ISSUES AND CHALLENGES IN PRODUCING QUALITY RESEARCH

Professor Dr Ernest Cyril de Run

Faculty of Economics and Business Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

drernest@feb.unimas.my

INTRODUCTION
What is Quality?
What is Research? What is Quality Research? God, Bad and Very Bad

Issues
Challenges

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

QUALITY
Quality means different things to different people: Degree to which a set of inherent characteristics fulfil requirements -ISO 9001:2008 What is quality = how the recipient of the product or service views the product or service: before buying, upon delivery, and after the delivery-and use and disposition? Character with respect to fineness, or grade of excellence: Quality in business, engineering and manufacturing has a pragmatic interpretation as the non-inferiority or superiority of something; it is also defined as fitness for purpose.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

RESEARCH
Research derived from the Middle French "recherche", which means "to go about seeking", being derived from the Old French term "recerchier" meaning 'search and used since 1577 Variety of definition: diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc. is creative work undertaken systematically to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humanity, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications (OECD, 2002)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

TYPES
Research is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. Types: Scientific Research Research in Humanities Artistic Research

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

GOOD, BAD, AND VERY BAD RESEARCH

A good research document empowers readers to reach their own conclusions by including: A well-defined question. Description of the context and existing information about an issue. Consideration of various perspectives. Presentation of evidence, with data and analysis in a format that can be replicated by others. Discussion of critical assumptions, contrary findings, and alternative interpretations. Cautious conclusions and discussion of their implications. Adequate references, including original sources, alternative perspectives, and criticism.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

GOOD, BAD, AND VERY BAD RESEARCH

Bad research Liars Dont tell the truth Misrepresent

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

GOOD, BAD, AND VERY BAD RESEARCH

Bullshit Very Bad. Philosopher Harry G. Frankfort argues that bullshit (manipulative misrepresentations) is worse than an actual lie because it denies the value of truth. A bullshitters fakery consists not in misrepresenting a state of affairs but in concealing his own indifference to the truth of what he says. The liar, by contrast, is concerned with the truth, in a perverse sort of fashion: he wants to lead us away from it. Justify by Relativism, a philosophy which suggests that objective truth does not exist. Nietzsche stated, There are no facts, only interpretations.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

PEOPLE
Dunning-Kruger Effect refers to the tendency of people who are unaware of how little they know about a subject to be overly confident of their abilities and judgment. Unskilled people often rate their knowledge and ability much higher than it actually is, suffering from illusory superiority. Highly skilled people underrate their own abilities, suffering from illusory inferiority.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

WHAT IS QUALITY RESEARCH?

Impact ISI do u know what it stands for and why the hoo ha over it? Peer Reviewed National Research Agenda University Research Agenda Faculty / Department / Center Research Agenda

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

ISSUES
Embracing theoretical issues in producing quality research Dunning Kruger Effect Quality of staff from HR perspective Issue of competency Lies and Bullshit Administrative work is no.1 killer, time consuming Public Academicians are generally too complacent and not motivated to write papers

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

CHALLENGES
Finance Continuity Keeping pace with dynamically changing environment Finding collaborators Environment and culture Sharing University support planned n continuous training Conceptualizing, defining and operationalizing complex interventions Integrating quantitative and qualitative studies Incorporating expert opinions and decision-makers viewpoints

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)

Thank you.

Professor Dr. Ernest Cyril de Run

Faculty of Economics and Business Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia

drernest@feb.unimas.my