A note on the research methods for busy students to use for their dissertation projects

A note on the research methods for busy students to use for their dissertation projects (information from poe.com)

My question 1: "As a part-time student on the subject of Research Methods, I would like to know which primary research methods are for students with (1) time-constrain (e.g. doing a dissertation project within 6 months) and (2) limited local social network resources. Could you offer me some suggestions with reference to the fields of (1) business management, (2) housing studies, and (3) accounting and finance?"

The reply: "When conducting primary research under time constraints and with limited social networks, it's crucial to choose methods that are manageable and efficient. Here are some suggestions tailored to your fields of interest:

1. Business Management

• Surveys/Questionnaires: Use online survey tools (like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey) to gather data from a broader audience. You can distribute these through social media or relevant online communities.
• Interviews: Conduct semi-structured interviews with a small number of business professionals or peers. This method allows flexibility and can yield rich qualitative data.
• Case Studies: Analyze existing businesses or organizations that are accessible to you. Focus on publicly available information or conduct brief interviews with key stakeholders.

2. Housing Studies

• Surveys: Similar to business management, deploy surveys to gather data on housing preferences or experiences. You can target specific demographics through social media or local community groups.
• Observational Studies: Conduct site visits to observe housing conditions or community interactions. This method requires minimal resources and can provide valuable insights.
• Interviews: Speak with residents, housing officials, or experts within your limited network. Even a few interviews can provide depth to your findings.

3. Accounting and Finance

• Surveys: Create surveys targeting specific financial behaviors or attitudes. You can reach out to online forums or finance-related social media groups.
• Interviews: Conduct interviews with local accountants or finance professionals. This will help you gather qualitative insights and enhance your understanding of the field.
• Document Analysis: Analyze financial reports or accounting standards available online. This method requires no interviews or surveys and can provide a wealth of information.

General Tips

• Leverage Technology: Use online platforms for data collection to save time and resources.
• Focus on Convenience Sampling: With limited networks, convenience sampling (choosing subjects who are readily available) can be a practical approach.
• Plan and Prioritize: Create a timeline to manage your research activities, ensuring you allocate time for data collection and analysis.

By selecting these methods, you can effectively conduct your research within the constraints you face."

My question 2: "Tks. For these suggested research methods, could you suggest some data analysis methods (both qualitative and quantitative) that are not too sophisticated and time-consuming to employ? Tks."

The reply: "Certainly! Here are some straightforward data analysis methods suitable for both qualitative and quantitative research, focusing on being manageable within your time constraints.

Quantitative Data Analysis Methods

1. Descriptive Statistics:

   • Calculate basic statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation) to summarize your survey data.
   • Use frequency distributions to understand how often certain responses occur.

2. Cross-tabulation:

   • Analyze the relationship between two categorical variables. This can help you understand patterns in your data.

3. Simple Charts and Graphs:

   • Create bar charts or pie charts to visualize data distributions. Tools like Excel or Google Sheets can make this easy and quick.

4. T-tests or Chi-square tests:

   • Conduct basic hypothesis testing to compare means or proportions between two groups if applicable. Online calculators can simplify this process.

Qualitative Data Analysis Methods

1. Thematic Analysis:

   • Identify and analyze patterns (themes) within qualitative data (e.g., interview transcripts). This involves coding the data and categorizing it into themes.

2. Content Analysis:

   • Systematically categorize textual data (e.g., open-ended survey responses) to quantify the presence of certain words or themes. This can be done manually or with simple software tools.

3. Narrative Analysis:

   • Focus on the stories or accounts provided by participants. Identify key themes or insights based on their narratives.

4. Coding:

   • Develop a coding scheme for your qualitative data to identify key themes or patterns. This can be done with highlighter pens or digital tools.

General Tips for Data Analysis

• Use Software Tools: Consider using simple tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or basic qualitative analysis software (like NVivo or MAXQDA) for organization and analysis.
• Keep it Simple: Focus on methods that align with your research questions and data type, avoiding overly complex analyses that may consume too much time.
• Document Your Process: Keep notes on your analysis process to help with transparency and later discussions in your dissertation.

By employing these methods, you can effectively analyze your data without overwhelming complexity."

My question 3: "Do the part-time students using these research methods need to pay attention to the underlying research philosophies of their research works?"

The reply: "Yes, part-time students should definitely pay attention to the underlying research philosophies of their work. Understanding these philosophies can help shape your research design, methodology, and interpretation of results. Here are a few key points to consider:

1. Research Philosophy Overview

• Positivism: Focuses on quantifiable data and often employs quantitative methods. It emphasizes objectivity and the use of statistical analysis.
• Interpretivism: Centers on understanding the subjective meanings and experiences of participants. Qualitative methods like interviews and thematic analysis are common.
• Pragmatism: Advocates for using mixed methods (both qualitative and quantitative) to address research questions practically, prioritizing what works best in the context.

2. Alignment with Research Questions

• Your choice of research philosophy should align with your research questions. For example, if you aim to explore subjective experiences, an interpretivist approach may be more suitable.

3. Methodological Consistency

• Understanding your research philosophy helps ensure methodological consistency. For instance, if you adopt a positivist approach, your data collection and analysis should reflect that philosophy.

4. Interpretation of Results

• The research philosophy influences how you interpret your findings. Positivist approaches may seek generalizable results, while interpretivist approaches focus on contextual understanding.

5. Reflexivity

• Being aware of your own biases and perspectives (reflexivity) is essential, especially in interpretivist research. This awareness can enhance the credibility of your findings.

Conclusion

While you may be focused on practical methods, a solid understanding of research philosophies will enrich your work and improve the rigor of your research. It can also help you articulate your approach in your dissertation effectively."

Reference: 

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.