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7. The Methodological Issues

The methodological discussion. This will last from mid June until mid July

What is (your) research? 

How is it distinguished from other pursuits such as campaigns, publicity, or opinion?

 

By the nature of this module your research is a form of "action enquiry". By that we mean that it is practitioner based, evaluative for improving actions. However, the precise form of 'enquiry" needs to be outlined and justified.

Methodology describes the overarching way of creating a form of knowledge which we might trust. The main methodological groups are :
  • "scientific/positivist",
  • naturalistic, illuminative or qualitative
  • action research
  • evaluation as research
(These are not exhaustive  and types may overlap)

A discussion of methodology is not the same as the outline of the procedures (sometimes called methods) that you use to collect data. Rather, it deals with issues such as:

  • The kind of knowledge that will be created and its purpose
  • The methodology that best fits the context and scale of your research
  • The control you have over variables in this research
  • The extent  you can generalise knowledge gained from this research to other cases.
  • The tests you will use for truthfulness, reliability and validity.
  • The involvement and relationships between researcher and subject(s)
  • The treatment of socially constructed ideas in your research

Your  account should explain both the methodology  (about 1000 words) and procedures (another 1000 words (or methods).

 

In these sections you should show the following MA level descriptors.

  • a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to your own research or advanced scholarship;
  • a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline
  • evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them

 

You need to show you understand the research process and are self-critical  and critical of it.

Materials to support you are in the research folder here - Research  Materials. Indeed, the materials here contain the headings and some of the text to build your own specific account. Supplement this with your own references.

 

Discussion

 What are the characteristics of (your) research methodology and how does it affect your analysis?

 

Share and discuss here.
Document Actions

Who has power?

Posted by Ian at Jun 15, 2010 05:03 PM
How far does your research give you the researcher all the power?

Case Study

Posted by Ian at Jun 15, 2010 05:03 PM
How do you justify carrying out a small scale case study of one institution?

Generalisable

Posted by Ian at Jun 15, 2010 05:04 PM
Can you generalise from your research and if not then what the point? You called it research!

research so far...

Posted by Isobel Barron at Sep 27, 2010 09:19 PM
power? is knowledge power- by nature of the research enquiry one is trying to gain new knowledge or illunination through evidence/ data and be able to comment upon it in terms of improved practice. In a small scale case study it may be difficult to make generalisations, however what has been 'discovered'will inform practice and will lead to 'truth'in the context and expererience of those in the study.Validity/objectivelity can be achieved through the research design and in my case will be achieved through qualatitive research methods in the main. A traingulation of the evidence will be achieved in order to reduce bias and test the validity or findings of the case study, and to establish any common factors of the experience/make generalisations. Through 'relection of action on action' (Shon)it has been my experince so far that new knowledge is gained that leads to a deeper level of understanding and a change in practice. Therefore in my opinion there is value in the research, however small scale it may be.

research so far...

Posted by Isobel Barron at Sep 27, 2010 09:23 PM
power? is knowledge power- by nature of the research enquiry one is trying to gain new knowledge or illumination through evidence/ data and be able to comment upon it in terms of improved practice. In a small scale case study it may be difficult to make generalisations, however what has been 'discovered' will inform practice and will lead to 'truth' in the context and experience of those in the study. Validity/objectivity can be achieved through the research design and in my case will be achieved through qualitative research methods in the main. A triangulation of the evidence will be achieved in order to reduce bias and test the validity or findings of the case study, and to establish any common factors of the experience/make generalisations. Through 'reflection of action on action' (Shon) it has been my experience so far that new knowledge is gained that leads to a deeper level of understanding and a change in practice. Therefore in my opinion there is value in the research, however small scale it may be.
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