Summary of the lectures of the course Research Skills (week 1 t/m week 5). Week 6 and 7 are not included, because it is for accountancy and controlling not exam material.
WEEK 1: lecture 1C (research process)
Research is a creative and systematic process aimed at increasing our stock of knowledge. It involves
the collection, organization, and analysis of information to enhance understanding of a specific topic
or issue. The main goals of the research are:
, 1. Describe: Understand how something works or functions.
2. Explain: Identify why it works in a certain way.
3. Predict: Anticipate how it will behave or look in the future.
To develop good research questions, they should meet the following criteria:
1. Interesting: The question should address a knowledge gap or provoke curiosity, with an
answer that is not yet fully known or understood.
2. Relevant: It should have both theoretical significance (contributing to existing knowledge)
and practical implications (applicable to real-world problems).
3. Feasible: The question must be realistic and achievable within the constraints of available
resources, time, and methods.
Types of Research
Research can be categorized into different types based on its objectives and methods:
1. Exploratory research: Seeks to identify and define new questions or problems. It’s useful in
areas where little is known, laying the groundwork for future studies.
2. Constructive research: Focuses on testing theories and proposing solutions to specific
problems. It aims to build new insights or frameworks.
3. Empirical research: Evaluate the feasibility of solutions through empirical evidence. It involves
gathering data and testing hypotheses.
a. Qualitative research: A method focused on understanding social phenomena through
the perspective of individuals. It often involves techniques such as interviews,
observations, and case studies.
b. Quantitative research: Deals with measurable data and trends. It relies on statistical
analyses, including surveys and assessments, to conclude.
Structure of a Scientific Research Paper
A well-organized structure is crucial for making research papers easier to
understand and follow. The typical structure includes:
1. Introduction: This section outlines the motivation behind the
study, provides a general description of the subject matter, and
explains the problem being addressed. It should cover why the
topic is relevant, what we already know, and what remains
unknown. Additionally, it presents the research question, a
summary of the findings, and the paper’s structure.
2. Materials & Methods: Describes the procedures and
methodologies used in the research. This is essential for
replicating the study.
3. Results: This section presents the main findings of the research in
an organized and clear manner, often with the use of tables,
graphs, or figures.
4. Discussion: Here, the results are interpreted and analyzed. The
discussion relates the findings to existing literature, highlighting agreements or
disagreements with prior research. It also considers the limitations of the study and takes
these into account when formulating conclusions.
Organizing the Body of the Paper
The body section, which is the largest part of a research paper, answers the central research question.
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