Vocabulary 1 Research Process

1. Problem definition: the purpose of the study should be taken into account; the relevant background info; what info is needed, and how will it be used for decision making it involves discussion with decision makers, interviews with experts, analysis of secondary data, and perhaps some qualitative research

2. Development of an approach to the problem: includes formulating of an objective or a theoretical framework; preparing analytical models, research questions, and hypotheses; and identifying characteristics or factors that can influence the research design guided by discussions, interviews, ql.res., and pragmatic considerations

3. Research design formulation: a design is a framework or ’blueprint’ for conducting a research project; it details the necessary procedures for obtaining the info, and its purpose is to design a study that tests the hypothesis, determine possible answers to research questions, and provide the info needed for decision making

3. Research design formulation: secondary data analysis qualitative research methods of collecting quantitative data definition of the information needed measurement and scaling procedures questionnaire design sampling process and sample size plan of data analysis Source: Malhotra, Naresh K (1996: 22).

4. Data collection: selection, training, supervision, and evaluation of the field force to minimize data collection errors; the field force operates either in the field, or from an office; personal interviewing, by telephone, or through mail

5. Data preparation and analysis: each questionnaire or observation form is inspected or edited and, if necessary, corrected; data from forms are inputted in a computer; verification ensures that the data from original forms have been accurately transcribed;

5. Data preparation and analysis: univariate techniques are used for analysing data when there is single measurement of each element / …there are several measurements, and each variable is analyzed in isolation; multivariate techniques are used when two or more measurements of an element are analyzed simultaneously

6. Report preparation: the entire project should be documented in a written report; approach, design, data collection, and data analysis; results and major findings; the findings should be presented so that they can be used in decision making; an oral presentation enhances clarity and impact

Coming themes: characteristics of qualitative research characteristics of quantitative research presentation of results and findings of the Oulu research project, and