PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Table of Contents

UNIT 1 Introducing research

1.1 What is research and why do we do it?

1.2 The research process

1.2.1 Designing a research project

1.2.2 Implementing a research project

1.2.3 Reporting a research project

1.3 Main types of research design

1.3.1 Quantitative research

1.3.2 Qualitative research

1.3.3 Mixed methods research

1.4 The nature of qualitative research

1.4.1 Qualitative research is a scientific endeavor

1.4.2 Qualitative research uncovers realities in-depth

1.4.3 Qualitative research explores the little known

1.4.4 Qualitative research uses small number of cases or subjects

UNIT 2 Developing a good research puzzle

2.1 Formulating the research puzzle

2.1.1 Research puzzle

2.1.2 Research topic

2.1.3 Research question

2.1.4 Research objective

2.1.5 Scope and limitations

2.2 The primacy of ethics in research design

2.2.1 History of research ethics

2.2.2 Principles of research ethics

2.2.3 Research ethics clearance

UNIT 3 Reviewing and engaging relevant literature

3.1 Demystifying the review of literature

3.1.1 What is review of literature?

3.1.2 Uses of a literature review

3.1.3 Types of literature

3.2 Writing the review of literature

3.2.1 Where do I look for relevant literature?

3.2.2 How do I examine the literature?

3.2.3 What do I write in the review of literature?

3.3 Using and managing references

3.3.2 Understanding referencing style

3.3.3 Using technology to organize references

Practical Research 1

Cleve V Arguelles and Luisito C Abueg

UNIT 4 Building a robust framework and methodology

4.1 Building blocks of an analytical framework

4.1.1 Theoretical framework

4.1.2 Conceptual framework

4.2 Building blocks of a methodology

4.2.1 Choosing a methodological approach

4.2.2 Collecting qualitative data

4.2.3 Analyzing qualitative data

UNIT 5 Collecting and analyzing qualitative data

5.1 Conducting interviews and focus group discussions in the field

5.1.1 Who do you talk to?

5.1.2 What questions do you ask?

5.1.3 How do you ask the questions?

5.2 Performing ethnography and participant observation in the field

5.2.1 Getting in the field

5.2.2 Getting on with fieldwork

5.3 Carrying out archival research in the field

5.3.1 Finding and evaluating archives

5.3.2 Preparing to visit archives

5.3.3 Maximizing your visit to archives

UNIT 6 Concluding the research project

6.1 Concluding the research project

6.1.1 Presenting your findings

6.1.2 Interpreting your findings

6.1.3 Developing a conclusion

6.2 Writing the research report

6.3 Disseminating your research