completing a masters proposal
DESCRIPTION
Presentation prepared for students about to begin writing a proposal for their mini-dissertation. I had just completed my own proposal at this time.TRANSCRIPT
Completing a masters proposal at the University of Cape Town
A student perspectiveMichael Paskevicius
February 10, 2011
Before you even reach the island…
…you must first journey though the sea of proposals
The research proposal
• Not a separate document!
• It is the blueprint for your research
• Beware of just trying to get it done so you can start the research
Time to start reading critically
Reading critically
Identify the conceptual/theoretical frameworks
Look for the research questions
Examine what the researchers read
Thinking theoretically
• Relate your work to existing studies
• Use the theoretical frameworks we have explored
• Try to associate your what you want to research to a theory
• You are trying to explain what is happening with a well grounded theory
Thinking theoretically
Social Learning Theory? (Bandura)
Thinking theoretically
Motivation/Self-efficacy? (Bandura)
Thinking theoretically
Zone of Proximal Development? (Vygotsky)
Thinking theoretically
Connectivism? (Siemens)
Surveys, interviews, focus groups???
• Investigate what methods other researchers are using in your area of research
• Consider reusing survey/interview questions
• Make sure you can explain ‘WHY’ you chose specific methods
Keep it simple
Common problems I have faced
• Not aligning the research questions to support the theoretical framework
• Not focusing the research question tightly enough
• Not considering past research when designing the study
• Not reflecting thoroughly on my assumptions
• Not reading Maxwell (2008) extremely carefully
Maxwell, J. (2008) A Model for Qualitative Research Design. SAGE Publications.
A Model for Qualitative Research
Q&A
Good luck!