Lecture Notes on the Research Process

Housekeeping

• Reading Assignment:

  • Hansen and Machin (2019) "The Research Process" available in Module 4 on Canvas.

  • Not part of Perusall reading.

• Seminar Discussion:

  • Focus on Case Study #2: Reade (2021) "Keeping it raw on the 'gram".

  • See Week 4 Module page for more details.

• Upcoming Deadline:

  • Group Research Outline assignment due on 9 April, Wednesday at 23:59.

Overview of the Research Process

• Generate Research Topics

• Develop Research Ideas

• Search for Relevant Literature

• Reviewing the Literature

• Formulate Research Questions

• The Central Role of Theory

Generating Research Topics

1. Personal Experience and Curiosity:

   • Explore personal interests (e.g., sports communication).

   • Questions to consider:

     • What is the situation?

     • How can this be understood?

     • How are tensions managed in communication?

     • What effects do these strategies have?

2. Knowledge of Scholarly Conversations:

   • Identify research gaps in areas such as online extremism or social movements on TikTok.

Characteristics of a Good Research Topic

• A research topic should be specific enough to become a local expert.

• Interest is important:

  • What intrigues you?

  • What might engage other communication researchers?

• Transition from Broad to Focused Topic:

  • Utilize relevant literature to improve focus.

  • Narrow down by incorporating verbs to express actions or relationships (e.g., predicting, contending).

Examples of Focused Research Topics

• Case Study Examples:

  • Examining Health Responses:

  • Investigating responses to COVID-19 vaccines among Māori & Pasifika communities.

  • Social Media:

  • The role of social media in extremism and its impact on political participation.

Focus Evaluating Examples Needing Work

• Broad or Vague Topics:

  • E.g., “How short-form videos influence people's minds.”

  • E.g., “What are the most profitable advertising campaigns on Facebook?”

• Problem Identification:

  • Assess clarity and relevance in relation to communication discipline.

  • Suggest narrowing to specific communication processes or topics such as commodification in advertising.

Suggestions for Developing Research Ideas

• Identify Communication Contexts:

  • Consider areas like health communication, environmental communication, or sports communication.

• Focus:

  • Concentrate on media content or the outcomes of communication.

• Engage with Specific Issues:

  • Study current practices, phenomena, or debates in communication discipline.

Starting the Research Process

• Brainstorming Ideas:

  • Write down various topic ideas and keywords.

• Collaborative Approach:

  • Engage in teamwork to refine ideas together.

Developing Connecting Concepts

• Identify core keywords related to topics (e.g., "political knowledge" and social media).

• Determine which abstract concepts connect to generate a coherent research framework.

Literature Search Strategies

• Importance of Relevant Literature:

  • Broadens understanding and places your research within a larger context.

  • Encourage exploration of methods.

• Search Criteria:

  • Utilize scholarly databases and refine search terms.

  • Evaluate quality based on impact factors and peer-reviewed status.

Scholarly Journals for Reference

• Key Journals for Communication Research:

  • Communication Research, International Journal of Communication, etc.

• Focused Journals for specific areas, including political communication, health communication, etc.

Conducting Literature Reviews

• Purpose:

  • Conducting a systematic analysis rather than merely listing works.

  • Aim to present gaps and argue for the necessity of further research.

Critical Analysis of Research Literature

• Key Questions for Critical Review:

  • Who conducted the research?

  • What methods and results were addressed?

  • What is the significance of the research?

Developing Research Questions

• Formulation of Research Questions:

  • Explore gaps and debates in current literature to identify relevant questions.

  • Best to focus on engaging inquiries that promote discussion.

Examples and Formulation Strategies for Questions

1. - Start with your topic and what you wish to learn about it (indirect questions).

2. - Follow up with motivation for your study (so what questions).

3. - Ensure questions avoid generality and speculative answers.

The Central Role of Theory in Research

• Theory's Significance:

  • Acts as a framework for both qualitative and quantitative studies.

• Engagement with Theoretical Frameworks:

  • Identify applicable theories through literature and established resources.

Summary and Next Steps

• Upcoming Workshop Activities:

  • Discuss potential research topics and integrate key literature into research projects.

  • Formulate clear and effective research questions/hypotheses for your inquiry.