Wednesday, 30 September 2015

OUGD601 COP 3 Organising Your Research Project Lecture Notes

Research strategies tend to be fairly straight forward and there are a number of books talking about the skills and planning to make in depth research more achievable. The library has an extensive section of these.

Overview

40-credit module of the third year (this equates to 400 hours of study)

6-9000 word dissertation, and related practical work (10% flex either way, but don't push it)

A guaranteed 2.5 hours individual support, make use of this. (Tutorial time)

Deadline- 14th January 2-4 pm
(That is 14weeks)
Aim to have a substantial draft done before Christmas 


There are considerably fewer lectures that we need to attend this year. These include; methodologies and critical analysis and resolving your project and academic conventions. 

Focus on...

Creating a cohesive approach to written and practical work.
Critical research approach and develop distinct methodologies in your approach and make them specific to your personal project and focus. Ask a distinct question and focus your arguments and proof on these.

Planning the project...

Break down your main question into sub questions and reference them while researching to focus said research. However, makes sure there are links between your sub questions so you are not covering too wides a subject matter.

Start your bibliography right off the bat.

The question...

Makes sure you are creating an answerable assertion. Maybe choose a title and a subtitle to provide focus within a subject area.
Your title may well change as you continue your research and writing, this is fine as long as the changes are not too radical.

Consider timing...

Consider holidays and other work you are doing if you remove the holidays it is really 12 weeks.
Consider the different components of the research that you are undertaking. For example, visits, case studies and workshops need time to do and plan. Allow time for reading alone if need be. Draw up a project outline for the entire project, always view the writing and academic research as part of the practical research and vice versa.
Factor in the tutorials to help guide the stages of the development of the project if you are uncertain.

December 11th is the turn it in deadline before Christmas 

Literature search...

Make yourself aware of the relevant material before you star your reading, the big picture is important. Negotiate the time you are giving to each research aspect. Maximum a quarter of your time should be spent reading. Plan out which writers, websites and papers are the most important in your subject area. Allocate time according to importance. Find five or so key texts that are completely relevant. Even draw a diagram of you reading if this helps you address the areas you have decided are most relevant. 

Referencing...

Start bibliography now, make it a digital editable document from the get go. Consider the different formats of your research and how it is most relevant to sight this research in the text. Generous marks are rewarded for primary research but do not disregard the importance of the reflection of secondary research. Plan out research techniques so that they actually add to you arguments, again relevance is key. Use whatever research tool you are using, properly, research researching and do it well.

Structure...

Separate you dissertation into coherent chapters that make sense of addressing the subject from different angles and possibly different methodological approaches. Make it readable and make it make sense. Use you intended structure to help you structure your research and vice versa, coherence is the aim, stay focussed and on target.







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