RESEARCH METHODS AND FINAL PROJECT
RESEARCH GUIDELINES
Understanding Research: The Foundations of Research
• Evaluate and assess which methodologies are likely to work for you and for your topic.
• Formulate a research aim: health and social care case study
• Specify the research philosophy of your study. Your research philosophy can be pragmatism, positivism, realism or interpretivism.
• Describe the reasons behind your choice of this research philosophy.
• Discuss the implications of your research philosophy on the research strategy in general, and your choice of data collection methods.
Research Objectives (Useful guidance on how to write SMART objectives)
• Use secondary research
• Use research terminology
• Use keywords to explore what’s current in health and social care research
• Explain the limitations and considerations of the research
Using Literature and Other Sources of Information to Underpin and Inform Research
• Importance of literature review
• Identify, evaluate and justify the role that literature and other data plays in informing the research process.
• Differentiate and critically evaluate the role and value of various types of literature.
• Conduct a systematic literature review into a chosen topic area.
• Use credible sources
• Use other sources of information and data
Methodological Considerations
• Critically appraise and evaluate how methodological choices can shape and influence research
• Critically evaluate and recognise the strengths and limitations associated with qualitative and quantitative approaches to research
• Articulate and differentiate between a variety of approaches to research methodology.
• Contrasting approaches to research
Main methodological traditions
• Hypothesis Testing
• Case Study
• Ethnography
• Action Research
• Survey
• Archival or Documentary Research
• Longitudinal Research
Gathering and Analysing Qualitative Data
• List three limitations of using qualitative research
• Represent health and social care data
• Assessing what is relevant data
• Exploring common data limitations
Gathering and Analysing Quantitative Data
• List three limitations of using quantitative research
• Represent health and social care data
• Assessing what is relevant data
• Exploring common data limitations
• Use descriptive Techniques
• Appraise the role and function of qualitative data analysis in health and social care research
• Identify, select and justify appropriate instruments for collecting and analysing qualitative data
• Critically appraise and articulate the strengths and limitations of qualitative data in health and social care research.
Ethical issues in Health and Social Care research
• Identify and assess ethical considerations in gathering, storing, analysing and reporting on data
• Critically evaluate and use theoretical tools to inform ethical decision-making
• Design a process for gaining participant consent.
• Ethics and social convention: some problems
• Importance of informed consent in health and social care research
Demonstrate understanding of the importance, and uses, of research in health and social care (Evidence-based practice)
Identify and critically evaluate key philosophical considerations underpinning the research process
Engage with appropriate research terminology and have a critical understanding of these concepts.
STRUCTURING THE CONTENT OF YOUR DISSERTATION
• Developing an effective review of the literature (Critical review)
• Deciding upon an appropriate methodology
• Creating a reliable process for data collection
• Collecting the data required
• Constructing a valid process of data analysis
• Presenting and discussing your findings
Drawing Conclusions and Making Recommendations in Health and Social Care
• A summary of the main part of the text
• Deductions made on the basis of the main body
• Your informed opinion about the implications of your findings and recommendations arising from these
• A statement about the limitations of the work
• A comment about possible research based on what has been discussed
• A self-reflection
DISSERTATION TOPIC:
Socio- Cultural Diversity: Does it Improve Leadership Inside Work Environment or Not?
– 10, 0000
– Use Harvard Referencing
– Atleast 15 reliable sources
– Use secondary research