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steoan221a
rm2.4.conducting_preliminary_research.pptxChapter 4: Conducting Preliminary Research
Overview:
Starting Points in a Research Project
Getting Started with a Literature Review
Gathering Background Information
Data Gathering—Preview
Ethical Considerations
Chapter Learning Objectives
Understand the initial tasks of research and evaluation,
Writing a literature review
Creating an annotated bibliography
Understand the techniques used in obtaining general background information
Conducting preliminary interviews with key informants or subject matter experts
Identify and understand basic concepts of types of data gathering techniques
Getting Started with a Literature Review
Purpose of a Literature Review
Substantive introduction
Explanation of importance
Context-setting
Annotated Bibliography
A comprehensive listing of major research articles, reports, books, and other similar sources of information about a specific topic
Source Materials
Gathering Background Information
Conducting Background Interviews with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
Persons with specialized knowledge, expertise, and experience within a particular policy domain or program area
The Value of SME Interviews
Identify core policy issues and challenges
Identify core research challenges
Assess critical questions
Data Gathering—Preview
Field Research
Surveys
Existing Data Sets
Creating an Original Data Set
Ethical Considerations
The importance of confidentiality
The importance of transparency
Understanding the need to balance competing values in the research process
