1. Research Methods Session 1 - outcome ii
By the end of this session you should:
Have a clearer understanding of different approaches to research and identify the stages of research which will be considered in the module and of which your assignment will comprise.

2. What is Research?
There are many types of research but they all share the following basic characteristics…
They all are, or aim to be, planned, cautious,
systematic, and reliable ways of finding
out or deepening understanding.
(Blaxter et al, 1996, p.5)

3. A Definition of Research
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse 1984)
In small groups identify the key
words of this definition
and discuss their meaning

4. A Definition of Research
exploring
A Definition of Research
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)
Research entails systematic, critical
and self-critical enquiry which aims
to contribute to the advancement of
knowledge.  (Stenhouse)

5. Research Purpose - The claim to knowledge
In carrying out research the purpose is to try to make some claim to knowledge; to try to show something that was not known before.
Think of an example
for each of these
categories
A four-fold framework…
a research question;
a research hypothesis;
a research problem;
a research issue.
Bassey (1990)

6. Research Process A five step process… background; methodology;
data collection;
data processing;
making a claim to knowledge.
Bassey (1990)

7. Research Process – Linear Blaxter, Hughes and Tight, (1996)
Research purpose identified
Investigation planned
Data collected
Data analysed and interpreted
Reflections and conclusions
Report written
Research design
Sampling
Data collection
Data analysis
Report
Blaxter, Hughes and Tight, (1996)
Bassey (1990)

8. Research Process – Cyclical Bassey (1990) Research purpose identified
Research refocussed
Report written
Investigation planned
Data collected
Data analysed and interpreted
Reflections and conclusions
Bassey (1990)

9. Self-directed study
Read Bassey (1990) section 8
Complete activity 2