A note on the novelty, academic and practical (NAP) values of research objectives: an agile literature review approach note (information from poe.com)
My question 1: "With regard to the academic-oriented dissertation project type, there is a task to formulate a research gap-derived research objective. Such a research objective should have novelty, academic, and practical (NAP) values. My question is: how to conduct a research gap analysis so as to produce a research objective with NAP values?"
The reply: "Conducting a research gap analysis to formulate a research objective with novelty, academic, and practical (NAP) values involves several strategic steps. Here’s a structured approach you can follow:
1. Identify the Research Area
- Select a Broad Topic: Start with a general area of interest relevant to your field.
- Review Key Literature: Conduct a systematic review of recent publications, journals, and articles in that area.
2. Conduct a Literature Review
- Search for Existing Studies: Utilize databases like Google Scholar, JSTOR, or specific academic journals to find relevant studies.
- Analyze Findings: Assess what has been covered and what conclusions have been drawn.
- Identify Patterns: Look for patterns, trends, and major themes in the existing literature.
3. Identify Gaps in Existing Research
- Assess Limitations: Pay attention to the limitations discussed in the studies. What do the authors believe is missing?
- Look for Unexplored Areas: Identify areas that have not been extensively researched or were overlooked.
- Consider Emerging Trends: Explore new developments or technologies that have not been addressed in the literature.
4. Engage with the Academic Community
- Attend Conferences: Participate in academic conferences relevant to your field to learn about current discussions and emerging gaps.
- Discuss with Experts: Engage with professors and researchers to gain insights into what they see as underexplored topics.
5. Assess the Novelty
- Original Contribution: Determine how your intended research could contribute new knowledge or challenge existing perspectives.
- Innovative Approaches: Consider utilizing new methodologies, frameworks, or technologies.
6. Evaluate Practical Implications
- Real-World Applications: Assess how your research findings could be applied in practice. Identify stakeholders who would benefit from your research (industries, policymakers, etc.).
- Social Impact: Consider the broader societal implications of addressing the research gap.
7. Formulate the Research Objective
- Draft a Clear Objective: Based on your findings, create a concise research objective that addresses the identified gap.
- Incorporate NAP Elements:
- Novelty: Clearly state the innovative aspect of your research.
- Academic Value: Explain how it contributes to the existing body of knowledge.
- Practical Value: Highlight potential applications and benefits.
8. Refine the Objective
- Seek Feedback: Present your research objective to mentors or peers for feedback.
- Revise Accordingly: Make adjustments based on constructive criticism to enhance clarity and focus.
Example
Let’s say you are interested in the field of renewable energy. You could conduct a gap analysis and identify that while there is substantial research on solar panel efficiency, little has been done on the socio-economic impacts of solar energy adoption in rural communities.
Research Objective: "To investigate the socio-economic impacts of solar energy adoption in rural communities, focusing on accessibility, local economy enhancement, and environmental sustainability, thereby providing insights for policymakers and stakeholders."
This objective includes elements of novelty (focus on rural socio-economic impacts), academic value (fills a gap in the literature), and practical value (addresses real-world implications for communities and policymakers).
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can effectively conduct a research gap analysis and formulate a research objective that possesses NAP values, contributing meaningfully to your field of study."
My question 2: "Tks. Could you provide 1 example of such a research objective with reference to the fields of (1) business management, (2) housing studies, and (3) accounting and finance?"
The reply: "Here are examples of research objectives for each of the specified fields—business management, housing studies, and accounting and finance—each designed to have novelty, academic, and practical (NAP) values:
1. Business Management
Research Objective: "To explore the impact of remote work on team dynamics and productivity in small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) post-COVID-19, identifying specific challenges and best practices that enhance collaboration and operational efficiency."
- Novelty: This objective addresses the relatively new context of remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in SMEs, an area that has been less researched compared to larger corporations.
- Academic Value: It contributes to the understanding of remote work dynamics in the context of team management and organizational behavior.
- Practical Value: Findings can offer actionable insights for SMEs to improve remote work strategies, thereby enhancing productivity and team cohesion.
2. Housing Studies
Research Objective: "To analyze the socio-economic effects of affordable housing initiatives on community development in urban areas, focusing on resident satisfaction, local economic growth, and social cohesion."
- Novelty: This objective investigates the interplay between affordable housing and community development, a topic that is crucial yet often overlooked in empirical studies.
- Academic Value: It adds to the body of literature on housing policy and its implications for urban sociology and community resilience.
- Practical Value: The insights gained can inform policymakers and housing advocates on how to design effective affordable housing initiatives that promote sustainable community growth.
3. Accounting and Finance
Research Objective: "To examine the role of fintech innovations in enhancing financial literacy and accessibility among underbanked populations, assessing the effectiveness of different fintech tools in promoting better financial decision-making."
- Novelty: This objective focuses on the intersection of fintech and financial literacy, specifically targeting underbanked populations, which has gained prominence but lacks extensive research.
- Academic Value: It contributes new knowledge on the effectiveness of technology in overcoming barriers to financial literacy.
- Practical Value: The research could provide valuable recommendations for fintech companies and policymakers to improve financial products and educational initiatives aimed at underbanked communities.
These objectives aim to fill existing gaps in their respective fields while ensuring that they are relevant to both academic discourse and practical applications."
My question 3: "Please suggest how the researcher's positionality could influence such a research objective formulation exercise?"
The reply: "The researcher’s positionality plays a crucial role in the formulation of a research objective. Positionality refers to the social and cultural identity of the researcher, including factors such as their upbringing, educational background, professional experiences, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, as well as their beliefs and values. Here’s how these factors can influence the research objective formulation process:
1. Perspective and Bias
- Subjective Lens: Researchers may view problems and gaps through their personal experiences, which can shape the formulation of research questions. For example, a researcher from an underprivileged background may be more attuned to issues of socio-economic inequality, leading them to focus on research that addresses these disparities.
- Identifying Gaps: The researcher’s background may influence which research gaps they perceive as significant. For instance, a researcher with practical experience in business management might prioritize questions that address operational efficiencies rather than theoretical frameworks.
2. Interest Areas
- Personal Motivation: A researcher’s interests often stem from their own experiences or professional encounters. For instance, if a researcher has worked in affordable housing, they may be drawn to study socio-economic impacts in that area, which can shape both the objective and its relevance.
- Focus on Relevance: The researcher may frame objectives that resonate with communities or stakeholders they identify with, ensuring the research feels meaningful and beneficial.
3. Value Systems
- Ethical Considerations: Researchers have unique ethical stances that may guide them in choosing research objectives. For example, a researcher who values social justice may prioritize topics that aim to address inequality or advocate for marginalized communities.
- Pragmatic Vs. Academic Goals: The balance between academic rigor and practical application may differ based on the researcher’s positionality; some may prioritize theoretical contributions while others may focus on actionable insights.
4. Networking and Partnerships
- Access to Communities: A researcher’s positionality can determine their access to specific communities or organizations. For instance, a researcher with established connections in a particular industry might find it easier to engage stakeholders for data collection, impacting the feasibility and scope of their research objective.
- Collaboration Opportunities: Personal and professional networks may influence the research topics chosen, often steering researchers toward issues that are collaboratively deemed important based on shared positional experiences.
5. Interpretation of Results
- Contextual Understanding: Researchers are more likely to interpret findings in ways that align with their positional context, which can influence how they frame their research objective and later conclusions. Their understanding of local contexts can enrich the research but might also introduce biases based on their own experiences and perspectives.
- Reflexivity: Being aware of how personal biases influence the research process encourages researchers to engage in reflexivity, potentially leading to more nuanced objectives that consider multiple perspectives.
Conclusion
The researcher’s positionality deeply influences the framing of research objectives, from identifying gaps to interpreting findings. By recognizing and reflecting on their positionality, researchers can formulate objectives that are not only innovative and relevant but also ethical and sensitive to the contexts they study. Emphasizing positionality can enhance the rigor and integrity of research and contribute to more comprehensive and inclusive analyses."
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