Contribution Matters ...!
Robert Faff
Research Professor Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary; Emeritus Professor University of Queensland, Australia; Honorary Adjunct Professor of Finance at Bond University, Australia
***MORE BREAKING NEWS!!!*** ... another new essay, fresh out now on SSRN ... "Contribution Matters ...!" [https://ssrn.com/abstract=4073797] ... constructive feedback very welcome! [[email protected]]
... Research contribution is a nebulous concept! Paradoxically, we all know what it looks like when we see it, but it is a frustratingly elusive concept to define or action in any given specific research project. This situation is particularly troubling because contribution holds such a pivotal singular role in metaphorically “stamping” the quality of any and all research that we do. The current essay seeks to provide a workable framework to help guide our thinking on the nature of research contribution that will assist all researchers – and, especially novices – to do a better job at this task.
Abstract
With some trepidation I confront an ambitious topic … What is this thing called “contribution” …? In this essay, I strive to provide a workable framework to help guide our thinking on the nature of research contribution that will assist all researchers – and, especially novices – to do a better job at this task. First, I recognise a dichotomy between scholarly vs. non-scholarly contribution. Second, focusing on the scholarly side, I identify a second dichotomy – ex post vs. ex ante perspective of scholarly contribution. Third, focusing on the ex-ante side, I identify yet another dichotomy – “internal” vs. “external” contribution. I discuss alternative ways to characterise internal contribution, versus various different ways in which external contribution can be classified. Finally, I canvass and discuss a range of great feedback I have received on earlier versions of this paper. … I hope you read … I hope you learn … I hope you enjoy!
... Accordingly, I warmly welcome your constructive feedback on my views in this essay. Please be honest, but kind! Your general feedback on my broad approach would be appreciated. Do you “buy” the arguments that I put forward? ?Or do you take issue or even strongly disagree on some aspects? If so, why? Have I missed something, anything? Your specific comments, feedback and suggestions will be helpful. Are there any strategies to “unlock” the contribution challenge that you use in your research projects that I have missed? Finally, can you point me to some great exemplars of seminal papers that illustrate well the types of potential “external” contribution that I present in Section 4? Any feedback that you kindly offer will be seriously considered, incorporated as best I can and duly acknowledged. Thank you in advance …!
Please email me your reactions and feedback without delay at: [email protected]
Senior Lecturer at University of South Africa
2 年I agree that we need to focus more on the ex ante contribution. The diagrams are very useful. Thank you for the lovely discussion paper. I will provide this to my PhD students as well.
Retired at ?
2 年Robert, These days I do not comment on academic articles, but I must comment on this essay. Brilliant and helpful to academics at all levels Well done.
Regenerative development, tourism & community researcher / practitioner
2 年Great topic
Assistant Professor of Management at Australian Catholic University
2 年An interesting read.. Thanks for the insight Prof Robert Faff
Associate Professor (Finance), IPAG Business School, Paris, France | Adjunct Professor at Sulaiman Al-Rajhi University (SRU), KSA | Senior Editor: IJOEM | AE: RIBAF, JSFI, JEAS, Heliyon, MF
2 年Many congratulations dear professor, stay blessed