The research process for a masters dissertation starts by identifying a real-world or theoretical research problem. Afterwards, a literature review helps in finding the contextual guidelines for a selected research problem. Research problem leads to the formulation of the right research questions, hypotheses, or deciding the right aims and objectives. In later stages, the research process passes by the selection of the most appropriate sample size and collection of data from it. Data analysis is the most critical part of the research process, which is meant for converting the raw data into a meaningful story that is extremely important for solving a scientific mystery. After data collection processing, and analysis, the research process reaches the end by finally reporting the outcomes of the whole process in a straightforward manner. This is only a summary of the whole research process important for writing a high-class masters dissertation. This article will discuss research process in detail so even beginners can know the best practices to rightly approach it. Let’s get started:
A brief introduction to the research process:
There is a wide variety of approaches that can be applied to research belonging to any particular field of investigation, regardless of the fact that whether the nature of research is applied or basic. The eight pre-defined steps for conducting a research process will give different results based on differences in setting, place, time, sample size selection, and environmental changes. The research process for a masters dissertation can be approached by following eight simple steps shared by experts of a masters dissertation help firm:
Step #1: Search for the research problem:
Simply, the research problem is the scientific claim that needs to be proved, a scientific mystery that needs to be resolved, and a problematic situation that needs improvement or betterment by conducting in-depth research. Selecting a controversial problem or a medical or strategic problem that is badly affecting the flock is the right approach for starting the masters dissertation’s research process. Furthermore, the research problem can be best identified by reading recent research, finding gaps in the literature, and considering some important theories and debates relevant to the topic of interest.
Step # 2: Review the literature:
A review of literature aims to establish familiarity with the topic under study by reviewing the work previously done by researchers before carrying out a new investigation. Conducting a literature review enables a new researcher to know what has been done on a topic, identifying all potential gaps in the already reported research and deciding the point to be pondered for a new research project. All in all, a literature review is important for deciding the exact points that need to be targeted throughout the research projects.
Step # 3: Formulate hypotheses/ research questions
Based on the research problem, the researcher must make one or more most effective research questions for the sake of defining the area of interest of particular research for readers. The research question may focus on comparing, evaluating, describing, and explaining the research problem.
In the same context, hypothesis formulation is another way to set targets for solving particular research. For formulating a good research problem predictable, specific, and testable statement must have to be driven in the light of the evidence from prior studies as well as theoretical guidance. Moreover, it is up to the researcher to decide which type of hypothesis will be more appropriate for a specific research design. Some important types of hypothesis include null hypothesis, directional hypothesis, simple hypothesis, and non-directional hypothesis.
Step # 4: Choose the right research design:
Research design is a research framework that helps in answering the research questions. Decision-making abilities allow researchers to select the best research design for a study. The right research design is one through which the hypothesis testing and finding answers to the research questions can best be done with the least expenditure of money as well as time. Mostly, quantitative as well as qualitative research designs are important in the research process, irrespective of the discipline. The quantitative as well as qualitative research designs can be differentiated based on specific tools, materials, and procedures necessary to analyse and collect the data and participants for a study.
Step # 5: Select the right sample size for a study:
The sample selection is the most important thing in the research process. For selecting the right sample size, the researcher must estimate the number of participants that can best represent the whole targeted population. The sample size must not be too small to include the disproportionate number of individuals, which may produce skew results. Likewise, too big a sample size also introduces many complexities related to the sample collection method and increases overall expense as well.
Step # 6: Start your data collection journey:
Sample size selection ends by clearing the picture about how much time, money, and participants are required to collect data for a research process for a masters dissertation. Moreover, the most frequently used data collection methods include surveys, observations, experiments, interviews, and focused groups.
Step # 7: Organise, process, and analyse the collected data:
The seventh step in approaching a research process for a masters dissertation includes rearrangement, organisation, and analysis of data available in a highly unorganised form. In a research process, data analysis is the tool for understanding trends in the collected data to answer the research questions and prove whether the hypothesis is true or false.
Step # 8: Pen down the content by dividing it into five chapters suggested for a masters dissertation:
The last step in the research process, especially for a masters dissertation, is to write the whole of the research work under five chapters, namely, the introduction, literature review, methods, results, and conclusion. While writing a masters dissertation, the tips and tricks necessary to draft a high-class thesis can further help draft a high-quality thesis.
Final Thoughts:
To approach a research process for a masters dissertation, researchers need only a little effort in the initial stages. Basically, the research process for a dissertation comprises eight well-defined steps. No matter what kind of research you want to conduct for a masters dissertation, these steps can be followed with full confidence. All in all, following a step-by-step guide (as described above), is the most appropriate method to approach the research process.
