Research overview explanation (3)
The problem context refers to the background issue or underlying problem that justifies why the intended research needs to be done. What makes this issue worth studying?
Before the methodology and/or theoretical framework can be specified, the Research Question needs to be identified. Identifying the research question is a long process. While it is easy to get some words, these words need to be perfected over time. A student should be able to easily remember the wording of their research question. To enable the development of an effective primary or macro research questions, a series of subordinate research questions can also be conceived.
Developing hypotheses early on is a good idea to provide a sense of where the research is headed. Note that it is not intended that you be closed to alternative hypotheses, however it is intended that you can reflect on whether your methodology will be adequate to prove what you would like it to prove. It is also a good idea to check that there is consistency between the intended hypotheses and the research question.
Recommendations are different to hypotheses, in that hypotheses are statements of anticipated findings, whereas recommendations in this context are notional draft prescriptions that you might suggest that arise from your findings. While not necessarily applicable to all PhDs, to those doing applied research or which involve an industry partner, keeping a track of recommendations when you think of them is a good idea. The space here is a space where you can park stuff to digest later.
Supervisors are not always experts in the same precise field as their students. Students may dabble in peripheral areas and may like to introduce concepts that might be new. One area of misunderstanding between student and supervisor can be over the precise meaning of Key Terms. Students too may find that terms and concepts are not always used consistently. Space is provided in the Research Overview for all Key Terms and concepts to be listed, with the suggestion that definitions for these terms be found. Certainly any term central to the thesis that is unfamiliar to supervisor and/or student should be defined and a favourite definition for any term that is controversial in the literature should be provided.
When the research question is identified (even if not perfected), attention should be focussed on the developing the Methodology. This can take several meetings. Having a clear idea of the methodology of course is one of the important early steps in the research. It needs to be done before a Research Proposal can be submitted to the University for confirmation and of course before Ethics Approval can be sought. Being clear about the research questions is important, but reflecting on the methodology to ensure that it does actually answer the questions is equally important.
At some point, and for some disciplines but not all, making a statement about the Theoretical Framework that underpins the approach to be taken in the thesis may be important. This may be hard to do at first unless you come to the PhD with a very clear idea about this. An understanding of what theoretical framework to take is likely to develop as you work through the literature. In some disciplines, this issue may not be meaningful at all. It would be good to discuss whether or not you need a defined theoretical framework with your supervisor.
A key feature of the Research Overview is that everything is iterative. The whole thing is subject to change. Each item connects with the other items. Discussion between supervisor and student needs to go round and round until there is not only completion of each section, but more importantly a degree of consistency and coherence to the Overview as a whole.
Typically it takes about the first three months of full time candidature before the Research Overview can be completed adequately. When the Research Overview is complete, attention can go toward completing the publication plan and the Thesis Outline. Information in the Research Overview and Thesis Outline can also be used in the Preliminary Research Proposal needed for confirmation and for gaining Ethics Committee approval.
The publication plan is an agreed strategy between student and supervisor about what publications might come out of the thesis. It is good to conceive of the publications early. It is also good to have a clear understanding of expectations about authorship. There is also a possibility to devise a thesis around publications. Different universities have varying rules about this. Having a discussion about writing a conventional thesis versus preparing a set of publications is a good idea.