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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. Project timeline
Decisions on: final research question & sample February
Some literature reading February
Contacting sample
Data collection
Data coding
Write-up May
Submission th May
Ben

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 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

10. Exercises
Luke

11. 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

12. 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

13. Forward planning
Vero

14. 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:
Luke:
Suay:
Ben

15. Questions?
Ben

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