Topic: Research projects, case studies and dissertations Resource

Topic: Research projects, case studies and dissertations

Resource: Cottrell S. (2013) The Study Skills Handbook. Palgrave, p 339

Activity 1. Why do Research? (), ( )

Time: 30 min

Materials: Handout 1

Procedure:

Tell students there are several reasons why they will do projects based on research works. Distribute handout 1 and ask students to read the text about doing research for identifying reasons of doing research.

Tell participants to discuss the reasons which identify in pairs for about 5 minutes.

Activity 2. Identifying Research strategies (), ( )

Time: 20 min

Materials: Video material #1, Blank sheets of papers, Handout 2.

Procedure:

Let your students know that there are several effective strategies of doing research based projects. Tell them that they will watch the video material about Research Strategies, distribute blank sheets of papers and ask them to write the thing what they have to do while doing research watching video.

After watching the video elicit different answers of your students, ask write some of their answers on board and say that they are strategies of doing research. Then give out a copy of handout 2 to each student.

Activity 3. Projects and dissertations: understanding the process (), ( )

Time: 20 min

Materials: Video material #2, Handout 3.

Procedure:

Tell students that completing project reports and dissertations requires careful management. The first step is to understand that process, from start to finish. Say that they will again watch the video about one of the main aspects of the research and steps of conducting it. Ask your learners to take some notes.

Handout 1(Learning the Conventions or academic writing pp 5-8)

Handout 2 Research Strategies.

1. Decide on topic. 2. Clarify exactly what you are setting out to investigate and demonstrate. 3. Specify your research questions and title precisely. 4. Write your research or project hypothesis / thesis as required. 5. Decide your research strategies and methodology.

Handout 3 Projects and dissertations: understanding the process (The Study Skills Handbook pp 343- 344 )

1. Organisation and planning

Using your project brief and this process list as guidelines:

• 
  List everything you need to do up to the end of the process
  
• 
  Agree how you will work with your supervisor
  
• 
  Draw up an action plan
  
• 
  Schedule each step in your diary
  
• 
  Plan in support from peers
  
• 
  Book facilities for binding your dissertation, if required.
  

2. Prepare the groundwork

• 
  Literature search: survey the field for ideas and suitable background reading.
  
• 
  Brainstorm potential topics
  
• 
  Focus your reading on likely topics
  
• 
  Check potential topics for feasibility
  
• 
  Consider ethical implications of each
  
• 
  Narrow your list of topics.
  

3. Decide on topic, title and research strategy

• 
  Decide on a topic
  
• 
  Clarify exactly what you are setting out to investigate and demonstrate
  
• 
  Specify your research question or title precisely
  
• 
  Write a project hypothesis/thesis statement as required
  
• 
  Decide your research strategy and methodology.