Methodology 1

Project proposal

Deadlines 

topic proposal on Oct 12, 2021 (ROPOT "Initial proposals...") and final submission on Dec 12, 2021 (Homework vault).

Assignment

Your assignment is to submit a research proposal for one study that could be a part of your dissertation and would rely on data collected from people. The purpose here is to apply what you have learned in the course and gain even better understanding of the complexity of the interrelated choices involved in carrying out a study based on data collected from people.  Even though it would be an obvious benefit it does not necessarily have to be part  of your dissertation.

The document should be structured according to the structure described by Sekaran, Bougie, p. 45 – 46 with added ethical considerations. Robson, McCartan (2016, in study materials) is another source. 

The focus of the proposal should be on providing detailed description of the procedures leading to an answer to the research question (6 and 3 on the list below). Choices should be backed by validity arguments (in the case of measurement, also reliability). The justification of the research question should be brief and concrete and the theoretical framework should focus directly on the research questions.   

Methods and materials (questionnaires, interview schedules, observations schedules, stimulus materials etc.) should be included in full and placed in appendices.

For the purpose of the assignment you may simplify your planning by disregarding the discrepancy between English as the official language of the course and the fact you might be doing the study in a population of non-native speakers.

There are no strict limits on the length but usually around 3000 words without references and appendices is just about right.

The assignment should meet standard academic expectation, specifically with respect to originality and referencing.


Structure of proposal from S-B (p. 45 – 46)

  1. A working title.
  2. Background of the study.
  3. The problem statement:
    • The purpose of the study
    • Research questions.
  4. The scope of the study.
  5. The relevance of the study.
  6. The research design, offering details on:
    • Type of study – exploratory and descriptive
    • Data collection methods
    • The sampling design
    • Data analysis.
  7. Time frame of the study, including information on when the written report will be handed over to the sponsors.
  8. The budget, detailing the costs with reference to specific items of expenditure.
  9. Ethical consideration
  10. References
Notes
Sections 2-3: Please assume the reader has only general knowledge of your particular area of interest. Make sure your background is written clearly to make the research statement understandable to a non-specialist.
Sections 4-5: Please, be realistic. There is no need to exaggerate the aspirations of the project. Even small findings on limited populations can be useful. And remember that bold claims need greater evidence.
Section 6 should be very detailed, concrete. Think it through all the way – almost a like a script of your interactions with participants from recruiting them to thanking them good bye.  
Section 9 is an addition to S-B structure. Please, try to identify ethical threats and how you plan(ned) to deal with them. It is generally not a good idea to try to persuade the reader that there are no ethical issues. 
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