Postgraduate Students Urged to Establish Conceptual Models Before Commencing Research

Postgraduate students have been urged to adopt conceptual models as a foundational requirement before embarking on research projects in their respective fields of study.

The call was made by Dr. Brandford Bervell, a Deputy Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC), during a two-day training workshop for postgraduate students.

Dr. Bervell stressed that conceptual models play a crucial role in research by providing a clear framework for identifying research problems, establishing relationships among variables, and guiding the overall direction of scholarly investigations.

“Any research work without a conceptual model will fail. A conceptual model sets the stage for presenting the research questions that drive the investigation based on the problem statement,” he stated.

The workshop, organised by the Centre for Educational Research, Evaluation and Development (CERED) of the College of Education Studies, was on the theme “Structural Equation Model Using Smart PLS.”

Addressing participants, Dr. Bervell explained that using conceptual models in the initial stages of research enables students to undertake focused, relevant, and impactful studies that contribute significantly to knowledge and professional practice.

He noted that a well-developed conceptual model enhances the quality, coherence, and credibility of research by ensuring alignment between research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes.

According to him, theoretical models and conceptual models are key components in the development of a sound research framework.

Dr. Bervell further took participants through the various stages of conceptual model development. These included identifying variables, grouping variables, developing factor trees, combining factor trees, and formulating hypotheses.

He highlighted the importance of conceptual models in guiding the entire research process and helping researchers identify their unique contributions to existing literature.

The Provost of the College of Education Studies, Prof. Douglas Agyei, in his address, advised the postgraduate students to take the workshop seriously.

He urged the students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of global challenges faced by societies and to contribute their share towards addressing them through research.

In a remark, the Coordinator of CERED, Prof. Jacob Owusu Sarfo, said the workshop formed part of efforts by CERED to strengthen the research capacities of postgraduate students and equip them with practical skills in the application of Structural Equation Modelling using Smart PLS.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC