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6b The Methodological Issues....

What is research? What is your research and very importantly.....

How is it distinguished from other pursuits and questioning processes such as campaigns, publicity, marketing or opinion?

 

By the very nature of this module your research is a form of "action enquiry". It is a single or series of 'actions' undertaken by you that will form a solid piece of research data. By that we mean that it is (a) practitioner based an (b) 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) please explore these yourself using either google or prescribed text

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 (or methods) (another 1000 words) .

 

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.

 

What we want you to discuss and consider

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

 

Share and discuss here - remember you can upload work into your own area within PLone and then come back to the discussion/conversation below and paste in the URL of your uploaded file you wish to share with your peers
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methodology and justification

Posted by Jessica Jacob at Mar 10, 2011 12:10 PM
Hello,
I am really struggling to understand this. I know the work I am doing is relevant but I am just not sure how to word any of it or connect the work to a characteristic of methodology. My analysis is based my Observation and informal discussions with the subjects I'm working with. I have notes of lessons I have put together for a drama group and have secured a place on the board for the theatre company I am working with. I have acquired much literature, articles, read government agendas and laws. I need to know how I can put it all together, make sense in applying it all to the research methodology terminology? I know I have got what I need, but am not sure how to present it all.
Help!

methodology and justification

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Mar 10, 2011 03:44 PM
Hello Jessica,
I think I can see where you may be feeling a little lost - I'll try my best here to help but the easiest way I think is to direct us (or me) to what you have done so far and then once we can see it/read it then it would be easier to make a supportive comment or comments.
Correct me if Im wrong but it sounds like to me you have just reached a bit of a temporary obstacle and what could be stopping you is actualy your won fears of progression - you stated that you already have "....have acquired much literature, articles, read government agendas and laws..." etc - ok.....lets leave that there just now and re-visit what exactly you need to be doing in this section - Here is the clue
"..consider What are the characteristics of (your) research methodology and how does it affect your analysis?"

At this stage in the game you are really needing to personalise whay you have done what you have dne, the ratinoale (if you like) of the methodologies - IMHO I might repharse this section as

*The rationale of my methodolohies*

Im not doing rocket science here but merely unpicking the module guide and guidance above - this is about YOU justifying why you did what you did, why you chose that route and why it's important for you and the outcome of your research to have taken this particualr pathway / route

Nothing more or nothing less.......does that help at all?

methodology and justification

Posted by Jessica Jacob at Mar 14, 2011 04:24 PM
Hello Hamish,
Yes I think so. I think maybe because I am not exactly in traditional classroom setting, but looking into three different type of the drama work. I am researching the inclusive theatre continuum. Looking into the practice of theatre groups which may generate continuum and making connection with the rights of disabled while also finding the Purpose(what is the benefit of having inclusive theatre)
much of the work has been through observations and practical approaches. I have also tried to make connection on the effectiveness (purpose) of theatre for the student on other aspects of their activities and school. For one of the three groups I am looking at. I prepared a quetionnaire for them to determine how they impacted the development of the pupils and whether or not the drama activities has enhanced their quality of life. This was in conjunction to determine how the group could improve on practice so that they could move toward continuum. I hope I am going on the right direction? with this.

methodology and justification

Posted by Ian at Mar 10, 2011 06:16 PM
Jessica (and many others) mix methods with procedures

"My analysis is based my Observation and informal discussions with the subjects I'm working with. I have notes of lessons"

these are procedures for collecting data

"I have acquired much literature, articles, read government agendas and laws"

this is then a literture review.

See next comment

methodology and justification

Posted by Ian at Mar 10, 2011 06:18 PM
What you have to do in the "methodology" section of your work is to show the following criteria:

a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline

That is how you are creating knowledge through research and enquiry

See next comment

methodology and justification

Posted by Ian at Mar 10, 2011 06:19 PM
This involves a consideration of:
    * 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

and there is suggested text at http://midwhebonline.org.uk/[…]/research-methodology

methodology and justification

Posted by Ian at Mar 10, 2011 06:43 PM
How are you creating knowledge through research and enquiry?

What kind of knowledge?

Knowledge for whom and for what?

What are the tests for truthfulness they will have to apply?



You are not creating knowlwedge by a campaign, advertsing, by invention, by superstition, by faith, by opinion venting, (Or are you?)

methodology and justification

Posted by Jessica Jacob at Mar 12, 2011 05:48 PM
I was not necessarily creating knowledge but getting more understanding about the field of work and what/how to approach the needs of the theatre organizations and their members. I really hope I wasn't going the wrong direction. Therehas been much opinion venting at times. I have observed much and participated in plans and workshops.

What do you mean by truthfulness? Do you mean, Non biased?
Where would I put lesson plans, Incidents, quetionaires, also approaches to teaching workshops to form look for continuum?

methodology and justification

Posted by Jessica Jacob at Mar 12, 2011 05:50 PM
Thank you Ian and Hamish very much. I am feeling a little more encouraged.

methodology and justification

Posted by Hamish Scott-Brown at Mar 25, 2011 02:29 PM
truthfulness - yes Jessica - the clean and unaltered state of fact.

Would your appendix not be the best place for such data, incidents, plans etc?
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