Research Methods Week 2 -6 May 2014

Today we had a session about Effective Research Questions and how we should construct one. Later there was a session on how to find literature on what we are looking for.

On the research question we were introduced to several Models of Research:

1. DIT Model
2. Hourglass Model

We also have to refine our question from the abstract to the specific as illustrated below:

Adapted from Class slides

While working through the models in class I applied it to my proposed question.

• Research Area

Identify a Learning Management System (LMS)

• Research Topic

Identify a suitable LMS for the Department and relevant courses.

• Broad Research Question

Which LMS is suitable for the Department of Agriculture?

• Narrow Research Question

Which Learning Management System is suitable for the Department of Agriculture and what courses are suitable to be delivered and managed through elearning in the Department?

• Data Collection

I think it will require questionnaires to employees (approx 3000) and managers (approx 300) to see what they would like to be delivered by elearning. I will also need to interview Trainers within the Department (four) to see what they believe could be suitable for elearning.

My research question needs to be:

• Clear
• Focused
• Complex
• Feasible
• Significant
• ethical

Using the above to define your research question allows you to frame the choice of methods you will utilize to answer the question. The broad and narrow question above is a first stab at it and will need refined over the next few weeks.

We looked at three examples of research questions and discussed how clear they were. the one we critiqued had a broad question but had sub questions that added clarity and complexity.

We then went to the libray for a session on finding material. This was very informative as we got definition of what constitutes literature and the value of each for our research. they included:

• Books
• Articles
• Reports
• Newspapers and Magazines
• eBooks
• Internet site

I was also introduced to a term ‘Grey Literature’ which includes:

• Emails
• Presentation
• Conference Proceedings
• Other Thesis

All are acceptable for literature review but some are scholarly or peer review and have greater value. the relevance in time is also important, i.e. text books are usually out of date when published, especially in the Technology area. Articles have a peer review but that is not as lengthy as for books. Newspaper, magazines and conference reports are very up to date but you have to ensure the author has a creditable background. Referencing needs to very precises.

We then did a couple of searches and I learnt how search using subject and subject areas to give a greater range of material available. We went over the search strategy again using keywords, plurals, Americanisms, Boolean and wild cards.

All in all this was a very good day in college, it gave me a lot to think about for my question. I have narrowed it down a bit now and will need to tweak it further. I did have difficulties finding relevant material in the past but with the new search techniques I should be able to fine more relevant articles/books.

Action Research Cycle

I was doing a bit of Goggling about Models of Research and came across this image that I though was good. Source:Center for Enhanced Learning and Teaching (CELT) It clearly shows that you need to plan, do and review and then tweak as needed.