Organising your Research Project

Getting organised.
Doing your Research Project - Judith Bell.
Study skills section in the library.

Quantitative vs Qualitative

What it is you're doing/trying to achieve? What sort of research methods are appropriate?
The research will yield the best results for your project.
Action Research
Reflective diaries, research logs. Using them to improve and extend on what you were doing before?

Research methods only gain validity within the context of your own project.

Don't try to shoehorn theories into this project. Only choose relevant methods.

Come up with an organised/detailed project plan. Need to start coming up with this. Covers everything, timetabled up until deadline.
Write down all questions you want to investigate.
Consider each on their merits and focus on two (primary and secondary question)
Write an a4 'first thoughts' sheet for each - what am i trying to achieve by studying this question?
Why are you interested? Need a reason. What do you want to do with it? PURPOSE.
Decide on a 'working title'.

Project Outline
Consider timing
12 weeks to plan out (!!!!)
Consider holidays/work/life
A week by week plan will help enormously.
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.
Be disciplined.
Factor in tutorials. How these relate to your research. Consult with supervisor.

Reading takes more time than you think
How much can you actually read in 100 hours?
Start by trying to find out all the key texts on your chosen topic.
Focus your reading based on an initial assessment of this survey.
Find key texts and plan time to read these
Find secondary sources/criticisms of key texts
Use journals (jstor.org)
Start creating literature reviews as a way to organise your research and findings.
Harvard reference everything as you go.
Harvard ref, key concepts, comments, applications and questions.

Consider the ethical implications of what it is you're studying.
Does the research involve human participants? If so have you taken care to assure that no harm is done to them?
Does the project involve the vulnerable?
Will it be necessary for participants to give consent?
Will the study involve discussion of sensitive topics?
Are there issues of safety? Psychological stress or anxiety?
Will financial inducements be offered?
Will you guarantee anonymity/right to withdraw?
Permission from participants employer?

Referencing: Properly and digitally straight away. Compile bibliography immediately.

Questionnaires? Discuss questions with supervisor.
Avoid ambiguity, imprecision or assumption.
Also avoid double, leading, presuming or offensive questions.
More than one way to ask a question, they will yield different results.
Always pilot your questionnaire. Decide on sample size. Specify a return deadline. Record responses as soon as complete.

Interviews
Is an interview the best way of investigating your topic?
If so, begin to word questions and discuss with your supervisor.
Structured or unstructured interview?
How will you analyse questions?
Watch for bias.
Plan the interview/prepare the room.
Introduce yourself.
Tape record the interview (permission needed) to be transcribed.
Agree the accuracy of notes with the interviewee.

Observation.
Decide exactly what you need to know?
Participant/non participant observation?
Request permission to observe.
Pepare and plan observation carefully.
Devise a suitable grid, checklist or chart.
Analyse and interpret data, removing bias.

Critical diaries/Reflective logs
Make sure you are clear about the purpose?
Be disciplined - regularly update the personal diary or offer clear guidelines/ deadlines for second party diaries.

Checklist.
Don't procrastinate, start now.
Plan research methods carefully. Relevant detailed critical methodology.
Select appropriate methods.
Complete an ethics self assessment.
Complete an extensive literature review.
Document all stages of the process carefully. Produce a detailed project outline, with timings, and stick to it.
Get the most from your supervision.