Research Methods
Lecture 5
Writing a research proposal and conducting the literature review

1.Writing a research proposal
- structure and content
2. The Literature review
- developing the theoretical       perspectives and selecting the   methodological approach

1.Writing a research proposal
- useful foundation/starting point from which to develop your ideas and argument(s) – a necessary
framework for your research
- issues you encounter and deal with will run/carry on through your research
  - BUT your proposal will change as you proceed through your research
- you will discover new relevant     information, arguments and theories
- some things you intended will not be possible

Research proposal
A) ABSTRACT
  - short summary of what you are researching
  - contribution to knowledge about subject?
  - research question and hypothesis
  - main theories, methodology and methods
B) INTRODUCTION
  - context of your research
  - hypothesis and reasons for useful/meaningful/topical piece of research
  - boundaries

C) THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES/                         LITERATURE SURVEY
    - indicates major theories, theoretical positions and main arguments in existing work in your
research area,
 PLUS how they combine and direct your research (concepts and ideas that underpin your research)
    - how your research will contribute to debates in the research subject area

D) METHODOLOGIES AND METHODS
- the reasons and arguments for the methodology(s) and method(s)
- sample(s), focus of data/information and literature searches, timetable, form(s) of analysis of
results
E) RESEARCH DESIGN - DESIGN OF STUDY
- what research is to be carried out WHEN and HOW
- what analysis is to be carried out WHEN and HOW

F) ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- protection of identities?
- personal questions?
- refer to University Code of Ethics?
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So, finally:
 a) produce a draft research proposal plan
 b) read through a couple of days later, and discuss with colleague
 c) can you justify and explain each part of it?
 d) what questions or gaps are there?

2. The Literature Review
- not just a ‘dead list’ of disconnected comments about texts
BUT an examination and identification of ongoing dialogues, discussions and debates between
experts, theorists and theories that underpin your research
- to do this you will need to:
a) read widely for contexts and debates
b) note and record sources
c)summarise points in the critical debates

Purposes of literature review:
a)to become familiar with the ‘conversation’ (debates, discussions, arguments in subject)
b)to ‘tighten’ and clarify your research question and hypothesis/argument
c)to ascertain and identify the nature of previous research and issues
d)to find evidence in academic discourse and debate to establish the necessity for your proposed
research
e)to enable you to keep up to date and aware of ongoing research in subject

Design a search strategy
PLAN
Implement the strategy
ACT
Record the results
Redesign the strategy
Think about the outcomes
REFLECT

Note-taking
1.Read introduction, conclusion, section headings in chapter/article and notes/summaries in margins
2.SQ3R
- survey (skim, no notes, get ‘feeling’)
- question (what is it about?)
- read (key words, concepts, arguments)
- record (make notes under headings,                                     summarise major arguments)
- review (identified most important points,     arguments, what you need, references?)