Access course: Designing your research project Part III Luke Suay M. Ozkula Ben Silvester Luke Shoveller 06.02.2017 Medway campus

Today DAY II Research update: Dragon’s Den style elevator pitch Timeline Structure of written text Individual and group exercises (if time allows) Introductions Contents Forward planning / tutor allocation Luke Research update: 60 mins max Timeline & structure: 30 mins max Exercises (15 mins) We need to allow at least 15 minutes for tutor allocation

The elevator pitch / Dragon’s Den style Can you explain your research topic in 3-5 minutes? Research questions + method + what you see as your next steps. Dragon’s Den style questioning: Everyone to ask questions. ALL OF US

Questions about the previous 2 weeks? Questions about methods? Questions about methods-related issues (sampling, ethics, etc.)? Questions about writing, researching, etc.? Ben

Project timeline Decisions on: final research question & sample February Some literature reading February Contacting sample 1.-15.03. Data collection 15.03.-15.04 Data coding 15.-30.04. Write-up May Submission 20th May Ben

Assignment structure Introduction Literature review Methodology Findings (Discussion) Conclusion Bibliography Appendix Suay

Assignment structure Introduction = a guide for the reader Context Statement of research question & argument Signposting Literature review = an overview what there already is on the topic Methodology = which methods you used and how The research question The method Types of question you asked The sampling (how) & sample (how many) The timeline Ethical behaviour Suay

Assignment structure Findings = what you found For quantitative methods, show the numbers, e.g. 30% of respondents said x, while 10% said y. Of the 25% participants who rated x as important, a vast majority of 95% also rated y as highly relevant. For qualitative methods, show the themes, e.g. When asked about why they chose to go to university, several participants used the term pressure. Pressure was mostly ascribed to peers and family who saw university education as a necessary status. Anastasia described her experience as “uncomfortable, tedious, and awkward”, a theme also mirrored in other accounts. Teddy: “Yeah, I have hear of the term, but I don’t know what it is”. Teddy’s answer shows uncertainty …. Suay

Assignment structure (Discussion = how your findings fit with the literature) Conclusion Summary of all you have done in the text, e.g. “at the beginning I asked research question x. The findings have shown y.” Reinforce main point / argument, e.g. “The root cause for depression in 9-12 year-olds is xyz”. Contextualize your study, e.g. meaning, implication, or relevance. Bibliography = list of all sources that you have used Appendix = any attachments to the text, e.g. Survey or interview questionnaire Suay

Exercises Luke

Individual exercises & group review: intro Task 1 Write an introduction for your research project (10 minutes) Task 2 Read the introduction to your neighbour / us. Other person to give feedback. Advice A good introduction consists of 3 parts: Scene-setting: Show why your project is relevant (i.e. public debates, discussions or gaps in the literature) Explanation of your project and statement of your argument Signposting / guidance for the text Luke

Individual exercises & group review: contents Task 1 Write up the following for your research project: Your method The desired sample (who & how many) Relevant concepts A plan for the next few weeks Luke

Forward planning Vero

Allocation of tutors Tutors are allocated based on type of research. You should get the right tutor for your topic and methods: Ben: Luke: Suay: sociology / politics / media & cultural studies, interviews, ethnography, digital research Contact details: Ben: brs8@kent.ac.uk Luke: ljbs4@kent.ac.uk Suay: s.m.ozkula@kent.ac.uk Ben

Questions? Ben

Next: - Continue your research - See you soon individually. Good luck Suay