Collecting information with no particular plan or purpose and then hoping to transform it into a research project is not likely to succeed. Often, the data collected is the result of some sort of convenience sample and may not represent a typical or representative situation.
Taking a convenient collection of data and trying to find a research question that it might answer is a better approach, but one that may still be problematic. Ideally, we begin with a problem (the dependent variable) and go from there to consider likely causal variables (the independent variables). Using locally available data may solve the several problems related to data collection, but this approach works well only if the data is related to a problem that you care about.
A more common pitfall associated with thesis and dissertation research is to select a genuinely important topic, but one that is so large or amorphous that it would require a life's work to make sense of it. With both the thesis and the dissertation, the main point is to develop one's research skills and experience and the second point is to create a publishable paper. Smaller, bit-size research is much more likely to be successful. Build on success with your next research project.
The opposite pitfall, researching a problem that is so specific and limited that it makes no meaningful contribution to the field, is not likely to strengthen your research skills or allow for a publishable output.
Stimulus or motivation is absolutely essential. Research is not likely to be truly successful unless you really care about the topic. Ideally, you would both care about the topic and have some experience or knowledge of it. Motivation can be intrinsic or internal or it can be extrinsic or external. External motivation might be strong encouragement from a colleague or an employer. Still, unless you can create some personal enthusiasm for the topic, I would avoid it. Build on strength by selecting a topic of your own or one that you can make your own.
Both the literature and experienced researchers argue strongly for maintaining a research notebook or idea file where you can conveniently jot down research ideas and notions as they appear to you. This often happens when reading research articles so keep your notebook handy."
In the beginning, a broad approach has much merit. For example, it would be better to define the problem as "developing new methods of providing users with print material: than "to develop a better circulation system."
It may be comforting to know that most researchers have a problem because there are too many interesting topics that they would like to investigate. Here the problem is in selecting the most appropriate problem for the next research project.
Continued focus is an important consideration. The way to develop a national reputation is to select a topical area and continue to do research in that area so that you develop a reputation for being an expert in that area. Conducting research on interesting, but unrelated problems can be personally satisfying, but is harmful for career development.
Course work often suggests topics. You may discover gaps in the research literature as you complete various reading assignments. You may ask the teacher questions and be told that she doesn't know the answer but "that would be a good research topic." Conducting literature searches for your own papers may identify gaps in the literature.
When you work in an information agency, problems surface that may be difficult to solve and require more data or information. For example, some one may question the cost-effectiveness of the summer reading program so that you will need to gather data to answer this question.
Periodical articles and monographs often include a section on suggestions for further research as well as providing many opportunities for replication. Replication has many advantages for the beginning researcher since you can apply a proven research design [it was good enough to be published!] and then compares your results with those of the earlier study. Replicating an early study in a different time or place can be straightforward while allowing for a much more powerful generalization. You may not earn as much credit for replication research and you may be limited in research design decisions because the important decisions have already been made [however, partial replication is certainly OK}.
Personal or professional experience is often a good source if you note questions arising from positive or negative experiences that you have had as an information consumer or as a staff member in an information agency. Local practices often suggest studies to answer questions about what best practice might be.
Somewhat less likely, but certainly important is research designed to test a theory found in another discipline or profession. For example, many years ago, researchers decided to see if the 80 - 20 findings in economics would also apply to the use of large research collections.
All research involves some expenses even if they consist mostly of your time and effort. For example, hard copy based survey research requires postage out and back.
Even if the research is done for your employer, it is important to know the likely cost. If you expect the information agency to cover costs, you must tell them what the likely expenses will be. If you hope to have an external agency support your research, they will need quite specific cost information, including how much your agency will contribute via cost-sharing.
As costs are identified, the research design may need to be altered to make the project more affordable. When the study is completed, you will probably need to be able to report the actual expenditures and compare them with the anticipated costs [your budget].
During the planning stage, consider the cost of professional time, clerical support time, and consultants.
During the setup stage, consider the cost of research design, literature review, creating the problem statement, creating forms, and the like.
During the data collection stage, consider professional time, clerical or student assistant time, travel, meals, postage, printing, telephone, and computer-related expenses.
During the data reduction/analysis stage, consider professional, clerical or student assistant time plus computer time and statistical assistance.
During the reporting stage, consider those expenses related to writing, revising, printing, and distributing. In a few cases, page charges may also need to be considered.
Check all local financial sources. A small grant can make a big difference. Contributions in kind can also be helpful, i.e. a few hours of graduate student help.
Select a topic where data collection involves minimal cost by avoiding travel and postage. Bibliometric research, for example, involves minimal costs. Or consider reducing the sample size so that contacting respondents becomes less costly.
See if you employer will provide "free" support of some kind, perhaps use of agency supplies and equipment.
Don't waste inordinate amounts of time trying to find a topic that will be funded externally. In some cases, it can take more time and effort to secure the funding than to complete the research project.
Inevitably, selecting a problem is somewhat arbitrary, idiosyncratic, and personal. Avoid selecting the first problem that you encounter. Try to select the most interesting and personally satisfying choice from among two or three possibilities. The problem selection should matter to you. You should be eager and enthusiastic.
A good topic should be small enough for a conclusive investigation and large enough to yield interesting results [generalizable]. Remember that research must yield a publication for it to have meaning. You may wish to query likely periodical editors to see if they might be interested in an article on your research topic.
In some cases, as with a thesis or a dissertation, some sort of preliminary study may be needed to see if the problem and the study are feasible and to identify snags. Such a pilot study can be quite valuable.
Return to 540 Page