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Research Methodology#2Research Methodology#2Suronapee Phoomvuthisarn, Ph.D.

suronape@mut.ac.th

Getting StartedGetting StartedSuronapee Phoomvuthisarn, Ph.D.

suronape@mut.ac.th

OutlineOutlineLearn what is a thesis?Choosing a topicWhat to do if you can’t think of a topicFocusing Finding and choosing your supervisor Individual and group researchResearching in your workplaceKeeping your research dailyExercisesSummary

Before and after completing Before and after completing a thesisa thesis

ThesisThesis“The thesis must be a substantial

original contribution to the knowledge or understanding of any field of study and demonstrate the capacity of the candidate to conceive, design and carry to completion independent research.” [Hong, 2006]

In particular, the thesis should demonstrate that the candidate has:

A. surveyed literature relevant to the thesis; B. skills in the gathering and analysis of information and report

presentation; C. demonstrated a critical, perceptive and constructive analysis of

the subject; D. carried out original and significant research in the field.”

Thesis statementThesis statementA thesis statement is a single

sentence that is used to define the purpose of your paper. Thesis statements inform readers as to the purpose of your paper. After reading your thesis statement, anyone reviewing your paper should be able to determine what your paper is going to prove or argue.

A defense presents evidence for a thesis

Choosing your topicChoosing your topicSome points you might bear in

mind in making that choice. ◦How much choice you have◦Your motivation ◦Your subject or field of study◦Previous examples of research

projects◦The size of your topic ◦resource/time/ cost ◦Method of researching

Talking to experts –(e.g.., researcher, supervisor, etc.)

Looking at research literatureDevelop some of your previous

research, or your practice at work

What to do if you can’t think of What to do if you can’t think of a topica topic

Producing a spider Producing a spider diagram!diagram!Spider diagram - a standard

technique for drawing i possible interconnections of particular interests and/or questions. It may help you to identify or isolate particular areas for research and suggest how these are related to your general subject area.

Example of spider Example of spider diagramdiagram

Be prepared to change Be prepared to change directiondirectionChange can be positive.It’s OK to change.Lots of people change their

research project or focus.You always end up at a different

place from where you thought you were going anyway.

FocusingFocusingIdentifying your research questions

or hypotheses◦ loosely at first and then more precisely◦ You will need to focus your project to ensure

that it is relevant to your needs◦ Research questions right should suggest not

just the field for study but also the methods for carrying out the research and the kind of analysis required. If they don’t, they are probably pitched at too

general a level

◦ The time available for the research, say 70–80 per cent, will usually be devoted to the specific research question or questions, a substantial chunk, 20–30 per cent, would be spent on the contextual issues.

Focusing (2) - Sketching a Focusing (2) - Sketching a research proposalresearch proposal

SuggestionsSuggestionsTrying it out on a non-specialist:

explaining your topic in simple language

Informal piloting

Finding and choosing Finding and choosing supervisorsupervisor ‘Supervisor’ is the term most commonly used

within universities and colleges for academics who have personal responsibility for overseeing the progress of individual students’ research projects.

Supervisor should have◦ some knowledge of the specialist areas in which

their students are researching◦ a general understanding of the research process

and the various strategies possible. ◦ an inside knowledge of the rules and regulations,

both written and unwritten, affecting your research project.

◦ some skill in conducting the kind of in-depth, but partial and discontinuous, relationships required for successful supervision.

◦ help to keep you focused on your research.

Finding and choosing Finding and choosing supervisor (2)supervisor (2)

Finding and choosing Finding and choosing supervisor (3)supervisor (3)

Individual and group Individual and group researchresearch

Researching in your Researching in your workspaceworkspaceAdvantage

◦Facilities◦Contacts and connections◦Feedback◦You may be able to do some

research in work time◦Help you a positive look from your

supervisor◦Soft skills – communication, working

in group, discipline!!!

Researching in your Researching in your workspace (2)workspace (2)

Keeping your research Keeping your research dailydailyManaging your research project –

time, milestone, schedule regular meetings with your supervisor

Be disciplined!!!Prepare for negative comments

from your supervisorsAlways have good attitudeKeep motivating yourself

Keeping your research Keeping your research daily (2)daily (2)

Summary Summary be better able to choose a research

topic which is feasible and motivates you;

have an understanding of how you may focus your original ideas into something more achievable;

be aware of the issues involved in choosing a supervisor;

have a clearer idea of the advantages and disadvantages of group research, and of researching in your own workspace;

be ready to get on with the actual research work!

ExercisesExercisesWrite down up to four key

questions which your research project seeks to address. Begin each one with a questioning word such as how, who, what, when or why. Which of these questions is the most important or central to your research?

Exercise (2)Exercise (2)Note down the prospective

contents of your planned thesis. You can do this chapter by chapter, or section by section, but include subheadings and details. Try to set yourself realistic word limits for the various chapters or sections.

Exercise (3)Exercise (3)Identify and list the qualities you

are looking for in your supervisor(s). Once you have done this, arrange them in order of priority.

Exercise (4)Exercise (4)Reasons for undertaking

research. List your reasons for your current or anticipated involvement in research. List as many as you can think of.

ReferencesReferencesChapter 2 of L. Blaxter, C. Hughes,

and M. Tight, How to Research, 4th Edition, Open University Press, 2010

http://www.phdcomics.comHong, L. Y. (2006). RESEARCH

METHODS IN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE

QuestionsQuestionsWhat ‘s next?

◦Research approach