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2 YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT PARTICULAR FEATURES OF THE BOOK
The particular features of this book are the way it: • combines the explanation of practical and theoretical aspects of research directly with the progressive development of the reader’s ideas about his/her individual research topic • always refers to the researcher’s subject of study, with no dry theorizing which is difficult to relate to his/her individual research interests • is divided into chapters with clearly limited objectives, requiring the researcher to apply the aspects of research he/she has learned in each chapter to the next stage in developing the proposal • sets points for contemplation about the applicability of the learned aspects to the individual project and gives a framework for issues to be discussed with tutors and colleagues • uses a direct approach, leading the reader step-by-step through the book with interesting and amusing self-assessed exercises to test and develop his/her knowledge.
STRUCTURE AND OUTLINE OF THE BOOK
The structure of the book is based on a combination of three sequential approaches. The first is a cumulative approach which introduces, step-bystep, the features of, and debate about, the academic subject of research theory and methods. This is offered in parallel with a problem-centred sequence which involves the researcher in the practical work of developing the skills needed to devise a good quality research proposal. There is thirdly an element of a spiral sequence, whereby concepts and techniques are reiterated and developed during the book as the researcher’s understanding increases. There are eight chapters in the book, which are designed to be worked through consecutively. The main sections in each chapter are devised to explain a major aspect of research theory or approach. These sections contain informative, discursive text, regularly interspersed with exercises for the researcher to consolidate and assess his/her understanding of the subjects presented. There then follows a section (‘the next step’) which consists of application to the reader’s own area of research of the specific topics discussed in the earlier sections. Aims are set out and tasks are defined. This section is always exploratory in nature, and it is expected that the researcher will devise a range of alternative solutions to the tasks. The results of this work should, ideally, then be discussed with fellow students, colleagues, a tutor or a supervisor, who will wish to see that the researcher has understood the issues in the chapter and how they can be applied in practice. Decisions made at the end of each chapter consolidate progress towards writing the research proposal.