Hello darlings…. How una dey
today? Today’s post is about knowledge **sharing**….. In my Yoruba accent….
Hehehe!!! Okay by this time last year guys I was writing my project… hmmm… that
project was one of the most challenging thing I have had to do in my life. Yes!!! It was a primary research and
conducting primary research in Nigeria? “no be here ooo…. I suffer no be small.
I waka taya! Write letters so tey my biro finish, I beg, cry hmmm only to get
information sef na problem. My people!!! This na story for another day. Back to
the matter.
It was tough but at the end of
the day, I am so proud of myself…. I did great!!! I also learnt a lot through
the process such that will take me through future research(s). If you are
already on the move and you are getting good feedback from your supervisor, a
few of the tips listed might still come in handy. However, if you are still
struggling, confused and at a cross road, you never know just look through.
Below are some of the tips one
of my lecturer Dr. Marie gave me. I hope you find them helpful. Please
before you make any changes consult your supervisor biko!!!.
What
is a research design?
1. Research topic and title
Ø This
decision is up to you depending on your course of study.
2.
Research problem
Ø Research
aim
Ø Research
question(s)
Ø Discussion
of relevance: Scientific & Societal
Ø Definition
of key-concepts
Ø Indicators/Measures
3. Theory
Ø Use
theories that can be applicable to your topic.
4. Hypothesis/Hypotheses
Ø Using
the theory to predict the answer
5. Method of data collection
Ø Method
or combination of methods
Ø Cases
selected
Ø Source
of indicators/measures /data
6. Method of analysis
Qualitative, quantitative or
both?
Case study, Comparative
analysis, Descriptive or a mixture?
How
do you find a research topic?
Reflect on your interests:
Ø Which
other discipline are you studying (if on a joint honours)?
Ø Is
there a particular personal experience you want to focus on? (This is dependent
on your discipline.
Ø Is
there a particular field/branch of your course you are interested in?
Ø Is
there a particular theoretical approach (or method) you want to use?
Ø Is
there a part of the world you are interested in?
Ø Is
there a reading that grabbed your attention?
Ø What
are your hobbies and can you connect one of these to your research
project?
Ø Find
inspiration in the news/Magazines/equipment’s……
Ø Discuss
your ideas with your colleagues and supervisors. But remember this is YOUR
project and no one can (or should) define it for you.
What
does a dissertation look like?
Typical
structure:
Ø Cover
page, acknowledgements, contents page
Ø Introduction
(app. 1,000 words)
Ø Chapter
1: Theory and Method(s) (app.
1,500-2,000 words)
Ø Chapter
2: Literature Review (app. 1,500 words)
Ø Chapter
3: Core Chapter A (2,000 words)
Ø Chapter
4: Core Chapter B (2,000 words)
Ø Chapter
5: Core Chapter C (2,000 words)
Ø Conclusion
(app. 1,000 words)
Ø Bibliography
Ø [Appendices]
NOTE: The
word limit above is not applicable to everyone especially if you are in
Nigeria. I studied in the UK and during my time we were given a 10,000 +/- 10% word
limit. This is just a guide on how to better manage your word usage.
What
is a literature review?
A critical analysis of the
wider academic literature pertaining to your research topic(s). In other words,
you are assessing what has been written, so far, about your research topic.
The literature review should
situate your own research project within the existing academic corpus and
fulfil two central objectives:
1). It needs to convince your
reader/marker that you are fully aware of the existing literature around your
topic and are going to write a piece of work that is informed by this
literature;
2). It needs to identify a gap
which you are going to address in your dissertation or, at least, underline the
originality of your own (theoretical, methodological or analytical)
perspective. Note that this does not mean that you necessarily need to criticise
the existing literature but, rather, that you are aware of what your own
research can add to it.
This is something you should
start thinking about as soon as you have determined your research topic, as it
should guide your research and reading. Make sure you take some notes and
reflect on what you are reading – how does it relate to your research? What are
the debates in the academic literature? What big questions has it sought to
answer? What questions might it have not addressed yet? What analytical,
theoretical or methodological perspectives have been used so far?
To be continued........
Sharon xxx
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