Identify the correct sequence of research steps:
2013
Identify the correct sequence of research steps:
Answer: A. Selection of topic, review of literature, data collection, interpretation of findings — ConceptA research process is systematic: the problem or topic is defined first, prior scholarship is examined next, empirical evidence is then gathered, and…
- A.
Selection of topic, review of literature, data collection, interpretation of findings
- B.
Review of literature, selection of topic, data collection, interpretation of findings
- C.
Selection of topic, data collection, review of literature, interpretation of findings
- D.
Selection of topic, review of literature, interpretation of findings, data collection
Attempted by 1 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept
A research process is systematic: the problem or topic is defined first, prior scholarship is examined next, empirical evidence is then gathered, and only then are the findings interpreted.
Each stage supplies the basis for the next, so evidence cannot be interpreted before it is collected, and data collection should be informed by the topic and literature review.
Application
Select the topic to establish what the study will investigate.
Review the literature to refine the problem and identify what evidence is needed.
Collect the data using methods suited to the defined problem.
Interpret the findings after the collected data have been analysed.
Contrast and cross-check
Beginning with the literature review before selecting a topic reverses the defining and reviewing stages.
Collecting data before reviewing the literature removes the scholarly basis for the data plan.
Interpreting findings before collecting data reverses the evidence and inference stages.
Therefore, the correct sequence is: selection of topic → review of literature → data collection → interpretation of findings.