Introduction to the research process.
The research process generally follows a scientific method that requires identifying a problem then developing a hypothesis or set of questions you would like to answer, this being the basis of your research. This blog describes and expands each step of the research process from start to finish and explains why they are important in developing a simple idea.
The layout for a research paper includes a statement question at the start of the paper, (your hypothesis), then broken up into precise paragraphs of your findings from your research. This would lead into your last paragraph being your conclusion where you summarise all findings and ultimately answer your hypothesis. All academic research papers require that all resources and authors be cited in a reference page at the end.
Initially, you need to discover a knowledge gap, research problem or an idea you think still needs to be explored. By using methods like brainstorming and mind mapping you effectively narrow the idea down to a single hypothesis, stating what will be researched and explaining the purpose of gaining value and significance to enhance your field of interest. The success of all research is about finding an answer to your question or hypothesis; whether it is proved right or wrong - it is still an answer. “Without a question, research has no focus, drive or purpose” (J Hammel, 2009).
The next step is to locate a high level of quality literature significant to your hypothesis this will find out what authenticated researchers and scholars have already discovered and documented about the subject matter. These resources will identify key concepts and further examine what is known about your chosen area of research. Ultimately your final review of the chosen literature will highlight the significant theories and should contain some scientific basis for their research.
Next step is to use Methodology, because during the research process there are set procedures and stages which need to be followed in the same order to keep your research process systematic, and to ensure you get the most truthful outcome. Research is an organised and planned process. By having structure or methods, to which it is focused and restricted to a specific scope, research is a valuable tool for any massage therapist.
References.
Introduction to Research, (F. Molloy, personal communication, March 2nd, 2009).
The Research Process, J Hammel, personal communication, March 4th, 2009).
Excellent work Kath. Your writing style is nice and easy to read - and you have neatly pre empted a discussion about the differences between quantitative and qualitative style..
ReplyDeletejust re-check your referencing from todays session.. personal communication is not included in your reference list because it is not possible to source this again.
Also if you are writing outs steps in a process - either list them 1., 2., 3., etc..
Felicity
The layout for a research paper includes a statement question at the start of the paper, (your hypothesis)
ReplyDeleteSince I commented last - Ive had a look on the internet for some good ways of thinking about the terminology for quantitative and qualitative research methods - this debate is quite old (1940s!!) but it is important that you come to grips with both sets of terminologies - that is hypothesis is not used in a qualitative study - The link is...
http://www.springerlink.com/content/x6172r3pk4255h
"The quantitative research method is seen as the conventional method in organisation studies and is considered to be "objective". The qualitative research method is seen as subjective and descriptive and its legitimacy often needs to be proven....studies. This paper argues that such a dichotomy is oversimplified. Quantitative and qualitative research are two different approaches, based on different paradigms and different assumptions about ontology and epistemology: two human phenomena rather than two different sets of research techniques. What research discovers and how it is discovered depends on how the researcher engages in the phenomena studied. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches should be equally emphasised in organisational research.
For your research process blog you can then look at how selecting either a hypothesis and question informs the kinds of methods and methodology you will employ to construct the research.
This information may be useful in your next three blogs and the assessment task 2 - collaborative research!!
Regards
Felicity