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IR 202 Research Methods This course aims to introduce students what is social research, what are the different types of research and the research process. In assisting students how to decide on a research topic, it covers practical suggestions on how to carry out literature review and develop research questions. One of the main parts of the course is introducing research design. The course also focuses on data collection and alternative research methods. Academic rules, principles and research ethics are also fundamentals of this teaching. Finally it incorporates effective report/term paper/project writing.
Basic Definitions: • What is social research? Social research refers to various methods that we can use to study the social world and to gain new knowledge and understanding of it. • Types of research? Pure or basic research, applied research and action research(Neuman 2000:23-25).
Social research follows the scientific approach which requires that research is ethical, systematic, objective, and skeptical. Some social research known as pure research is carried out in order to help us increase our knowledge and understanding of a particular issue while other social research known as applied is carried out with the explicit intent of acquiring knowledge that can help directly in addressing or solving a particular social issue or problem. Action research is a particular kind of applied research which emphasizes participation, reflection, and social change. (Children as Social Researchers - A Resource Book for Teachers and Other Educators, Edited by Spyros Spyrou,Publication of Center for the Study of Childhood and Adolescence, UNDP 2008 )
Research Design LEARNING OBJECTIVES: • To learn how to identify a research topic • To learn how to frame a particular topic into a researchable • question or questions • To learn how to carry out a literature review
Designing a research project To properly design a research project, a researcher needs to go through several steps. First, the researcher needs to identify a research topic that she or he will investigate. Then the researcher needs to review the relevant literature in order to learn about the existing knowledge on the topic but also in order to identify any gaps in the literature that provide an opportunity for new research. Once this is done, the researcher will begin to formulate more precise research questions and to decide what methods of data collection to use to carry out the project.
Reviewing LitratureTwo skills are important:Critical thinking and Rapid reading 1. Rapid Reading: • Look at the title • Look at the summary • Look at the year • Look at the subheadings • Read first and last sentences in paragraphs of each section. • Read first and last paragraphs of the book chapters.
2. Critical Reading: Once students find a relevant source for literature review, they need to read the paper carefully and in a critical way. This means that they need to analyse and evaluate the rationale for the argument.
Research Ethics An ethical research ensures that interest and concerns of those involved are considered. *In other words a research should not cause harm or distress to anyone. *Researchers must be honest, open and critical about their research.
*A social research project may lead to abuses in various ways. Ethical considerations are required to avoid research abuses. *Thus, ethical guidelines in research are needed to guard against potential harmful effects of research.
List of what a social research needs to keep in mind in order to be ethnical: *Do not use selective data *Do not take common perceptions or assumptions without doubt. *Do not misrepresent the identity of the researcher or the aims of the research to gain information. *Do not break confidence. *Do not give rise to negative consequences for any of those being studied. *Do not cause stereotypes or negative reactions. *Do not give false representation *Do not cause distortion. Try to provide the greatest accuracy. *Do not hide evidence generated and analyzed.
Effective Report Writing, Presentation Skills and Dissemination of Results The Learning Objectives: • To develop effective report writing techniques and presentation skills • To develop dissemination results through visual and written materials
The Guidelines for Effective Writing: a) Know your audience You need to know your audience. If you assume your readers know more than they actually do, you will leave them confused. If you underestimate your readers you risk boring them with unnecessary details. Either risk increases the likelihood that what you have written will not be read. Whatever audience you choose, be sure to make the selection before you begin to write and keep your audience in mind every step of the way.
b) Identify your purpose The principal purpose of writing a report is to describe and convince. c) Write clearly The foundation of good writing is clarity of thought and expression.
d) Be concise Short words and short sentences are easier for readers to understand. e) Be precise Being precise is choosing the right word for what you want to say. f) Follow gramatical rules g)Write an interesting report
Structure of a Research Project • A. Tittle page • B. Table of Content • C. Abstract • D. Introduction *Importance of the subject *Hypothesis • Here you answer the problem why you chosed your subject. • D. Main part *Background of the subject, which year it started, parties/main actors.
E. Current situation • What is happening at the moment. • F. Method • How you carried out your research ? What kind of sources you used? For example books, articles, internet, interview. • G. Conclusions • H.References: include complete citation for each reference
References: • Four types of references: • i. Journal article: Name of the author, year of the publication, tittle of article, name of the journal, vol no, page number • ii. Book: Author, name of the book, year, city in which it was publisher, publisher, page number. • iii. Internet: web page, link to the source • iv. News paper: Name of paper, date, page number
