Brushing up on my Bourdieu theory

I'll have to admit I've definitely missed reading Bourdieu!

Following the feedback I received in the presentations, I have decided to adapt my research theme slightly:

This theme follows on better from my second year research and essay which may help me more when it comes to researching, writing and applying theory.

This is the feedback form I received from Simon following the presentation:

I was also told by Richard and Amber to be careful of cultural impirialism and that my practical side of the project needed more thought to tie it closer to the written side.

I then sat down and made a list of notes and new ideas for the project: 

I think the idea of incorporating more theory into the whole project would be a better way of looking at the topic but I need to sit down and formulate all my ideas into an actual plan. 

This was the feedback form Simon filled out for me from the general feedback given after the presentation:

These are the notes I took of feedback and new ideas/developments:

My presentation as presented today:

Pitching our ideas and research to members of the class and tutors

Approaches to research:

Quantitative vs Qualitative

What methodology suits the project best?
What are you going to research and how are you going to research it?

- Research methods only gain validity within the context of the project.

Planning the Project:

- write down all the questions that you want to investigate

- consider each of their merits and focus on two (primary and secondary) - choose two which will form the core of the project

- write an A4 'first thoughts' sheet for each question
- what is the purpose of the study? is your question researchable?
- there should be a reason for why you have chosen to look at whatever you have decided to look at it
- document that
- what do you want to achieve from studying your topic?

- decide on a working title that is answerable

Project Outline:

- consider timing - week by week plan?

- 12 weeks left!

- think about the working title and the different component parts that need researching

- allocate timings to each part of the research

- draw up a project outline

- allow generous time for initial reading and writing up

- factor in tutorials

Literature Search & Review

- reading takes more time than you think

- start by trying to find out all the key texts on your chosen topic

- focus on reading based on an initial assessment of this survey

- find key texts and plan time to read these

- find secondary sources / criticisms of key texts (triangulation)

- use journals

- find a system to organise texts, research points, books (and reference!)

Ethics

- have to consider how the research will impact others

Referencing

- start compiling a bibliography at the beginning of the project

- Harvard referencing

Questionnaires

- there has to be a reason behind doing the questionnaire

- word questions carefully and speak to supervisor about them

- avoid ambiguity, imprecision or assumption

- also avoid double, leading, presuming or offensive questions

- question types?

- decide on sample size

- specify a return deadline

Interviews

- structured or unstructured interviews?

- how will you analyse questions?

- watch for bias

Observations

- photo documentary

- being in an environment relating to the research topic

- participating in an activity?

- record results with a system

Critical Diaries / Reflective Logs

- be disciplined

- be sure of the purpose

CHECKLIST

- don't procrastinate

- plan research methods (methodologies) carefully

- select the most appropriate research methods for the project

- complete an ethics assessment

- complete an extensive literature review

- document all stages of the process carefully

- produce a detailed project outline, with timings, and stick to it

- get the most from your supervision

General current affairs topics in Uganda right now, concerning the media:

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Magazines/ThoughtIdeas/The-dark-history-of-Uganda-s-media-and-past-governments/-/689844/1869456/-/7ssfq3z/-/index.html

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/05/20/uganda-stop-harassing-media

http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-05-22-analysis-museveni-makes-a-dangerous-enemy-in-ugandan-media-crackdown/#.UtipCmTV-Nh

http://www.independent.co.ug/ugandatalks/2013/05/u-s-criticizes-uganda-media-attack/

http://thinkafricapress.com/uganda/daily-monitor-red-pepper-sejusa-museveni