assignment 81

Project-based learning How to approach, report, present, and learn from course-long projects

Harm-Jan Steenhuis and Lawrence Rowland

Chapter 6

The research process in projects

The need for research

• Graduate degree

• In business often research

Research and critical thinking

Research adapted from (Leedy and Ormrod, 2005)

What research is not:

1. Research is not mere information gathering

2. Research is not mere transportation of facts

from one location to another

3. Research is not merely rummaging for

information

4. Research is not a catchword used to get

attention

Real world

Problem Solution

Research world

Problem Solution

Question Answer Method

Real world

Research world

Problem Solution

Question Answer Method

Research approaches

Research approaches in business

Empirical cycle

Observation

Induction

Shaping of empirical

laws

Shaping of theory

Deduction

The first main approach follows the

empirical cycle and is knows as deductive

It is what most of you are probably familiar

with

Based on existing studies etc. hypothesis

are theoretically formed at the beginning

Then observation takes place to see

whether it confirms the hypothesis

Then conclusions are drawn (and a

contribution to the existing body of

knowledge is determined)

Empirical cycle

Observation

Induction

Shaping of empirical

laws

Shaping of theory

Deduction

The second main approach also follows the

empirical cycle and is known as inductive

It starts at a different spot

The literature in this case leads to an

identification of a gap in knowledge.

Then the start is with observation

New relationships or theoretical laws are

then proposed or hypothesized, i.e. at the

end

(and a contribution to the existing body of

knowledge is determined)

Regulative cycle

Problem choice

Diagnose

Design

Intervention/ Implementation

Evaluation

The third main approach follows a

different cycle; the regulative cycle.

This is about problem solving.

Here the start is with a problem

which is diagnosed

Then a solution is designed (with

help of the literature)

This is implemented and then

evaluated for how good it solved

the problem

(and a contribution to the existing

body of knowledge is determined

based on this)

Iterative nature: takes time

The overall process looks like this: ups and downs but with an

upward trend

Life is good

This may be more challenging than envisioned

Challenging, but I can still manage

Where does this end?

Made it!

Understanding the path

This may be more challenging than envisioned

Challenging, but I can still manage

Where does this end?

Made it!

TARGET

X X

X X

X X

X

X

X

X

You do NOT want to be

in the bulls-eye (your

studies has already

been done) but right

around the bulls-eye.

You also don’t want to

waste time on studies

that are in the outer

rings.

� These may appear

interesting but will

distract you.

SHIFTING TARGET

Conclusion

• Research is important for graduate education

• Research is especially important for graduate students

• Research relates to critical thinking

• Research is part of projects and is iterative in nature.

• Expect uncertainties and learn to deal with them. After you do this, and then experience the same in your job, it will be much easier to deal with them as you know this is just part of the process.

• Be aware of mission creep.