View
377
Download
8
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Slides from a workshop presented by Prof. Kim Nicholas of Lund University on research design and writing. The workshop was for 45 master's students from many departments and disciplines, hosted by Lund University Social Innovation Centre. Focuses on the practical aspects of the heart of research: asking and answering questions. Includes a worksheet for developing your own research design, illustrated by an example from a master's thesis from the LUMES program that was turned into a publication (Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology).
Citation preview
The Thesis ToolboxKim Nicholas
LUCSUS, Lund University 19 February 2014
kimberly.nicholas.academic@gmail.com@KA_Nicholas
2
3
Outline for today
1. Thesis: What and Why?2. Thesis: How?
1. Practical: Toolbox2. Theoretical: Epistemology and ontology
(oooh!!)3. Time management & motivation
4
Outline for today
1. Thesis: What and Why?2. Thesis: How?
1. Practical: Toolbox2. Theoretical: Epistemology and ontology
(oooh!!)3. Time management & motivation
5
What’s a Thesis?
6
What’s a Thesis?
1. Ask a Question2. Answer it!
It’s simple, but not easy
7
What’s a Thesis?
1. Ask a Question2. Answer it!
8
Why Write a Thesis?
9
How to Write a Thesis
…In practice and theory
10
Outline for today
1. Thesis: What and Why?2. Thesis: How?
1. Practical: Toolbox2. Theoretical: Epistemology and ontology
(oooh!!)3. Time management & motivation
11
What is research design?
• Make sure evidence gathered allows you to answer the research question unambiguously
• Research design = a ‘logical’ problem– don’t jump straight to methods and data
• Seek compelling evidence (be sceptical)– anticipate & test alternative hypotheses– design research to try and falsify theory
based on: Chapter 1, de Vaus (2001). Research Design in Social Research.
Slide from Dr. Charlie Wilson, Tyndall Centre/UEA
Research Design
12
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
Research Design
13
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
Research Design
14
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
15
Topic
• A place, group of people, technology, theory, author, buzzword, community of scholars…
• Too general to be researchable
16
Topic Question
Food security,
cities, ecosystem
services
(other RQs…)
Kyle Clark LUMES MSc thesis, 2011; Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
Urban Food Forestry*
Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
* ‘‘the intentional and strategic use of woody perennial food-producingspecies in urban edible landscapes to improve the sustainability and resilience of urban communities.’’
http://urbanfoodforestry.org/
Research Design
18
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
19Image: SPL/Barcroft Media
20
Research Questions Aren’t Easy
• “Research is figuring out how to ask and answer good questions.”
- Chris Field
(When you really get this down, they give you a PhD! …Only takes 5-7 years )
21
Where do questions come from?
GEO-5, “Review of Data Needs”
22
A Good Research Question Is…
• NOVEL (no one knows the answer yet!)• RELEVANT (addresses sustainability challenges
and solutions)• ANSWERABLE (given the constraints you face)• VALID (constructs of concepts are valid)• CONNECTED (related to current issue in
theory, practice, or research)
23
Assessing potential research questions
Research Questions Characteristics Worksheet http://faculty.virginia.edu/capstone/research/
24
Topic Question
Food security,
cities, ecosystem
services
What is the potential capacity of urban food forestry to meet food needs?
(other RQs…)
Kyle Clark LUMES MSc thesis, 2011; Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
Research Design
25
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
26
Construct• Phenomenon of interest;
what we care about. • Exist only within our
minds• Therefore, cannot be
observed directly -> not researchable!
3D image of mouse brain! Chung et al., 2013, Nature
27
Construct• Examples:
– Power– Equity– Efficiency – Biodiversity – Land use change– Food security – Climate change – Sustainability– Intelligence– Happiness– Justice– Awareness– Preferences– Behavior– Education– Health– …
Image: ebsconsultants.com
3D image of mouse brain! Chung et al., 2013, Nature
28
From constructs…
Chung et al., 2013, Nature
29
Operationalize
Chung et al., 2013, Nature
From constructs…
30
From constructs to variables
Operationalize
Chung et al., 2013, NaturePhoto: Block Publishing
31
Topic Question Operationalizing…
Food security,
cities, ecosystem
services
What is the potential capacity of urban food forestry to meet food needs?
“capacity of UFF”-> tons of apples produced
Food Needs -> calories demanded
(other RQs…)
Kyle Clark LUMES MSc thesis, 2011; Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
32
From constructs to variables
Exhaustive+ Mutually exclusive+ Defined + Measurable+ Observable+ Valid theory___________
Operationalization
33
From constructs to variables
Exhaustive+ Mutually exclusive+ Defined + Measurable+ Observable+ Valid theory___________
VARIABLES
Operationalization
Researchable!
34
Variables
• Something we measure (categorize), control, or manipulate in research
• “Something that may or does vary”• A trait that can change in value from case to
case, or within a case over time
35
Topic Question Operationalizing…
Variables
Food security,
cities, ecosystem
services
What is the potential capacity of urban food forestry to meet food needs?
“capacity of UFF”-> tons of apples produced
What trees to plant?Available land for planting trees
Density of plantingYield per ha
Food Needs -> calories demanded
Very Food Insecure calorie needs
Total population fruit needs
Tons to calories
(other RQs…)
Kyle Clark LUMES MSc thesis, 2011; Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
36
Defining a variableWhat does it mean to be a “beer drinker”?
Image: artsvegas.com
37
Does our definition pass the test?
Precise+ Defined + Measurable+ Observable+ Valid theory___________
VARIABLES
Researchable!
38
Research Terminology
• Construct: Phenomenon of interest• Variables: a trait that captures variation in
concept • Measure: actual item over which scores will be
measured • Data: the actual numbers
39
Planetary Boundaries operationalize sustainability
Rockström et al., 2009, Nature
Construct Variables Measure Data“Safe operating space”
Research Design
40
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
41
Case selection and description
• What are you studying? • Selection of the unit of analysis (plots,
countries, people, groups)- criteria for inclusion/exclusion.
• Who, what, when, where? (“why” was established in the Intro & by RQs)
42
Topic Question Operationalizing…
Variables How to collect data?
How to analyze data?
Food security,
cities, ecosystem
services
What is the potential capacity of urban food forestry to meet food needs?
“capacity of UFF”-> tons of apples produced
What trees to plant?
Lit review
Available land for planting trees
GIS mapping
Density of planting
Lit review
Yield per ha Lit review
Food Needs -> calories demanded
Very Food Insecure calorie needs
How many people, how many calories
Total population fruit needs
How many people, how much fruit
Tons to calories Lit review
(other RQs…)
Kyle Clark LUMES MSc thesis, 2011; Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
43
Align RQs, variables, methods, analysis
How many to plantXHow much yield per ha= Tons of apples
Research Design
44
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
3 planting * 3 yield scenarios
Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
VFI
defi
cit m
et (i
nner
)
Urban trees could provide substantial food
Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
VFI
defi
cit m
et (i
nner
)
47
Topic Question Operationalizing…
Variables How to collect data?
How to analyze data?
Food security,
cities, ecosystem
services
What is the potential capacity of urban food forestry to meet food needs?
“capacity of UFF”-> tons of apples produced
What trees to plant?
Lit review Suitable species
Available land for planting trees
GIS mapping Classifying & quantifying open land
Density of planting
Lit review Scenarios
Yield per ha Lit review Scenarios
Food Needs -> calories demanded
Very Food Insecure calorie needs
How many people, how many calories
Calculations from lit data
Total population fruit needs
How many people, how much fruit
Calculations from lit data
Tons to calories Lit review Calories per gram conversion
(other RQs…)
Kyle Clark LUMES MSc thesis, 2011; Clark and Nicholas, 2013, Landscape Ecology
Research Design
48
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
Research Design
49
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
WRITING & DRAWING
50
Topic Research Question
Operationalizing
Variables How to collect data?
How to analyze data?
(other RQs…)
51
Outline for today
1. Thesis: What and Why?2. Thesis: How?
1. Practical: Toolbox2. Theoretical: Epistemology and ontology
(oooh!!)3. Time management & motivation
52Khagram, Nicholas et al., 2010, Environmental Conservation
53
Big Picture Research Paradigms
Darker shadings indicate greater affinities
Khagram, Nicholas et al., 2010, Environmental Conservation
Research Design
54
Topic
Question
Variables
Refine
Operationalize
CollectData
ResultsAnalyze
Methods
DiscussionInterpret
Summarize Conclusion
55
Outline for today
1. Thesis: What and Why?2. Thesis: How?
1. Practical: Toolbox2. Theoretical: Epistemology and ontology
(oooh!!)3. Time management & motivation
56
First Things First
http://www.themodernnomad.com/2012/rocks-pebbles-sand/
57
58
59
60
Role of supervisor
http://phdskills.blogspot.se/, “Manage your PhD Supervisor”
61
E.B. White, via http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/11/20/daily-routines-writers/
62
Benefits of writing regularly• 6 year study of 32
people• 16 regular writers
(30 minutes/day, consistently)
• 16 binge writers
Boice, Advice for New Faculty
63
Why does it feel like you know less now than when you started?
Bianchi et al., 2010, Nature
64Robert Evans
65
Eleni Kalorkoti
66
Stephie Ginger
67
Owen Davey
Thanks!Kim Nicholas
LUCSUS, Lund University 19 February 2014
kimberly.nicholas.academic@gmail.com@KA_Nicholas
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
• http://matt.might.net/articles/phd-school-in-pictures/
• The Illustrated Guide to a PhD
Recommended