Ground Rules for Good Research - a 10-point guide

I am currently at the Open University Malaysia Main Campus Library and am currently reading a book on the above topic. Thought it would be good to share out some of the highlights of this book.

Title of Book: Ground Rules for Good Research - a 10-point guide for social researchers.

Author: Martyn Denscombe

Publication: Open University Press

Year: 2002

Details:

The 10 points mentioned in this book are:

1. Purpose:

Q. What is the research trying to achieve? What is it all about

A. The purpose of the research is stated clearly and explicitly in a format appropriate for the type of investigation

2. Relevance:

Q. What is to be gained from the research? Is it of any significance?

A. The research is worthwhile because it makes a contribution to the development of existing knowledge and/or addresses specific practical needs

3. Resources:

Q. Is the research feasible in terms of the available resources? Will it be completed on time?

A. The scale and timing of the investigation reflects the resources available for the research and the opportunities for access to relevant data

4. Originality:

Q. What did the research find out that was not already known?

A. In the choice of topic, in the methods of investigation or in the analysis undertaken there is at least one element of originality and this has been explicitly identified.

5. Accuracy:

Q. Has the research asked the right questions? Are the data sufficiently precise and detailed? Do the data depict the reality of the situation? Has the process of research itself distorted the findings?

A. The accuracy of the data has been checked using appropriate tests of validity. The possible impact of the research process on the data obtained has been assessed using suitable measures of reliability Reasonable steps were taken to avoid the use of any naive, simplistic or erroneous indicators of the underlying truth

6. Accountability:

Q. Why should we believe the research results?

A. The research and its findings have been reported in a way that allows judgments to be made about the quality of the procedures and in principle, checks to be made on the validity of the findings and the authenticity of the research.

7. Generalizations:

Q. How do we know the findings from the specific piece of research can be applied to other comparable situations?

A. Either the research is based on a sample of people, events or data that are representative of the wider population or sufficient information is given about the the characteristics of the sample or the cases used in the research for judgments to be made about the extent to which findings can be expected to apply more widely.

8. Objectivity:

Q. Can the research ever really hope to be completely impartial and unbiased? Aren't the findings inevitably biased by the researcher's prior attitudes and conceptions?

A. The research has been designed, conducted and reported in a genuine spirit of exploration and the research explicitly acknowledges, as far as possible, the ways in which any vested interests, social values and aspects of the researcher's self-identity have had a bearing on the nature of the research.

9. Ethics:

Q. Have the rights and interests of those affected by the research been taken into consideration?

A. Due consideration has been given to the impact of the research on those affected by it and, where it has been obtained from those directly involved in the research. Whee appropriate, measures have been taken to maintain the confidentiality of information and minimize intrusion into people's lives.

10. Proof:

Q. How can you prove you are right? How can researchers prove that their explanations are better than dogma or common sense?

A. Evidence has been provided to support the arguments put forward by the research. This evidence is suitably substantial and has been taken into consideration. Conclusions drawn from the research are appropriately cautious, reflecting the provisional nature of theories and the difficulties of identifying simple cause-effect relationships

Some of the excerpts are as follows:

a. To qualify as social research an investigation needs to:

- have clearly stated aims that are related to existing knowledge needs and are investigated within limitations imposed through time, money and opportunity

b. Research needs to:

- contribute something new to knowledge using precise and valid data which are collected and used in a justifiable way
- produce findings from which generalizations can be made

c. The researcher needs to adapt an attitude and approach that is:

- open-minded and self reflective
- recognizes the rights and interests of participants
- cautious about claims based on the findings