Last week’s panel review meeting went rather well. I was worried about (mostly) nothing and the review was a simple(ish) chat about my progress to date. Of course, there had been an expectation that I might have had a bit more work to show as it was a “6-month review” but when it was explained that I started late and was therefore only at my 4-month mark, it all started to make sense.
One of the biggest things I took away from the meeting was that I really need to start giving more thought to my research methodologies. I mean, it’s great that I know I want to research how people manage their reputation online, but how do I actually accomplish that? (Yes, these are things you need to think of as a researcher!)
(In fairness to myself, I have known all along that I would need to pin down my methodologies, I’ve just yet to actually put a stake in the ground.)
Do I use in-depth interviews to really investigate how individuals manage their online reputations?
Do I use a large-scale survey to determine the percentage of people who do x, y, or z in the management of their online reputations?
Do I hold focus groups with the hope of generating a bit of conversation around topic?
Do I use observational tools, looking at publicly available data and information to make conclusions of what people appear to be doing – or not doing – in an effort to manage their reputation?
Or do I use a combination of methods?
And what about the validation process? How will I go about validating my research, especially if I’m opting to use in-depth interviews and case studies?
As you can probably tell, I don’t actually have an answer to these questions. In fact, the more I try to find an answer, the more I start to ask more questions! (Ah, the questions-answers-questions loop. It can be frustrating at times.)
So to help me determine what methods to use in my research, I’m doing what any good researcher would do: I am researching!
I am currently re-reading research articles to determine the varying methods that have been successfully implemented in the past. From there, I hope to be able to identify a couple of methodologies that seem likely to fit with my project.
At the same time, I will be accessing other PhD theses to see what methods others have used – as well as what methods others have eschewed – and their reasoning behind those decisions.
Over the weekend, I will make a list of further research articles to read, in the hopes of expanding my knowledge of existing studies so that I can better determine what methods might work for me. And, with a bit of hard work and a touch of luck, by next Friday’s supervision meeting I will be ready to talk to my supervisors about 2-3 potential methods.
Importantly, all of this research into research methods will also help me with my next big milestone: The completion of my RD4 form, which is an expanded research proposal that will include my intended methodologies.
As always, I’m open to input from others so please feel free to point me towards some great resource you think I should be considering!