Reference no: EM132730849

SXU-4004 Research Strategy And Design - Bangor University

Research Strategy And Design

Description:

The aim of the module is to provide postgraduate level research methods training in the main varieties of quantitative and mixed methods research in the social sciences, including basic statistical literacy. The module begins by locating the research process in the context of different ‘ways of knowing' (epistemology), to show how research design is grounded in assumptions about the nature of the phenomena to be investigated. An appreciation of this connection will enable students to evaluate research and make informed choices about the selection of an appropriate research methodology for their own research.

The module is then organized in terms of (a) principles of research design (b) issues of data collection and (c) data analysis. Topics covered include the definition and formulation of research problems and hypotheses, the relationships between and the rationale for using particular research methods, the relationships between empirical research and theory generation and theory testing, different forms of sampling, sampling error and potential bias in the interpretation of research findings, and the concepts of generalisability, validity, reliability and replicability. Students are taught how to access and use secondary data, construct and critique questionnaires, how to interpret measurement error and missing data, and how to record data from experimental and quasi-experimental research.

Training in the use of SPSS is an integral part of the module and takes place alongside the sessions dealing with surveys, questionnaire design, structured interviews and data analysis.

This module is co-requisite with SXU-4005 Research Process and Meaning (Semester 2) for students studying for taught MAs in Social Sciences.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this module, we expect students to have developed the following skills and to be able to apply them:

1. Demonstrate the capacity to manage the research process, including managing numerical data, and conducting and presenting research in a way that is consistent with professional practice and research ethics.

2. Display critical understanding of the significance of epistemological positions that provide the context for theory construction, research design, and the selection of appropriate analytical techniques in quantitative research.

3. Show competence in recognising, evaluating and applying a wide range of quantitative data sources and tools of analysis.

4. Manifest the ability to apply the essential principles of research design and strategy, based on a clear grasp of how to formulate researchable problems and critical discernment of alternative approaches to social research.

Key skills taught

1. Decision Making
Ability to make informed choices between a range of research techniques, e.g. design and administering of questionnaires; using survey data; or statistical data analysis.

2. Research Skills
‘Hands on' experience of using research techniques and software.

3. Group Skills
Group work skills in applying research techniques within a classroom setting.

4. Research Skills
Competence in data handling and data analysis.

5. Communication - Verbal
Oral competence in explaining and interpreting the research process.

Assessment
For this module students must complete the following assignments. Detailed instructions and deadlines are provided on Blackboard.

1. Critically discuss the research design and method(s) in one example of quantitative or mixed method social research, focusing on the relationship between epistemology, theory and empirical procedures.
2. Critique and design a questionnaire.
3. Practical exercise using secondary data, SPSS, and conducting basic statistical analyses.

USING SPSS

Training in the use of the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) for quantitative data analysis is provided during the second half of Semester One. It consists of a series of 5 computer-based workshop sessions involving instruction and practical exercises. The workshops take place broadly in parallel with the sessions in weeks 9, 12-15 dealing with surveys, questionnaire design, structured interviews and data analysis.

SPSS is one of the most widely used applications in social research and the latest version is supported by Information Services at Bangor University. Proficiency in using SPSS can easily be transferred to other statistical software such as Minitab.

The main topics covered are:
- access to SPSS and familiarization with commands and instructions

- data entry, including cleaning data, defining variables, measurements and coding
- statistical analysis with single variables
- statistical analysis of relationships between two variables
- multivariate analysis involving three or more variables
- inferential statistics and hypothesis testing
- data management techniques

Attachment:- Research Strategy And Design.rar