S R R 7 8 2 R E S E A R C H M E T H O D O L O G Y 2 0 1 7 T R I M E S T E R 1 A S S I G N M E N T 2 DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL (60%) DUE: FRIDAY 11.59 pm 26th MAY 2017
INSTRUCTIONS: [NB: DELETE ALL RED TEXT BEFORE SUBMITTING ASSIGNMENT]
• Provide a COVER PAGE: include your NAME, STUDENT ID NUMBER, COURSE NAME AND CODE you are enrolled in (i.e. Master of Architecture S700/S701, Master of Construction Management S791/S792, Master of Planning (Professional) S764, Master of Landscape Architecture S703) • This assignment 2 is 60% of your final grade • 3000 WORDS MAXIMUM (not including Bibliography) • Please read and follow the suggested structure and guide provided below for each section of this assignment • REFERENCING NOTES: Please use HARVARD referencing style to cite all the sources used in this assignment. This style requires IN-TEXT CITATIONS (Author Year, p. #) AND A REFERENCE LIST at end of the document. For full instructions on citations and referencing see the Deakin guide, http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/harvard • Use SAVE AS and name your file using: ‘Your student ID number_Last name_SRR782_Assignment 2 o Example: 12345678_Nakaikidd_SRR782_Assignment 2 • Convert your completed Assignment 2 to a PDF to ensuring it is named as above and upload to CLOUD DEAKIN SRR782 UNIT SITE dropbox by 11.59pm Friday 26th MAY 2017 • Please refer to the faculty document ‘Your rights and responsibilities’ for information on extensions, late penalties, etc.
GENERAL GUIDELINES The aim of this assignment is to enable you to:
• Develop an INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL (Section 1) and be clear about how to articulate research question, aim, objectives, and rationale • Develop a strong refined LITERATURE REVIEW (Section 2), identifying gaps in knowledge or opportunities for new research • Develop an ability to understand and critically analyse key theories, frameworks and knowledge fields, arguments and different perspectives • Develop an appropriate RESEARCH METHODOLOGY FOR A ‘HYPOTHETICAL’ ONE YEAR RESEARCH (Section 3) • Develop a DETAILED RESEARCH METHOD FOR 11-WEEK THESIS (Section 4A) + RESEARCH PLAN (Section 4B)- annotated diagram/timeline for the subsequent 11 week thesis • After you have worked through the above points, you should be able to understand the purpose and the general structure of a Research Proposal
FOR ASSIGNMENT 2, THE DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL MUST ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS:
TITLE: Ensure the title accurately reflects the aim of the thesis
1. INTRODUCTION: ADDRESSING RESEARCH TOPIC, QUESTION(S), AIMS & RATIONALE
2. LITERATURE REVIEW (REFINED/REVISED FROM ASSIGNMENT 1)
3. METHODOLOGY FOR A ‘HYPOTHETICAL’ ONE YEAR THESIS
4. 4A: DETAILED METHOD FOR A 11 WEEK THESIS: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH METHOD(S) THAT COULD BE UNDERTAKEN WITHIN 11 WEEKS
4. 4B: RESEARCH PLAN: ANNOTATED WORK DIAGRAM/TIMELINE/SCHEDULE FOR 11 WEEK THESIS
5. REFERENCE LIST
USE REFERENCES TO SUPPORT YOUR ARGUMENT: (REF: For arch, planning and landscape, see Groat & Wang 2013, or Construction, see Fellows and Liu 2015).
MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTIONS UNDER EACH REQUIRED PART OF THE DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL ARE A GUIDE FOR DOING THIS ASSIGNMENT:
S R R 7 8 2 R E S E A R C H M E T H O D O L O G Y A S S I G N M E N T 2 DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL
TITLE Provide a working title that indicates the idea of your proposed research SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION (500 words) An introduction provides the reader with an overview/general background of the research area, stimulating interest and providing information critical to the readers understanding of what follows.
The introduction should introduce the RESEARCH TOPIC and RESEARCH CONTEXT, define the central issues (statement of the problem), brief introduction of the existing literature surrounding topic, gap(s) in the literature (keep this concise as you will expand on this in Section 2: Literature Review), and relevance of study for audience Where is your study coming from? What is the gap in knowledge or opportunity that the proposed research seeks to fill? What is the problem that needs to be solved?
Indicate SCOPE of the proposed research
If appropriate to the research, include definition of important TERMS, especially theoretical or discipline specific terms and the terms will be used in a specific/unique way through the research.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The introduction should also include a clear statement that explains the AIM(S) of the research and explain the RATIONALE (refined from Assignment 1): o WHAT do you hope to find? What will you add to the field of research? o WHY is this important for the discipline?
REMEMBER: USE REFERENCES TO MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT
Remember: The purpose of the Introduction section of a research proposal is “to show the aims, objectives, scope, rationale and design features of the research. The rationale is usually supported by references to other works which have already identified the broad nature of the problem” (Hart 1998: 13).
SECTION 2: LITERATURE REVIEW (1000 words) NOTE: This is the REFINED and REVISED VERSION of the LITERATURE REVIEW written for Assignment Task 1. The state of current research activity and knowledge in which your proposed research is located should be clearly explained. This should not simply be a list of summaries with some comments added on, but an integrated statement that explains why these studies or theories are important to your research. The Literature Review is done to justify your proposed research study given the existing knowledge. You are expected to SYNTHESIZE the literature to demonstrate understanding and skill to critically analyse the arguments and different perspectives raised by the literature
o What are the fields of knowledge that the research makes a contribution to? o What are the current debates, themes and issues specific to the field; key books, texts, and authors? o What are the key theories, frameworks, debates to be elaborated? o What is the research problem/gap in knowledge or research opportunity that your proposed research study will undertake? What contributions will the study make to the existing literature?
REMEMBER: USE REFERENCES TO MAKE YOUR ARGUMENT
Remember: The purpose of the Literature Review section of a research proposal is “to demonstrate skills in library searching; to show command of the subject area and understanding of the problem; to justify the research topic, design and methodology” (Hart 1998: 13).
S R R 7 8 2 R E S E A R C H M E T H O D O L O G Y A S S I G N M E N T 2 DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL
SECTION 3: METHODOLOGY (1000 words) The Methodology section of your research proposal is one of the main cornerstones of the research proposal. This section describes your research methodology (how will you achieve the research aims?) for a HYPOTHETICAL ONE YEAR (12 MONTHS) THESIS and includes the following components: (a) rationale for research approach (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods), (b) rationale for research strategy (historical, ethnography, correlational, experimental, logical argument, etc.), (c) data collection and analysis procedures (observations, archival documents, interviews, artifacts/sites, etc.) and (d) anticipated ethical issues. IMPORTANT: PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU DRAW SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM THE REFERENCE GUIDES TO JUSTIFY THE DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE MADE. ALSO >> THE PURPOSE OF THE METHODOLOGY SECTION IS NOT TO DESCRIBE+DEFINE WHAT A QUANTITATIVE or QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IS… RATHER, IT IS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO CARRY OUT THE RESEARCH BOTH COMPREHENSIVELY AND THOROUGHLY. SUGGESTED STRUCTURE FOR DEVELOPING METHODOLOGY SECTION OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL
INTRODUCTION (100 words) Introduce the overall methodological framework for the research. Briefly restate the aim(s) of the research / purpose of the study, the philosophical assumptions or worldview surrounding the methodology, and role of researcher.
(a)
RATIONAL E FOR RESEARCH APPROACH (200 words) o Articulate the research approach selected for the research study - including rationale for the selected QUALITATIVE, QUANTITATIVE, OR MIXED-METHODS APPROACH. o Explain WHY this research approach is the most effective and appropriate way to address the research question(s) and achieve your research aim? THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS BY COMPARING AND CONTRASTING ALTERNATIVES SPECIFIC TO YOUR RESEARCH. CHECK: Does the discussion illustrate that you have a good understanding of the assumptions and principles of qualitative or quantitative or mixed - methods research approach? Does it draw supporting evidence from the reference guides to articulate and justify the decisions made? Do you offer a convincing argument for choosing this particular research approach?
(b)
RATIONALE FOR RESEARCH STRATEGY (200 words) o By reference to Research guides, explain and justify the research strategy by which you will do the research for a one year thesis. (i.e. CASE STUDY, ETHNOGRAPHIC, HISTORICAL, EXPERIMENTAL, SIMULATION, CORRELATIONAL) o Explain WHY the particular RESEARCH STRATEGY is the most effective and appropriate way to address the research question(s) and achieve your research aim. Make sure your strategy will answer your research question(s) and/or aim(s). o Draw supporting evidence from the reference guides to articulate and justify the decisions made THE BEST WAY TO DO THIS IS BY COMPARING AND CONTRASTING ALTERNATIVES
(c)
DATA - COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES (200 words) o By reference to Research guides, describe the specific methods/techniques you plan to use to collect data o Explain WHAT the data will be and HOW you will analyse and interpret the data/results + WHY you will analyse in this particular way o Explain WHY your choices of population, sampling, and/or participants, data collection instruments, variables, and/or materials and analysis techniques are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research question(s) and original research aim(s).
(d)
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS (100 words) o What ethical issues will your study present?
SUMMARY /CONCLUSION (100 words) Restate the aim(s) of the research and (based on the consideration of a range of alternative approaches and strategies above) articulate a coherent and logical argument as to why the proposed research approach, strategy and sequence of methods/techniques is the most effective and appropriate, given the research aim. Address potential limitations. Articulate the expected impact and/or significance of the study.
Remember: The purpose of the Methodology section of a research proposal is “to show the appropriateness of the techniques used to gather data and the methodological approaches employed. Relevant references from the literature are often used to show an understanding of data-collection techniques and methodological implications, and to justify their use over alternative techniques” (Hart 1998: 13).
S R R 7 8 2 R E S E A R C H M E T H O D O L O G Y A S S I G N M E N T 2 DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL
SECTION 4A: METHOD FOR 11 WEEK THESIS (250 words)
SECTION 4A: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH METHOD(S) THAT COULD BE UNDERTAKEN WITHIN 11 WEEKS Describe one of the above methods in detail as the basis for a thesis project that can be undertaken within the 11 weeks allocated for the A+B Thesis. Reference method used in research guides. Provide evaluation of feasibility – any fall back plan, if for example, there is not enough data? IMPORTANT: PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU DRAW SUPPORTING EVIDENCE FROM THE REFERENCE GUIDES TO JUSTIFY THE DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE MADE.
FURTHER NOTE: We are not encouraging students to collect primary data during their Master's Thesis project - primarily due to the 11 week time frame. Unless you are already undergoing the process of Ethics clearance, we advise that you identify a particular component within the hypothetical 'one year' research that does not involve collecting primary data, and thereby, does not require Ethics clearance. Rather it is recommended that students use secondary data for their Master's Thesis. Section 4A Detailed Methods for 11 week Thesis needs to consider the risks, evaluate feasibility and provide a FALL BACK PLAN. If you are proposing to do research that involves going through Human Ethics for your 11-week Thesis, there needs to be a STRONG rationale behind this decision and always have a PLAN B (and write this down in Section 4A).
Suggestions for the MICRO 11-weeks thesis is to identify a component in the ‘hypothetical one-year thesis’ that can be done as a PILOT STUDY. A pilot study allows you to conduct a small scale ‘feasibility’ study (of the larger study) within the 11 weeks and evaluate the proposed study’s process, address issues prior to a full research, check reliability and validity of results, check statistical and analytical processes proposed, etc. Alternatively, the 11 week thesis could be done as a DESK REVIEW – where you collect and analyse data/information already available published and accessible (secondary data).
FINALLY, REMEMBER THAT THIS IS A 'RESEARCH PROPOSAL ' – WRITING A PROPOSAL HELPS YOU FOCUS AND DEFINE YOUR RESEARCH TOPIC AND PLANS. THESE PROPOSALS MAY WELL CHANGE, REQUIRE REVISION, REFINEMENT, AND AT TIMES, BE ALTERED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE FIRST WEEKS OF YOUR THESIS UNIT.
SECTION 4B: RESEARCH PLAN FOR 11 WEEK THESIS
SECTION 4B: TIMELINE/RESEARCH PLAN (annotated diagram) OF WORK FOR 11 WEEKS THESIS Detailed ANNOTATED timeline that maps out 11 weeks of research How do you plan to do the research within the given 11 week timeframe?
Plan week by week activities using an annotated diagram (approx. 20 hours per week) to demonstrate a research plan that can be completed within 11 weeks of study
REFERENCE LIST
All references directly cited in this Assignment 2: DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL must be included in this Reference List. You must give the full bibliographical details of all in-text citations following the HARVARD Referencing Style.
REFERENCING NOTES: Please use HARVARD referencing style to cite all the sources used in this assignment. This style requires INTEXT CITATIONS (Author Year, p. #). For full instructions on citations and referencing see the Deakin guide, http://www.deakin.edu.au/students/study-support/referencing/harvard