Prof. A. Taleb-Bendiab Room A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture 5, Page: 1 Student Project Design and Idea Generation

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 2 In This Session …  An overview of project development process  (Detailed study can be found here)  Introduction to this talk  How to generate and develop suitable topic  Recognise time and resource constraints  Is it an achievable piece of research?  Overview of planning process for the work  Development of research proposal  Get you started on thinking about and planning this process  Involves a working relationship with supervisor

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 3 Overview of a Student Project Work Structure Do MSc Project Select a topic Make a plan Gather & analyse data Perform literature search Write up Decide objectives Develop Work Struct. Produce estimates Plan resources Create Gantt chart Source Ref: to be added

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 4 Project Management Model  A general model including:  Define Why are you doing this project? Who is involved? What are the objectives and constraints? What are the alternatives? Write it down, discuss and agree  Plan Establish objective Formulate basic strategy, Develop work breakdown structure, Resource requirements planning including; –HR, resources, schedules, budget, etc.  Implement  Control  Complete

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 5 Research Design  General sequence of steps in research design  Identify the research problem  Determine the purpose of research  Develop the theoretical framework  Define the research questions and/or hypotheses  Define the scope of the study  Decide on methodology  Define expected outcomes  Writing up J Hussey & R Hussey, Business Research (Palgrave, 1997), Ch. 5.

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 6 Identifying the topic #1  Why this topic?  is it topical, timely?  is there a clear need for work in this area?  if so, who needs it, who will use it?  how will the world be a better place?  Where does expertise lie?  who can you talk to?  what can you read to find out more?  does this confirm the need for the research?  Is the proposed research novel?  How does the project relate to other work?  does it follow on sequentially from something? (eg extension of previous project)  does it apply similar approach to another project?  does it fill a gap in knowledge?  draw a “mind map” of the subject

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 7 Generating a Research Idea #1  Following questions can help to define a research focus including;  What does the research seek to find out? What questions does it aim to answer, or what hypothesis does it seek to test?  What areas of knowledge, subjects and disciplines will the research need to draw on?  What do we know already that is relevant? Where shall we need to add new knowledge or know how?  What are the likely sources for the required information?  What are the potentially useful ways of doing the research - the methodological options?  What limits must we set to the breadth and depth of the inquiry?  What obligations do we have to fulfil to the institution in which we are doing the research? E Orna w. G Stevens, Managing Information for Research (OU Press 1995), Ch. 2.

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 8 Generating a Research Idea #2  finding your research subject  brainstorming  ways of refining the topic  analogy - import ideas and procedures from a similar area  morphological analysis - methodical breakdown of key dimensions of general area of interest  mind maps - use network diagram to extend out from central concept  relevance trees - use hierarchical diagram to develop fine categories within research area  importance of literature review  to increase your knowledge of research area and methodologies  to scope, justify and decide feasibility of your proposed work  to develop critical appraisal and ability to synthesize  consider purpose, conduct, findings, strengths and weaknesses of the studies you read

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 9 Defining Research problems/questions J Hussey & R Hussey, Business Research (Palgrave, 1997), Ch read literature, identify gaps 2. generate list of interesting questions 3. questions already answered in literature? 4. test feasibility 5. eliminate impractical questions 6. does suitable problem exist? to next stage in research design N N Y Y 1. state purpose of research 2. formulate specific questions or hypotheses 4. survey relevant literature 5. have questions been answered already? to next stage in research design N Y 3. are they interesting or important? N Y identifying a research problemdeveloping research questions

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 10 An Example -- Mind Map E Orna w. G Stevens, Managing Information for Research (OU Press 1995), Ch. 2. organizational policy - strategic objectives - corporate planning how organizations make decisions on information products information resource management technology for information products - DTP - databases - electronic publishing - document management monitoring and evaluation of information products training management of information products - writing - design - editing - typesetting - production - budget organizational information products - how they are used - medium of production people involved in information products - decision makers - professional specialists ‘the role of information products and information presentation in organizations’

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 11 Other Considerations  The topic must be interesting to you!  do you really care about the answer?  will you be able to sustain your enthusiasm?  is the topic “off the shelf” or your own?  much harder work if you find it boring!  What skills will it require of you?  review, survey, experiment, analysis …?  Transfer of ownership and responsibility  from supervisor to you

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 12 Types of research project  Experimental study  eg investigate properties of material ….  Survey  eg interviews of people’s attitudes on …..  Modelling  eg apply existing model to …  Software development  eg writing software to implement …..  Literature review  eg synthesise / compare previous work on ….

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 13 Structure of proposal  Aims and objectives of research  Introduction, background  overview of what is known, need for this work  Methods to be used  eg sources of data, lab experiments, surveys …  anticipated nature of results  Programme of work  key stages, estimated duration, milestones …  Gantt chart or similar?  deliverables  List of references  Tip: Always useful to look at (good) examples  but not to follow slavishly

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 14 Tutorial Activity Network Diagram Exercise See tutorial sheet.

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 15 Next Session …  To be added

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 16 Example Mind Map #1 Source: X

A. Taleb-Bendiab, Module: Research Methods, Code: CMSSEM003, Lecture: Supplementary to Lecture5, Page: 17 Example Mind Map #2 Source: X