Organising your research project (lecture one)

• Doing your Research Project - Judith Bell 371.3 (LCA Library)

Overview

• 400 hours study for a 40 credit module.
• 6-9000 word written element, and related practical work.
• 2-5 hours support on the written element of the module, in addition to support with the practical project.
• Deadline 15th Jan 4pm - 15 weeks!
• Try to have a substantial draft by Christmas.

Planning the project

• Write down all the questions that you want to investigate.
• Consider each on their merits and focus on two (primary and secondary).
• Write an A4 'first thoughts' sheet for each.
• What is the purpose of the study? Is your question researchable?
• Working title.

Project Outline

• Consider timing. 
• Deadline 15 weeks.
• Consider holidays/ work/ life.
• Think about your working title.
• Allocate timing for each.
• Draw up a project outline based on the above. 
• Allow time for reading up and writing up. 
• Factor in tutorials.
• Consult you supervisor about this. 

Literature Search

• Reading takes longer than you think.
• How much can you read in 100 hours?
• Start by trying to find out all the key texts on your chosen topic.
• Google Scholar.
• Focus your reading based on initial assessment of this survey.
• Find key texts and plan time to read these.
• Find secondary sources/ criticisms of key texts.
• Use journals (www.jstor.org).

Referencing

• Start compiling a bibliography at the beginning of the project.
• Reference as you go along.
• Include all details (name, forename, date, place, publisher, page)

Ethics

• Get approval from supervisor to interview people.
• How are you going to research this?
• Quantitative technique - finding facts.
• Qualitative technique - Interviews.
• Action research.
• Questionnaires.
• Interviews.
• Observation.
• Critical diaries/ reflective logs.