Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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.