Completing a masters proposal
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Completing a masters proposal at the University of Cape Town
A student perspectiveMichael Paskevicius
February 10, 2011
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Before you even reach the island…
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…you must first journey though the sea of proposals
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The research proposal
• Not a separate document!
• It is the blueprint for your research
• Beware of just trying to get it done so you can start the research
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Time to start reading critically
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Reading critically
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Identify the conceptual/theoretical frameworks
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Look for the research questions
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Examine what the researchers read
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Thinking theoretically
• Relate your work to existing studies
• Use the theoretical frameworks we have explored
• Try to associate your what you want to research to a theory
• You are trying to explain what is happening with a well grounded theory
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Thinking theoretically
Social Learning Theory? (Bandura)
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Thinking theoretically
Motivation/Self-efficacy? (Bandura)
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Thinking theoretically
Zone of Proximal Development? (Vygotsky)
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Thinking theoretically
Connectivism? (Siemens)
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Surveys, interviews, focus groups???
• Investigate what methods other researchers are using in your area of research
• Consider reusing survey/interview questions
• Make sure you can explain ‘WHY’ you chose specific methods
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Keep it simple
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Common problems I have faced
• Not aligning the research questions to support the theoretical framework
• Not focusing the research question tightly enough
• Not considering past research when designing the study
• Not reflecting thoroughly on my assumptions
• Not reading Maxwell (2008) extremely carefully
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Maxwell, J. (2008) A Model for Qualitative Research Design. SAGE Publications.
A Model for Qualitative Research
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Q&A
Good luck!