Exploratory Research

EXPLORATORY RESEARCHANDREE C. SWANSON, EDD, MHR, MAOMFORBES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, ASHFORD UNIVERSITY

MANDATED RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS = FEAR

WHY RESEARCH?

“… research-based scholarly activity helps the individual faculty member to become a better teacher.”

(Richard & Parker, 1992, p. 79)

“… leads to new and useful theories…”

(Armstrong)

THEORY-BASED RESEARCHBOYER AND DEWEY

BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

BOYER’S MODEL OF SCHOLARSHIP

JOHN DEWEY THEORY OF EVIDENCE-BASED LEARNING

DEWEY DEFINING INQUIRY

“truth is inseparable from action and knowledge”

1. Indeterminate situation or an area of felt difficulty

2.Recognize and state the problem

3.Determine a reasonable and plausible solution

4.Action… test the hypothesis

WHY CONDUCT EXPLORATORY RESEARCH?

RESEARCH AND TEACHING

Necessary ingredient in effective teaching

Improves the practice of a particular discipline

Perpetuates the disciplineAll faculty should teach

and transmit knowledge(Richard & Parker, 1992, p. 79)

HIGHLIGHTS OF EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Initial research conducted to clarify and define the nature of a problem

Does not provide conclusive evidence

Subsequent research expected

May not be as rigorousSample sizes may be

smallResults may lead to

your next study

FOUR METHODS TO IMPLEMENT EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Focus groupsSecondary research (a

literature review… find the gaps)

Expert / experience survey

Open-ended questions

EXPERIENCE SURVEYS (EXPERT INTERVIEWS)

Select a topic for a research problem

Ask knowledgeable individuals

Conduct interviewsConduct surveys

SurveymonkeyQualtrics

PILOT STUDY

Any small scale exploratory study that uses sampling

Does not apply rigorous standards

Not necessary to use…Validated survey toolsMay generate a survey

tool or theory from the research results

CASE STUDY METHOD

Intensely investigates one or a few situations similar to the problem

Investigate in depthCareful study

May require…CooperationPermission

FOCUS GROUP INTERVIEWS

UnstructuredFree flowingGroup interviewStart with broad topic

and focus in on specific issues

GROUP COMPOSITION

6 to 10 peopleRelatively

homogeneousSimilar lifestyles and

experiences

IRB APPROVAL Don’t forget to run ALL research through your Institution’s Review Board.

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH VERSUS QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGN

QUALITATIVE VERSUS QUANTITATIVE

ROLE PLAY

Let’s consider some topics for potential research

BIOGRAPHYDR. ANDREE SWANSONFORBES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AT ASHFORD UNIVERSITY

Assistant Professor and Chair of the Bachelors of Arts in Business Leadership, Forbes College of Business at Ashford University

Ed.D. Educational Leadership, University of Phoenix

MA, Organizational Management, University of Phoenix

MHR, Human Relations, University of Oklahoma

BS, Business Management and Administration, University of Maryland (European Division)

Worked as a Dean of General Education, National Training Manager, and the US government (DoD, USAF, & USA), corporations, and higher education. 

DR. ANDREE SWANSON© 2014, Dr. Andree Swanson