The Research Journal. Bassot, Barbara

The Research Journal - Bassot, Barbara


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and case study, as the

      content of Biggam’s (2018) text demonstrates.

      The approach taken in this book is that, for

      undergraduate study, having a grasp of the

      philosophical positions of positivism and

      interpretivism and the differences between

      quantitative and qualitative research will

      equip students well for their studies. So, this

      means that if your particular research methods

      module includes other philosophical aspects as

      highlighted earlier, or if you are studying

      at postgraduate level, you will need to add

      your own reflections on these aspects to your

      journal entries.

      In addition, some research terminology

      is potentially confusing, especially the

      terms ‘method’ and ‘methods’. These

      particular terms are often used

      interchangeably in published literature.

      For the purpose of clarity in this book,

      and in response to feedback from other

      educators in higher education, they are

      used in this way: the term ‘method’ in the

      singular is used to refer to the choice of

      approach to research, whether quantitative

      or qualitative. The term ‘methods’ in the

      plural is used to refer to more specific

      techniques that researchers use to carry

      out their studies, such as questionnaires,

      interviews and observations.

      A decision was also made not to use two

      particular terms in relation to research. First, the

      term ‘research objectives’, which usually refers

      to the specific things that someone is trying to

      achieve (or even answers they are trying to

      find) by carrying out their study. In this book

      the term ‘research questions’ is used because

      in the social sciences research often involves

      gaining insights and understandings rather than

      specific outputs. Second, the term ‘research

      strategy’ has also not been used. This is an

      umbrella term that encompasses each aspect of

      the design of your study; the focus in this book

      is on each aspect of your research. However,

      you will need to be strategic at all times in your

      approach in order to succeed.

      Outline of contents

      The Research Journal is organised in two parts.

      Part 1 has ten themes, each focusing on a

      particular issue or area. These themes have short

      pieces of relevant content, broken down into

      subsections, with reflective activities to complete

      to enable you to develop your critical thinking,

      your ideas and your work. They are designed

      7

      to take you through the research process from

      start to completion, with Theme 1 focusing on

      the beginning of the research process through to

      Theme 10 on submission and review. However,

      please remember that, in doing a research

      project, there is no single correct order in which

      to do things and sometimes the process can

      feel quite cyclical. Each theme starts with a brief

      introduction and is followed by five pieces of

      content based on the theme, where some key

      issues, theories and helpful approaches are

      introduced. There are also a number of practical

      activities and some space for writing your

      reflections. Towards the end of each theme there

      is a larger activity to carry out to help you to

      cement your understanding further.

      Based on feedback received and on my own

      work, students often need help to understand

      what a research journal might look like. Part 1

      contains extracts from Alex’s journal, a student

      who is carrying out a project on single-use plastic

      and its effects on the environment. These journal

      extracts serve two purposes: to show how the

      student’s understanding develops through the use

      of journal writing and to give an example of what

      a research journal might look like. However, any

      research journal is very much an individual thing,

      so remember that you will need to develop your

      own style of reflective writing. This means resisting

      the temptation to follow this example too closely,

      assuming that because it is in this book this is how

      you should do it. Each theme concludes with a

      top tip to help you succeed in your studies or a

      case study example.

      Part 2 focuses on your own particular research

      project; it is more personal to you and is

      structured in seven sections around a series of

      key questions for you to reflect on in relation

      to your own work. Many students struggle

      with moving from the generalities of a research

      methods module to applying what they have

      learned to their own project, and this section is

      designed to help you to do this. The questions

      in Part 2 will help you as you work through the

      research process and will provide an important

      record that you can return to when you get to

      the writing-up stage. There are more top tips and

      case studies here too. At the end of the journal

      you will find a list of references.

      I hope that you find The Research Journal

      helpful at this vital stage of your academic

      development. Good luck and here’s to your

      successful graduation!

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