Constructing Research Questions


Book Description

All researchers want to produce interesting and influential theories. A key step in all theory development is formulating innovative research questions that will result in interesting and significant research. Traditional textbooks on research methods tend to ignore, or gloss over, actual ways of constructing research questions. In this text, Alvesson and Sandberg develop a problematization methodology for identifying and challenging the assumptions underlying existing theories and for generating research questions that can lead to more interesting and influential theories, using examples from across the social sciences. Established methods of generating research questions in the social sciences tend to focus on ′gap-spotting′, which means that existing literature remains largely unchallenged. The authors show the dangers of conventional approaches, providing detailed ideas for how one can work through such problems and formulate novel research questions that challenge existing theories and produce more imaginative empirical studies. Constructing Research Questions is essential reading for any researcher looking to formulate research questions that are interesting and novel.




Understanding and Evaluating Research


Book Description

Understanding and Evaluating Research: A Critical Guide shows students how to be critical consumers of research and to appreciate the power of methodology as it shapes the research question, the use of theory in the study, the methods used, and how the outcomes are reported. The book starts with what it means to be a critical and uncritical reader of research, followed by a detailed chapter on methodology, and then proceeds to a discussion of each component of a research article as it is informed by the methodology. The book encourages readers to select an article from their discipline, learning along the way how to assess each component of the article and come to a judgment of its rigor or quality as a scholarly report.




Research Question


Book Description

Zina O′Leary′s Research Question Little Quick Fix teaches students how to find their interest, hone it to a topic, and turn it into a research question that is relevant, interesting, and researchable. Little Quick Fix titles provide quick but authoritative answers to the problems, hurdles, and assessment points students face in the research course, project proposal or design—whatever their methods learning is. Lively, ultra-modern design; full-colour, each page a tailored design. An hour′s read. Easy to dip in and out of with clear navigation enables the reader to find what she needs—quick. Direct written style gets to the point with clear language. Nothing needs to be read twice. No fluff. Learning is reinforced through a 2-minute overview summary; 3-second summaries with super-quick Q&A DIY tasks create a work plan to accomplish a task, do a self-check quiz, solve a problem, get students to what they need to show their supervisor. Checkpoints in each section make sure students are nailing it as they go and support self-directed learning. How do I know I’m done? Each Little Quick Fix wraps up with a finale checklist that allows the reader to self-assess they’ve got what they need to progress, submit, or ace the test or task.




Developing Research Questions


Book Description

Undertaking a research project is a crucial, but often overwhelming aspect of any social sciences degree, and selecting a research question can be one of the toughest parts of the process. What makes an appropriate topic for research? How do you transform an idea into a 'researchable' question? And, once you've got a question, where do you go from there? Developing Research Questions steers readers through the complex process of starting a research project. The book explains how to break down initial ideas from broad topics into appropriate research questions, and gives detailed guidance on how to refine questions as the research project develops. Each chapter is packed with handy hints, tips and examples that show how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls in the research process. Linking hypotheses and questions with research design and methods at every step, this text takes readers from the start through to the final stage of answering their questions and drawing conclusions. This is a no-fuss, practical guide to forming your own research question. It is an indispensable resource for social scientists carrying out research projects at all levels.




Developing Research Questions


Book Description

This no fuss, compact guide steers social science students of all levels through the complex process of conducting a research project. It explains how to break down initial ideas and broad topics into manageable questions and gives detailed guidance on how to refine these as the project progresses. With a wide range of international examples and reflective exercises, it is packed with handy tips and examples that show how to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls, and ensure that hypotheses and questions are linked with research design, methods and answers at every step. Taking readers from the start through to the final stage of answering their questions and drawing conclusions, this is an indispensable resource for research methods courses. In addition, it is highly recommended for all students undertaking an independent research project or thesis at undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD level and beyond. New to this Edition: - Includes a wider range of international examples to appeal to a global audience - More visual devices are used to summarise and illustrate the processes involved in developing research questions - Reflective exercises help students apply their knowledge and consider the issues - Increased coverage of the role of the literature review in generating and refining research questions




100 Questions (and Answers) About Research Methods


Book Description

How do I create a good research hypothesis? How do I know when my literature review is finished? What is the difference between a sample and a population? What is power and why is it important? In an increasingly data-driven world, it is more important than ever for students as well as professionals to better understand the process of research. This invaluable guide answers the essential questions that students ask about research methods in a concise and accessible way.




Using Qualitative Methods to Answer Your Research Question


Book Description

Using Qualitative Methods to Answer Your Research Question provides an accessible and detailed guide to using qualitative methods in social science research. This book places your research question at the centre of your choice of methodology and helps you to identify the strongest qualitative approach to maximize your success. The book provides detailed guidance on: •Types of research questions best suited to investigation using qualitative approaches •Selecting a research question and applying the appropriate methodology •Relating the aims of a research question to the nature of the methodology chosen •The main approaches to the collection and analysis of qualitative data •Using qualitative methods in your research •The different levels of detail required of undergraduate and postgraduate writing This book is ideal for all students carrying out a research dissertation or planning the research for their thesis. “Oliver’s book is an interesting and engaging personal introduction to qualitative research and would be a useful text for first time researchers on undergraduate courses or as a pre-course suggested reading for those starting postgraduate research programmes.” Alaster Scott Douglas, Reader in Education and Professional Practice, University of Roehampton, London, UK “Accessible, clear and with the needs of the researcher in mind, this book ensures the fundamentals of qualitative research are explored through enthusiasm for the subject matter, an appreciation of the conceptual and philosophical underpinnings, as well as the practicalities of planning and conducting research.” Dr. Yunis Alam, Senior Lecturer in Sociology, University of Bradford, UK Paul Oliver is a former Principal Lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Development, at the University of Huddersfield, UK. He was course leader for the Doctor of Education programme, and also taught widely on the master's programme in education.




Qualitative Research Design


Book Description

Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach, Second Edition provides researchers and students with a user-friendly, step-by-step guide to planning qualitative research. A bestseller in its First Edition, this invaluable book presents an innovative approach to the components of design and how they interact with each other. The text presents a clear strategy for creating coherent and workable relationships among these design components and highlights key design issues. Based on a course the author taught for seven years at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the work is written in an informal, jargon-free style and incorporates many examples and hands-on exercises.




Research Design in Social Research


Book Description

The book provides the reader with an understanding of the importance of research design and its place in the research process; describes the main types of research designs in social research; explains the logic and purposes of design to enable students to evaluate particular research strategies; equips students with the design skills to operate in real-world research situations.