Extended Project Research Skills 1 st Feb 2013

Aims of this session  Developing a clear focus of what you are trying to achieve in your Extended Project  An introduction to possible Research Methods  Identifying how you will achieve your aim by choosing valid and reliable methods.

The Nature of the Inquiry  Setting the focus for your study  Searching for truth (using personal experience, reasoning, research)  Discovering that ultimate truth has its limitations…….  These are based on our own level of experience / the research approach used / nature of the hypothesis formulated / our skills as a researcher.

Different Types of Research Project  Sensitive Research  Naturalistic/Ethnographic Research  Surveys  Internet Based Research  Historical Research  A Case Study  Qualitative Research  Quantitative Research

How will you collect you data?  Choosing the correct method will make it easier for you to generate valid and reliable data.  Validity- does your EP actually research what it claims to research?  Reliability- are your methods capable of producing data/conclusions that can be substantiated?

Research methods available  General background reading  More focussed reading in your specific topic area for the EP (including some previous research in this field)  Conversations with relevant sources  Interviews  Observations  Field Notes

Research Methods 2  Questionnaires  Analysis of written accounts  Participant Observation  Using the internet to access information for your ‘review of literature’ (on-line journals, statistics, public documents eg. company policies, the legal system, historical accounts)

Considerations  Must read from reliable sources  Aim to follow a ‘scientific’ method to solving your problem  (Set a research hypothesis, research your topic area widely, test your hypothesis by basing your explanations on evidence, try to isolate your area of interest from other factors, present a balanced argument, make conclusions from evidence not opinion).

Considerations  Ethical issues  Confidentiality of subjects interviewed or completing questionnaires  Show balance in your arguments  Maintain a professional distance; try to avoid researcher bias  Sample selection – random or systematic?  Designing the right type of questions to ask (not closed questions or loaded questions)

Summary: Make a plan. Have a timeline in mind  Research focus  Background reading and more specific reading  Decide on a Hypothesis  Choose your type of research study  Select the best methods to gather the most valid and reliable data  Analyse your data without researcher bias  State a conclusion  Evaluate your research project, identify some limitations and areas for future development

Recommended Sources  A list of examples of suitable sources is given on the accompanying handout.  Identify those which could have some relevance for your Extended Project