Friday, December 26, 2008

4. Develop the Background

Introduction

As a further means of ensuring full understanding of a study, it is important to make the assumptions of the study explicit

2. Assumptions

Stating your assumptions helps the reader to "know where you are coming from"

Assumptions are underlying principles that the researcher believes or accepts but that are difficult to prove in any concrete way. They are frequently untested and untestable hypothesis, basic values, to views about the world

Assumptions can determine what approach is taken to a specific situation (ie. a client centred researcher and a financially orientated one)

Various assumptions of the scientific method include that science is objective, the beahviour of the universe is consistent, knowledge is only tentative, every phenomena results from a discoverable casue, and (contradicting teh first assumption) that the society within which the scientist works will influence the research performed and the interpretation of the data. These are all assumptions about the research process in general.

There are also assumptions pertinent to each study. For example, that subjects perform with the same honesty and effort on each occassion, that the instrument perform reliably on each occassion. Noting the assumption helps you to consider how you could improve your study, for example by ensuring that the motivation of subjects was equal on each occassion, by calibrating equipment regularly etc.

Every study has assumptions. If you listed all the assumptions the reader may wonder "Why bother?" so note those which are specific to your study and which may influence the results and your interpretation markedly.

3. Limitations

Similarly, you should be aware of the limitations of your research, and make your reader aware of important limitations.

Limitations could include shortcomings with the methodology, such as lack of randomistion or control, lack of standardised instruments and few subjects available.

Limitation also include deficiencies in the theories and concepts applied in the study. For example, the theory may be very controversial, or not very detailed, or non existent!

4. Significance

Some aprt of the study, and all well reported studies, answers the question, "So what?" One needs to convince the reader that the problem is significant, that your aim is worthwhile, and that the results will be of use.

5. Background

The assumptions, limitations and significance aer all important aspects of the background to the problem, question, and aim of any study. They are often poorly reported but are vital for readers to understand fully what the canveats of any study are and how it has relevance and importance to them

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