A properly planned research is necessary to collect data and analyse it. Framing a proper research plan does not always guarantee its smooth execution in practice. When it comes to social research, the practicalities of doing a research is different from the textual model. It is not possible to always adhere to the normative text. For example, text book model suggests not to collect data before planning(for surveys & experiments).However, it is not possible to follow this suggestion in long and complex projects. Text model suggests a linear procedure to conduct researches. However, this is an ideal way and cannot be followed always. The way of doing research in real world differs a lot from the normative approach. Practical alternatives for researching in real world include methods like garbage can model. This methods suggests a messy way of doing things or randomly following the combination of theory, method, resources, solutions etc. Research paper often does not represent the actual idea of research.
Access needs to be negotiated: It is important to have people supporting throughout the research. Research is a time consuming process, and it is necessary to allow time for it. Friends, relatives, etc… can be used to gain access to data. When conducting researches, it is important to use alternative vocabulary for normal research terms according to different people. It is important to explain the work to people. It is important to negotiate with right people and prepare an outline of study. Formal request and discussion with gatekeepers about your study is important to gain access to data. Another practical issue is to discuss the study with participants and that will help one to modify his study. It is advisable to use fully informed consent form(with all details regarding the study)
External vs Internal Access: Insiders have a prior knowledge about the organisation they are intending to study. They possess historical knowledge, political knowledge, about people in the organisation etc. It minimizes cost and burden as there is no travel. Insiders have the credibility among people in the organisation and that helps in collecting data. There are also disadvantages of insider access like additional burden of research to actual job. Insiders also have the problem of communicating freely with people in different order of hierarchy. Prior knowledge among people in the organization about the insider may hinder the conversation. Insider researches also face the problem of insider bias. It is difficult to maintain objectivity in such researches. The insider has to live with consequences in case of disappointing parties involved.
Other issues: Other practical issues include organizing(meetings,arranging equipments), piloting designs(for questionnaires aand surveys), working on one’s relationships etc. It is important to revisit the place in cases of inadequate data, mistakes etc. It is important to be prepared to modify the model and get some data(in case of not matching with model).
Writing Up Research
It is important that the study conducted takes the form of a write up. It is important to report the research to make it public. The format of research depends on nature and purpose(it has to be catered to the intended audience). Examples include scientific journal format, technical report(for a client), poster, pamphlet, press release etc. Other ways of reporting research incude alternative literary presentations like portrayal, adversarial, dialogue etc..(interesting to read). It is important to consider the needs of the project and formatting it accordingly. In all cases, it is important to adhere professional standards(grammar, spelling, layout, design).
Typical Scientific Journal Format
Each journal has a different format. For example, one journal follows the format of title, abstract(short summary of the project), introduction, methods, results, discussion, and bibliography. Introduction tells the need of the project and our current knowledge of the field. Method explains how the research was done. Result states the outcome of the study. Discussion section deals with the actual study done with research conclusion of the study. It is important to give references in the bibliography section. Language of such journals is in the impersonal, past tense and passive voice. However, some recent journals use active voice.
Tehcnical Report
In technical reports(for clients), it is important to conform to the expectations(imp. to. meet proffesional standards). It is advisable to refer to other good reports. This format requires an executive sumary(conveys more than an abstract). It is important to fill it with details(methods) in appendices. Revising the draft helps in rewriting and restructuring. This helps in the overall quality of the report. This process includes rereading and asking questions to oneself. Asking others(colleagues, students) for comments can help in this correcting errors.
Ethics of Doing Research
The purpose of doing a research is for better understanding of the world of we live in. A research has to be considering its benefits and harms. The basic ethics of research include involving people after getting their consent(random observation is an exception,informed consent is important not just mere consent), not coercing people into participation), not being redundant in informations etc. Other unethical activities include doing covert research(deceiving participants), inducing people to commit acts(degrading their self esteem), manipulating people’s behaviour(studies seeking individual change), putting people in risks(physical or mental), fair treatment of people, forcing people to participate even if they unwilling, withholding benefits from some people, not allowing them to act freely etc. Some of these ethics can be sacrificed to a certain extent in case of greater good. It is important to adhere to the codes of practice. People can be given benefits to balance the costs they incur.
Ethics of Publication
The legitimate expectation is that the findings get published. It is important to change the names of sources by using pseudonyms. It is important to consider this fact when giving the rights to a different publisher. Interests of the sponsors and gatekeepers before publishing.
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