BRIAN – PART I – QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH
ASIM – PART I I – QUALITATIVE RESEARCHCHRISTINA – PART I I – EPIC SUMMATION
Chapter 4 – Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan
Introduction
Research plan – detailed description of a study proposed to investigate a given problem.
Generally include an: Introduction – review of literature Discussion of research design and procedures Information about data analysis
Introduction Continued
May be relatively brief and informal or lengthy and formal.
Most colleges/universities require a proposal for approval before thesis or dissertation.
Quantitative research – hypothesis basis for almost the entire paper.
Research Plan Purposes
1. Forces you to think through every aspect of the study.
2. Facilitates evaluation of study.3. Provides detailed procedures to guide the
study.
4. **Research plans force you to plan properly, therefore avoiding future catastrophes.**
Components of a Quantitative Research Plan
1. Introduction2. Method3. Data Analysis4. Time Schedule5. Budget (if necessary)
1. Introduction Section
Statement of TopicStatement of Research QuestionsReview of LiteratureStatement of Hypothesis
2. Method Section
Participants – population – larger group from which the sample will be collected.
Instruments – test or tool used for data collection.
Design – general strategy or plan for conducting a study.
Procedure – describes all steps of data collection, from beginning to end, and in order. Assumption – assertion presumed to be true but not
verified. Limitation – aspect researcher cannot control but
believes negatively impacts the study.
3. Data Analysis
Description of the technique or techniques used to analyze data.
1 or more statistical methods will be required (usually).
Probably the most frustrating part of the research plan.
4. Time Schedule
Important for both new and experienced researchers.
Deadlines necessitate careful budgeting of time.
List of major activities or phases of the study.Allow yourself more time than you think you
may need.
5. Budget
Proposals to agencies almost always require a budget section.
Researchers not seeking external funding for their research are not required to submit a budget for obvious reasons.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
PLAN
Chapter 4 – Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan
Back to the definition“Qualitative Research”
Generally: Qualitative research—seeks to probe deeply into
research setting to obtain in-depth understandings about the things are, why they are that way and how participants in the context perceive them (Gay, L.R. 2012 p.12).
Qualitative research is an inductive approach, and its goal is to gain a deeper understanding of a person's or group's experience. (Cynthia A. Hunt, n.d, http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/wstevens/PROPOSALCLASS/Huntpaper.htm)
Qual i ta t ive research p lan i s less s t ructured document than the quant i ta t ive research p lan .
Bogdan & Bik len h igh l ight (Gay, 2012, p116) : P lan for qua l i ta t ive research somet ime p laces graduate s tudents and contract researcher a t
odds w i th IRBs and funding agencies who are more
accustomed to dea l ing with quant i ta t ive proposa ls .
Dilemma in Qualitative Research
How to report issue of validity and reliabil ity in proposal????? This basic issue (reliability and validity) was addressed in three ways: prolonged engagement, persistent observation, and triangulation (Cynthia A. Hunt, n.d, http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/wstevens/PROPOSALCLASS/Huntpaper.htm).
Is this possible to report all confronted situation which may change result of study earlier—(Qualitative Researcher avoid Pilot testing to avoid traditions of qualitative Research) (Gay,L.R. 2012,p116)
Dilemma in Qualitative Research (continue)
Qualitative Research methodologies have there unique features which may not be vividly addressed in research plan at early stages. However, the less structure format of Qualitative research enables researchers to add or subtract any component about the topic, field work, data collection.
Conclusion to dilemma
TITLE Provides “Frame of Reference” to
researcher for continuous reflection. “Conceptual point of Reference” to readers. Enable Librarian to catalogue the thesis on
the basis of t it le alone.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
INTRODUCTION SECTIONTOPIC STATEMENT It is the every thing about research
plan It should be written in C3 format
(clearly, concisely and comprehensively )
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
INTRODUCTION SECTIONFRAMING THE STUDYResearcher should demonstrate the relevance of proposed study using a frame of reference that reader will be able to relate.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
INTRODUCTION SECTIONSTATEMENT OF RESEARCH QUESTION It is tricky to maintain inherent flexibil ity
in qualitative research while posing initial research.
It is suggested to pose initial questions closely l ink to theories and policies and practical problems
It should be l inked to l iterature
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
REVIEW OF LITERATURE Review of l iterature should describe the
assumption and theories that underlie to initial research question
Review of l iterature should highlight the potential gaps in existing theories and preparedness of research to bridge them.
Suggestions, further refinement and possible direction for further research
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
GENERALLY IT INCLUDES: Description of qualitative approach used Rationale of the study Location of research context, gaining
access (to authorities, research participants) Researchers role
Population and procedure of sampling Data management strategies and analysis Limitation of study
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLANResearch Procedure section
Description of approach & Rationale for the study Classify over all approach used in
qualitative paradigm (Case-Study, histor ical , ethnographic)
Provide rat ionale for the appropriateness and l ink in l i terature.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLANResearch Procedure section
LOCATION OF RESEARCH CONTEXT, GAINING ACCESS (TO AUTHORITIES, RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS) In contrast to quantitat ive research, qual i tat ive
research is more exploratory, understanding-oriented and in-context research (Gay,L.R. 2012, Pp.12-15) in natural sett ing. Thus research plan provides information about: GAINING ACCESS TO AUTHORITIES, RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
Discuss in detail the role of researcher during the process of research
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLANResearch Procedure section
Population & Procedure of Drawing SamplingIn contrast to quantitat ive research, qual itat ive research more focuses on small s ize of sample and not tend to be representative of whole phenomena.Sample s ize: Possible Answers are“No hard and fast rules”“It Depends”“it can be s ingle sample or 60-70 part icipants from mult iple contexts”
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLANResearch Procedure section
Population & Procedure of Drawing Sampling (continue)Sampling size also matter on Research deadlines, funding and resources availability, interests of volunteer as sample, pertinence of sample to research to research topic and data saturation.(Gay,L .R .2012, p143)
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLANResearch Procedure section
DATA COLLECTION STRATEGIES Describe specific fieldwork technique or tool
used for the data col lect ion Discuss the appropriateness of tool Provide the evidence of tool used during the
data col lect ionFinal ly the golden words: “Convince the reader that researcher has
sensible plan and instrumentation for collecting the data ”
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
DATA COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS STRATEGIES
DATA MANAGEMENT STRATEGIESQualitative research plan must address the insight about When material would be collected (provide schedule) and how it would be stored and protected and what is the time to write the research report .
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
DATA COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS STRATEGIES
DATA ANALYSIS STRATEGIESQualitative research Heavily weighted toward interpretive
rather than statistical data analysis The data is analyzed from interview,
field-note, observation by organizing and interpreting data. (Either by Macro analysis or Micro Analysis)
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
DATA COLLECTION, MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS STRATEGIES
A research plan must address an aspect of trustworthiness about the research findings and processes .
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
TRUSTWORTHINESS
I t i s advised to incorporate a d iscuss ion about eth ics in research p lan, Because Sens i t iv i ty to poss ible eth ica l i ssues that may
ar ise dur ing the s tudy is cr i t ica l to the success of the research (Gay,L .R 2012,p .119) .
Mainta in ing equi l ibr ium between personal and profess iona l perspect ive whi le wr i t ing research report .
Protect ing research part ic ipant f rom any poss ible harm and obl ig ing promised committed dur ing negot iat ion whi le wri t ing research report . .
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
ETHICAL CONSIDERATION
SO WHAT?Link the possible implications to the broader ideas about theory, practical solutions discussed in literature review or generalize potential findings while considering the specificity of research context or address how it contribute o the existing body of knowledge.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS/IMPLICATIONS OF THE RESEARCH
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY Your research cannot answers all
questions pertaining to your topic Discuss possible resources and
hurdle in your research plan which may affect the result of study.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY Your research cannot answers all
questions pertaining to your topic Discuss possible resources and
hurdle in your research plan which may affect the result of study.
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
Assessment of research plan and it adequacy can be informal or formal both. Read Research Plan to ensure that all
the relevant material have been included with sufficient detail.
Request Critical Friend—to read proposal. “An External reader can often se gap in Your logic”
COMPONENTS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PLAN
CRITIQUING RESEARCH PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCHCompetencies for Analysis And
Applications
CHAPTER FOURTHE EPIC SUMMATION
CHRISTINA RIZZA-CARRANO
Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan
Definition: Research Plan: A Detailed Description of a
Study proposed to investigate a given problem.
Both Qualitative and Quantitative research studies should have the following within the research plan:
• Introduction which includes the review of related literature
• A Discussion of the research design and studies• Information about data analysis
Components of the Quantitative Research Plan
1. Introduction* Statement of the topic* Statement of Research Question* Review of Related Literature* Statement of the Hypothesis
2. Method 3. Data Analysis* Participants 4. Time Schedule* Instruments 5. Budget ( if
applicable)* Design * Procedure
Components of a Qualitative Research Plan
1. Title of Study2. Introduction to the Study
Describe the purpose of the research study Frame the study as a larger theoretical policy or
practical problem Pose initial research questions Describe related literature that helps to frame the
research questions
Components of a Qualitative Research Plan
3. Research Procedures Overall approach and rationale of the study Site and Sample Selection The researcher’s role –entry to the research site,
reciprocity and ethics Data collection methods Data management strategies Data analysis strategies Trustworthiness features Ethical considerations
Components of a Qualitative Research Plan
4. Potential Contributions of the research
5. Limitations of the study6. Appendixes
Timeline for the research Proposed table of contents for the study Consent Forms, IRB approval Samples of structured surveys or
questionnaires
Revising and Improving the Research Plan
A Research Plan Should be reviewed by at least one skilled researcher and at least one expert in the area of investigation
If Possible, a researcher should carry out a small scale “pilot study” to help in refining or changing planned procedures.
A WINNING PLAN!!
A research Plan serves an important purpose…
1. Forces the thought process throughout the study
2. Getting down details helps the researcher from overlooking aspects of the study
3. Facilitates evaluation of the study4. Saves time and fundsReduces mistakesSupports higher quality research