Research Project: Design, Conduct and Report

Course Contents, Concepts and Issues:

Research Design: Important Considerations

• Sources of Information
• Secondary Sources
• Primary Sources
• Reviewing Literature
• Choosing the Methodology
• Qualitative Approaches
• Quantitative Approaches
• Triangulating’ the Methodology

Data Elicitation Techniques

• Surveys
• Participant Observation
• Conversation Analysis
• Documentary Analysis
• Focus Groups
• Interviews
• Questionnaires

Sampling as an Important Elements of Research Design

• The Sampling Frame
• Sampling Techniques
• Convenience or Non-random Samples
• Quota Sample
• Systematic Sample
• Probability or Random Samples?
• Simple Random Sample
• Stratified Sampling
• Multi-stage Sampling

Interview or Questionnaire?

• Using Unstructured Questions
• Using Open-ended Questions
• Designing Closed-ended Questions
• Avoiding Forced-choice

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Instruments of Analysis
• Using a ‘Tally System’
• Using SPSS Package
• Using Excel Package
• Data Interpretation
• Making Sense of the Information
• Identifying ‘Trends’ & ‘Patterns’ in Information
• Arriving At Conclusions
• Reporting the Findings
• Reporting Styles
• Using the Evidence

Use of Visual Representations

• Generating Graphs and Charts from Tables
• Managing Research Projects
• Project Planning
• Generating Project Roles
• Realistic Project Costing
• Monitoring and Continuous Evaluation
• The Interim Reports

Writing Research Proposal

• Establishing Research Objectives
• Identifying & Defining the Problem
• The Synopsis
• Ethical Concerns in the Formulation & Conduct of Research