Stage 9: Conducting research

Primary research is important because, along with your chosen methodological framework, it will help you make an important and original contribution to the field

In this stage, you will find answers to your research questions using the methodology you established in previous steps. Research steps may vary across disciplines, but the areas of humanities, social sciences, and sciences outlined here offer guidelines for most dissertation studies.

• Institutional Review Board for Use of Human Subjects
• Professional Ethics and Responsible Research Conduct: Expectations for Graduate Students in Research, Scholarship, and Professional Education
• Social Science Research Methods
• Empirical Research
• EndNote Bibliography (software program)
• RefWorks
• Qualitative Research

Research in the Humanities
Some of the work in the humanities relies on primary sources and theorizing activities. It may also involve conducting a modest amount of qualitative research (such as analyzing student papers or synthesizing interviews).

1. Create a budget.
1. Determine possible expenses
2. Identify and calculate the cost of specific needs, such as books, library space, and field trips


2. Submit application for use of human subjects from IRB (Institutional Review Board).
1. This is required if you are collecting personal data or conducting interviews
2. Download and submit forms in a timely manner. U of MN IRB


3. Locate your primary sources or documents.
1. Visit the library and special archives, complete the field trips, collect data, and make related phone calls
2. Refer to stage 4: Reviewing the literature in your field for more tips


4. Establish an information database or filing system.
1. Organize your files, contacts, ideas, resources, field notes, and bibliographic information


5. Develop a research checklist or timetable.
1. Break your work down by week, hour, and day, including tasks to be accomplished
2. Design a visible calendar or checklist
3. Refer back to stage 7 for tips


6. Complete your tasks from the timetable.
1. Writing and theory-building are part of research in the humanities, and you need to complete each task systematically, keeping in mind that these are ongoing processes that will strengthen as the dissertation builds
2. Monitor your checklist (literally marking each step accomplished) and assess what additional steps need to be taken or documented

Social science projects may involve quantitative, qualitative, or a combined methodology for investigating your research question(s). Regardless of your methodology, you are typically expected to gather, organize, and analyze a fair amount of data before you begin writing.

1. Create a Budget
1. You may want to write a grant to get funds for your study for things such as transcribing, computer software, and running statistical data.
2. Determine possible expenses and calculate costs.


2. Submit application for use of human subjects from IRB (Institutional Review Board).
   1. This is necessary if you are working with human research subjects in any way.
   2. Download and submit forms in a timely manner.
   
   
3. Establish an information database or filing system.
   1. Organize your files, contacts, observations, field notes, and bibliographic information.
   2. Consult resources from the bibliographic link in this Dissertation Calculator for tips.
   
   
4. Develop a research checklist or timetable.
   1. Break your work down by week, hour, and day, including tasks to be accomplished.
   2. Design a visible calendar or checklist.
   3. Refer back to stage 7 for tips.
   
   
5. Proceed with data collection and input.
   1. Follow your checklist to make sure you cover each step such as running test groups, or doing interviews.
   2. Input data as you go along and keep up to date on notes.
   
   
6. Complete your tasks from the timetable.
   1. Writing and theory-building are part of research in the social sciences, and you need to complete each task systematically.
   2. Monitor your checklist (literally marking each step accomplished) and assess what additional steps need to be taken or documented.

Conducting dissertation research in the sciences may involve completing work on an active lab project, setting up an experiment, or evaluating pre-existing data.

1. Create a Budget
   1. You may want to write a grant to get funds for your study for things such as transcribing, computer software, and running statistical data.
   2. Determine possible expenses and calculate costs.
   
   
2. Submit application for use of human subjects from IRB (Institutional Review Board).
   1. This is necessary if you are working with human research subjects in any way.
   2. Download and submit forms in a timely manner.
   
   
3. Establish an information database or filing system.
   1. Organize your files, contacts, observations, field notes, and bibliographic information.
   2. Consult resources from the bibliographic link in this Dissertation Calculator for tips.
   
   
4. Proceed with data collection and input.
   1. Follow your checklist to make sure you cover each step such as running test groups, or doing interviews.
   2. Input data as you go along and keep up to date on notes.
   
   
5. Identify and record trends, observations, discrepancies, limitations, and recommendations that you will report.

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