Jane Barnard J.M.Barnard@gre.ac.

uk
Jane Speare J.I.Speare@gre.ac.uk
 Handbook in Moodle
 Please note – you don’t have to do the research!
Just produce the research proposal.
 On this course the main assignment involves
producing a (modified) research proposal for a
research project which involves gathering data
from human subjects (e.g. questionnaire /
interview).
 Many students choose to do a proposal that might
link in with their MA dissertation.
 However, the most important influence on the
shape of your dissertation is the discussion
between you and your dissertation supervisor, not
the proposal produced for this course.
 In 2s or 3s, create a definition of the term
‘research’.

 Secondly, identify the reasons why we

perform research
 Research can be defined as the systematic
process of gathering and analysing data,
information and facts in order to correct or
verify knowledge.
 It is a scientific investigation or study of a

branch of knowledge to have a better

understanding of the inquiry.
Research seeks to to increase understanding of a inquiry and discover
an informed decision about it.
It helps in expanding a problem by describing the problem with its
detailed features enabling us to better understand the exact nature of
the problem.
It is carried out to determine how variables react, that is, cause-and-
effect relationships.
Research tests theories and applies them to real life situations.
One of the main purpose of research is that it informs actions based on
scientifically proven techniques and methods
From Cambridge Dictionaries online
A detailed study of a subject, especially in

order to discover (new) information or reach a

(new) understanding
From Oxford Dictionaries online
The systematic investigation into and study of

materials and sources in order to establish facts

and reach new conclusions
 Personal Motivation
◦ To understand
◦ To explain
◦ To improve
◦ To defend
◦ To attack
◦ To support
◦ To destabilise
◦ Etc etc etc.......
 What might you be interested in
investigating for your dissertation next
term?
 Try to summarise it in a couple of sentences
 Creation of new knowledge
 Is it enough for research to simply aim for the

creation of new knowledge?

 Should it also:
◦ Make a difference (from a liberal point of view )?
◦ Have an impact (in contemporary measurement
terms)?

◦ What will yours do?

Regardless of approach, the process is roughly
the same (what order for these?):
1.Refine focus into research questions or
hypotheses
2.Analyse data
3.Design the research project, choose methods
4.Collect data
5.Have a focus, a problem or an interest
6.Reach conclusions/generate theory or
confirm/refute hypotheses
7.Background and theory (literature review)
 Before next week, please read the account here
http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/sociological-inquiry
-principles-qualitative-and-quantitative-methods/s05-03-in
ductive-or-deductive-two-dif.html
which provides a really good introduction to the difference
between inductive and deductive research approaches in
social sciences.
 Reflecting back on the research question/hypothesis you
identified earlier, do you think you were using an inductive or
deductive approach, or both?
 Please also read the two papers below
◦Winterbottom, C. and Leedy A.K. (2013) ‘Minority Voices: A Case Study of Children and Parents in a
Manchester Primary School’. Early Childhood Education Journal 42(5)
◦Henderson, M., Sullivan, A., Anders, J and Moulton, V. (2018) Social class, gender and ethnic
differences in subjects taken at age 13’ The Curriculum Journal 29(3)