Module 7 – Summary

Introduction

Welcome to Module 7 –Summary which is the last Module in this Unit. This Unit has been concerned with developing your practical research skills and helping you to think about the research process. It has emphasised, in particular, the following

Developing the focus of your research – Module 1
Framing your research questions – Module 2
Selecting a research strategy appropriate to your project – Module 3
Developing a suitable research design, including the collection and analysis of data - Module 4 and Module 5
Writing a research proposal - Module 6

Robson’s text, Real World Research, has been used, as a reference throughout this Unit and his basic framework, listed below, is a useful template to continue to guide you even as your skill and expertise as a researcher develops.

Deciding on the focus
Developing the research questions
Choosing a research strategy
Selecting the method(s)
Arranging the practicalities
Collecting the data
Preparing for analysis
Reporting what you have found

Many of you will find yourselves carrying out systematic enquiries that are relevant to your profession, as practitioner – researchers, some of you will be interested in post graduate study which involves the completion of a research degree, others may be involved in tending for research projects or be employed as researchers. Like most things in life, becoming skilled and developing expertise takes time, effort, practice and some degree of risk taking; maturing as a researcher is no exception.

There are also some skills that you need to develop that you may not have even considered. Robson (2002) reminds us that investigators need to be

Good at asking questions. Researchers need an "enquiring mind" and a healthy dose of curiosity
Good listeners and observers
Adaptive and flexible; what is it they say about the best-laid plans?
Able to grasp issues and interpret information, not simply record it
Open-minded and not use the research process to substantiate a preconceived position [p169]

Robson (2002) also points out that complex communication and interpersonal skills are needed. Researchers will often find themselves in situations where they are required to

Explain the rationale for a project
Listen and react
Defend or present
Redirect or redefine objectives
Secure agreement and commitment (pp541-2)

The task of the researcher is complex and doing good research in a moral and ethical way is difficult and demanding. However conducting a rigorous investigation can generate important knowledge that can further our understanding of the human condition; research is valuable and conducting research is worthwhile.

The Final Word

It is vitally important, as Robson (2002:1) points out, that

before leaping into an enquiry or project, you need to have an idea about what you are letting yourself in for.

We hope that this Unit has helped you to better understand what you are letting yourself in for, and aided in demystifying the research process, for that has been our intention.

Every blessing with your research project and all your future research endeavours.

References

Robson, C., 2002, Real World Research, 2nd Ed, Blackwell, Oxford

Checking

Congratulations! You have nearly completed - Introduction to Research Methods Unit.

Now you need to look back at the Unit Schedule to check that you have completed all the assessment activities and sent them to the teacher by the due date.

One Last Thing...