The readings this unit aim to support students in identifying research interests, developing a focus, and then articulating a specific question, each of these becoming increasingly precise. With the guidance of the conceptual funnel (Reid, Greaves, & Kirby, 2017), post here a statement of research interest that is framed within QUAL or QUAN approaches and researchable through a specific methodology. Our responses to your post will aim to help you further refine and focus your developing framework.

This discussion question was challenging, although I feel I am on the right track. Besides, “research is like embarking on a voyage of discovery. As the voyage takes place, the researcher maps or charts the process of exploration” (Reid et al., 2017, p. 70). Let me keep the voyage metaphor.

I have some idea where I want to go for my vacation, but I had several travel destinations to choose from, like any vacation. I made a travel plan, researched who had the information I required to plan my holiday, chose the participants in my journey, decided to gather all the information, how I will document and make sense of it all, and who will report the vacation others upon my return. I cannot forget journaling my voyage, so my adventures, friends I make, people I meet, analysis, and actions are all recorded. Observational field notes during the vacation and expanded fieldnotes upon my return. Serious reflection is required before, during, and after my vacation. Where am I going and why? What do I hope to achieve from going on this vacation? How ambitious should I be? Will I be satisfied after the journey? Who will I be satisfying? Who else may benefit?

What I require is a good map. The research begins with what (Reid et al., 2017) describe as the conceptual funnel. The funnel requires three components from wider to narrower; research interests, research focus, and research question. The goal is to have a straightforward research question.

Step 1 (research interests) – I will start where I am by engaging in reflective questioning and identify a broad range of locations to go on a voyage. What do I care about, excites me, questions, concerns, pressing issues, others concerns?

Step 2 – (research focus) – I continue to explore my voyage reflexively. I record my thoughts, questions, insights, concerns, curiosities, and confusions in my voyage journal. My trip would take place in an environment that is researched and understood but could be visited one more time. Before leaving, I may suggest or reach out for a more formal “call for research” to pay for my voyage. My voyage has been planned, and I sit with the idea for a week while asking myself, does the journey feel comfortable and why, what do other people think about it, do I want to do it, go with my “gut” feeling; if it does not feel right then it probably is not. Have I examined all angles to the voyage?

Step 3 – (research question) – Because my voyage involves asking people the nature and scope of an issue and their experience, I require a quantitative approach. The journey also consists of people’s experiences, policies, or meanings of somethings to individuals and groups, so I need a qualitative approach.

I will focus on action research and case study method.

For this discussion question, I have chosen two possible statements of research.

While using Bloom’s Taxonomy, how are staff shortages and low morale affecting the role of policing in the 21st century?

How can critical approaches to criminal investigation procedures contribute to positive social change in the community?

I would appreciate any help you can give me to refine and focus my framework. Thank you.

Laurie

References

Reid, C., Greaves, L., & Kirby, S. (2017). Experience, research, social change: Critical methods (3rd ed.). University of Toronto Press.