Research Process and Methods [email protected]www.charm.au.edu Keynote Address, Academic Research Seminar Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology, Collage of Internet Distance Education, Assumption University, July 26, 2008 Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman Board Chairman and CEO College of Internet Distance Education Assumption University
Research Process and Methods. Prof.Dr. Srisakdi Charmonman Board Chairman and CEO College of Internet Distance Education Assumption University. [email protected]. www.charm.au.edu. Keynote Address, Academic Research Seminar - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Keynote Address, Academic Research Seminar Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology, Collage of Internet Distance Education,
Assumption University, July 26, 2008
Prof.Dr. Srisakdi CharmonmanBoard Chairman and CEO
College of Internet Distance Education
Assumption University
1. Introduction
2. Definition of Research
3. Research Process
4. Research Methods
5. Research Publishing
6. Other Types of Researches
7. Concluding Remarks
Research Process and Methods
2
As of July 2008,the program of Ph.D. in eLearning Methodologyat Assumption Universityis the first and the only such programin the world.
1. Introduction
3
4
CIDE Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology established with emphasis on research.
The Ph.D. Research must be original and significant.
It is not acceptable to be- original but not significant- not original but significant
Introduction (Cont.)
5
At least one research paper must be published in a refereed publication of - ACM (Association for Computing Machinery)- IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)- Other learned societies at the same level as ACM and IEEE
Introduction (Cont.)
6
As of July 2008, the field of eLearning is still rather virgin in the sense thatnot many Ph.D.-level researcheshave been carried out.
Introduction (Cont.)
7
A Ph.D. candidate in eLearning Methodology may do research in- Hardware for eLearning- Software for eLearning- Network for eLearning- Security for eLearning
Introduction (Cont.)
8
- Management of eLearning
- Human Resource in eLearning
- Marketing of eLearning
- Finance of eLearning
Introduction (Cont.)
9
- Best Practices in eLearning
- eLearning Degree Programs
- Corporate eLearning
- Support of eLearning
- eLearning Technology
Introduction (Cont.)
10
- Course Delivery
- Interactive Group Learning
- Collaborative Learning
- Accessible eLearning
- Courseware Design and Production
Introduction (Cont.)
11
- Conformance and Standards
- Usability and Evaluation Framework
- Multilingual Contents
- Shared Resources
- Learning Management Systems
Introduction (Cont.)
12
- Knowledge On-Demand
- Quality Assurance
- Interoperability eLearning
- Principles and Practices
- Theories of Learning and eLearning
Introduction (Cont.)
13
- Psychological Theories of eLearning
- Experiences and Lessons Learned
- eLearning Design Approaches
- Any other related topics
Introduction (Cont.)
14
From “en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research”,
Research is human activity based on intellectual applicationsin the investigation of matter.
Research may be classified as:- Basic Research- Applied Research
2. Definition of Research
15
Basic Research also be called - Fundamental Research- Pure Research
Basic Research is research in which the primary objectives are:- The advancement of knowledge- The theoretical understanding of the relation among variables
2.1 Basic Research
16
Basic Research is:- Exploratory - Driven by researcher’s: * Curiosity * Interest * Intuition
Basic Research is conducted without any practical end in mind.
Definition of Research (Cont.)
17
Basic Research may have unexpected practical applications.
Basic Research may become the foundation for Applied Research.
Definition of Research (Cont.)
18
Applied Research has the primary aim of:- Discovering - Interpreting- Developmentof methods and systemsfor advancement of human knowledgeon wide variety of scientific mattersof the world and the universe.
2.2 Applied Research
19
3.1 Scientific Research Process
3.2 Historical Research Process
3. Research Process
20
Scientific Research process may vary depending on:- The subject matter- The researcher
3.1 Scientific Research Process
21
Most formal research, either basic or applied, may follow the steps below:
1) Formation of the topic
2) Hypothesis
3) Conceptual definitions
4) Operational definitions
Scientific Research Process (Cont.)
22
5) Gathering of data
6) Analysis of data
7) Test, revising of hypothesis (if necessary)
8) Conclusion or repeat all the steps if necessary
Scientific Research Process (Cont.)
23
It should be noted that: - A hypothesis is established to make prediction - A hypothesis is tested by observing the outcome of experiment or survey
Scientific Research Process (Cont.)
24
- If the outcome is not consistent with the hypothesis, the hypothesis is rejected.- If the outcome is consistent with the hypothesis, the hypothesis is accepted (the hypothesis is not proven but is supported by the experiment or survey).
Scientific Research Process (Cont.)
25
The historical method is the techniquesand guidelines for historiansto use historical sources and other evidencesto research and then to write history.
For Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology,a historical research is usually not acceptable.
3.2 Historical Research Process
26
Most historical research processmay follow the steps below:
1) Identification of origin date
2) Evidence of localization
3) Recognition of authorship
4) Analysis of data
5) Identification of integrity
6) Attribution of credibility
Historical Research Process (Cont.)
27
From “en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research”, The goal of the research process
is to produce new knowledge, which takes three main forms: 1) Exploratory research: which structures and identifies new problems 2) Constructive research: which develops solutions to a problem 3) Empirical research: which tests the feasibility of a solution using empirical evidence
4. Research Methods
28
Research can also fall into two distinct types:
- Primary research
- Secondary research
Research Methods (Cont.)
29
Primary research is also called field researchinvolves the collection of datathat does not already exist.
There are numerous forms including: - questionnaires - telephone interviews
Primary researchis widely used in market researchand competitive intelligence.
Research Methods (Cont.)
30
It may be very expensive because many people need to be confronted.
By the time the research is complete it may be out of date.
People may have to be employedor avoid their primary dutiesfor the duration of the research.
People may not reply if emails or letters are used.
Research Methods (Cont.)
31
Secondary research is also known as desk research.
It involves the summary, collation and/or synthesis of existing researchrather than primary research,where data is collected from, for example, research subjects or experiments.
Research Methods (Cont.)
32
Secondary researchis widely used in:- market research - medical research
The principle methodologyin medical secondary research is the systematic review.
Research Methods (Cont.)
33
Systematic review is commonly using meta-analytic statistical techniques, although other methods of synthesis, like realist reviews and meta-narrative reviews, have been developed in recent years.
Research Methods (Cont.)
34
Research methods used by scholars include: 1) Action research
Action research is a reflective process of progressive problem solving led by individuals to improve the way they address issues
and solve problems.
Research methods (Cont.)
38
Cartography or mapmaking is the study and practice of making representations of the Earth on a flat surface.
Research methods (Cont.)
39
In Case Study, rather than using large samples and following a rigid protocol to examine a limited number of variables, the method involves an in-depth, longitudinal examination of a single instance
or event a case.
Research methods (Cont.)
40
Classification or Categorization is the process in which ideas and objects
are recognized, differentiated and understood. Categorization implies that objects
are grouped into categories, usually for some specific purpose.
Research methods (Cont.)
41
Ideally, a category illuminates a relationship between the subjects and objects of knowledge
Categorization is fundamental in: - language - prediction - inference - decision making - all kinds of environmental interaction
Research methods (Cont.)
42
Citation analysis is the examination of the frequency and pattern of citations in articles and books.
Citation is used in scholarly works to establish links to other works or other researchers. It is the most common method of bibliometrics
Research methods (Cont.)
43
Consumer ethnocentrism is derived from the more general psychological
concept of ethnocentrism. Basically, ethnocentric individuals tend to view
their group as superior to others. As such, they view other groups from the perspective of their own, and reject those which are different while accepting those which are similar.
Research methods (Cont.)
44
Content analysis is sometimes called textual analysis.
Content analysis is a standard methodology in the social sciences for studying the content of communication.
Research methods (Cont.)
45
Earl Babbie defined as “the study of recorded human communications, such as books, websites, paintings and laws."
It is also a scholarly methodology in the humanities by which texts are studied as to authorship, authenticity, or meaning. This latter subject include philology, hermeneutics, and semiotics.
Research methods (Cont.)
46
Delphi is based on the principle that forecasts from a structured group of experts are more accurate than those from unstructured groups or individuals.
Research methods (Cont.)
47
The technique can be adapted for use in face-to-face meetings, and is then called mini-Delphi or Estimate-Talk-Estimate (ETE).
Delphi has been widely used for business forecasting and has certain advantages over another structured forecasting approach, and prediction markets.
Research methods (Cont.)
48
Ethnography presents the results of a holistic research method founded on the idea that a system’s properties cannot necessarily be accurately understood independently of each other.
Research methods (Cont.)
49
The genre has both formal and historical connections to travel writing and colonial office reports.
Several academic traditions, in particular the constructivist and relativist paradigms, employ ethnographic research as a crucial research method.
Many cultural anthropologists consider ethnography the essence of the discipline
Research methods (Cont.)
50
Experience as a general concept comprises knowledge of or skill in or observation of some thing or some event gained through involvement in or exposure to that thing or event.
The history of the word experience aligns it closely with the concept of experiment.
Research methods (Cont.)
51
In scientific inquiry, an experiment is a method of investigating particular types of research questions or solving particular types of problems.
The experiment is a cornerstone in the empirical approach to acquiring deeper knowledge about the world and is used in both natural sciences as well as in social sciences.
Research methods (Cont.)
52
An experiment is defined, in science, as a method of investigating less known fields, solving practical problems, proving theoretical assumptions
Research methods (Cont.)
53
An interview is a conversation between two or more people (the interviewer and the interviewee) where questions are asked by the interviewer to obtain information from the interviewee.
Research methods (Cont.)
54
A mathematical model uses mathematical language to describe a system.
Mathematical models are used particularly in the natural sciences and engineering disciplines, such as: - physics - biology - meteorology - electrical engineering but also in the social sciences (such as economics, sociology and political science); physicists, engineers, computer scientists, and economists use mathematical models most extensively.
Research methods (Cont.)
55
Mathematical models are also in the social sciences, such as: - economics - sociology - political science
Physicists, Engineers, Computer Scientists, and Economists use mathematical models most extensively.
Research methods (Cont.)
56
Eykhoff defined a mathematical model as a representation of the essential aspects of an existing system (or a system to be constructed) which presents knowledge of that system in usable form.
Mathematical models can take many forms, including but not limited to dynamical systems, statistical models, differential equations, or game theoretic models.
Research methods (Cont.)
57
These and other types of models can overlap,
with a given model involving a variety of abstract structures.
Research methods (Cont.)
58
Participant observation is a set of research strategies which aim to gain a close and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals, such as: - religious - occupational - subcultural group - particular community - practices through an intensive involvement with people in their natural environment, often though not always over an extended period of time.
Research methods (Cont.)
59
The method originated in field work of social anthropologists, especially Bronisław Malinowski and his students in Britain, the students of Franz Boas in the US, and in the urban research of the Chicago School of sociology.
Research methods (Cont.)
60
Q Methodology is a research method used in psychology and other social sciences to study people’s “subjectivity” -- that is, their viewpoint.
Q was developed by psychologist William Stephenson. It has been used both in clinical settings for assessing patients, as well as in research settings to examine how people think about a topic.
Research methods (Cont.)
61
The name “Q” comes from the form of factor analysis that is used to analyze the data.
Normal factor analysis, called “R method” involves finding correlations between variables (say, height and age) across a sample of subjects.
Research methods (Cont.)
62
A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from respondents.
Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case. The questionnaire was invented by Sir Francis Galton.
Questionnaires are used by sociologists, and positivists prefer closed questions.
Research methods (Cont.)
63
Simulation is the imitation of some real thing, state of affairs, or process.
The act of simulating something generally entails representing certain key characteristics
or behaviours of a selected physical or abstract system.
Research methods (Cont.)
64
Statistics is a mathematical science pertaining to the collection, analysis, interpretation or explanation, and presentation of data.
It is applicable to a wide variety of academic disciplines, from the natural and social sciences to the humanities, government and business.
Research methods (Cont.)
65
Statistical surveys are used to collect quantitative information about items in a population.
Surveys of human populations and institutions are common in political polling and government, health, and social science and marketing research.
Research methods (Cont.)
66
A survey may focus on opinions or factual information depending on its purpose, and many surveys involve administering questions to individuals.
Research methods (Cont.)
67
Questions are administered by a researcher, the survey is called a structured interview or a researcher-administered survey.
Questions are administered by the respondent,
the survey is referred to as a questionnaire or a self-administered survey.
Research methods (Cont.)
68
Research is often conducted using the hourglass model.
The hourglass model starts with a broad spectrum for research, focusing in on the required information through the methodology of the project (like the neck of the hourglass), then expands the research in the form of discussion and results.
Research methods (Cont.)
69
Academic publishing describes a system that is necessaryin order for academic scholarsto peer review the work and make it available for a wider audience.
The “system”, which is probably disorganized enough not to merit the title, varies widely by field, and is also always changing, if often slowly.
5. Research Publishing
70
Most academic work is published in journal article or book form. In publishing, STM publishing is an abbreviation for academic publications in science, technology, and medicine.
Research Publishing (Cont.)
71
Most established academic fields have their own journals and other outlets for publication.
Though many academic journalsare somewhat interdisciplinary, and publish work from several distinct fields or subfields. The kinds of publications that are accepted as contributions of knowledge or research vary greatly between fields
Research Publishing (Cont.)
72
Academic publishing is undergoing major changes,emerging from the transition from the printto the electronic format.
For Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology,
electronic format is not acceptable.
Research Publishing (Cont.)
73
Presently, a major trend, particularly with respect to scholarly journals, is open access.
There are two main forms of open access: - Open access publishing: in which the articles or the whole journal is freely available from the time of publication- Self-archiving: where the author makes a copy of their own work freely available on the web.
Research Publishing (Cont.)
74
For Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology,
publication in refereed Proceedings
of Conferences organized by ACM
and IEEE is accepted.
Research Publishing (Cont.)
75
Samples of ACM Proceedings are:
• A-MOST: Workshop on Advances in Model-Based Testing
• SETA: Symposium on Environments and Tools for Ada
• SICOSIM: Sigcosim Symposium
• SIGAda: Annual International Conference on Ada
• SIGCSE: Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education
• SIGDOC: ACM Special Interest Group for Design of Communication
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
118
• SIGFORTH: SIGFORTH • SIGGRAPH: International Conference
on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques
• SIGIR: Annual ACM Conference on Research and Development in Information Retrieval
• SIGMETRICS: Joint International Conference on Measurement and Modeling of Computer Systems
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
119
• SVR: SIGGRAPH Video Review
• SWS: Workshop On Secure Web Services
• SYMSAC: Symposium on Symbolic and Algebraic Manipulation
• SenSys: Conference On Embedded Networked Sensor Systems
• TAPIA: Richard Tapia Celebration Of Diversity In Computing
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
120
• TARK: Theoretical Aspects Of Rationality And Knowledge
• TAU: Timing Issues In The Specification And Synthesis Of Digital Systems
• TDES: Trends and Direction in Expert Systems
• TEI: Tangible and embedded interaction
• TLDI: Types In Languages Design
And Implementation
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
121
• UIMC: Conference On Ubiquitous Information Management And Communication
• UIST: Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology
• VAST: Virtual reality, archeology, and cultural heritage
• VEE: ACM/Usenix International Conference On Virtual Execution Environments
• VIS: IEEE Visualization
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
122
• VRML: Virtual Reality Modeling Language Symposium
• VRST: Virtual Reality Software and Technology
• VTDC: Virtualization Technology in Distributed Computing
• VolVis: Symposium on Volume Visualization
• WACC: International Conference on Work activities Coordination and Collaboration
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
123
• WADAS: Washington Ada Symposium
• WCAE: Workshop On Computer Architecture Education
• WI: Web Intelligence
• WIDM: Workshop On Web Information And Data Management
• WISEC: Conference On Wireless Network Security
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
124
• WiSe: Workshop on Wireless Security
• WoWMoM: International Workshop on Wireless Mobile Multimedia
• XIME-P: Workshop on XQuery Implementation, Experience and Perspectives
• XMLSEC: Workshop On XML Security
Samples of ACM Proceedings (Cont.)
125
IEEE publishes more than 500 proceedings per year. Sample are given below:
- Automated Production of Cross Media Content
for Multi-Channel Distribution (AXMEDIS).
- Annual Symposium on Switching and Automata
- International Conference on 3-D Digital Imaging and Modeling.
Samples of IEEE Proceedings
126
- Balancing the Score Card: Effective Supply Chain Management for all Stakeholders.
- Baltic Electronics Conference
- Bandwidth on Demand
- Behavioral Modeling and Simulation (BMAS), IEEE International Workshop on
- Best of Manufacturing Logistics, IEEE Colloquium on
Samples of IEEE Proceedings (Cont.)
127
There are many types researches such as:
1) Advertising Research
2) Internet research
3) Consumer Marketing research
4) Operations research
5) Action research
6) Social research
6. Other Types of Researches
128
1) Advertising research is a specialized form of marketing research conducted to improve the efficiency of advertising.
Other Types of Researches (Cont.)
129
According to “MarketConscious.com”, It may focus on a specific ad or campaign, or may be directed at a more general understanding of how advertising works or how consumers use the information in advertising.
It can entail a variety of research approaches, including psychological, sociological, economic, and other perspectives
Advertising research (Cont.)
130
2) Internet research is the practice of using the Internet, especially the World Wide Web, for research. To the extent that the Internet is widely and readily accessible to hundreds of millions of people in many parts of the world, it can provide practically instant information on most topics, and is having a profound impact on the way in which ideas are formed and knowledge is created.
Other Types of Researches (Cont.)
131
3) Consumer market research is a form of applied sociologythat concentrates on understandingthe behaviours, whims and preferences,of consumers in a market-based economy. It also aims to understand the effects and comparative success of marketing campaigns.
Other Types of Researches (Cont.)
132
The field of consumer marketing research as a statistical science was pioneered by Arthur Nielsen with the founding of the ACNielsen Company in 1923 and later the A.C. Nielsen Center for Marketing Research.
Consumer market research (Cont.)
133
4) Operations Research (OR) is an interdisciplinary branch of applied mathematics and formal science that uses methods like mathematical modeling, statistics, and algorithms to arrive at optimalor near optimal solutions to complex problems.
Other Types of Researches (Cont.)
134
Operation Research is used in North America, South Africa and Australia, and Operational Research in Europe.
It is typically concerned with optimizing the maxima (profit, assembly line performance, crop yield, bandwidth, etc) or minima (loss, risk, etc) of some objective function.
Operations Research (Cont.)
135
Operations research helps management achieve its goals using the scientific process.
Operations Research (Cont.)
136
5) Action Research or Participatory action research has emerged in recent yearsas a significant methodology for intervention, development and change within communities and groups.
Other Types of Researches (Cont.)
137
It is now promoted and implemented by many international development agencies and university programs CCAR, as well as countless local community organizations around the world.
Action Research (Cont.)
138
6) Social Research refers to research conducted by social scientists (primarily within sociology and social psychology), but also within other disciplines such as:- social policy- human geography- political science- social anthropology - education
Other Types of Researches (Cont.)
139
Sociologists and other social scientists study diverse things: from census dataon hundreds of thousands of human beings, through the in-depth analysis of the lifeof a single important person to monitoring what is happeningon a street todayor what was happening a few hundred years ago.
Social Research (Cont.)
140
• The program of Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology
at the College of Internet Distance Education
of Assumption University
requires research which must be
original and significant.
7. Concluding Remarks
141
• This paper presented
- Definition of Research
- Research Process
- Research Methods
- Research Publishing
- Other Types of Researches
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)
142
• More information about the research for“Ph.D. in eLearning Methodology”will be given by subsequent speakers later today.
Concluding Remarks (Cont.)
143
• Please accept my best wish for all of you,Ph.D. students, to be able to complete your Ph.D. researches and get them published in refereed publicationsand pass the Ph.D. dissertation defense as soon as you wish.