Today’s class was divided into two parts. The first 30 minutes was a combined class wherein the English Literature students were also present. The rest of the time was our usual class consisting of discussions.
In the first half, research proposals were discussed both for quantitative as well as qualitative methods.
The qualitative method has the following format:
Tentative Title
The context of the title for the research should be the same, it cant be changed later on into a completely different topic
Introduction
What is your research about?
Literature Review
Based on previous work done on the same subject and questions that have been answered on it
Research Question
What answers are you looking for through this research?
Chapter Division
Depending on your study the chapters can be more in number and while giving the proposal a small introduction to each chapter is needed.
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Title that describes your analysis
4. Conclusion
Notes
For further explanation of a certain topic notes can be used.
Select Bibliography
Bibliography lists out the complete list of sources and matter that will be used in the study.
The quantitative method has the following format:
Tentative Title
Introduction
Aim and Objective
Methodology and Limitation (The most important aspect of a quantitative study, the methods to be used to conduct the study need to be explained as well as the limitations)
Literature Review
Research Question
Chapter Division
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Title that describes your analysis
4. Conclusion
Notes
Select Bibliography
Different universities across India follow their own format for research proposal. Some examples can be found from the links mentioned below:
http://www.simc.edu/dr_research.aspx
http://www.tiss.edu/Admissions/entrance-process.php
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/18581885/research-proposal---University-of-Cape-Town--Welcome
http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/disciplines/politics/postgraduate/research/proposal/
Our regular class was on the topic of interviews. The following points were discussed
• Conducting an interview (how, when, whom)
• Limitations of an interview
• Question format (open ended, close ended questions, direct and indirect interview)
• Format of the interview
Power relations determine how the interviews turns out to be. For Example-If the interviewee is present in the news studio then the interviewer is the one in power. If the interviewee is in one’s own house then the interviewee is in power. Post editing the final version reported or aired in the media is exactly the way the interviewer wants it to be. It is interviewer’s interview but unknowingly the interview is constructed. Interview is of two types: the modern and the post modern. While the above mentioned four points fall under a modern type of interviewer, the power relations fall under a post modern type where the interviewer is both self critical and self aware. The post modern interviewer is aware about the power relation in an interview and all the types of prejudices.
Limitations of an interview: Limitations can be ranging from personal point, regional or even nationality. An Indian doing a study on Indo Pak relations may find his nationality to be a limitation for an unbiased evaluation of the project.
Ethics to be followed in an interview method:
• Inform the interviewee on the reasons behind the interview
• Consent of the interviewee should be taken whether his voice can be recorded or not
• Consent of the interviewee is needed to mention the name of the source if needed
• Use data in the way its supposed to be used
Few examples of ethical situations that could arise during your interview:
• The interviewee should be assured of their own confidentiality.
• If the interviewee becomes distressed, the interview should be abandoned.
• The interviewee has the right not to answer a particular question or to terminate the interview altogether.
• It is crucial that you obtain informed consent before commencing the interview.
• If the interviewee asks for practical guidance or help, you must refer them to an appropriate organization or support centre. Do not allow yourself to be drawn into this type of discussion. If your interview concerns information of a particularly sensitive nature, it might be worth getting the details of relevant organizations beforehand, should you be asked.
Source: http://ro.uwe.ac.uk/RenderPages/RenderLearningObject.aspx?Context=6&Area=1&Room=3&Constellation=25&LearningObject=122
The above discussed points on interview were taken from the book:
Griffin, Gabriele.ed. Research Methods For English Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005
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