Steps in Ensuring Objectives Are Met - Essay Example

Steps of Applied Research Process Introduction In essence, research finds extensive application in both theoretical and practical settings. Theoretically, research entails acquisition of data and information as a means of evaluating validity of theories. On the contrary, practical research involves direct application of theoretical findings in ascertaining their reliability in real settings. In this case, it is acknowledgeable that research could manifest in either theoretical form or practical form. Within both academic and professional contexts, research is divided into two distinct groups namely; pure research and applied research. This binomial division is based on the desired or eventual use of research findings. Whereas pure research aims at merely expanding theoretical knowledge, applied research appraises applicability of resultant knowledge in addressing real world problems. Therefore, pure research stems basically from inherent desire to expand knowledge. On the other hand, applied research strives towards solving world’s problems rather than only understanding the same problems. In succeeding sections of this paper, a detailed evaluation of applied research will be conducted, specifically in terms of steps involves in conducting an applied research process. Steps of Applied Research As explained within the introduction, applied research tends to align itself closely with practical applicability as opposed to pure expansion of knowledge. Technically, proponents of pure research are interested in establishing relationship between variables, as in understanding cause and effect traits. However, applied research tries to find solutions to specific questions and problems. Based on this distinction, it is undeniable that each type of research possesses correspondingly distinct procedural steps. According to Bickman and Debra (2013), applied research process may incorporate all or some of the procedures involved in pure research. However, steps involved in carrying out applied research are more aligned to answering perceived questions rather than unearthing random knowledge of phenomena. The basic steps of applied research are; problem definition, research design, implementation and reporting stage. I. Problem Definition First, defining and understanding an underlying research problem is influential in developing directionality of the entire process. Proper definition of a research problem not only captures the present interest and perceived urgency of the process but also ensures absolute absence of ambiguity. In the context of applied research, problem identification involves working with relevant stakeholders in order to understand both the breadth and depth of the issue under consideration. For example in the context of law, relevant stakeholders comprise of judges, plaintiffs, defendants, members of law schools and the community in general. Bickman and Debra (2013) agree that working with relevant stakeholders facilitates acquisition of evidence-based information from the field. In addition, close relationship with stakeholders allows researchers to iron out contentious and competing approaches of the problem, hence ensuring straightforwardness in the entire conceptual framework. a. Identifying Research Questions Identification of research questions features as the first procedure in problem identification. Unlike pure research, applied research, which is mostly funded by interested parties like law firms, has narrow and specific goals. This means research questions must ensure strict adherence to the specific objectives. In nontechnical language, identifying questions means setting the research agenda. Agenda setting usually involves framing objectives into questions. b. Clarifying Research Questions After identifying questions, researchers must transform those nontechnical agendas into technical statements. Often, agendas from clients and other stakeholders may be realistic but biased. Use of biased questions limits validity and reliability of findings. Researchers must ensure that questions identified comprehensively cover a representative scope and fits into a variable-based hypothesis. In the context of law, clarifying questions will entail ascertaining answers needed by direct clients like defendants as well as indirect ones like the plaintiffs. Therefore, this procedure involves classification of questions into primary and secondary categories. II. Research Design Similar to the conceptual framework of problem identification, research designs covers on the structural framework of the exercise. Research design is synonymous with an architectural blueprint in construction. A good design links the identified questions and hypothesis with subsequent activities of data collection. An excellent design promotes rigorous evaluation of resource availability, data collection approaches and feasibility aspects (Smith, 2010). In order to address concerns of all stakeholders within a legal environment, an applied research process must obtain a representative sample without compromising of the procedure’s convenience. Basic steps involved in research design include; a. Choosing a Design Technically, applied research can accommodate varied range of designs like descriptive, quasi-experiment and experimental among others. Depending on the identified questions coupled with the underlying hypothesis, researchers will select one design. With respect to law, clients like judges, plaintiffs and defendants are more interested in understanding the picture of a phenomenon rather than the phenomenon’s effects. In this case, a descriptive design not only provides pictorial narration of a question but also summarizes the relation between variables of a question and particular standards in the industry. b. Selection of Data Collection Activities In tandem with the selected design, data collection approaches must facilitate concurrence of field parameters with questions. Undeniably, law research is more interested in internal validity of findings as opposed to external validity. Internally valid findings serve to answer questions of direct clients alone, irrespective of whether concerns of external parties are covered. Appropriate data collection activities include selection of sources, instruments and mapping of resources. Preferred sources are primary respondents from the field; instruments include survey papers and observation recording forms while resources range from personnel to logistical requirements. III. Implementation This is the practical step of an applied research process. Implementation involves applying the selected design in acquiring actual data from respondents. This is a utilization-oriented step when researchers must deal with not only conceptual limitations but also obstacles resulting from time and budgetary constraints. Aside from actual data acquisition, this implementation step covers on analysis of resultant information from the field. Therefore, tasks of implementation are spread to a wide range of personnel and stakeholders. In the context of law, relevant respondents include defendants, legislative assemblies and even convicted persons. As acknowledged earlier, implementation step is broadly categorized into management of time and financial resources. a. Time Resources Typically, clients and sponsors of an applied research require findings within a given period. This means the entire implementation process must be carried out in a timely manner. Smith (2010) mentioned that time resources often clash with personnel availability. In order to acquire vast data from interviewers, a huge taskforce is necessary. However, hiring a huge taskforce may compromise on financial capability of the research. In this case, a sequential and objective trade-off between time restrictions and sample minimization must be implemented. For instance, instead of interviewing 1000 convicts, it would be feasible to interview only 15 convicts with a representative face of the intended 1000 persons. b. Financial Resources Practically, substantial portion of a research budget carters for logistical needs and monetary compensation of personnel. Usually, primary data collection through field interviews and direct surveys is significantly labor-intensive compared to other tasks like data analysis. Hamilton and Sanders (2008) agreed that prior to the research, a personal loading chart is necessary in predicting labor-related demands of each task. In order to maintain high reliability of findings, implementation step calls for objective trade-offs between various components of the research design. Therefore, researchers must be able to apportion financial resources effectively without undermining the scope of study and reliability of eventual findings . IV. Reporting Stage Report writing is the final part of an applied research process. Clients, sponsors and concerned parties need a simplified portrayal of findings. Data collection and analysis sections may present data in form of tables. According to Hamilton and Sanders (2008), consumers of the findings are more interested in graphical averages and percentage representation of findings as opposed to tabulated reports. Despite being the last step of the process, reporting stage needs substantial time and resources. Skilled personnel must be entrusted with preparation of graphs and calculation of simplified numerical values. In case time and professional skill-set is in short supply within the research taskforce, then the entire reporting process can be outsourced to independent experts. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that a thorough applied research process comprise of numerous steps. Each of the steps is not only necessary but also instrumental in ensuring objectives are met. Conducting the study before proper identification of underlying problem increases chances of client dissatisfaction with resultant findings. On the other hand, thorough problem identification without detailed research design will yield non-objective results. In this regard, it is undeniable that a successful applied research process should have all the four major steps discussed in the essay. References Bickman, L. & Debra, J. R. (2013). Applied Research Design: A practical approach. Journal of American Statistical Association, 23, 45-72. Hamilton, L. V. & Sanders, J. (2008). Handbook of Justice Research in Law. Pittsburg: Springer Science & Business Media. Smith, M. (2010). Strategies for Applied Research: An evidence-based approach. New York: Cengage Learning. Read More