How to do Research
Acknowledgment: Anne Goodchild Lecture
What makes a research question good
Good is a sujective word.
- Measurable - you have to know what question is answered.
- Methodology clear - e.g. Is there a correlation between… ? / Emiriclal / simulation
- Focused - scope, scale
- Needed - Innovative, unique
- Based on established facts
- Clear
- Achievable with resources ( time / money)
- Interesting
- Timely
- Complex
Types of research
- Descriptive
- Correlational
- Exploratory
- Evaluation
- Action
Sources
Types of sources
Scholarly publications (Journals)
Popular sources (News and Magazines)
Professional/Trade sources.
Books / Book Chapters.
Conference proceedings.
Government Documents.
Theses & Dissertations.
Criteria for evaluating sources
Authority( Institutions & Authors ) trustworthiness—Quality / number of citations
Timeliness—currency
Relevancy-popularity
Bias – Accuracy–popularity
Data Quality
Assumptions
Methodology described / references given----scholarly
Limitation
Quality control—reviewers
Primary or secondary
Objectivity( data / evidence; advertising, sponsorship)
Impact factor