Social Research Method
Aim:
– Extend understanding of social research design through application to practical
research area
– Develop ability to prepare research proposals
– Extend understanding of relationship between theory and methods
Task:-
Prepare a detailed research design for your research project, outlining the components and justifying the major design decisions. Use the following headings:
– Statement of Topic (one sentence)
– Aims: Problem statement, project aims (list what the research is supposed to
achieve)and research questions
o Major research questions (state the questions to be answered at the end of the
research)
o Subsidiary research questions (optional: specific questions that provide the
background and context, or help elaborate the major research question)
Background:-
(1) Describe the theoretical perspective that underpins your research
project (eg. Positivism, Post-positivism, Critical Theory, Constructionism).
(2) Briefly
summarise what existing theory or previous research has to say about the topic; what
is known about the research questions, or could be anticipated.
Proposed methods:-
o Source(s) of data (primary or secondary data? quantitative, qualitative or
both? define the population and specify the sample if appropriate and justify
these decisions; if more qualitative, specify the groups, social situation or
categories of people to be included, how they will be selected and contacted)
o Method of data gathering and analysis (select method(s) and justify; specify
the themes or topics that will guide process, indicate how data will be
generated, recorded and analysed; explain your place in the research process)
o Ensure that your proposed methods show how issues of quality will be dealt
with, with reference to the appropriate quality criteria
Link between method, methodology and theory:-
o Ensure that your proposals highlights the links between method, methodology
and theory
o Ethics (indicate what ethical problems are likely to be encountered in the
research and how they will be dealt with)
o Timetable (specify the major stages of the research and the timing and
duration of each)
Assessment criteria
Topic definition (/5 points)
Criteria
– succinct statement of topic, aims and research questions
– research questions conceptually linked
– project appropriately bounded
Background (/5 points)
Criteria
– appropriate selection of literature
– analysis of literature, able to describe relevance of material for research question
– synthesis of literature, brings together sources in a new way to illuminate research
question (eg. shows conflicts or gaps in existing literature)
Methods (/10 points)
Criteria
– methods will answer the research question
– proposed methods are practical, do-able
– logic of proposed methods made clear (design outlined)
– quality of methods considered
Quality of methods (5 points)
Criteria
– quality of methods considered with reference to appropriate quality criteria
Methodology and Theoretical position (/10 points)
Criteria
– theoretical position of the project is made clear, with reference to literature of social
theory
– relation between methods, methodology and theoretical position of the project is
clearly described and coherent
Ethics and timeline (/5 points)
Criteria
– thoughtful and thorough presentation of issues
Presentation (/5 points)
Criteria
– clear language
– appropriate structure
– appropriate referencing system
To the writer: Pls send message to confirm if you can do this or not
