Introduction
After completing this module, including the learning activities, you are asked to prepare a research proposal for a project that you will undertake as part of this course.
The proposal will ask you to describe your research question or objective, make clear in what ways it will build on existing research on the topic, outline the kind of data you will gather and how, as well as make clear what the intended contribution to knowledge will be.
Keep the following guidelines in mind when selecting a research study.
No piloting or research activities of any kind can be undertaken that exceed the requirements of minimal risk, i.e.:
In situations/institutions/agencies where you have to apply for permission to engage in research (e.g. schools or prisons)
Research involving direct observation of, or questioning individuals about, criminal activities
Research involving children and/or any other persons who are somehow challenged in their ability to understand and consent to being a research participant
Research in an Aboriginal community (unless you are a member of this community)
Research that involves information that is subject to mandatory reporting laws (e.g. reporting child abuse)
Research that involves deception as to your “true” motives in undertaking the research or the “real” focus of study (this includes research that involves manipulation)
Research that involves any kind of conflict of interest (including perceived conflict of interest)—In particular, you cannot conduct research activities for this assignment within a setting where you are employed or where you volunteer. Although you could interview work colleagues outside of the work environment, it is a conflict of interest to conduct your research while you are at work.
Instructions
This assignment has two parts.
Part I: Draft Research Proposal (10%)
A polished first draft of the proposal, which will be reviewed by your Open Learning Faculty Member (10%)
Part II: Revised Research Proposal (5%)
A revised draft that takes account of suggestions and feedback and is approved by your Open Learning Faculty Member (5%)—Without this approval, you cannot start collecting data for your research.
Proposal Scope
Here is an overview of the scope of the proposal, as well as an indication of the themes you need to address:
Describe your research question or objective.
Your research question or objective should be concise. It should ask why, how, or what, regarding an issue of relevance to the field and of interest to you.
The research question should not be formulated as if its answer is already known. Rather, the proposal should be structured in such a way that the reader understands what the question or objective consists of, and how you plan to address or pursue it.
Be realistic as to what you can achieve in your study. Be specific and do not seek to address more questions than would be feasible to deal with for a study of several weeks’ duration.
How does your research build on existing knowledge in your particular area? What does this existing knowledge consist of? A review of the literature, and what others have had to say about your topic or area of investigation, is essential. Also, it should touch on pertinent substantive or theoretical issues about the specific phenomenon you’re investigating. Publications mentioned in the text of your proposal should be included in a bibliography on a separate page attached at the end. (Sources not cited in the text should not be included in the bibliography.)
What evidence will you need for addressing your research question or objective, and how do you plan on gathering this evidence? In other words, what are your methods and, also, methodology (i.e., rationale for the methods you use)?
Outline the approaches you will use, and their justification. Are you going to make use of specific pre-existing data? If so, what? How will you add this existing data?
You will need to demonstrate how the data you intend to gather or employ will address your research question or objective.
All standard social-scientific methods of data collection and analysis are acceptable, so long as they are based in a qualitative social research approach involving direct contact with human subjects.
What contribution will this project make to a scholarly understanding of your topic, and how will it relate to what is already known about it?
Writing Guidelines
The proposal should be approximately 800–1200 words in length using Times New Roman 12-point font, and double spaced. Include a title for your proposed research and a separate bibliography of works (articles, books, etc.) referenced in the proposal.
Use proper APA referencing when citing any material (this includes both paraphrasing and direct quotes).
Course textbooks:
Duneier, M. (2000). Sidewalk. New York, NY: Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux. ISBN: 0374527253
Hesse-Biber, S. N. (2017). The practice of qualitative research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 9781452268088
Module lessons and supplimental readings attached.
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After completing this module, including the learning activities, yo first appeared on Elite Writers.
The post Introduction
After completing this module, including the learning activities, yo appeared first on Elite Writers.