Learning objectives
Chapter 1: Understanding research
Chapter 2: Making academic decisions
Chapter 3: Dealing with practical issues
Chapter 4: Identifying your research paradigm
Chapter 5: Choosing a methodology
Chapter 6: Searching and reviewing the literature
Chapter 7: Writing your research proposal
Chapter 8: Collecting qualitative data
Chapter 9: Analysing qualitative data
Chapter 10: Collecting data for statistical analysis
Chapter 11: Analysing data using descriptive statistics
Chapter 12: Analysing data using inferential statistics
Chapter 13: Writing up the research
Chapter 1: Understanding research
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- explain the nature and purpose of research
- classify different types of research
- identify the main stages in the research process
- identify the characteristics of a good research project.
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2: Making academic decisions
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- understand the general entry requirements for degree programmes
- understand the general standards for research at different levels
- choose a university or college
- consider issues relating to your future employability
- choose a supervisor for your research.
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3: Dealing with practical issues
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- identify any funding constraints
- determine the knowledge, skills and personal qualities researchers need
- use techniques for generating research topics
- negotiate access to data and consider ethical issues
- plan the management of the research process.
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4: Identifying your research paradigm
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- describe the main features of positivism
- describe the main features of interpretivism
- compare the assumptions of the two main paradigms
- discuss the strengths and weaknesses of pragmatism
- identify your research paradigm.
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5: Choosing a methodology
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- describe the main methodologies associated with positivism
- describe the main methodologies associated with interpretivism
- compare the strengths and weaknesses of methodologies
- discuss the strengths and weaknesses of triangulation
- choose a methodology that reflects your paradigm.
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6: Searching and reviewing the literature
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- identify potential sources of secondary data
- search the literature
- record your references
- review the literature, citing your sources
- identify your main research question.
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7: Writing your research proposal
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- identify a research problem or issue
- determine the purpose of the research
- identify the main research question(s)
- choose the research strategy and methods
- write a research proposal.
8: Collecting qualitative data
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- describe methods based on interviews
- describe methods based on diaries
- describe methods based on observation
- compare the strengths and weaknesses of methods
- choose a method that reflects your paradigm.
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9: Analysing qualitative data
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- describe quantifying methods of analysis
- describe non-quantifying methods of analysis
- describe methods for detextualizing data
- compare the strengths and weaknesses of methods
- choose a method that reflects your paradigm.
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10: Collecting data for statistical analysis
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- classify variables according to their level of measurement
- describe the main methods for collecting data for statistical analysis
- discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different methods
- design questions for questionnaire and interview surveys
- select a random sample.
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11: Analysing data using descriptive statistics
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- differentiate between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics
- enter data into SPSS, recode variables and create new variables
- generate frequency tables, charts and other diagrams
- generate measures of central tendency and dispersion
- generate measures of normality.
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12: Analysing data using inferential statistics
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- determine whether parametric or non-parametric methods are appropriate
- conduct tests of difference for independent or dependent samples
- conduct tests of association between variables
- predict an outcome from one or more variables
- use time series analysis to examine trends.
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13: Writing up the research
When you have studied this chapter, you should be able to:
- plan a strategy for writing up your research
- structure the chapters and content of your dissertation or thesis
- decide how to present qualitative and quantitative data
- understand the general standards for a dissertation or thesis
- develop a strategy for getting published.
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