RESEARCH PROJECT II BGN201

To further develop the student’s ability to monitor, analyse and evaluate a common process (or processes) relevant to their stream studies. (For the purpose of this unit, a "process" is defined as any distinct series of events or changes over a period of time, and which is directly related to the area of study). Prerequisite: Research Project I or equivalent.

COURSE AIM

To monitor, analyse and evaluate a common process (or processes) relevant to their stream studies.  (For the purpose of this unit, a "process" is defined as any distinct series of events or changes over a period of time, and which is directly related to the area of study).

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are 6 lessons in this module as follows:

1.       Identifying research issues

2.       Acquisition of technical information

3.       Specialised research techniques

4.       Research planning and designing

5.       Statistics

6.       Conducting research

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE

  • Develop your ability to collect, collate and interpret data and prepare reports in ways relevant to the work environment;
  • Develop your ability to monitor and evaluate one’s own work in order to develop a responsible attitude to workplace performance and quality assurance;
  • Build an awareness of areas where there is a valid need for research which are relevant to area of study;
  • Improve your ability to explain research methods, including experimental techniques, commonly used in the learner's area of study;
  • Use basic statistical methods used for research;
  • Locate, collect and evaluate information for a specific research purpose;
  • Prepare a research report in a format which conforms to normal industry procedures.



Why Learn to Research?

Research skills are valued anywhere. We undertake research so that we can find information. Often that information already exists, and sometimes it doesn't.
The first step in any research should always be to discover what is already known, and what isn't. By gathering together relevant information; you can avoid duplicating work that has already been done. You can also use the knowledge that already exists as a foundation, upon which to build.

Sometimes there is no need to build or discover new knowledge; and the research goal may be satisfied by simply gathering what exists.

Conducting a Literature Review

While the literature review will be the second chapter in your thesis, it does need to stand alone as essentially a document that evaluates and reviews current knowledge in your chosen field or as Haywood and Wragg (1982) define it as “the writer has studied existing work in the field with insight”.  Thus you need to be showing your supervisor or tutor that you have the ability and skills to research your field in detail with comprehension and evaluation.

With in your review you should be able to:

  • discern which authors are in disagreement and why
  • group those that do agree
  • critique methodology
  • expose gaps in the research and current literature
  • relate your research to the field
  • relate your research to the literature
  • summarise and conclude what is said by the literature

From this you can see that the literature review provides you with a ‘framework’ within which to investigate a field of interest.  It is not expected that you will be an expert in your field before starting your dissertation.  The literature review is aimed at providing you with sufficient working knowledge of your topic in order to prepare you for your further studies as well as providing a more focused view of your proposed research by providing context and rationale'

When you undertake research, you start by conceiving a "problem statement" that defines the objective of your research. This is the reason for doing your research. It can be summarized by the adjectives; Identify; evaluate; explore and formulate.  It is extremely important that your literature review stays within the scope of your problem statement.  It is easy to digress and waste time and words exploring material that is not relevant.

One method for staying focused on your objectives is to create headings and subheadings that are directly related to your problem statement