? What information can you add? Gather Sort Synthesize Look for previously published Instruments designed to gather the Data you need... Still need to research? Need to revise research question? No Yes

Revisit research question Considering what you learned during your Literature review, you might need to modify your Research question. If not, that’s ok. It is still a “jumping off point.” Design the study Define variables Define the population Select or develop instrument Select sampling method – if any Collect data

Descriptive Statistics Look at the data Are there any obvious errors? Descriptive Statistics Sometimes errors show up here. Does anything interesting show up? Need more info? Yes No

Perform more sophisticated Statistical measures The possibility exists that you may need to gather more data from your participants. Maybe some issues need clarification... A focus group might clear things up... Need more info? No Yes

the knowledge base of the profession. Write the Report “Rhetoric is the bucket we carry our statistics in...” Frank Hurley @ 2001 SAIR conference Distribute results Get published Make a contribution to the knowledge base of the profession.