Learning Outcomes: Formulating and Clarifying The Research Topic

8/19/20
Chapter 2
Formulating and clarifying the research topic
Chapter 2, Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill
Slide 2.2
Learning outcomes
} By the end of this chapter you should be able to:
} Generate ideas that will help in the choice of a
suitable research topic;
} Identify the attributes of a good research topic;
} Turn research ideas into a research project that has
clear research question (s) and objectives;
} Draft a research proposal
Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, Research Methods for Business Students, 5th Edition, © Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis and Adrian Thornhill 2009
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Slide 2.3
Formulating and clarifying your research topic

The important steps
} Identifying the attributes of a good research topic
} Generating ideas that help you select a suitable

topic
} Turning ideas into clear research questions and

objectives
} Writing your research proposal
Slide 2.4
Attributes of a good research topic (1)

Capability: is it feasible?
} Are you fascinated by the topic?
} Do you have the necessary research skills?
} Can you complete the project in the time available?
} Will the research still be current when you finish?
} Do you have sufficient financial and other resources?
} Will you be able to gain access to data?
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Slide 2.5
Appropriateness: is it worthwhile?
} Will the examining institute's standards be met?

} Does the the topic contain issues with clear links to
theory?
} Are the research questions and objectives clearly
stated?
} Will the proposed research provide fresh insights into
the topic?
} Are the findings likely to be symmetrical?
} Does the research topic match your career goals?
Slide 2.6
And - (if relevant)
Does the topic relate clearly to an idea

you were given -
possibly by your organisation ?
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Slide 2.7
Generating research ideas
Useful Techniques
Rational thinking Creative thinking
Searching the literature Scanning the media
Brainstorming Relevance Trees
Exploring past projects Discussion
Keeping an ideas notebook
Slide 2.8
Rational thinking
} Examining your own strengths and interests
} Looking at past project titles
} Discussion
} Searching the literature
} Scanning the media
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Slide 2.9
Creative thinking
} Keeping a notebook of ideas
} Exploring personal preferences using past projects
} Relevance trees
} Brainstorming
Slide 2.10
Rational thinking and creative thinking

} These techniques will generate possible project one of
two outcomes:
} One or more possible project ideas that you might
undertake;
} Absolute panic because nothing in which you are
interested or which seems suitable has come to mind.
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Slide 2.11
Examining own strengths and interests

} Having some academic knowledge
} Look at those assignments for which you have received
good grade.
} You may, as part of your reading, be able to focus more
precisely on the sort of ideas about which you wish to
conduct your research
} There is a need to think about your future
Slide 2.12
Looking at past project title

} Dissertations;
} Theses.
Scan your university’s list of past project titles for
anything that captures your imagination
} Scanning actual research projects.
You need to beware. The fact that a project is in your
library is no guarantee of the quality of the arguments
and observations it contains.
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Slide 2.13
Discussion
} Colleagues, friends, university tutors, practitioner and
professional groups
Slide 2.14
Searching the literature

} As part of your discussions, relevant literature may
also be suggested. Sharp et al, (2002) discuss types of
literature that are of particular use for generating
research ideas. These include:
} Article in academic and professional journals;
} Reports;
} Books.
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Slide 2.15
Scanning the media

} Keeping up to date with items in the news can be a very
rich source of ideas
Slide 2.16
Keeping a notebook of ideas

} One of the more creative techniques that we all use is to
keep a notebook of ideas. All this involves is simply noting
down any interesting research ideas as you think of them
and, of equal importance, what sparked off your thought.
You can then pursue the idea using more rational thinking
technique later.
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Slide 2.17
Exploring personal preferences using past

project
1. Select six projects that you like
2. For each of these six projects, note down your first
thoughts in response to three questions(if
responses for different projects are the same this
does not matter);
What appeals to you about the project?
What is good about the project?
Why is the project good?
Slide 2.18
Exploring personal preferences using past

project
3. Select three projects you do not like.
4. For each of these three projects that you do not like.
What do you dislike about the project?
What is bad about the project?
Why is the project bad?
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Slide 2.19
Relevance tree
} You start with a broad concept from which you
generate further (usually more specific) topics. Each
of these topics forms a separate branch from which
you can generate further, more detailed sub branches.
As you proceed down the sub branches more ideas
are generated and recorded. These can then be
examined and a number selected and combined to
provide a research idea
Slide 2.20
Brainstorming
} Define your problem – that is, the sorts of ideas you are interested in – as
precisely as possible.
} Ask for suggestions, relating to the problem
} Record all suggestions, observing the following rules:
No suggestion should be criticized or evaluated in any way before all ideas
have been considered;
All suggestions, however wild, should be recorded and considered
As many suggestions as possible should be recorded.
} Review all the suggestions and explore what is meant by each.
} Analyze the list of suggestions and decide which appeal to to you most as
research ideas why.
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Slide 2.21
Refining research ideas
} Using the Delphi Technique
} Conducting a preliminary study
} Continually testing out your ideas
} Integrating ideas
} Refining topics given to you by your organisation
Slide 2.22
The Delphi technique

} This involves using a group of people who are either involved
or interested in the research idea to generate and choose a
more specific research idea. To use this technique you need:
1. To brief the members of the group about the research idea;
2. At the end of the briefing to encourage group members to
seek clarification and more information as appropriate;
3. To ask each member of the group including the originator of
the research ideas based on the idea that has been described
(justification)
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Slide 2.23
The Delphi technique

1. To collect the research ideas in unedited and non-
attributable form and to distribute them to all members of
the group;
2. A second cycle of the process (steps 2 to 4)in which
comment on the research ideas and revise their own
contributions in the light of what others have said;
3. Subsequence cycles of the process until a consensus is
reached . These either follow a similar pattern (steps 2 to
4)in or use discussion.Voting or some other method.
Slide 2.24
Writing research questions

Write research questions that are
} Consistent with expected standards
} Able to produce clear conclusions
} At the right level ( not too difficult )
} Not too descriptive
} Use the ‘Goldilocks Test’
Clough and Nutbrown (2002)
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Slide 2.25
Goldilocks test
} Clough and Nutbrown use what they call the Goldilocks test to decide if
research questions are either too big two small too hot or just right/
} Too big need significant funding
} Too small are likely to be insufficient substance
} Too hot maybe so because sensitivities that may be aroused as a result of
doing the research . This may be because of the timing of the research or
the many other reasons that may be upset key people who have a role to
play.
} Just right are those just right for investigation at this time by this research
in this setting
Slide 2.26
Turning ideas into research projects (1)
Examples of research ideas

and their derived focus questions
Table 2.2 Examples of research ideas and their derived focus research
questions
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Slide 2.27
Useful techniques
} Start with a general focus question
} Discuss areas of interest with your tutor
Slide 2.28
Writing clear research objectives
} Check your examining body’s preferences for

stated objectives
} Use a general focus question to achieve precise

objectives
Saunders et al. (2009)
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Slide 2.29
Include SMART Personal objectives
Specific: What precisely do you hope to achieve from undertaking the

research?
Measurable: What measures will you use to determine whether you
have achieved your objectives?(Secured a career-level first job in
software design)
Achievable: Are the targets you have set for yourself achievable given
all the possible constraints?
Realistic: Given all other demands upon your time, will you have the
time and energy to complete the research on time?
Timely: Will you have time to accomplish all your objectives?
Slide 2.30
The importance of theory

} Asking for opinions and gathering facts – 'what' questions
(descriptive research)
} Using questions that go beyond description and require

analysis – 'why' questions
Phillips and Pugh (2005)
In order to:
Explain phenomena Analyse relationships
Predict outcomes Compare and generalise
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Slide 2.31
Theory
} “ A formulation regarding the cause and effect
relationship between two or more variables, which may
or may not have been tested”
Slide 2.32
Threefold typology of theories
Grand, middle range and substantive theories
Creswell (2002)
Figure 2.1 Grand, middle-range and substantive theories

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Slide 2.33
Threefold typology of theories

} Grand theories: Usually thought to be province of natural
scientists . (that will lead to a whole new way of thinking about
management)
} Middle range theories: which lack the capacity to change the
way in which we think about the world but are nonetheless of
significance . (some of the theories of human motivation well
known to manager would be in this category.
} Substantive theories : that are restricted to a particular time,
research setting, group or population or problem
}
Slide 2.34
Deductive approach and inductive approach

} This discussion of theory dose assume that a clear theoretical
position is developed prior to the collection of data (the
deductive approach).
} This will not always be the case. It may be that your study is
based on the principle of developing theory after data have
been collected (the inductive approach)
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Slide 2.35
Writing your research proposal
Purposes of the research proposal
} To organise your ideas
} To convince your audience
} To contract with your client (your tutor)
} To meet ethical requirements
Slide 2.36
Content of your research proposal (1)
} Title - likely to change during the process
} Background - context within the literature
} Research questions and objectives - what you seek

to achieve
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Slide 2.37
Content of your research proposal (2)
} Method - can be in two parts: research design and

data collection
} Timescale and Resources - (finance, data access,

equipment)
} References - include some key literature sources
Slide 2.38
Evaluating research proposals
} How the components of the proposal fit together
} Viability of the proposal
} Absence of preconceived ideas
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Slide 2.39
Summary: Chapter 2
The best research topics
} Formulate and clarify the topic
} Meet the requirements of the examining body
} Use a variety of techniques when generating

research ideas
} Are focused on clear questions based on relevant

literature
Slide 2.40
Summary: Chapter 2
The best research topics
} Are theory dependent
} Have a proposal containing organised ideas
Tell the reader:
} What will be done and why
} How it will be achieved
20

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8/19/20

Chapter 2, Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill

Formulating and clarifying your research topic

} Identifying the attributes of a good research topic

} Generating ideas that help you select a suitable

} Turning ideas into clear research questions and

} Writing your research proposal

Attributes of a good research topic (1)

} Are you fascinated by the topic?

} Do you have the necessary research skills?

} Can you complete the project in the time available?

} Will the research still be current when you finish?

} Do you have sufficient financial and other resources?

} Will you be able to gain access to data?

Attributes of a good research topic (2)

} Will the examining institute's standards be met?

Attributes of a good research topic (3)

And - (if relevant)

Does the topic relate clearly to an idea

possibly by your organisation ?

Generating research ideas

Rational thinking Creative thinking

Searching the literature Scanning the media

Brainstorming Relevance Trees

Exploring past projects Discussion

Keeping an ideas notebook

Rational thinking and creative thinking

Examining own strengths and interests

Looking at past project title

Searching the literature

Scanning the media

Keeping a notebook of ideas

Exploring personal preferences using past

Exploring personal preferences using past

Refining research ideas

} Using the Delphi Technique

} Conducting a preliminary study

} Continually testing out your ideas

} Refining topics given to you by your organisation

The Delphi technique

The Delphi technique

Writing research questions

} Consistent with expected standards

} Able to produce clear conclusions

} At the right level ( not too difficult )

} Not too descriptive

} Use the ‘Goldilocks Test’

Clough and Nutbrown (2002)

Turning ideas into research projects (1)

Examples of research ideas

Turning ideas into research projects (2)

} Start with a general focus question

} Discuss areas of interest with your tutor

Turning ideas into research projects (3)

Writing clear research objectives

} Check your examining body’s preferences for

} Use a general focus question to achieve precise

Saunders et al. (2009)

Turning ideas into research projects (4)

Include SMART Personal objectives

Specific: What precisely do you hope to achieve from undertaking the

The importance of theory

} Using questions that go beyond description and require