Guidance for writing a non empirical research project PDF

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Guidance for writing a non empirical research project...

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BA Primary Education Module Handbook PR3136 Professional Enquiry 2: Non-Empirical Research Report 2021-22

Module Leader: Dr. Mary Scanlan SGC 123 e-mail: [email protected]

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telephone: (82)7244

Contents Tutor and Student Guidance for writing a Non-Empirical Research Report.............................................3 Features of a good Non-Empirical study................................................................................................................... 3 Structure of a Non – Empirical Report....................................................................................................................... 4 Exemplar.................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Presenting the report......................................................................................................................................................... 7 Proposal for a Research Report – non-empirical study....................................................................................10

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Tutor and Student Guidance for writing a Non-Empirical Research Report Empirical and Non-empirical studies An empirical research project will use data collected – usually but not necessarily by the researcher – to answer research questions that have been posed. Primary data is that collected first- hand by the researcher in the field / classroom and is the most usual form for empirical reports. However, it may be that secondary data (e.g. government reports and statistics, census data, and school- based data) may be used and this will also follow the format of an empirical (data focused) report. It is usual practice in the Department for Teacher Development that students undertake and collect their own data in situ and use this to inform their research aims and understanding of the area in which they have chosen to research.

Some students may in consultation with their supervisor and the programme leader be advised to undertake a non-empirical study – this will not involve collecting data in school or other context. It does however involve a theoretical, library or desk-based study – this should not be considered an “easy option” as it involves extensive reading and a critical and detailed look at what the current research reveals about a particular topic.

Features of a good Non-Empirical study  A good non-empirical study will not only summarize the existing literature in a particular field but it will ADD SOMETHING to that literature through a unique and individual perception and interpretation of the research to date. Thus there will be an evaluation of the current literature and a synthesis of different views / ideas presented in that literature.  It is important to identify a clear aim and focus for the study and to provide a rationale as to why it is important to explore the topic area and raise issues within the field of study.

 A non-empirical study relies upon critical analysis of the current research – it seeks to identify problems, issues, biases, gaps and weaknesses in the current literature. In providing a 'critical' response to the literature the best means of ensuring critique is not

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about being disparaging or “nit-picking” but is to contextualise it within a philosophical, political or practical perspective.  The conclusion should recognize the impact of the area on those involved – e.g. teachers and learners. It should identify “gaps” in the current research and thinking which provides the researcher with the opportunity to suggest areas for further academic research.  A good structure is important – you are still required to write 6000 words. The nonempirical report is similar to an extended literature review, but you need to present your ideas logically so that you present a reasoned account that draws upon the available evidence in the field.

Structure of a Non – Empirical Report 

A clear introduction and rationale for the study. Identify the key issues in the subject area and why these are important. The introduction should provide a clear outline of the structure of the work to follow – in doing this you may wish to identify the main areas for discussion and analysis. (Suggested word count approx. 1000 words)

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The main areas for discussion will form the sections that follow (3-4). In these you need to use the literature to analyse the research and ideas presented to date. Include within this the academic theories and ideas underpinning and influencing the research. (Suggested word count approx.4000)

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A conclusion which draws together the ideas presented. Identifies issues and / or areas that have not been fully researched or research is dated. Consideration of the areas for future research and consideration of how they may add to and inform the current body of knowledge. The conclusion should also identify what the researcher has gained from undertaking the study and how this will help to inform personal understanding within the field. (Suggested word count approx.1000 words)

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Exemplar An example of a non-empirical study may be someone who wishes to find out about the way in which Forest Schools may support lifelong learning skills. In doing this the researcher would contextualise current thinking regarding Forest schools and the features of their practice. The issue of what lifelong learning skills are and why they are important would be introduced and the link to Forest School practice identified. The main research question / aim of the study may be: How does Forest school practice encourage the development of lifelong learning skills? and the sub-aims therefore: 

What are Forest Schools?

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What are the characteristics of Forest School Practice?

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What is life- long learning?

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What are the skills associated with lifelong learning and why are they important?

These questions may then help to organize the structure the report. Thus the research would include a discussion of the history of Forest Schools and the theoretical principles underpinning its practice. It would identify the way in which children learn through the approach. In so doing the advantages and disadvantages would be discussed. Lifelong learning would then follow and explicit links made between the skills and Forest schools practice. Critical analysis of research approaches undertaken – the methodology upon which the majority of the findings are based – and the ethical considerations would also form part of the work.

The study would end with a conclusion that sums up the general consensus of the argument put forward and the issues to be considered for the future and opportunities for further research – e.g. research may be primarily focused within Scandanavian context with little evidence based on UK practice; or discrepancies in interpretation of particular features of practice.

Other suggestions: Comparisons of features of practice in different parts of the world / country/ etc – e.g. The Finnish Education system Consideration of how particular methods may influence data collection – e.g. How does “observation” as a research method inform educational research?

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Identification of possible gaps in the literature – there is much written about boys’ attainment in writing but what about girls? Looking at two different views – are they that different e.g. the issue of enabling children to be “emotionally literate”.

In all these in a non-empirical study the aim is to use the literature to answer a question posed around a certain topic. The literature provides the justification for points put forward and can be used by the researcher to present a reasoned discussion. In all studies the researcher should consider how the study will be presented honestly and with integrity – how has the researcher maintained an appropriate ethical stance in representing truthfully the views contained within the literature and the respect for those whose views they are presenting?

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Presenting the report 1]

Format

Studies should be word-processed in 11-point Calibri font, double spaced, on both sides of the paper. There should be sufficiently wide margins top and bottom (at least 2.0 cm) and at the left and right-hand side. Ensure that pages are numbered, and include your name, student number and the title of the study, on the footer to each page. You may choose to use sub-headings within your sections, to help the reader to navigate the text. The use of paragraph numbering is not appropriate. At the end of the report, and prior to the bibliography and appendices, you should insert the word count. 2]

Title page

Your title should be on a separate page at the front of your study. Your name and student number should appear at the foot of this page. 3]

Quotations and citation

Please use the standard Harvard method of citation throughout your Research Report.

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Bibliography

Your bibliography is a list of the works you have consulted and used in your study, presented in alphabetical order of authors’ surnames. Please note that you should NOT subdivide your bibliography. 5]

Diagrams, tables etc.

Diagrams & tables should be placed as near as is possible to that part of the text that refers to them. They should be numbered for the section in which they occur, e.g. Fig 2.3 is the third figure in section 2. 6]

Length

The study is 6000 words in length. This word count excludes the title and contents pages, declaration & acknowledgements, abstract, tables and illustrations, bibliography, and appendices. The final word count should be printed on the final page of the text (i.e. at the end of the concluding section). Studies that are over-long will incur a marking penalty. NB: Diagrams, appendices and the abstract do not form part of your word count of 6,000 words. Quotations do count as part of that total. 7]

Use of English

It is essential that you check your study carefully to ensure that it is expressed clearly and grammatically. Mistakes in use of English will incur penalties in marking. Studies with very high frequencies of faults in spelling/grammar will fail. A spell-check is not sufficient to ensure accuracy. 7

Proposal for a Research Report – non-empirical study Name.............................................................................................. Main research focus : ………………………..………………........................................................................ Rationale: Explain why this is an important question, and why you think it is worthwhile to investigate it. This needs to include some discussion of aspects of the field that have previously been theorised or researched, in order to show that your research will do something specific or different that is not already covered by other published studies. It may also include an assessment of why this is a ‘hot topic’ at the moment – or alternatively why it is a neglected topic at the moment. This should not be based on your opinion of the importance of the topic, but on an assessment of what needs to be researched in the field – therefore you need to know quite a bit about theory and research in the area before you can present a rationale for your research. What do you want to research? Why is it a concern for you? What is the purpose of your project- describe the overall aims. What do you hope to achieve? .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... What specifically do you want to find out? Identify a small number of questions/themes that will help investigate this area of research. They need to relate very closely to the work you will undertake. .......................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................... Context: Indicate what you have read/observed that addresses this question so far. What are the main debates in this area? Identify some key quotations/ main points from your reading that underpin your research. This section needs to show clearly that you know what is happening in the field you have chosen and have done some preliminary background reading. What informal observations have you made that suggest a line of investigation? This section needs to present a discussion of the debates in the area, grounded in the literature. What are the key themes that you will deal with in your study?

Preliminary Bibliography: Identify a number of recent or major texts which will contribute to your development of the study. If electronic searches fail to identify recent academic research texts, give a short explanation of other sources you might use.

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