Validity: Critical Thinking About A Research Project

The researcher is expected to comprehend the assumptions underlying the different methods and also to know the criteria which will enable the researcher to decide that a particular technique or a procedure is applicable to his research methods. It is highly important therefore that the researcher designs his methodology to effectively address the research problem. The research methodology has therefore different dimensions and research methods are part and parcel of the research methodology. The scope that is available for research methodology is naturally far and wide when compared with the methods of research. The research methodology considers the logic behind the methods so that the conclusions of the research can be arrived at and evaluated.

The theoretical framework is an important component of a research problem. It should be constructed in a way that demonstrates a sound understanding of the theories and concepts that are related to the research problem. The researcher also needs to be knowledgeable about the current and historical literature as it relates to the topic being researched. This is a critical component in the theoretical framework because it reduces the possibility of biasness in the research. A clear connection also needs to be made between the current study’s underlying theory and the study’s findings (Theoretical Framework in Dissertations: A Brief Discussion, 2010).

While the question may be asked as to whether a mixed methods research is possible in light of the two different paradigms, a researcher could resolve the issue through praxis, which Cameron sees as an important part of the mixed methods research. This debate over the ability to carry out such research process can be resolved by praxis, which Cameron describes as the mixed methods researcher becoming “knowledgeable, informed and familiar with the growing body of literature that forms mixed methods as a third methodological movement” (p. 102). Besides, not only must the researcher understand the discipline, but must also be familiar with the methodological and data integration in mixed methods research (Cameron, 2011, p. 102). In other words, debate over the practicality of mixed methods research can be addressed with the researcher recognizing the choices that are available to using mixed methods, and this is possible when mixed methods researchers become knowledgeable in both qualitative and quantitative research methods (Cameron, 2011, p. 104). The pragmatist approach in the research design and implementation phases allows for asking which techniques and procedures are best for the research problem.

It is at this stage of sampling that ethical skills and sensitivity are required. The potential participants should be informed the aim of the study, what their participation entails, the nature of being volunteers, and the protection of their anonymity to help them give an informed consent to participate in the study. Researchers who obtain data from people are expected to maintain high ethical standards both during their research and data sharing. If researchers pay attention, even confidential research data can be shared safely. The important aspects of ethical data sharing can be achieved by gaining informed consent, by anonymizing data, by controlling data access, and by applying for an appropriate license.

The Importance and Appropriateness of Utilizing Different Methodologies for Research. Introduction The process of research entails the logical as well as systematic search for useful data and information with regard to a specific topic (Jha, 2008). It is also comprised of the investigation of the best, most cost effective and appropriate solutions to both social and scientific issues, following an objective and logical analysis. Jha, (2008) defines research as the search for knowledge and the discovery of the truth. During this process, the data can be gathered from a wide pool of sources among them interviews, books, nature among others.The data can then be analyzed with the appropriate data analysis tools, so as to report the findings

Each question should be related to the objective of the study. Literature review is very important aspect of the research process, it provides the inputs and guides the researcher to design a new instrument or use an existing instrument which can be used to analyze the data

4.1 Type of research design A research design according to Churchill and Iacobucci (2005) can be defined as “The framework or plan for a study, used as a guide to collect and analyze data. It is the blueprint that is followed to complete a study”. In other words a Research Design represents the skeleton of a dissertation project allowing the researcher to create the appropriate conditions for the analysis and collection of data. McGivern (2009) adds that by developing and selecting an accurate research design the chance of completing a high quality research increases and provides the necessary “evidence” to answer the research problem in a successful way. In line with the objectives set, this research will favour a combination of descriptive design and exploratory design.

What research skills have I utilized in the past? What new research skills do I need to master? In this manuscript, my quest is to address the questions cited above. As a scholar-practitioner, I am learning the sequence of properly researching a particular topic will add substance and creditability to any project I undertake. Considering scientists may choose to reference my work in the future, I am ethically responsible to adhere to specific codes of ethics and select the proper research tools which will do the best job of producing the data which best answers the research question at hand.

There are different factors that you have to consider while framing a research question. Research question is a key to planning and carrying out a successful research project. Research question should be clear, purposeful, answerable, and coherent. Therefore, researchers should consider the following factors when designing research question. 1.

How was the research done? How will these results help me answer my research question? However, the type of research paper included will determine the critical appraisal tool to be used. Thus, a critical appraisal is important on account of the fact that this literature review is not out to dismiss low quality research articles, but rather to weigh each article’s flaws and strength. It is therefore important to assess whether the overall study design of the chosen articles meet the study objectives (Greenhalgh 2010).