Organising Interface Research:
The Individual
and the Group
Organising
Interface
Research: the
Individual and the
Group
107 - 117
David Carson
Audrey Gilmore
Aohdeen O’Donnell
University of Ulster
Jordanstown, Northern Ireland
Abstract: The authors describe a research model that they have found particularly helpful
in their pursuit of ‘Interface’ research. They are keen to share what they consider good
practice with other colleagues who are either considering conducting research into, or are
keen to start researching into, the ‘Interface’.
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this paper is to revisit some fundamentals and basics of
researching in order to remind us of the proven mechanisms that underpin
good research practice. For example, our research should follow the proper
procedures for identifying a research topic; defining and refining research
aims and objectives; and founding our conceptualisations on comprehensive
literature reviews. The paper will also reflect on what should be included in
an individual research plan and how we might organise our research plan
within appropriate timescales.
A significant aim of the paper is to illustrate how research synergy can
enable the development of group research which offers greater efficiency
over individual research programmes. The rationale is based on the
assumptions that supervision and teaching in marketing/entrepreneurship
interface research is individualistic and fragmented, therefore it cannot
achieve meaningful efficiency. Also, we observe that ‘other’ social science
disciplines have achieved efficiency through synergy, for example bio-
chemistry whereby candidates work together on specific research areas
whilst individually examining a unique research problem
Organising Interface Research: the Individual and the Group: 107-118
© Journal of Research in Marketing & Entrepreneurship, Volume Three, Issue 2, 2001
107