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Postgraduate Research - paper by Noppadol Mingchinda
Research Guidelines: A (could be) systematic approach to completing the Doctor of Business Administration degree
Dr Nop
E-mail: nopm@loxinfo.co.th
Abstract
This paper provides some useful guidelines on handling research at an advanced level through part-time study over a minimum period of three years, particularly the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. It aims to allay the fears of candidates embarking on a demanding program like the DBA by shedding some light on ways to overcome possible difficulties or pitfalls encountered in the process, based on personal experience. The overall aim is to encourage candidates to approach the DBA program with ease and confidence without being troubled by thoughts of having to give up due to personal commitments or having to consider
deferment alternatives especially at a late stage of research, which can be disheartening and disappointing. If some of the obstacles can be identified and eradicated at an early stage, the rest of the research and writing journey can be a hassle-free and manageable one.
Acknowledgements
The rich experience in my personal pursuit of a doctoral degree would not have been possible without the meaningful guidance of my research supervisors, they have contributed to my success of the DBA and have inspired me to share my journey with other candidates.
Introduction
Pursuing a part-time degree at the doctoral level is not easy. It fact, it can turn out to be an arduous and onerous task if you do not manage your time effectively. Such pursuit requires a certain level of commitment besides plain hard work. If you are able to persevere till the end of the candidature by successfully completing a piece of considerable academic research, the rewards are many-fold. Not only will you be allowed to use "Dr." preceding your name, there is a certain newfound confidence that will stay with you forever. It is something that you have earned alongside your diligence and perseverance. The following guidelines, based on personal experience, will provide you an insight into the different facets of a doctoral journey. It is hoped that they will help you overcome some of the obstacles that may come your way during your course of study. Finally, it must be qualified that these are suggestions more than guidelines; hence, some may not be applicable to certain candidates.
1. Understand your values of doing a DBA
I remember the first question that my supervisors asked me when we first met was about my values in undertaking a doctoral study. I was stumped by the question as I had not thought about it seriously before. I later realized that it was important to constantly re-evaluate my own values for embarking on the DBA as it reassured my aims and objectives in life. Of course, different people will have different objectives, some for professional reasons, others for self-actualization purposes. Technically, you should know your values of taking a postgraduate degree like the DBA before commencement of the program. However, if you are still hazy about your values, you are encouraged to spend some time thinking about them and see how they fit into your overall scheme of things in life. Also, revisit your values from time to time as you may be distracted by other courses of events affecting those values. Having a clear understanding of your values gives you a lasting motivation in getting to your end journey.
2. Think big, start small
At the start of the coursework phase, you are encouraged to think of broad areas of research that are of interest to you, something that you are familiar with and is able to sustain your interest for a period of time, at least till you complete the program. Go
ahead and think of big ideas in the beginning but not across too many disciplines. Start small by beginning to read generally on those areas to gain some fundamental knowledge and have a feel of what people are saying and doing in these subject matters or topics. Do not plunge into the nitty-gritty of analyzing theories, concepts or models at this stage. You will need to go through a number of rounds with your academic advisors or supervisors before you finalize your specific areas of research. By going through the coursework modules on advanced management and research methodology, you will be more equipped with the knowledge and skills to identify
areas of research suitable for your undertaking.
3. Know where to get resources
Getting hold of the appropriate resources - books and journals - is of utmost importance. Good research cannot progress without a variety of reference materials. Furthermore, updated sources will keep you informed of the latest research developments in your area(s) of interest. What if your scope of research has already been attempted and published by other researchers? Or some other candidates have completed their doctoral research in your area of concentration? This is the danger. Hence, it is always prudent to check out the latest work in your area(s). To do this, you need to know where to get the information. Usually, your university learning centre should have a reasonable collection of materials in its library. Otherwise, apply to be a corporate member of the various local universities or higher learning institutes to gain access to their wide range of resources. You should take advantage of the huge database of e-journals in which full-text articles are frequently available. The University subscribes to most of the reputable e-journals and you are entitled to use the service free-of-charge through a given set of login passwords. The internet option is by far the most convenient and useful way of obtaining the relevant information
4. Read widely
Whether you have identified a topic for your research, you should read as widely as possible to gain a broad understanding of the subject area in which you are interested. Do not concentrate on a narrow topic as you can get trapped by looking at the minute disciplines rather than the wider literature. The reading should serve as a funneling process, flowing from wider subjects to narrower topics. This way, you are able to develop a logical and consistent literature review and synthesis of the chosen topic. Read up on research methodologies as well especially on the various techniques in data collection such as focus groups, questionnaire surveys, semi-structured interviews, unobtrusive observations and others. The research methodology seminars should complement your understanding of the various research techniques. If you are attempting multidisciplinary research, you need to engage a wider magnitude of literature in your reading. Also, get hold of copies of completed doctoral dissertations to have an idea of how similar research topics have been treated and developed. You will pick up one or two useful things from others' work.
5.Approach your literature review systematically
Reviewing and synthesizing the relevant literature in your subject area is essential in any postgraduate studies. Plan a systematic way of tracking the various sources of literature that you come into contact with. Always survey the material first by scanning through the various headings, subheadings and diagrams (tables and figures) to have a quick feel of the relevance to your research concentration. Speed-read several sections to evaluate the intensity of the writing. Select the sections that you will read in detail. Use concept maps, mind maps or simple schematic diagrams to present some of the key points visually on paper. This will help you see how the concepts or ideas are being developed. It is also advisable to jot down some notes using key words and key phrases based on certain broad categories to help you zero in on important points.
These notes can be classified as:
Research areas
Theories, concepts or models used
Representative references
Research objectives
Methodologies utilized
Sampling plan
Key findings
Research shortcomings
Areas for future research
Keep a proper filing system of all notes and readings
You may have consulted a wide range of literature from books, journals and other resources. Keeping the various readings in order with a proper coding system eases you when you need to search for specific sources later on. For instance, you may file your readings according to different themes, disciplines or specific topics. You can even create a file containing readings that pertain to research methodologies or specific theories. In addition, you can annotate each source with such terms as "highly theoretical", "theoretical with practical application", "quantitative study: surveys" or case studies". To assist you further in your search, use asterisk (*) to indicate the level of importance, relevance, readability, practical value or research intensity. Use a maximum of three to five stars to signal the maximum scale. These annotations often help you decide whether the paper is worth a second or third reading given the various ratings assessed by you earlier.
6.Keep a journal log
Start with a logbook that documents your research process. It is very much like a diary except that it is about your DBA process and your feelings or thoughts associated with it. You can focus on the things that you have done in the day or week and the things you plan to accomplish in the next few days, weeks or months. This practice acts like a reminder and helps you keep in touch with your DBA work, whether big or small. The writing style can be highly personal and there is no fixed format to the journal log.
Some suggestions of what to write include:
accomplishments list
to-do list
conversation with friends, course mates or supervisors about your DBA work
obstacles that hinder your progress
solutions to overcome them
some useful lessons learnt from your reading or seminars Attended
ways to reward yourself after accomplishing something
your feelings about your research, whether positive or negative
Keep up with the writing consistently and follow a routine whenever possible. For instance, you might like to write a short paragraph daily before going to bed to recapitulate on what you have done on that day. It not only helps motivate you in furthering your research, it enhances your writing ability as well.
7. Start conceptualizing research ideas in the coursework phase
Capitalize on the advanced management and research methodology seminars to discuss your research intentions and ideas with the seminar leaders. Those ideas are often nearly very fuzzy at that stage. You should be able to receive useful feedback from the various professors. However, what you must be careful of is to evaluate the feedback in the light of the context in which it was given. Sometimes, the comments may differ in perspective from various professors as they have come from a variety of academic backgrounds. Some professors are more qualitatively inclined, others more quantitative. This situation should not frustrate you to a large extent if you receive conflicting feedback about your informal research proposals from them during coursework. You must understand that not all professors share the same research interests as you and thus, may not be able to provide you with in-depth comments. As long as you internalize those comments with an open mind and expect more ideas to crystallize at later stages during which your actual supervisor(s) will have been assigned, there is no necessity to fret. After all, good research ideas are meant to be challenged, disputed and to withstand the test of time. Count yourself fortunate to receive a variety of comments if that is the case. The diversity should motivate you to consider alternatives or find a common thread rather than confuse you.
8.Get your work published along the way
It is important to attempt coursework assignments along the lines of your research interests. The advanced management and research methodology modules of this DBA require that you fulfill research or critique papers that demonstrate your understanding and analysis of the key issues or concepts involved. The flexibility is that you can relate these concepts to your chosen topic of interest. This way, it builds up your grounding of the chosen topic by integrating it to the coursework components and allowing you to stay focused on that topic or subject area. With such preparation in place, you will be able to approach your research with a better grasp especially in the theoretical development. Some of these coursework papers can also be reworked for publication in suitable journals. Before your publication needs are fulfilled, try getting peers you can trust to review your paper to gain some useful feedback. Better still, set up an action learning network or similar interest group and exchange papers for peer review. If there are opportunities to present your paper in workshops or seminars, do so willingly to gain as much feedback as possible on your work. With the given feedback, you can then improve on the paper to be submitted to a journal or a conference. You will initially feel insulted when you receive criticisms from your peers. Do not take the comments seriously as they are not targeted at you, the person; rather, they are meant to be developmental, targeting at your work and helping your work take better shape. One thing you must remember, a rejected paper from a respectable journal with unpleasant reviewers' comments spurs you on for greater scholastic refinement rather than intimidates you, if taken in the right spirit.
9.Plan a weekly schedule
Pursuing a doctoral degree requires consistent effort and systematic planning. Whenever possible, plan a weekly schedule; decide on a series of short-term goals and work towards meeting those according to specific deadlines. This allows you to keep a steady progress towards the various stages of research. However, be flexible to modify your schedule along the way especially due to possible unforeseen circumstances. The danger is to procrastinate for too long as it intensifies the snowballing effect. Remember that good or useful research cannot be rushed; it has to be carefully conceptualized, planned and developed. In addition, build your DBA work into your daily routine. Set aside time to read and write on a consistent basis. Locking yourself up over a confined period of time to rush out your papers often does not give rise to good writing and well-conceived ideas. Start by writing part by part, section by section. Follow your weekly schedule if this means writing 200 words a day or 1000 words a week, leaving weekends for leisure.
10. Plan a communication schedule with your supervisors
You will have plenty of opportunities to communicate with your supervisors via email or even phone call. Apart from meeting them face-to-face for consultation periodically at your local learning centre, try to plan a schedule of communication with them via email. This allows you to keep them updated on your progress and seek clarification on issues that boggle you. You must also understand that your supervisors are busy professionals with other commitments; hence, keeping a schedule gives them an indication of your intended interaction extent. With this schedule, they will be able to work around it to offer something useful during specific exchanges. For a start, try keeping in touch with them fortnightly, increasing in extent to perhaps weekly or twice weekly as your research intensifies. This is when you have more uncertainties than your earlier stages of research.(cont.)
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