How to choose a research topic RIMC Research Capacity Enhancement Workshops Series : “Achieving...
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Transcript of How to choose a research topic RIMC Research Capacity Enhancement Workshops Series : “Achieving...
How to choose a research topic
RIMC Research Capacity Enhancement Workshops Series : “Achieving Research Impact”
How to choose a research topic
• Stuff to consider:• What are the pressing problems in your
domain?• Reflect on your life experiences • Assess your personal values• What do you get passionate about?• What’s your dream job?
If this isn’t in it…
This won’t help
More things to consider
• What ?– interests you– funders are looking for– is hot in your field– you’re doing now– will please your superiors– will advance your career– Is practical within your circumstances– can have some impact– methodologies are suitable for you– access you have to research centres
• Who ?– you like to work with– Is available to assist you
• Where ?– the funding comes from– you want to publish
Once you have selected a field of interest;
• Read up the background• Conduct a literature review;
– Identify the key researchers– The material that they cite will be a good
starting point• Identify gaps in the knowledge
– Many published papers suggest further research
– Look for an unoccupied niche– Keep several ideas going at first– Attend conferences/seminars– Consider cross-boundary enquiries
• Make a short list of ideas• Frame them into questions• Expect them to change• Brainstorm with friends & colleagues• Seek advice• Should be
– Focused and manageable– Capable of delivering your learning needs
“ I feel ‘The Poetry of Quantum Mechanics in the Age of Professional Wrestling’ is just a bit contrived
Identifying research with impact potential
Match the gaps in the literature with:• What’s in the news• What’s being debated; nationally & internationally
What is the relationship between the topic of research and the impact it can have?
Your researchtopic Its impact
A solvable problem with a policy component to the
solution
Common errors • Too broad• Too narrow• Unanswerable• Irrelevant• Infeasible • Unfundable• Unpublishable• Already done• No potential for impact
Current topics for ICT4D research
• Formulating technology policies• Achieving sustainability• Rolling out technology applications• Scaling up from pilot projects to
national programmes• Conducting evaluations and impact
assessments• Promoting technology convergence
and synergies• Formulating pro-poor approaches• Devising demand-driven methods.
Hot topics in ICT4D
• Macro-level issues– Impact on poverty
• Evaluation– Evidential rather then anecdotal– Longitudinal
• Digital Divide– Non-users– Under-served groups
• Sustainability• Impact• Technologies– Mobile applications– Technology synergies
International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development (ICTD2012) new technologies project assessments policy analyses impact studies theoretical contributions social issues around ICT and
development