In this
section we have sought to provide a brief overview emphasizing the
need
for clear and consistent positioning in your research. The mapping
approach is one way to help explore these issues and one which
allows a
flexible and iterative process to be used, thereby allowing you to
continually review and chart the progress of your research. Whilst
it
may seem simply enough here, it is a challenging process as it
requires
you to continually frame and bound areas of literature which
themselves
are continually evolving. However, its main contribution is that it
provides a way of making your ideas more explicit, and so open to
reflection by yourself and discussion with your peers. In summary
the
mapping process involves five key stages as follows:
- State your research question and map out your literature domains.
- Be clear about the nature of the phenomenon you are interested in and the importance of context.
- In your literature search focus on the overlaps between the domains, and be clear about the areas of the domains which are not relevant to your question.
- Focus down by identifying your conversants and your relationship to them
- Continually review and if necessary amend
the
relationship between your research question, literature
domains
and conversants as your ideas develop.
The text on this page was reproduced with permission from Professor Mark Jenkins, Cranfield School of Management. The ideas are based on teaching sessions with PhD and DBA students at Cranfield School of Management, and draws from ideas on writing developed by Anne Huff.
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