Judul dan latar belakang (MK Kolokium)

Summary

In this lecture, the speaker explains how to select a research title and write a solid background for a research paper. Key points include the importance of specificity in the title, ensuring the background is focused and data-driven, and avoiding common mistakes such as lack of structure or failure to connect literature. The speaker emphasizes the need to justify the study's relevance, define the research problem clearly, and support the argument with prior research. The process differs slightly for quantitative and qualitative research, with respective deductive and inductive approaches.

Takeaways

• 😀 The research title should be specific, not too broad or narrow, to align with the scope of the study.
• 😀 A good research title should be original, with limited previous studies, to increase its novelty and interest.
• 😀 The title should be simple, with clear identification of independent and dependent variables for quantitative studies or clear concepts for qualitative ones.
• 😀 The background of the research should justify the importance of the research topic and highlight the problem being addressed.
• 😀 A common mistake in writing a background is the lack of focus, often due to copy-pasting from previous studies without logical connection.
• 😀 It is essential to support the background with relevant data, whether primary data, surveys, or secondary data from sources like official reports.
• 😀 Previous literature should be elaborated upon in the background to strengthen the argument for the research.
• 😀 Definitions should be avoided in the background; they should be included in the theoretical framework (Chapter 2), not the introduction.
• 😀 A strong background includes clear arguments for why the research is necessary, supported by data and references.
• 😀 The structure of the background differs between quantitative and qualitative research. Quantitative research starts with general phenomena and narrows down, while qualitative research starts with specific case studies and justifies the problem based on literature.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the meeting discussed in the transcript?

The main focus is on explaining how to formulate a research title and create the background of the research problem, particularly based on the references gathered in the previous assignment.

Why is it important to choose a specific research title?

A specific research title is crucial because it defines the scope of the research and makes it manageable. A broad title can lead to a research topic that is too large to tackle effectively, while a narrow one may not allow for comprehensive exploration.

What are the characteristics of a good research title?

A good research title should be specific, concise, and clearly indicate the variables involved, especially in quantitative research. It should also reflect a clear problem or issue that the research aims to address.

How should the background of a research problem be structured?

The background should begin with a general overview of the issue and gradually narrow down to the specific problem. It should be supported by data and literature reviews to highlight the relevance of the research and the gap it intends to fill.

What is the importance of including data in the research background?

Including data in the background strengthens the argument and helps validate the existence of the problem. This can include data from surveys, secondary sources, or even internal company reports that support the research question.

What common mistake do researchers make when writing the background?

A common mistake is lacking focus, where the background becomes a disjointed collection of information from different studies without clear connections, making it difficult for the reader to follow. Additionally, some fail to incorporate relevant data or previous studies.

Why should definitions be avoided in the background section?

Definitions should be avoided in the background section because they are typically covered in detail in a separate chapter (Chapter 2). The background should focus on presenting the significance of the research problem and the rationale behind the selected variables.

What is the difference between the inductive and deductive approaches in research backgrounds?

In deductive research (typically quantitative), the background starts with a general phenomenon and narrows down to specific issues. In inductive research (typically qualitative), the background starts with a specific case or issue and broadens out to the general phenomenon.

How does the example of quantitative research on 'the effect of communication on employee performance' illustrate the importance of the background?

The example shows how the background first introduces a general phenomenon (business development), narrows down to a specific issue (competition), and strengthens the argument by using previous studies and data to support the research focus on communication and performance.

What is the role of literature reviews in formulating the background?

Literature reviews play a critical role in providing evidence and context for the research. They help justify the research focus, demonstrate the existing knowledge on the topic, and show how the current research will contribute to the field.