chapter 4 – preparing and evaluating a research plan

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)

http://www.und.nodak.edu/instruct/wstevens/PROPOSALCLASS/Huntpaper.htm

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 )


INTRODUCTION SECTIONFRAMING THE STUDYResearcher should demonstrate the relevance of proposed study using a frame of reference that reader will be able to relate.


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


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


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.


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


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”


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)


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 ”


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 .



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)



A research plan must address an aspect of trustworthiness about the research findings and processes .


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 . .


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.


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.


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”


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


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


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

chapter 4 – preparing and evaluating a research plan

Documents

research design

research plan brian

research plan purposesforces

research planback

research plans

qualitative researchchristina

qualitative researchhow

evaluation of study