research studio
The Research Studio section is an online resource designed to help researchers of all types design a custom research methodology for their particular project. While the research studio is organized into nine components with clear linkages, the process of developing a custom research design is an iterative and often “messy” process. Each of the nine components is linked to the previous and subsequent components and all components are linked to the conceptual framework. Each of the components provide guidance in four areas: the basics, examples, alignment and integration, and www links. A short description of each of the nine components is provided to “set the stage” and frame the task. At least one example is provided for each component to help the concept “come alive.” More examples will be added in the future. Each research component must align and integrate with the other components. Each component has three primary linkages - the component that preceded the current component, the component that follows the current component, and the conceptual framework.
problem statement
Often the first step in the research design process is to identify a real world problem or management dilemma and provide a very brief description of the nature of the issue, the undesirable symptoms, and our inability or lack of knowledge to solve the problem. All the other components are designed to produce a contribution to knowledge that will help solve this problem. Read more…
purpose statement
The purpose statement builds on the knowledge gap in the problem statement. Describe what new knowledge the study will produce. This is not the specific content or answer but rather the type of knowledge that will be produced. The should directly address the knowledge gap in the problem statement. Read more…
research questions
There is nothing in the research process that is more important than getting the question(s) right. If the questions are good there is a chance that the study will be good. If the questions aren't good then there is no hope that the study will be good. Read more…
conceptual framework
A diagram of the topic is literally worth more than 10,000 words. The task here is to create a diagram of the topic that includes clearly defined variables (independent, dependent, etc.) along with the relationships of those variables and key factors that influence the variables and the relationships. This task is often done in conjunction with the development of the research questions and it is an iterative process. Read more…
literature review
The next step is to determine how much we know about the variables and relationships identified in the conceptual framework and the questions. The typical format for this discussion is a literature review. The literature review outlines, discusses and analyzes the existing research findings. Read more…
overall approach
How much we know about the questions and the decision whether to use a hypothesis determines the overall research approach - qualitative, quantitative, mixed. Identify the overall approach and the rationale for the approach. This will depend heavily on whether you will be building theory or testing theory. How much do we know about your topic – the variables, the relationships, etc.? Read more…
data collection
How will you measure the independent, dependent, and moderating variables? For some studies, it is important to identify a way to measure the change in the variables. For quantitative deductive studies non-parametric measurement instruments lead to non-parametric statistical analyses which are acceptable but not as powerful as the parametric statistical analyses. Read more…
data analysis
While measurement and data collection are typically focused on the variables, factors, and the context - the analysis is focused on the relationships between the variables, factors, contextual factors. Read more…
drawing conclusions
The final step in the research process is to put all the pieces together in a cogent conclusion. identifying limitations associated with those conclusions, and recommending the future research questions and studies. How will you draw conclusions? Read more…