scholarly journals How Does My Research Question Come About? The Impact of Funding Agencies in Formulating Research Questions

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Tarrozzi
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Funding Agency ◽  
Literature Analysis ◽  
Methodological Choices ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Complex Phenomena ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Epistemological Framework

It is a widespread claim that the research question should primarily come from a careful literature analysis (Creswell, 2007). Actually, it is basically a good suggestion, mainly for novices, to avoid the mistake of choosing a research method only for ideological reasons, and far from the phenomenon that one is willing to explore. However, this idea does not take into account other complex phenomena involved in constructing a research question. First of all, the epistemological framework, which is never neutral and performs what I am supposed to investigate; second, the kind of funding agency, which has an indisputable impact not only on the ethical - political level, but also on the methodological choices. In this paper I will compare, in the light of the research that I have conducted thus far, the methodological impact of different types of funding agency, particularly on the formulation of the research question itself.

Competing risks in quality and safety research: a framework to guide choice of analysis and improve reporting

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjqs-2021-012988
Author(s):  
Perla J Marang-van de Mheen ◽  
Hein Putter ◽  
Esther Bastiaannet ◽  
Alex Bottle
Keyword(s):  
Competing Risks ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Competing Risk ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Impact

When comparing hospitals on their readmission rates as currently done in the Hospital Readmission and Reduction Program (HRRP) in the USA, should we include the competing risk of mortality after discharge, which precludes the readmission, in the analysis? Not including competing risks in current HRRP metrics was raised recently as a limitation with possible unintended consequences, as financial penalties for higher readmission rates are more severe than for higher mortality rates. Incorrectly including or ignoring competing risks can both induce bias. In this paper, we present a framework to clarify situations when competing risks should be taken into account and when they should not. We argue that the research question and the perspective from which it is asked determine whether the competing risk is also of interest and should be included in the analysis, or if only the event of interest should be considered. This information is often not explicitly reported but is needed to interpret whether the results are valid. Using the examples of readmissions and cancer, we show how different research questions fit different perspectives from which these are asked (patient, system, regulatory/insurance). Slightly changing the research question or perspective may thus change the analysis. Even though some may argue that any introduced bias is likely to be small, in the context of the HRRP, even small changes may mean that a hospital will face (higher) financial penalties. The impact of getting it wrong matters.

scholarly journals The Impact of Applied Research: Student Research as a High Impact Practice in Freshman Environmental Science

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Morris
Keyword(s):  
Applied Research ◽  
Environmental Science ◽  
Research Question ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Stem Majors ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Science Major ◽  
High Impact Practice ◽  
The Impact

Abstract: Non-STEM-majors in a freshman elective Science course, Environmental Science 1, were given the opportunity to identify a research question using the course objectives as a guideline. Their research questions and investigations served to fulfill the lab component of the course in lieu of a lab manual. Students were asked to choose a question of interest that could be researched on campus. Student partnerships were encouraged, and a class of 17 students produced 11 research projects. Frequent interactions with the Instructor and peers resulted in lively discussions, new questions, and high levels of student engagement and performance. This approach to laboratory work in a non-science major course can be duplicated when access to resources and instructor/student ratio allows.

scholarly journals Study on methods for evaluating employees performance in the context of digitization

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 878-892
Author(s):  
Teodora Elena Fogoroş ◽  
Mihaela Maftei ◽  
Gabriela Elena Biţan ◽  
Bastian L. Kurth
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Job Description ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Constructive Feedback ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Continuous Quality ◽  
Digital Era ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis paper highlights the main elements of a doctoral research regarding the efficiency of workers evaluation process in the workplace. Based on the global competition, organizations are in continuous quality improvement of their processes to stay competitive. The focus is on motivating and constantly offering constructive feedback to the employees by evaluating them on the following criteria: job description requirements, operational objectives and behavioral objectives. The aim of this study is to confirm that in the context of digitization, both evaluation based on objectives and 360-degree evaluation have its advantages and disadvantages and to analyze the impact of it in organization’s performance. Since this process is divided in two parts (mid-year review and final review), an interesting research question would be how useful is to offer feedback to employees at the middle of the evaluation period and its impact on the final review. The first part of the paper will focus on defining the evaluation process and its scope, pursue by an analysis of 360-degree evaluation, evaluation based on objectives, and the evaluation process in the digital era. It would be a challenge to discover the inclination of organizations for different types of evaluations as well as perception differences between employees and employers. Many researches consider that one of the used methods implemented in companies is the evaluation based on objectives. A larger documentation on this subject would delimit the types of evaluations to help companies to easily choose the type that fits its culture. For this purpose, we will perform an outline on the existing literature by analyzing authors’ opinions on this subject and identifying advantages and disadvantages of the two types of evaluation specified above.

scholarly journals Developing an Environmental Health Sciences COVID-19 Research Agenda: Results from the NIEHS Disaster Research Response (DR2) Work Group’s Modified Delphi Method

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole A. Errett ◽  
Marilyn Howarth ◽  
Kimberley Shoaf ◽  
Megan Couture ◽  
Steven Ramsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Delphi Method ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Disaster Research ◽  
Modified Delphi Method ◽  
Environmental Health Sciences ◽  
Modified Delphi ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Impact

Leveraging the community of practice recently established through the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Disaster Research Response (DR2) working group, we used a modified Delphi method to identify and prioritize environmental health sciences Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and associated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) research questions. Twenty-six individuals with broad expertise across a variety of environmental health sciences subdisciplines were selected to participate among 45 self-nominees. In Round 1, panelists submitted research questions and brief justifications. In Round 2, panelists rated the priority of each question on a nine-point Likert scale. Responses were trichotomized into priority categories (low priority; medium priority; and high priority). A research question was determined to meet consensus if at least 69.2% of panelists rated it within the same priority category. Research needs that did not meet consensus in round 2 were redistributed for re-rating. Fourteen questions met consensus as high priority in round 2, and an additional 14 questions met consensus as high priority in round 3. We discuss the impact and limitations of using this approach to identify and prioritize research questions in the context of a disaster response.

4. Asking Questions

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Halperin ◽  
Oliver Heath
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Research Process ◽  
The Other ◽  
General Question ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Asking Questions ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The One

This chapter deals with the first step of the research process: the formulation of a well-crafted research question. It explains why political research should begin with a research question and how a research question structures the research process. It discusses the difference between a topic or general question, on the one hand, and a focused research question, on the other. It also considers the question of where to find and how to formulate research questions, the various types of questions scholars ask, and the role of the ‘literature review’ as a source and rationale for research questions. Finally, it describes a tool called the ‘research vase’ that provides a visualization of the research process, along with different types of questions: descriptive question, explanatory question, predictive question, prescriptive question and normative question.

scholarly journals Understanding the impact of MSHSAA by-law 3.15.3 on participation in Missouri high school athletics from 2008-2016

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Casey Lewis Vokolek
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Policy Analysis ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Research Question ◽  
High School Athletics ◽  
School Participation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

This quantitative policy analysis seeks to understand the potential impact of MSHSAA By-Law, 3.15.3, the contact day policy, on sport participation in Missouri high school athletics. This policy increased the number of practices Missouri coaches could have with their athletes in the 07 from 14 to 25 days. There was a concern from MSHSAA school leaders and coaches that this policy could impact single and multi-sport participation. This study seeks to determine if a relationship can be identified with the implementation of the policy and changes in participation. ... This quantitative policy analysis revealed a significant difference in single sport and multiple sport participation for the years prior to and following the implementation of MSHSAA By-Law 3.15.3. Research question two revealed that there has not been a significant change in the overall number of single sport and multi-sport participants. Research questions three and five revealed that urban school participation has significantly decreased following the implementation of the By-Law. Research questions four and six revealed that students that attend schools that offer ten or less sports have also seen a decrease in single and multi-sport participation. Finally, research question number seven revealed that multi-sport participation has decreased significantly in schools that do not offer 11-man football and has increased in schools that do offer 11-man football.

Economic development: How does it influence the survival of different types of autocracy?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 711-727
Author(s):  
Daniel Stockemer ◽  
Steffen Kailitz
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Regime Type ◽  
Modernization Theory ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Level Of Economic Development ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Economic Modernization

Modernization theory is one of the most influential theories in political science. However, to date, studies testing the impact of modernization on political regimes have almost completely focused on democracies. We aim at broadening the discussion to autocracies and ask the following research question: What impact has economic development on the survival of different types of autocracy? Using data covering 1946 to 2016, we ascertain – mainly through logistic regression analysis – that the level of economic development affects not only the endurance of democracies but also that of various types of autocracy. In more detail, we find that economic development prolongs the survival of ideocracies and personalist autocracies. The effect of economic modernization on military dictatorships, monarchies and electoral autocracies is very limited. In contrast, one party autocracies are the only regime type whose survival chances (moderately) decrease with modernization.

scholarly journals Reviewing the animal literature: how to describe and choose between different types of literature reviews

2020 ◽  
pp. 002367722096859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cathalijn Leenaars ◽  
Katya Tsaioun ◽  
Frans Stafleu ◽  
Kieron Rooney ◽  
Franck Meijboom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Question ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Quality Literature ◽  
Rapid Reviews ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Research Questions

Before starting any (animal) research project, review of the existing literature is good practice. From both the scientific and the ethical perspective, high-quality literature reviews are essential. Literature reviews have many potential advantages besides synthesising the evidence for a research question. First, they can show if a proposed study has already been performed, preventing redundant research. Second, when planning new experiments, reviews can inform the experimental design, thereby increasing the reliability, relevance and efficiency of the study. Third, reviews may even answer research questions using already available data. Multiple definitions of the term literature review co-exist. In this paper, we describe the different steps in the review process, and the risks and benefits of using various methodologies in each step. We then suggest common terminology for different review types: narrative reviews, mapping reviews, scoping reviews, rapid reviews, systematic reviews and umbrella reviews. We recommend which review to select, depending on the research question and available resources. We believe that improved understanding of review methods and terminology will prevent ambiguity and increase appropriate interpretation of the conclusions of reviews.

Introduction

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Business Performance ◽  
Research Question ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Critical Factors ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Organisational Capacity ◽  
Telecommunication Technology ◽  
Trading Partners ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Impact

The explosion of the Internet and other telecommunication technology facilitates the interaction between trading partners using wireless communications. E-collaboration considerably facilitates inter-organisational sharing of knowledge and information and subsequently improves business performance. The level of wireless technology used to manage commercial transactions between partners is regarded as the ‘e-commerce diffusion'. Effective information sharing among trading partners heavily depends on trust outside organization and organisational capacity inside organization, which form two critical factors to successful inter-organisational collaboration. The research question cannot be answered without thorough investigation of the impact of e-collaboration and e-commerce diffusion on business performance as practiced by industry. The survey was addressed to CEOs and senior managers from 500 organisations in China manufacturing electrical products. This chapter give an overview of the key definitions, research questions, research methodology, research significance and limitations of scope of the book.

Quota Women Are Threatening to Men

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klea Faniko ◽  
Till Burckhardt ◽  
Oriane Sarrasin ◽  
Fabio Lorenzi-Cioldi ◽  
Siri Øyslebø Sørensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Organizational Performance ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Perceived Threat ◽  
Preferential Treatment ◽  
Public Sector Employees ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Women In Decision Making ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Two studies carried out among Albanian public-sector employees examined the impact of different types of affirmative action policies (AAPs) on (counter)stereotypical perceptions of women in decision-making positions. Study 1 (N = 178) revealed that participants – especially women – perceived women in decision-making positions as more masculine (i.e., agentic) than feminine (i.e., communal). Study 2 (N = 239) showed that different types of AA had different effects on the attribution of gender stereotypes to AAP beneficiaries: Women benefiting from a quota policy were perceived as being more communal than agentic, while those benefiting from weak preferential treatment were perceived as being more agentic than communal. Furthermore, we examined how the belief that AAPs threaten men’s access to decision-making positions influenced the attribution of these traits to AAP beneficiaries. The results showed that men who reported high levels of perceived threat, as compared to men who reported low levels of perceived threat, attributed more communal than agentic traits to the beneficiaries of quotas. These findings suggest that AAPs may have created a backlash against its beneficiaries by emphasizing gender-stereotypical or counterstereotypical traits. Thus, the framing of AAPs, for instance, as a matter of enhancing organizational performance, in the process of policy making and implementation, may be a crucial tool to countering potential backlash.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document