METM17 presentation

Setting up a research project

 
Darko Hren, Split, Croatia
 
In their daily work, editors, translators and writers often encounter issues worth investigating beyond anecdotal evidence. However, they often lack practical experience and confidence in planning and conducting a research project.
 
The purpose of this session is to demystify the process and help with setting up a research project based on the professional practice of editors, translators and writers. The session will cover the basics of research practice applicable to projects in the area of social science, linguistics and/or scientometrics:

- Finding your research topic: from everyday practice to research aims
- Planning your study: from research aims to methods of data collection and analysis
- Writing your research protocol: from ideas to commitment

The session will demonstrate that setting up a research project does not have to be reserved for academics. Participants will learn that they can develop valid and interesting research projects by starting from their own practice and experience, carefully considering what they know, what they don't know, and what can be known. Finally, they will learn how to put it all together in operative terms within a research protocol. The aim of this session is not to develop detailed knowledge of research planning and design, but rather to show what steps are included and how they can be pursued by practicing professionals outside of academia.
 
 
Darko Hren, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Split Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. He currently teaches social psychology, educational psychology, and basics of scientific methodology and communication. He was a statistical editor for the Croatian Medical Journal from 2002 until 2010. He is currently involved with EU project MiRoR (Methods in Research on Research) as a lead scientist at the University of Split.