2.18 fashion management

FMAN3003 RESEARCH PROJECT WEEK 16 - UNDERSTANDING RESEARCH

PROJECT PLANNING

S AL M A TAL L AA

Content

❑ Nature of research

❑ Research process and terminology

❑ Setting the Aim and Objectives of your research

❑ Project structure

❑ Project planning

What is Research?

Systematic investigation to discover or establish facts, information, or knowledge.

“Research is about investigation;

learning about something new or

learning about something from the

past. It can often be likened to the

beginning of a journey of exploration.

It is about reading, visiting or perhaps

viewing but above all it is about

recording information.”

(Seivewright, 2012)

“The Scientific Method is the process by which

Scientists (researchers, such as yourself) Collectively

(working with others or on your own) AND over time (as

a continuing never ending process), endeavour to

Construct an accurate representation of the world (in

terms the physical world, the living world, human

beings and all of human creation)

We can define research as an activity of systematic enquiry

that seeks ANSWER a PROBLEM or QUESTION.

Why research?

Driving force behind progress, innovation, and informed decision-making

• To answer any particular questions relating to any subject and discover approaches to provide

theories to justify those answers.

• To motivate you as a creative person. You can explore a range of options for focusing on new

topics or ideas by gathering various references and looking into several areas of interest.

• It may be possible to investigate learning new information, skills, or technology.

• The foundation for launching new design or commercial concepts.

Knowledge

•Knowledge is built upon knowledge. This is a flaw in the logic of science.

•We have to acknowledge that ALL knowledge is built upon previous knowledge in some form or other.

This undermines the image of Rigid, Fixed, True, Unchanging Solidity of science.

•We are trying to understand the world around us using systems and constructs that we have devised.

We call this the Body of Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge

Body of

Knowledge

Research process

Research process

Data Collection

Data Collection is

used to describe

the observation,

measurement, and

recording of data or

information.

Data Analysis

Data Analysis refers to

arranging and organising

the data that has been

gathered so that we may

determine their relevance

and make generalisations

about them.

Write up

The last stage of the

study or investigation. Its

goal is to inform the

audience or readers of

the information it

contains.

Research Paradigms and Approaches

Research paradigms are sets of assumptions that guide research, shaping

how researchers view the world and make methodological choices.

• Objective reality.

• Quantifiable data.

• Deductive reasoning.

Example: Research on the impact of fast

fashion on environmental sustainability.

• Subjective reality.

• Emphasis on meanings.

• Inductive reasoning.

Example: Research on how Gen Z people feel

about fast fashion.

InterpretivismPositivism

Quantitative Research

Numerical data. Surveys, experiments

Qualitative Research

Non-numerical data. Interviews, case studies.

Paradigm

Approach

Research Methodology & Methods

Research methodology refers to the overall framework of the research process, guiding the entire study.

•Philosophical Approach: The underlying philosophy or paradigm (e.g., positivism, interpretivism). •Research Design: The overall plan or structure of the study. •Data Collection and Analysis: How data will be gathered and interpreted. •Ethical Considerations: Addressing moral and ethical aspects in research.

Research method is a specific technique or tool used to collect and analyse data within the chosen methodology. Examples: Survey, Interview, Experiments

Components:

Methodology: The overarching plan and guiding principles.

Method: The specific technique or tool used within that plan.

When you have built your aim and objectives, you can then start to design your research methods to achieve them …

The aim and objectives express the PURPOSE

and FOCUS of the research project.

• There is a single aim and around 5 or 6

objectives.

• These are often confused and conflated but they

have very different purposes.

• While the aim is the overall purpose written as a

single sentence, the objectives are the milestones

on the journey to achieve the aim.

Research Aim

The aim of the research relates to its purpose – what is the project trying to

achieve? What is it AIMing to achieve?

Some definitions are:

• What you are trying to achieve.

• The purpose of the research.

• A statement of intent.

• What you hope to achieve at the end of the project.

• This dissertation aims to identify how the use of technology could improve the

consumer experience of shopping in-store.

• This dissertation aims to identify the demand of real vs faux fur in the fashion

industry based on the cultural context.

Examples:

Research Objectives

The objectives are the major milestones along the

way, the steps you will take in order to achieve the

aim.

Some definitions are:

• The steps required to achieve the desired outcome.

• The checklist to ensure you have achieved the aim.

• To establish how retailers are connecting emotionally

with their consumers via ecommerce.

• To identify how flagship and pop-up stores can be an

advantage to help in-store and online sales for a brand.

See how the main aim can be broken into

a series of smaller sub-aims – these are

the objectives.

Express them in terms of what each one

will establish, or find out, rather than in

terms of how you will achieve it.Examples:

Research Objectives

Specific. Be precise about what you are going to achieve.

Measurable. How will you know when you have achieved

it? What will you measure to determine this?

Achievable. Ensure that is actually achievable.

Realistic. Ensure that the scope of the objective is realistic

and not too large or small.

Time bound. Map your plan out onto your Gantt chart to

ensure that you can achieve it within an appropriate time

period.

Choosing a topic

Start

reading

I feel my topic is

too narrow

I feel my topic is

too wide

I have more

ideas around my

topic

Keep

reading

I have more

specific ideas

around my topic

VS.

Either way, the key is to read!

Chapter 1

Introduction

Chapter 2

Literature

review

Chapter 3

Methodology

Chapter 4

Results

Chapter 5

Analysis &

Discussion

Chapter 6

Conclusion &

Outcomes

Introduce the

reader to your

topic, aims &

objectives,

overview of how

you will conduct

the research

and why it is

important

A critical review

of previous

research

comparing and

contrasting

viewpoints,

theories and

studies to

highlight gaps

in knowledge

Focuses on the

design of

primary

research

methods.

Demonstrates

how primary

research will

fill gaps in

knowledge

Presents the

findings /

results from

primary

research

normally as

charts / graphs

/ tables in

preparation for

analysis in the

next chapter.

Critical analysis

of primary

research

findings.

Developing

themes / new

insights.

Comparing and

contrasting with

secondary

findings.

Concludes the

project stating

whether the aim

was met or not.

Presents the new

information /

recommendation

s / framework /

new theory / or

outcome.

The basic outline structure for your dissertation

Word count

As a very rough guide your word count breakdown may look something like this:

INTRODUCTION 500

LITERATURE REVIEW 2000

METHODOLOGY 1500

RESEARCH RESULTS 1500

RESEARCH FINDINGS 2000

CONCLUSION 1000

RECOMMENDATIONS 500

Total 9000

Project Planning

Gantt Chart

• This chart is named after Henry Gantt (1861- 1919), who developed this chart around the years

1910-1915 (Morris, 1997).

Purpose of a Gantt Chart:

• Plan your time

• Understand what you have to do

• Understand the order in which it needs to be done

• Shows how many task you have to do at any point in time

• Shows at a glance what has been done and what still needs completing

• Acts like a critical path to follow week by week

• Allows you to plan and stick to timescales

Gantt Chart

Gantt Chart

CLaSS Time Management online workshop

Click here

Project Plan

You are to produce a project plan, which should be

around 2 pages. Your plan should consider all the

elements described above, along with:

• A justification for the project, showing its context.

• A clear statement of the aim and objectives.

• An initial idea about the methods you may use.

• A statement of who will find the work useful.

Week 21: Friday 23rd February, 23:59 pm

The Planning Worksheet (D) has been designed to

support the first steps on your planning journey by

helping you to identify:

The topic

The problem

The significance

The secondary data

The primary data

The collection methods

The boundaries

Reflection

Project Plan

Week 20 Tutorial

Do you have any questions/ concerns

about planning your project?

Discussion time!