Lecture Presentations

Organising Your Research Project 

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Methodologies & Critical Analysis 



Methods:

how to the information you have found is...
-sourced
-collected
-collated
-presented

Need to clearly evidence why you selected the methods of gathering information and why they are most appropriate for your study.

Theories:

-can help to decide upon the methods you use
-Alternatively the material you find may suggest the appropriate theories

Chose at least one key theory that relates to my material

each theory will have own agenda 

How am I going to go about this, what theories and methods will I use to maximise results?

Will the practical side be my methodology? 


1 Methods
2 Theories 
3 Application

1.Make decisions about how to collect and order information

2.Choose a relevant theoretical stand point

3. Apply these to your study

4. Explicitly outline this in the introduction. Address suggested failings in the conclusion



Critical Analysis:

-evaluating material based on evidence and research and making a selection on an informed decision 

-Skeptical approach

-Reasoned thinking: stepping away and using evidence and logic to come to your conclusions

Awareness of perspectives 


Where was the author/ artist/ designer/ situated ?

try to consider different points of view 

Where am I coming from?

-how is my choice of topic influenced by my emotions; aspirations; context?

Context is everything!

consider the influence of one or more of the following:
the time, place, society, politics, economics, technology, philosophy, scientfic

Evidence:

-What is the evidence for what you are saying?
-Could you find more evidence to support your conclusions? 

EVIDENCE
REASON 
LOGIC
ARGUMENT 

Argument:

-What do I want to say?
-Have I got the evidence to back it up?
-Where else do I need to look in order to find more evidence? 
Triangulation:

-Pitting alternative theories against the same body of data 

Am I expressing myself clearly and logically

A clear logical plan

-keep it simple, refine what you want to say and focus on a few key issue

-Look into your key issues in depth and bring in the maximum evidence in to support your views 

-Discuss your issues and the evidence you have found in a clear and logical manner

-Move form the general to the specific




Resolving your Research Project and Academic Conventions


-Intro
What are you going to address and how are you going to address it?

Academic conventions- structure and standardise, aspire to academic honesty 

expected to:

Demonstrate critical knowledge of practice 

apply theory to practice 

analyse relevant material 

evaluate theory and evidence within the context of study

reflect- critiquing and critically reflecting on your learning and using this to improve practice 

Avoid a surface approach!!!

Challenge ideas an unpick them 

Deep Approach:

bring in own ideas and opinions 

relate theory and research to own experience and knowledge 

structured around logic and thinking 

ongoing process of reflection 

intelectual engagement- evidence on blog!

show understanding of technical language 

have to evidence points from engagement from research 

make argument and back it up 

concise and direct style of writing 

Avoid abbreviations and contractions, slang words and phrases, conversational terms and vague terms 

50 DAYS LEFT!!

deadline 15th jan 4pm

hand-in two copies of dissertation hard copy and electronic version on e-studio 

see e-studio for submission details, stucture, binding..........


The Print & Copy Bureau. LEEDS UNI 

6 pound per dissertation before 12th jan

Take 24 hrs to bind