methodology Archives - Enhancing Postgraduate Environments

Research design and methods

PostGrad — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 13:43:37 +0000

Methodology and methods are often confused in postgraduate research, especially in smaller scale, shorter studies, such as those completed in a coursework Honours or Masters degree programme. These terms mean quite different things, though with methodology referencing a more conceptual, abstracted understanding of what kind of study you are doing, and why, and methods understood as practical tools that you can use to realise your study design and purpose. This Prezi takes students through a basic explanation of what the different terms mean, and how they fit together in designing a research study. It then goes further to explore how methodological choices are made by crucially taking guidance from the research questions, and theoretical framework for the study. The additional reading recommended below, as well as the worksheet, enable further exploration of this topic, and an opportunity for students to link the video and reading materials with their own research study.

Developed by Sherran Clarence, Independent higher education consultant. Thanks to Carmel van Niekerk for the narration.

Who might find this useful?

This material is primarily for postgraduate scholars, to assist them in conceptualising and plotting out their methodology and methods, if they are starting out, or revising this section if they are further along in their study. It can also be utilised, with the worksheet, in postgraduate research workshops. The additional reading may be useful for supervisors and postgraduate mentors, to guide their students in developing this section of the research project.

Questions for users:

For supervisors/PG support staff: What methodologies do you typically use in your research – qualitative/quantitative, exploratory/causal and so on. Why and how do you use these? What aspects of your own research design process and decision-making can you share with your students, to help them to think about and construct their own? What reading, or other resources can you point them to, to get them started, or deepen their thinking?

For students: What is your research design? Why have you chosen this design? What data are you planning to generate, why, and how?

Explore these additional resources

Worksheet: Outlining a research design and its tools

Blogposts:

Things examiners look for in a methods chapter: https://patthomson.net/2017/06/26/three-things-examiners-look-for-in-methods-chapters/
Methodology isn’t methods: https://patthomson.net/2013/02/18/methodology-isnt-methods-or-what-goes-in-a-methods-chapter/
A metaphor for a methods chapter: https://patthomson.net/2013/01/24/the-methods-chapter-as-a-party/
Wits University Library guide to methodology and methods: http://libguides.wits.ac.za/c.php?g=145381&p=953599
Research methodology for science students: https://arxiv.org/pdf/physics/0601009.pdf
Research methodology in the social sciences: http://lynn-library.libguides.com/researchmethods

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Guidelines for writing funding proposals: Advice from funding managers

PostGrad — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:55:52 +0000

Financial constraints are one of the biggest challenges of postgraduate students. Many students underestimate the cost of postgraduate studies. Grants and scholarships can provide the necessary funds to relieve the financial constraints during your postgraduate journey but, the application process is very competitive and requires a lot of planning and effort. This video provides advice from funding managers about the preparation of funding applications. The video is supplemented with project worksheets that students can use to write a funding application.

Developed by Ms Joy Nogabe and Mrs Eleanor Van der Westhuizen in collaboration with Dr Henriëtte van den Berg (University of Free State). Thanks to Mr Brian Munro for the video recording and editing.

Who might find this useful?

Postgraduate students and supervisors may find this video helpful.

Explore these additional resources

Download a set of Do’s and Dont’s for Grant Writing Here
Porter, R. Writing successful grants: A 12-Step program. http://www.research.msstate.edu/rresources/pdf/GrantWritingHandouts.pdf

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Linking research questions and research methods

PostGrad — Fri, 08 Sep 2017 06:33:58 +0000

The research chain of reasoning involves many interrelated decisions that determine subsequent methodological choices. The purpose of this video is to explain the relationship between research questions, research methods and methods of analysis. The links on this page take students to research methodology resources to assist them with the design of their research project. Students and supervisors are encouraged to use the project worksheet to track important decisions that determine the student’s research pathway. Video, 8.45 minutes.

Developed by Dr Petrus Nel (University of Free State) in collaboration with Dr Henriëtte van den Berg (University of Free State). Thanks to Mr Brian Munro for the video recording and editing.

Who might find this useful?

Postgraduate students and supervisors may find this video helpful.

Students can benefit from using the worksheets to record their research decisions and to develop a research logbook.

Instructions: Use the following project worksheet to record important research decisions. Update the worksheet as you make changes to different aspects of your project. Discuss the reasons for your decisions with your supervisor.

https://library.wlu.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/course-guides/research-question-theory.pdf

Proposal evaluation checklist:

Instructions: Use the proposal evaluation checklist to determine the links between your research questions, research design and methodology. Explain why the methods you plan to use are the most appropriate.

https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider20/sociology-documents/all-documents/checklist-for-evaluating-research-proposals-1496-eng.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Explore these additional resources

Blog – Research design http://blog.reseapro.com/2012/06/preparing-the-research-design-2/

Additional readings

Palgrave resources https://he.palgrave.com/studentstudyskills/page/choosing-appropriate-research-methodologies/

Qualitative methods

Encyclopedia of qualitative research methods.
Given, L.M. (2008). The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods. SAGE Publications: Thousand Oaks, CA. http://www.yanchukvladimir.com/docs/Library/Sage%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Qualitative%20Research%20Methods-%202008.pdf

Resources for Quantitative methodology

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