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Short Learning Progamme: Part 2 - Advanced Information Literacy: Unit 2: Research strategies

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Research as inquiry

  • Research inquiry is a dynamic and multifaceted process that revolves around unresolved problems or questions within a specific field or across different disciplines. Often, this process involves engaging in constructive debates and dialogues to foster a deeper understanding of existing knowledge. It is important to note that the scope of inquiry extends beyond academia and encompasses the broader community, addressing personal, professional, and societal needs.
  • The spectrum of inquiry encompasses a wide range of approaches, from asking elementary questions that rely on basic knowledge recapitulation to progressively refining research questions, employing advanced research methodologies, and exploring diverse disciplinary perspectives. As learners progress from being novices to developing expertise, they gain strategic perspectives on inquiry and expand their repertoire of investigative methods.
  • In summary, research inquiry is an ongoing process characterised by its open-ended nature, its capacity to stimulate meaningful conversations, and its ability to adapt to different contexts and levels of complexity. Through inquiry, both individuals and communities can actively contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the resolution of pressing issues.

What do information literacy abilities involve?

 

Formulating a research question means exploring an existing uncertainty in an area of concern which requires further examination.

 

Research is all about information and how you use and apply that information. This means that you need to have a plan to fulfil your information needs and apply information to your research topic.

Ask the following questions:

  • What types of information are available? What do you don’t know to identify any information gaps?
  • What types of information will best meet your information needs? Look at Unit 4 “Information sources”. In addition, how will meeting your information needs be affected by the format of the information (digital, print)?
  • What available search tools can be used to search, access and process needed and relevant information? Can I use the search tools or do I need someone to teach me?

Scope

  • The scope of the study refers to the boundaries within which your research project will be performed; this is sometimes also called the scope of research. To define the scope of the study is to define all aspects that will be considered in your research project. It is also just as important to make clear what aspects will not be covered; i.e. what is outside of the scope of the study.
  • Determining the scope of the investigation will influence your search strategies and how and where you look for information.

Think about:

  • Know what you don’t know to identify any information gaps
  • Identify which types of information will best meet your information need
  • Identify the available search tools, such as general and subject-specific resources at different levels
  • Identify different formats in which information may be provided
  • Do you need training to use new tools as they become available to search and locate information?

 

Breaking complex questions into simple ones requires problem-solving skills. Look at the following diagram to help you think about what you need to do to find relevant information to answer your research topic.

 

Brainstorm the research topic

Remember:  Research is all about information and how one decides to use and apply that information. Mapping out a topic enhances the retrievability of the information. If your topic consists of more than one component, for example, An analysis of the domesticity of animals, you can break down the topic into components and research it separately. This will provide you with an understanding of the topic and you would be able to get the picture as a whole.You must then find a way to apply it as a whole. Meaning it must always be relevant to his main topic. Example:

Map the research topic

If you map your research topic, it provides structure. You can then decide on how to categorise the information:

  • Does something take place over time? 
  • Can an idea be broken down neatly into constituent parts?
  • Is there a relationship among the elements of the topic or concept?

Write each main idea, major heading, or term down and then divide these into major divisions. 

This map illustrates some of the key characteristics of concept maps.
Fraser, K. (1996). Student centred teaching: the development and use of conceptual frameworks.
Herdsa Green Guide. ACT, Australia: HERDSA:3

While you are planning your research strategies, you also need to think about the research approach you are going to take. Research is the most widely used tool to increase knowledge about something and someone. Two standard ways of conducting research are: qualitative research and quantitative research. While qualitative research relies on verbal narratives like spoken or written data, quantitative research uses logical or statistical observations to draw conclusions. 

Qualitative research

  • Qualitative research is a valuable approach that offers valuable insights and deep understanding of complex problem settings. Unlike quantitative research, it adopts an unstructured and exploratory methodology to examine intricate phenomena that cannot be adequately captured through numerical data alone. Additionally, qualitative research serves as a foundation for generating ideas and hypotheses that can be further investigated using quantitative methods.
  • The primary purpose of qualitative research is to delve into the depths of human behavior, experiences, attitudes, intentions, and motivations. By employing observation and interpretation, researchers aim to uncover the underlying thoughts and emotions of individuals. This type of research emphasises giving significant weight to the perspectives and voices of the participants.
  • Several types of qualitative research exist, each with its own distinct approach. These include case study, grounded theory, ethnography, historical analysis, and phenomenology. These methodologies provide researchers with diverse tools and techniques to gain comprehensive insights into the subject of study.
  • In summary, qualitative research offers a rich and nuanced understanding of complex phenomena by exploring human behavior and perspectives. It allows researchers to go beyond numbers and statistics, focusing on the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of individuals. Through various qualitative methodologies, researchers can uncover valuable insights that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields.

Quanitative research

  • Quantitative research is a rigorous and systematic approach that draws inspiration from the methods employed in the natural sciences. It is focused on generating numerical data and objective facts to explore and establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables. This research method relies on mathematical, computational, and statistical techniques to analyze data and draw meaningful conclusions. 
  • Often referred to as empirical research, quantitative studies are characterised by their ability to yield precise and accurate measurements. Researchers collect data that can be categorized, ranked, or measured using standardised units of measurement. This structured data can be effectively presented using graphs and tables, facilitating the researcher's analysis and interpretation of the findings.
  • In summary, quantitative research is a disciplined approach that employs scientific methods to generate numerical data and ascertain cause-and-effect relationships. By utilising mathematical and statistical tools, researchers can obtain accurate and precise measurements, leading to comprehensive analyses and meaningful insights. The use of graphs and tables further enhances the researcher's ability to present and interpret the results.