MSc. Research Methods Week 1- Introduction

Purpose of Module to prepare postgraduate students for undertaking research to introduce students to the discipline of research to help lay the essential foundations for a dissertation of MSc quality to help you define an area of study that could or will form the basis of your research project

Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding Plan and document laboratory work in accordance with all legal and best - practice requirements for health, safety, risk minimalisation and management. Intellectual, practical, affective and transferable skills Critically evaluate complex issues from a variety of viewpoints and rigorously apply appropriate methodologies, techniques and practical strategies; being sensitive to the context. Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge and the scientific method to the solution of identified practical problem. Devise an effective and practical research proposal for their dissertation.

Assignment Explain, backed up by the relevant literature, why you propose to carry out research on the chosen topic. The justification for this topic should be included. (20 marks) You should make it clear whether your proposed research will require ethics approval. Include the ethics checklist in your list of appendices. (5 marks) Design a conceptual framework for your proposed research. (15 marks)

Assignment Describe your research methodology. Explain why you chose a qualitative / quantitative or mixed methodology. Back up your research methodology by appropriate references. (20 marks) Describe and justify the proposed tools to collect and analyse your data, for example, laboratory experiments, survey questionnaires, interviews, secondary data collection from reliable and a variety of sources, etc. (20 marks)

Assignment Include a Gantt Chart and a critical path analysis of the proposed activities required to successfully complete the proposed research within the time framework. (15 marks) Ensure proper use of references. Use the Harvard referencing style. (5 marks)

Assessment Criteria In general, assessment criteria will include: Quality of argument Does the work show the ability to reason, analyse and integrate elements? Critical reflection and synthesis Does the work demonstrate powers of critical reflection? Evaluation Does the work involve analysis of the relative importance of the different aspects or events described? Attainment of university graduate generic outcomes Does the work demonstrate understanding of the concept of being a graduate and is it written in a manner appropriate for postgraduate level?

Assessment Criteria Specifically, assessment criteria will include: Structure of the work The presence of clear and sound objectives / identification of clear research question Evidence of critical evaluation of the work of others Evidence of proposed analysis, either from theoretical framework or empirical or both Logical structure and argument Relevance and depth Summary: clarity and conciseness Presentation of work The quality of text, writing and use of tables and figures The quality and relevance of the bibliography, including evidence of wider reading

Level 4 at Anglia Ruskin Cognitive/Intellectual skills (generic) Analysis: with critical awareness can undertake analysis of complex, incomplete or contradictory areas of knowledge communicating the outcome effectively Synthesis: with critical awareness, can synthesise information in a manner that may be innovative, utilising knowledge or processes from the forefront of their discipline / practice Evaluation: has a level of conceptual understanding that will allow her / him critically to evaluate research, advanced scholarship and methodologies and argue alternative approaches Application: can demonstrate initiative and originality in problem solving. Can act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, making decisions in complex and unpredictable situations

Level 4 at Anglia Ruskin Practical skills (subject specific) Application of skills: can operate in complex and unpredictable, possibly specialised contexts, and has an overview of the issues governing good practice Autonomy in skill use: is able to exercise initiative and personal responsibility in professional practice Technical expertise: has technical expertise, performs smoothly with precision and effectiveness; can adapt skills and design or develop new skills or procedures for new situations

Starting well Explore the literature Shortlist possible subjects (‘cognitive domain’) Select your preferred subject Think about the methodology, time management and planning The process is not sequential … Introduction Introduction Literature Review Previous work Work done Experiment Findings Result Discussion Discussion Conclusions Conclusion

Deciding on a theme Identify the options available to you Identify your own personal research interests of interest & relevance (novel and challenging for you, motivates you, experience (work, study or modules)) durability (still relevant on your CV) breadth (deep enough for research) topic adequacy (marking criteria) resources (enough literature on your topic)

Six-stage process Identify broad topic and academic area (reading, reading, reading) Determine the scope Brainstorm issues, puzzles and questions Map and structure the issues (post-its!) Conduct a reconnaissance (ask people, do further trawl of the literature) Frame your research question (Fisher, 2007)

Pressing business/IT problem When an opportunity arises Purpose for Research Simple Fact Finding Pressing business/IT problem Conduct Research When an opportunity arises Personal Experience

Discussion From your experience Can You identify some IT Issues? Can you identify opportunities for the use of IT by your organization?

What is Research? Research is defined “as something that people undertake in order to find out things in a systematic way thereby increasing their knowledge” Saunders et al (2007, pg. 5)

“The good researcher is not one who knows the right answer but one who is struggling to find out the what the right questions might be” Phillips and Pugh (2000, pg. 48-49)

Key Points to Note Research: Is a process of inquiry and investigation Is systematic and methodical Has a clear purpose Increases knowledge Is original

Collis and Hussey (2003) summarize the purpose research as: To investigate some existing situation or problem To provide solutions to a problem To construct or create a system To explain a new phenomenon To generate new knowledge Essentially what all of this is saying to us is simply, our research must produce a meaningful OUTCOME

What to Research? Information Management/Systems Issue ICT Issues Issues that requires a management decision ICT Issues Issues that can affect the competitiveness of an organization or industry Internet Security issues Issues that can impact the organization

Gartner Hype Cycle for India July 2012

Sample Topics from Anglia Ruskin Natural human-computer interaction in learning and teaching - teaching astronomy with natural user interfaces. A comparative investigation into the effectiveness of static and animated banners, and how web users respond to this mode of advertising. An agile development comparison to waterfall method. How usable is the interface of the WebCT discussion tool? An analysis from the perspective of an end user. A comparison of the intelligibility of object-oriented and process-oriented diagrammatic representations in computer science students.

Sample Topics from Anglia Ruskin How do we improve the usability and performance of an e-commerce website? What is the perception of Internet shopping safety and security? An investigation on how e-commerce websites utilise attractiveness on their sites as evaluated using an heuristic evaluation. Power management in android devices. Improving network security using cross domain authentication. Collaboration integration modelling. Data privacy and security in social networking sites.

Qualities of a Good Research Purpose clearly defined Research process detailed Research Design thoroughly planned High ethical standards applied Limitations frankly revealed Sound and comprehensive analysis Findings presented unambiguously Conclusion justified

Researcher qualities and Skill Collis and Hussey (2003) Communication Independence Intellectual Perseverance IT Skill Motivation Organization Skill

Paradigm/Approach/Philosophy Theoretical Framework Phenomenological Positivistic Paradigm/Approach/Philosophy Theoretical Framework Methodology Researcher Design RESEARCH Experience Skill Methods Purpose Data Collection Research Question Data Analysis Process Strategic Outcome Exploratory Analytical Evaluation