Download Faculty of Education Sciences Research Focus Area

Faculty of Education Sciences
Research Focus Area
Teaching-Learning Organisations
Format of MEd and PhD research proposals:
”Mixed Method Approach”
(Qualitative and quantitative or vice versa)
Note:
1. The following guidelines for the evaluation of research proposals are
based on the Manual for Postgraduate Study, par.1.7. Go to
http://www.nwu.ac.za/research/Manual-January_2007.pdf
2. The structure and contents may be adapted according to the research
method or approach.
3. In the case of doctoral theses more complete information is required under
Section 5: Research Design and Methodology as in the case of
dissertations and mini- dissertations
4. When a “Mixed Method Approach” is followed, the guidelines for
Qualitative and Quantitative research proposals under Section 5 must be
followed and the student must explain and describe, in separate sections,
how the qualitative/quantitative parts of the study will be conducted.
1. Title
The title should cover the research topic
meaningfully and refer to the main aspects of
the study.
2. STATEMENT OF THE
The research theme or problem must be clearly
PROBLEM1 AND
indicated and stated within the context of the
MOTIVATION FOR THE
field of education or teaching practice.
RESEARCH
A clear motivation is required for why it is
considered necessary to investigate the specific
problem. The actuality and relevance of the
1
Kindly note that there are supervisors/promoters who prefer a student to start with the review of literature and that
the review of literature results in one or more research questions or the research problem to be investigated. If your
supervisor/promoter prefers this order, you have to adapt the structure of your research proposal accordingly.
problem must be indicated.
A good problem has theoretical and practical
value. The solution of the problem should
contribute to the expansion of knowledge in the
particular
field
of
education
and/or
an
improvement of educational practice in SA.
In the case of quantitative research, the
research problem is normally formulated by
means of explicit research questions at the end
of the general problem statement and motivation
for research.
Qualitative research problems are usually stated
more broadly than quantitative problems by
using terms like: How? What? and Why?
Usually anticipated or “foreshadowed” research
problems
are
(foreshadowed)
stated.
problems
Anticipated
are
research
problems that will be reformulated during data
collection. They are broadly phrased research
questions, such as: What happens? Why does it
happen? and How does it happen?”
The statement of anticipated problems indicates
that
the
researcher
has
tentatively
made
decisions about the research purpose and the
focus of the data collection strategies.
3. REVIEW OF
The aim of the review of literature is to provide a
RELEVANT LITERATURE
conceptual
framework
for
the
study
or
investigation and to place it within the context of
existing knowledge or research on the problem.
The student must prove that s/he is cognizant of
what is already known about the problem, what
is still unknown and what still has to be done to
better understand or solve the problem.
4. RESEARCH AIM,
The research aim, objective(s) or purpose(s) of
OBJECTIVE(S)/PURPOSE the research must be clearly indicated and must
OF THE STUDY
be based on the statement of the problem (or
research question(s) or problem question(s)).
The
research
aim,
objective(s)
and/or
purpose(s) of the study must be realistic and
attainable.
5. RESEARCH DESIGN
Although what follows should be regarded as
AND METHODOLOGY
general guidelines, examiners of theses and
dissertations increasingly demand that the
research theory that lies at the basis of the
method should be specified. Students must
therefore motivate why a particular method or
approach
is
considered
to
be
the
most
appropriate for investigating the problem and
attaining the aim/goal(s) of the research.
5.1 The literature study
Indicate how relevant literature sources will be
obtained. The databases to be consulted and
most important key words relevant to the study
should be indicated.
5.2 RESEARCH DESIGN:
The name of the design that is to be used must
QUALITATIVE
be given, as well as a motivation for the use of
the specific design, for example:
1.
Interactive
designs:
Face-to-face
data
collection techniques are used to gather data
from people in their natural settings. Interactive
designs can be categorized by:
(a) a focus on individual, lived experience: e.g.
phenomenology, a case study, grounded theory,
some critical studies, and
(b) a focus on society and culture: e.g.
ethnography and some critical studies
2.
Non-interactive
designs
(sometimes
referred to as analytical research) investigate
concepts
and
events
through
document
analysis. Examples of non-interactive designs
are: concept analysis and historical analysis.
5.2.1. Site or social
Describe the selected site(s) in terms of its
network selection
characteristics
institution,
such
typical
as
public
activities,
or
private
processes,
participants, infrastructure, history, tradition, etc.
in order to illustrate its suitability for investigating
the phenomena at hand.
Describe the social network (people and/or
groups to be encountered at the site/s) in such a
way that it will become clear how they would be
able to contribute meaningfully to the study.
Note: The anticipated problems mentioned in
section 4 above, will suggest the criteria for the
site or social network selection. It is also
important to keep ethical considerations in
mind,, such as authorization to gain access to
sites, to people and documentation, when sites
or social networks are selected.
5.2.2 Researcher’s role
Describe the role(s) that the researcher will play
during data collection, e.g. participant observer,
interviewer, etc.
5.2.3 Participant
Explain how information-rich key informants,
selection
groups, places or events will be chosen.
Describe the type(s) of purposeful sampling
strategy/strategies which will be used, for
example, comprehensive sampling, maximum
variation sampling, network sampling, sampling
by case type.
5.2.4 Data-collection
Describe
the
multi-method
data
collection
strategies
strategies to be used during the data collection
process, for example, participant observation,
in-depth interviews, document and artefact
collection, field observations and supplementary
techniques such as analysis of
non-verbal
communication, special surveys, focus groups,
etc. Also state the expected length of field work
and explain how the data will be catalogued,
stored and retrieved.
5.2.5 Data
Describe the inductive data analysis process to
analysis
be followed in terms of organizing, coding and
categorizing the data and strategies which will
be used to facilitate pattern seeking. If an
electronic QDA software programme is going to
be used, mention the name of the programme.
Explain how provisions for trustworthiness will
be made, for example by means of triangulation
5.3 RESEARCH DESIGN:
The name of the design that is to be used must
QUANTITATIVE
be given, as well as a motivation for the use of
the specific design. For example, a 2x2 factorial
design or a true experimental design with
randomly selected experimental and control
groups, plus the reasons why this specific
design is considered to be the most appropriate.
5.3.1 Population and
The population and method of sampling must be
sample
clearly
described.
appropriate
for
The
sample
attaining
the
must
be
stated
aim/objective(s) of the research or for the
investigation of the hypotheses.
The size and accessibility of the population, as
well as of the sample must be clearly stated.
Give
reasons
for
choosing
the
particular
sampling method. For example, will probability
or non-probability sampling be used, which
sampling method will be used and why is the
specific method used?
5.3.2 Variables (if
applicable)
The most important variables, where applicable,
must
be
clearly
mentioned,
for
example,
dependent and independent variables.
5.3.3 Hypotheses (where
The basic hypotheses should be clearly and
applicable)
accurately formulated.
5.3.4 Measuring
The measuring instruments (standardized/non-
instruments
standardized) must be appropriate for datacollection purposes pertaining to the specified
variables.
In
the
case
of
standardized
instruments, brief information must be given
about the background and development of the
instrument,
its
contents
and
psychometric
characteristics (validity and reliability). In the
case
of
non-standardized
instruments,
the
development and contents must be briefly
described, as well as the proposed validation
process (validity, reliability).
5.3.5 Data analysis
It should clearly be indicated whether descriptive
and/or inferential statistics will be used to
analyse the data. If inferential statistics are to be
used, the specific techniques that will be used
(for
example,
t-tests,
ANOVA,
multiple
regression analysis, etc.) should clearly be
indicated.
It is not acceptable to merely mention that
Statistical
Consultation
Services
will
be
consulted.
6. ETHICAL ASPECTS
The ethical aspects must be explained, such as
OF THE RESEARCH
that permission will be obtained from the DoE,
school, parents, students/learners or other
participants,
and
how
confidentiality
and
anonymity will be ensured, how participants in
experimental situations will not be harmed, their
wellness protected and that if possible and
appropriate, how feedback will be given to
participants
on
the
outcomes
of
the
investigation. It is also important to indicate that
participants
will give informed consent
to
participate on a voluntary basis and that they
can withdraw at any time from the research.
Note :Keep the requirements of the Ethics
Committee in mind when you complete this
section of the proposal
7 CONTRIBUTION OF
THE STUDY
7.1. To the subject area
or discipline
It must be indicated how the study will contribute
to
the
development
and/or
expansion
of
knowledge in the particular subject area or
discipline. (Only applicable to PhD studies)
7.2. To the research
focus area
It must be indicated how the study will relate and
contribute to the research focus area. See the
Appendix
for
the
sub-programmes
and
objectives of the focus area.
8. PRELIMINARY
A sufficient number of chapters must be planned
STRUCTURE/CHAPTER
to cover all components of the study. Typically,
DIVISION
there should be a theoretical chapter for each
variable.
Formulate
chapter
titles
for
the
theoretical chapters.
In case of doctoral theses, there should be a
chapter or part of a chapter that specifically
covers the contribution to the knowledge of and
insight into the particular subject field/discipline.
For
example:
A
model
for
the
effective
development of meta-cognitive skills in …
The list of references or bibliography must
9. REFERENCES
include a sufficient number of recent primary
and secondary sources, research articles and
internet sources, and must comply with the
requirements as specified in Van der Walt:
Quoting Sources.
Pay attention to the following:
Language
The document must be language edited, preferably by
an accredited language editor
Technical finish
The document must be checked for technical accuracy.
Length of the proposal (Cover page and list of references excluded)
Mini-dissertation
/ Maximum: 15 A4 pages, typed 1½ line
dissertation:
spacing, with Arial font size 10
Thesis:
Maximum: 20 A4 pages, typed 1½ line
spacing, with Arial font size 10
IN GENERAL
The guidelines should be applied in a flexible fashion and not rigidly. The
research advisory committee should be led by the research problem and the
method the student proposes as the most appropriate to address the
research problem/question(s) and research aim/objectives. The question is
whether the method is suitable to render reliable and valid data which will
contribute towards the solution of the research problem and the attainment of
the aim of the research.