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
COP Lecture - Organising Your Research Project
