e-Research Methods Theme 8 Writing Your Research Proposal

A good research proposal provides a clear research question within the context of yours chosen research area. It should be presented with the full range of background relating to the topic, unambiguous aims and objectives, and a research methodology. It is assumed that a pre-requisite to completing this core theme is that you have already identified your research question, have conducted your literature review, identified how you will collect and analyse your data, and have planned how you will complete your research, either through discussions with your Masters/PhD supervisors, or the completion of the five core themes on this module ('Literature review', 'Choosing your research topic', 'Project Management' 'Collecting data' and 'Data analysis'.)

Introduction to Research Methods

Just one lecture for first year. Its objective is to show that there exists more than on approach to tackling a research question - and that not all disciplines approach things the same way!

Posing the question: an academic guide to planning essays

This guide will give you advice on picking your subject, question and methodology for an extended essay. It will also give you hints and tips on how to research for and structure the essay.

e-Research Methods Theme 7 Data Analysis

In this theme you will work through a series of texts and activities and reflect on your view of research and the process of analysis of data and information. Most activities are supported by textual or audio material and are there to stimulate your thinking in a given area. The purpose of this theme is to help you gain a general overview of the main approaches to research design. Although the theme comprises two main sections, one on quantitative research and the other on qualitative research, this is purely to guide your study. The two approaches may be viewed as being part of a continuum with many research studies now incorporating elements of both styles. Eventually you will need to choose a research approach or methodology that will be practical, relevant, appropriate, ethical, of good quality and effective for the research idea or question that you have in mind.