Module 1 lecture 1: Linguistic research methodology Aim and comtents of the special course Plan

MODULE 2

LECTURE 2: Ways to conduct research work

Plan:

1. 
   Steps of conducting research
   
2. 
   Choosing the topic of the research work. Its actuality, theoretical and practical value.
   
3. 
   Planning the final qualification work on the theme “Youth organizations in Uzbekistan”.
   
4. 
   Designing the final qualification work on the theme “Youth organizations in USA”.
   
5. 
   Planning the final qualification work on the theme “Youth Organizations in GB”.
   

Key words: conduct, identify, variables, audience, quiestionnairy, familiarizes, clarify, search, preliminary, reference, sources, database, resources

Research studies and scientific research are being conducted in order to provide results that will help with social, professional and scientific evolution. Gathering data and information and analyzing them is the only way for a researcher to come to a conclusion. The process of conducting a research study starts by focusing on tested hunches and ideas. With the collection of all the necessary information, the results can come fast. Either positive or negative.

Conducting a research study has certain very important steps that need to be taken in order for the research to be successful. Here are the 8 most important steps that you are going to take in order to conduct your own research study:

Step 1. Identifying the subject

There is always a problem, subject, and issue or thematic that is being analyzed in a research study. Do you have a clear view of what yours is? Unless you have identified the subject of your research study, you cannot move on to the next step.

Step 2. Finding the literature

To find the literature you should know the current information on the topic. Surely some research has already been conducted at some point. That research gave results, maybe answers to some of the questions. You need to find that research and those results. You need the current literature in order to create your own.

Step 3. Clarifying the subject

Once the literature has been reviewed and the details of the initial Subject have been identified it is time to clarify the subject. What is the scope of the study? If it is too big then it has to be broken down to categories and studied separately. There are many factors that can affect a subject and many variables. All of that need to be taken into account.

Step 4. Definitation of terms and concepts

Every subject has terms and Concepts. Either scientific, cultural or social. These words and phrases are going to be used in the study constantly. You need to know exactly what they mean and how you should use them. Research studies are not simple papers. The words you use will affect the outcome of the paper itself and the way that people will understand the results and your ideas. So always define the terms and concepts before you start using them.

Step 5. Audience the research intended for

Your research study always has to do with an audience. Either directly or indirectly. It is your responsibility to define that audience. In the beginning, it can be rather confusing. Separating those that are immediately affected from the results of your study, from those that are not so connected with your results can help you clarify your audience and of course focus on the most important parts of the research study. After all working with a very large audience is not going to give you the results that you are looking for. The bigger the audience, the harder it will be for the study to be conducted.

Step 6. Collecting everything you do will be based on the plan you have made the data

After you have gathered the literature, found your audience and collected the original data of the subject, you will conduct your own ‘’experiments’’ to make sure that your results are the right ones. Those ‘’experiments’’ will give you data of their own. Collecting that data and analyzing it is a very important part of the process. You need to make sure that all that data will be safely stored and properly analyzed. This will happen after the completion of the instrumentation plan and during the start if the sturdy.

One important thing that you need to note here is where you are going to get the data from. Questionnaires and observation are always good places to start.

Step 7. Analyzing the data

Last but not least is the analyzation of the data itself. That will be the last step that will give you the results and help you bind your research together. Take your time with it. Double or even triple check your analysis. Compare it over and over again. If a mistake is made here you will have to start over with the analyzation. That can take a long time and it is certainly not something that you will want to do. This is the last step to make sure that you will do it correctly.

By following these 8 steps, you will find that conducting a research study can be a lot easier than what you think. But certainly not easy. Take your time to familiarize yourselves with these steps. Do not rush into anything. Proper research studies require time to bring accurate and proper results. Always remember that these studies can affect your future as a scientist or a research either in a positive or negative way. The more attention you pay to them, while you conduct them, the more useful they will be for you and the future of your career

Whether you are a student or a professional, you may need to conduct academic research. Strong research involves accessing and evaluating various forms of information. You then analyze the information, you find to answer a question or come to a conclusion about an issue. Once your research is complete, you'll present your findings, typically in a research paper or a presentation.

Choosing the topic of the research. Selecting a topic can be  the most challenging  part  of a research assignment. Since this is the very first step in writing a paper, it is vital that it be done correctly. Here are some tips for selecting a topic:

1. 
   Select a topic within the parameters set by the assignment. Many times your instructor will give you clear guidelines as to what you can and cannot write about. Failure to work within these guidelines may result in your proposed paper being deemed unacceptable by your instructor.
   
2. 
   Select a topic of personal interest to you and learn more about it. The research for and writing of a paper will be more enjoyable if you are writing about something that you find interesting.
   
3. 
   Select a topic for which you can find a manageable amount of information. Do a preliminary search of information sources to determine whether existing sources will meet your needs. If you find too much information, you may need to narrow your topic; if you find too little, you may need  to broaden your topic.
   
4. 
   Be original. Your instructor reads hundreds of research papers every year, and many of them are on the same topics (topics in the news at the time, controversial issues, subjects for which there is ample and easily accessed information). Stand out from your classmates by selecting an interesting and off-the-beaten-path topic.
   
5. 
   If you still can't come up with a topic to write about. See your instructor for advice.
   

Once you have identified your topic, it may help to state it as a question. For example if you  are interested in finding out about the epidemic of obesity in the American population, you might  pose the question "What are the causes of obesity in America ?" By posing your subject as a  question you can more easily identify the main concepts or keywords to be used in your research.