Download Global Doing Democracy Research project

Students as Researchers (StAR) – Staff Project Description Form.
Thank you for taking an interest in StAR, the Students’ Union run project will offer research
and development opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students within the
research groups at the University of Stirling, giving them the chance to become active stake
holders in the research community.
If you have a current research project that you feel a student would benefit from being involved
with then please fill in the attached form and person specification and return to
[email protected] with the subject heading “Students as Researchers Project”. We
will then upload the project to our website (stirlingstudentsunion.com) for students to apply to
become a part of.
What School(s) & Department (if applicable) does the project sit within?
Faculty of Social Sciences
What is the project title?
Global Doing Democracy Research project: Scottish Teachers and Student teachers perceptions of
democracy
Could this project involve more than one student? If so, how many?
Two students
A brief outline of the project and the student’s involvement.
This project is an international multi-country comparative study. The data for Scotland has already
been collected from online surveymonkey. There is both qualitative and quantitative data available.
The task of one student is to provide quantitative analysis (so a background in statistics and
quantitative analysis is essential at a reasonably high level), and for another student (qualitative
analysis in the form of critical discourse analysis – so knowledge of discourse analysis would be
necessary). The aim of the project is to ascertain how teachers and student teachers in Scotland
perceive democracy, i.e. whether these are ‘thick’ or ‘thin’ understandings of democracy.
What tasks will the student be involved with? e.g Lab Work, Focus Groups, Project Planning
One student will be analysing the data using quantitative analysis to explore themes and patterns. An
upper undergraduate, Honours or Masters student with a background in statistics or mathematics, or
who has applied quantitative research methods knowledge, is ideal.
Another student will be analysing the qualitative responses in the data to explore and categorise and
interpret patterns and themes and the nature of the discourse. A student in Sociology, Political
Science, Education or related Social Science at upper undergraduate, Honours or Masters level, with
knowledge of discourse analysis from critical perspectives or related research methods is ideal.
What benefits/skills will the student gain from being involved with the project? e.g specific laboratory
skills, presentation, report writing ect.
The students will gain extensive high level experience with quantitative or qualitative research
methods, data analysis, writing for publication, and report writing.
What will the time commitment be for this project? Please answer in Hours/Week.
Between 3 to 5 hours per week on average
How long will the student be involved in the project for? Weeks, Months, Semester long?
The student will be involved throughout the semester, and possibly into the summer, or part of the
following semester as available and as negotiated.
Will the student need a PVG check? Needed if they’re working with minors or vunerable adults.
No
Person Specification.
Knowledge
Student 1: upper-undergraduate, Honours, or Masters academic
level, with sound knowledge of advanced statistical methods
utilised in data analysis. Some experience with quantitative data
analysis is desirable.
Student 2: upper-undergraduate, Honours or Masters academic
level, with sound knowledge of qualitative research methods,
especially discourse analysis. Someone who has a background in
academic fields that require critical perspectives, such as Political
Science, Sociology, History, Education, or related Social Science
field.
Skills
Read data and develop categories from emerging patterns and
themes, ability to appropriately and insightfully analyse data,
report writing, writing for publication, collaboration with other
researchers.
Abilities
Astute ability to read and analyse data and recognise hidden or
less-than-obvious themes and patterns; good writing ability (for
qualitative research assistant); research insight
Experience
Some experience with the required knowledge and skills, in a
suitable academic domain, at upper-undergraduate, Honours or
Masters level, or indeed PhD level.
Essential
Desirable
Values & Ethics
Good work ethic, openness to learning, diligent, collaborative,
communicative, flexible, friendly.