Planning and Designing a Research
Project
Dinh Thi Le Trinh
Objectives
• Explain topic selection process
• Conduct a thorough literature review
• Develop clear research questions and
hypotheses
• Describe primary and secondary data
collection methods
• Evaluate advanced research techniques
• Recognize common pitfalls
Introduction to Research Planning
• Research is systematic inquiry to solve a
problem
• Good planning ensures relevance and quality
• Connects ideas, methods, and outcomes
• Prevents wasted resources and ethical risks
Selecting Your Research Topic
• Personal interest
• Social and academic relevance
• Feasibility (resources, timeframe)
• Theoretical or practical gap
• Supervisor or stakeholder interest
Criteria for Topic Selection
• Researchable (clear variables, measurable)
• Ethical (protect participants)
• Feasible within budget and time
• Significant contribution to knowledge
Importance of Reviewing Literature
• Avoid repeating old work
• Identify theoretical frameworks
• Find gaps to justify your research
• Position your study in the field
• Gain insights into methodology choices
Steps in a Literature Review
1. Identify key terms
2. Search reliable databases
3. Critically evaluate sources
4. Organize themes and patterns
5. Identify gaps
6. Write a clear synthesis
Literature Map Example
• Visual tool to connect studies
• Shows central theme, subthemes, theories
• Helps structure research questions
• Creswell recommends diagramming
relationships
Developing Research Questions
• Derived from problem statement
• Should be clear, focused, ethical
• Guides research methods and analysis
• Should be answerable with available data
Characteristics of Good Research
Questions
• Specific and narrow
• Feasible to study
• Based on theory and literature
• Relevant to real-world issues
Types of Research Questions
• Descriptive: describing phenomena
• Relational: examining relationships
• Causal: investigating cause and effect
• Example: Does leadership style influence
employee turnover?
Developing Hypotheses
• Hypotheses predict expected results
• Null hypothesis: no difference or relationship
• Alternative: there is a significant effect
• Should be testable and measurable
Examples of Hypotheses
• H0: There is no difference in exam scores
between groups.
• H1: There is a significant difference in exam
scores between groups.
• Directional: Higher motivation leads to higher
performance.
Overview of Data Collection
• Primary data: collected by the researcher
• Secondary data: collected by others
• Choice depends on your question
• Mixed methods: combining qualitative and
quantitative
Secondary Data
• Sources: reports, databases, archives
• Pros: inexpensive, broad scope
• Cons: lack of control, potential bias
Experimental Methods
• Controlled conditions to test cause-effect
• Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Quasi-experiments (no full randomization)
• Consider validity and ethics
Observational Methods
• Watching behavior in natural settings
• Structured (checklists) vs. unstructured (open
notes)
• Overt vs. covert observation
• Ethical issues must be considered
Questionnaire Surveys
• Efficient way to gather large data
• Open/closed questions
• Likert scales popular
• Pilot testing increases reliability
Textual Analysis
• Examines documents, interviews, media
• Finds patterns, themes, concepts
• Common in qualitative research
• Tools: coding, NVivo software
Longitudinal Studies
• Study change over time
• Multiple data collection waves
• Advantages: trend analysis, causal inference
• Challenges: cost, dropout
Projective Techniques
• Reveal subconscious attitudes
• Word association, sentence completion
• Often used in psychology and marketing
Case Study Research
• In-depth study of a single or few cases
• Uses interviews, documents, observations
• Useful for complex phenomena
• Creswell: define case, triangulate evidence
Delphi Technique
• Structured group communication
• Experts anonymously answer questions in
rounds
• Facilitator shares summary after each round
• Seeks consensus on complex topics
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Vague research question
• Poor literature review
• Weak or untestable hypotheses
• Ignoring ethics or feasibility
• Lack of clear analysis plan