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301 Academic Skills Workshop Programme: Dissertation Planning

301 Academic Skills Workshop Programme: Dissertation Planning

301 Academic Skills Workshop Programme: Dissertation Planning

Making ‘a contribution to knowledge.’

Research Philosophy

Positivism and Relativism Positivist approaches to tend to be associated with ; relativist approaches tend to be associated with . According to Whitton:

A positivist, or scientific, approach to research views the nature of the world as existing regardless of people’s perceptions of it, and that experiences can be described in terms of objective facts that are essentially value-free; hypotheses can be tested against these facts, and causal relationships can be demonstrated between events.

A relativist approach takes the view that there are not absolute truths, but people have different ways of perceiving the world and that there is no external reality independent of the beliefs and perceptions of those experiencing it; the complexity of experience and behaviour must be studied to gain true understanding.

Your research will likely incorporate elements of both approaches although the extent to which one approach is dominant will likely depend both on your discipline and your topic. Induction and Deduction In , there are two main philosophical approaches that may have fundamental implications for the shape of your research projects. According to Trochin (2006):

Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to broader generalizations and . In , we begin with specific observations and measures, begin to detect patterns and regularities, formulate some tentative hypotheses that we can explore, and finally end up developing some general conclusions or theories.

Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more specific. We might begin with thinking up a about our topic of interest. We then narrow that down into more specific hypotheses that we can test. We narrow down even further when we collect observations to address the hypotheses. This ultimately leads us to be able to test the hypotheses with specific —a confirmation (or not) of our original theories.

Research projects may involve elements of both inductive and deductive research as a theory is both developed (inducted) and tested (deducted). Research aim

Your research aim is a general statement that is derived from your focus of study. You can develop your research aim by following some simple steps:

1. Identify a single word or phrase to describe the main theme of your research 1

2. Add supplementary words to provide context for your aim

3. Rephrase these words as a statement using a model such as;

a. The overall aim of this research…

b. This is a study of…

c. This research examines… review

A literature review is a critical analysis of past research that demonstrates how and why it relates to your project. The purpose of a literature review is;

 To explore who has said what about the topic you are working on;  To demonstrate that you have read widely around the topic;  To show that you can evaluate the relative value and significance of this existing work. Evaluating a Source

When identifying sources that are relevant and significant to your of research, you will need to consider:

 When was it written? (are its findings still relevant?)  Who wrote it? (did the writer have an agenda or bias?)  Where was it published? (is it a peer-reviewed journal, a reputable publisher, an online source?) Pitfalls of a literature review:

 Description rather than critical evaluation  ‘Student drift’: i.e. writing about material that is peripheral to your topic  Lack of a clear structure  Limited sources or a reliance on online sources Useful sources of relevant literature:

 Google Scholar  Databases (via Starplus)  Journal articles (reference lists)  Review articles Evidence and Data

When developing your research , you will need to identify sources to ensure that your data is both valid and reliable.

 Has an appropriate source of data been chosen?  Are the collection and analysis methods appropriate?  Can the research be trusted? Is it objective?  Is there a clear record of methods and sources?

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Are your sources: Primary Secondary  First hand  Second hand  Immediate  After the fact  Raw  Interpreted  Data/findings  Analysis  E.g. Historical/ cultural research  E.g. Literature review

Quantitative Qualitative  Numerical  Verbal, narrative  Objective  Subjective  Positivist  Relativist  Deductive  Inductive  Tests a theory  Develops a theory

Mixed methods research involves a combined approach to help triangulate and improve the reliability and validity of your findings. Other things to consider:  Ethics  size and strategy  Volume of data  Quality of data  Limitations related to your data

Working with a Supervisor Some strategies to consider include:  Share plans/ideas/work-in-progress with your supervisor EARLY  Plan for meetings, sketch out an informal agenda  Write down your main questions before the meeting. Don’t leave without answers!  Be receptive to feedback and criticism  Take notes/record the meeting on a smartphone References  Nicola Whitton, : http://playthinklearn.net/blog/wp- content/uploads/2007/10/chapter3.pdf  William Trochim (2006), Research Methods Knowledge Base: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php Other support available at 301  workshops  Editing and Proofreading workshops  1:1 study skills tutorials  Book online via the 301 webpages: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/301 3

How strong is my project: checklist

Topic The area of research inspires and interests me

The area of research falls into an area that is recognised as belonging to my discipline

It is original: it offers a different angle, or uses different data from that of previous research

I can do justice to the topic within the word limit and time limit

There is a pre-existing body of literature that I can draw upon

There are established research methods that I can apply to my topic

Research Statement The statement is clear, so the reader is in no doubt what my research is about

The statement is specific: it sets out what the parameters of the research will be

The statement is consistent with the brief: it reflects the marking criteria for the project

Planning Template

Stage Duration Deadline

Develop research proposal

Clarify aims/objectives

Literature Review

Research Methods

Data Collection

Findings

Conclusion

Formatting/Proofreading

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Dissertation structure

Title Abstract Acknowledgements Contents

 Summary of the project in one or two paragraphs  Include key findings

Introduction Literature Review Methodology/ Chapter xx Research design  Background  Background  Research focus  Research focus  Research  Research objectives objectives  Value of the  Value of the research research  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.  2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc.

Chapter xx Chapter xx Results/findings Conclusions

 Suggestions for action based on the research findings

Recommendations References Bibliography Appendices

 Suggestions for  All works cited in  You may be  Supporting details action based on the text should be required to list all and materials the research included in your works consulted  Raw data (if findings references whether cited in appropriate) the text or not  Sample data sets (if appropriate)

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Project Design

What is the main theme of your research in a single word or phrase?

What supplementary words or phrases are needed to provide additional context?

What is your draft research statement?

What are your main research objectives?

What are the sub- sections of your literature review?

Potential sources of data

Anticipated limitations

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