Conducting Research

Designing a Research
Literature Review
Research/Statement of the Problem
Research objective, Research Questions
Methodology

What is Research?
A process of steps used to collect and analyse
information to increase our understanding of
a topic or issue.
3 steps
Pose a question
Collect data to answer the question
Present an answer to the question
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Definitions
A systematic, thorough and rigorous process of
investigation that increases knowledge (Collins &
Hussey, 2003)
A systematic process by which we know more about
something that we did before engaging in the process
(Merriam & Simpson, 2000: 2)
Research is best conceived as the process of arriving at
dependable solutions to problems through the planned
and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of
data (Mouly cited by Cohen & Manion, 1989: 42)

FUU.UM Research Methodology
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Benefits
Adds to our knowledge
Improves practice
Informs policy debates

Research is ... An attempt to understand reality/ the
world/ phenomena.
Natural
Social (social sciences)
Purposefully carried out
A systematic & disciplined process
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Problems with Research
Unclear statements about the intent of the
study DESIGN
Lack of full disclosure of data collection
procedures -METHODOLOGY
Inarticulate statements of the research
problem that drives the inquiry - DESIGN
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As responsible inquirers, seek to reconcile
different findings and employ sound
procedures to collect and analyse data and to
provide clear direction for our own research
Research has limits, need to know how to decipher
research studies because researchers may not
write them as clearly and accurately as you would
like.
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FUU.UM Research Methodology
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6 steps in the process of research
Identifying a research problem
Reviewing the literature
Specifying a purpose for research
Collecting data
Analysing and interpreting the data
Reporting and evaluating research
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Qualitative Research
Address a Research Problem (RP) in which
you do not know the variable and need to
explore

Need to learn more from the participants
through exploration
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Qualitative Research
Central Phenomenon is the key concept, idea
or process studied in qualitative research.

central phenomenon requiring exploration
and understanding.
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Qualitative Research:
Literature Review
Less substantial role at the beginning of the study than
quantitative research

Although the literature is reviewed to justify the need to study
the research problem , the literature does not provide major
direction for the research questions

Relies more on the views of participants in the study and less
on the direction identified in the literature by the researcher.
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Qualitative Research:
Purpose statement & research questions
Stated & learn from participants
Research a single phenomenon of interest
State this phenomenon in a purpose
statement

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FUU.UM Research Methodology
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Qualitative Research:
Purpose statement & research questions
professionalism of teachers High School
Teachers
What does it mean to be professional?

Understanding a single idea - being a
professional
The responses will yield qualitative data =
quotations
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Qualitative Research
Purpose statement & research questions
A General and broad question that seeks to
understand *(gain insight) the perspectives of
the participants.

Mothers trust in school principals / [key concept or phenomenon]
According to the authors the study emerged from a broader study of
the perspectives of mothers of children with disabilities on trust in
education personnel.
Question: What are the perspectives of mothers of children with
disabilities on trust in school principals
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Qualitative Research:
Data Protocols
Collect data to learn from the participants
Develop forms called protocols for recording
data as the study proceeds
Pose general questions
Questions will change & emerge during data
collection
Interview protocol
Observational protocol
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Qualitative Research:
Data Protocols
Observational protocol
The researcher records notes about the behaviour of the
participants.
Gather text or image data. [diary entries]
Transcribed audio recordings form a database composed of
words
Observing at the work or family setting qualitative database
As much information to collect detailed accounts for a final
research report.


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Qualitative Research:
Data Protocols
Provide open ended questions
To probe further information, elaboration &
clarification of responses
Maintain a feeling of openness to the
participants responses

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Qualitative Research:
Text Database
Data analysis:
Text segments groups of sentences

Determining the meaning of each group of sentences

Analyse words or pictures to describe the central phenomenon under
study

Description of individual people or places

Themes or broad categories that represent your findings
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Qualitative Research:
Data Analysis
Describe individuals & identify themes
Rich complex picture emerges
Make an interpretation of the meaning of the
data by reflecting on how the findings relate
to existing research
Stating a personal reflection about the
significance of the lessons learned during the
study
Drawing out larger more abstract meanings
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Qualitative Research:
Reporting
Sequence varies parts
Long personal narrative told in story form
Objective scientific report
Standards for evaluating qualitative research
flexible
Extensive data collection conveying complexity of
the phenomenon or process
Reflect on own biases, values and assumptions
actively write them into the research
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Critique of Literature Review Research Methods: The
Basics Nicholas Walliman
Research theory & philosophy - establish the
intellectual context
History & development - trace the
background to present thinking
Latest research thinking & practice current
issues investigated
Explore the research methods & practical
techniques
GResTopic- subject matter assigned
Instruction
How do you design a research design collecting
primary data in order to formulate an empirical
research to answer the Group Research Topic?
Substantiate your themes with data, analyse and
make findings.
Is there any possible connection or link with the
community visited during the workshop to search
or collate data?

Topics = Law + Reality (interview primary data,
secondary data)
Monday 9 10 CP Family Law
Monday 9 10 AA Economic Activity
Monday 12 1 CP State Authority & Orang Asli
Monday 3 4 AA Health, Utilities & Services
Tuesday 9 10 AA Education
Tuesday 9 -10 CP - Land
Wednesday 9 - 10 CP - Environment
Wednesday 12 1 CP - Religion
Wednesday 1 2 CP - Culture


Socio-Legal Research

Question
By relating the theories and your understanding of legal system,
formal & informal law, gap between law & reality, legal pluralism, legal
instrumentalism, equality & justice, environment, and land rights,

undertake a qualitative research on these aspects concerning the
Orang Asli and present it in week 10 (10% = 5% presentation + 5%
essay)

Formulate your own:
Research objective
Research question
Methodology
Analysis
conclusion

By relating the theories and your understanding of legal system, formal
& informal law, gap between law & reality, legal pluralism, legal
instrumentalism, equality & justice, environment, and land rights

DO NOT NEED TO FOLLOW STRICTLY/ OR MENTION
(understanding) THE ABOVE ~ THEORIES
International instrument UNDRIP
Domestic Legislation primary act & subsidiary, state
enactments where applicable
Secondary material journal articles
News reports [author, title, paper, date published,
URL (date accessed)]
Conference proceedings
Organisation reports (statistics) = official govt, NGOs
Workshop Preparation
14Nov gp discussion; 15Nov plan presentation; 16Nov-
data collection visit
POST- WORKSHOP TUESDAY & THURSDAY 19 &
21
ST
NOVEMBER 2013

11.00 12.00 am Presentation

Short presentation
Essays discussing their findings of their analysis of
their data collection during the workshop



Writing the Essay
Proper English = proof read & edit
No plagiarism = do mind maps, organise thoughts
Correct citation
Bibliography = arrange in categories and
alphabetically
Textbook
Articles
Conference
Legislation
Websites

Mind maps
Doodle & visualise the ideas in your mind
Process Mind Maps into words
Not plagiarise (not cut & paste) = collect those ideas
and put down in your mind map




Write out the sentences (understanding) forming in
your head + substantiate those ideas (knowledge) with
the information from primary & secondary data that
you have obtained = GROUP BRAINSTORMING
Writing the Essay
Proper English = proof read & edit
On point
Precise
Justified = acknowledge sources in footnotes