Research design Archives - Enhancing Postgraduate Environments

What is theory?

Sibusiso Ncanywa — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 07:12:48 +0000

Theory is a term with different meanings – in everyday language, it means a guess or a hunch – but in research, it means a tried and tested explanation. All research has theoretical underpinnings, though in some fields the theoretical lenses being used are discussed more explicitly, whereas in others they are simply assumed.

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What is a research question and how do I write one?

PostGrad — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 12:04:58 +0000

Research Questions guide many aspects of our work. They can help us to decide what literature to read, what data to collect and what kinds of theories to draw on to inform our understandings. Getting them right is therefore an important part of the research journey. Research questions emerge from the research problem we want to address and so they can only be crafted when we have a pretty thorough understanding of the phenomenon we want to study. This video takes a look at a few issues to consider when writing research questions – as well as a few pitfalls to avoid. 8-minute animated video

This video was produced by Sherran Clarence, Neil Kramm, Nontokozo Mchunu, & Sioux McKenna, Rhodes University

Explore these additional resources

Who might find this useful?

This video is made for postgraduate scholars and supervisors but might be useful for undergraduates too.

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What is researcher positionality?

PostGrad — Wed, 19 May 2021 08:57:21 +0000

This 23-minute video presents three academics’ comments about positionality in research. Increasingly researchers are expected to state their considerations on positionality in their research design and ethical clearance processes. But such reflections should go beyond trite compliance statements to genuinely engage with how who they are as researchers influences what they research, how they research it and how they present the data they collect. While positionality is more frequently grappled with in qualitative research, this video suggests that all forms of research require choices by the researcher, which may be affected by the positions they hold in society as well as ideological positions they may ascribe to.

This video is produced by Rox Chiappa, through conversation with academics, Rethabile Mawela, Sioux McKenna, and Ken Ngcoza; all of Rhodes University

Explore these additional resources

Who might find this useful?

This video is made for postgraduate scholars and supervisors.

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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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What is Theory? Using a Theoretical Framework

PostGrad — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 07:46:47 +0000

This short video introduces the idea that research is always underpinned by theory. Theories are tried and tested explanations for events and experiences that help us to move from the limitations of common sense to a more precise conceptualisation of the phenomenon. While the notion of ‘theory’ is often misused in everyday encounters (“Oh, that’s just a theory!”), in the university a theory is a powerful tool to assist us in coming to more sophisticated understandings of the issue we’re investigating. This video uses a simple analogy of a pair of glasses to show how theories can help us to look in ways that are more nuanced than what is offered when we look at a phenomenon through our prejudiced and limited ‘everyday eyes’.

Developed by Chrissie Boughey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Rhodes University. Thanks to Mandy Hlengwa for modelling the theoretical lenses and for assistance with the recording. Thanks to Sioux McKenna for editing the video and uploading.

Who might find this useful?

This short video is designed for postgraduate scholars but it might be of use to supervisors too, or to anyone running a workshop on the use of theory.

Explore these additional resources

Trafford,V & Leshem,S. (2008). Stepping Stones to Achieving Your Doctorate: Focusing on Your Viva from the start. Maidenhead: Open University Press
Leshem, S. & Trafford, V., 2007. Overlooking the conceptual framework. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 44(1), 93-105.

These blog posts might be of interest too:

CONCEPTS AND THEORY: CONSTRUCTING A ‘GAZE’ FOR YOUR STUDY
https://phdinahundredsteps.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/concepts-and-theory-constructing-a-gaze-for-your-study/
Choosing the right theory is like op-shopping
https://doctoralwriting.wordpress.com/2014/05/18/choosing-the-right-theory-is-like-op-shopping/
What does it mean to ‘theorise’ research?
https://doctoralwriting.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/what-does-it-mean-to-theorise-research/

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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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