Design Context: Organising your Research project

Check out this Book

Quantitative & Qualitative

What am I doing?

What am I trying to Achieve?

What methodology suits my project best ?

What Data do I need?

Quantitative : statistical, numerical answers

Qualitative : content, theory, philosophy

Different strategies will be needed for different research

Reflective practice

Planning the Project

•Write down all questions that you want to investigate

•Consider each on their merits and focus on two (primary & secondary)

•Write an A4 ‘first thoughts’ sheet for each

•What is the purpose of the study? Is your question researchable?

•Decide on a Working Title

COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR THE REST OF THE MODULE

WRITE DOWN AS MANY QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE - NARROW DOWN TO A COUPLE

FOCUS!

1 DRIVING THEME / QUESTION
+ 1 SECONDARY ONE

Write out a 1st thought sheet

What am I trying to achieve?
is it achievable?
Why am do I want to research it?
What do I want to do?

DECIDE ON A WORKING TITLE

Project Outline

•Consider timing

•DEADLINE- 12 WEEKS TODAY

•Consider holidays / work / life

•Think about your working title and the different component parts that need researching.

•Allocate timings to each

•Draw up a project outline based on the above

•Allow generous time for initial reading and writing up

•Factor in tutorials

•CONSULT WITH YOUR SUPERVISOR ABOUT THIS

What is the key material on the topic?

What material is already out there?

Pick the essentials

Remember Journals

Come up with a system for organizing research and referencing

Ethical Implications

•Does the research involve human participants?

•Does the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable or unable to give informed consent

•Will it be necessary for participants to take part in the study without their knowledge and consent at the time? (e.g. covert observation of people in non-public places)

•Will the study involve discussion of sensitive topics (e.g. sexual activity, drug use)?

•Are there issues of safety for the investigators or subjects?

•Could the study induce psychological stress or anxiety or cause harm or negative consequences beyond the risks encountered in normal life?

•Will financial inducements (other than reasonable expenses and compensation for time) be offered to participants?

•Will deception be necessary, i.e. will participants take part without knowing the true purpose of the study or without their knowledge/consent at the time (e.g. covert observation of people in non-public places)?

•Will blood or tissues samples be obtained from participants?

•Might permission for the study need to be sought from the researcher’s or from participants’ employes

•Will participants’ anonymity be compromised or their right to anonymity be withheld or information they give be identifiable as theirs?

•Will participants’ right to withdraw from the study at any time be withheld or not made explicit?