RESEARCH PROJECT IV (Thesis) -

The final stage in our research project series, this course covers defining a clear problem statement and conducting a thorough literature review. You'll develop a hypothesis, choose an appropriate method, and collect and analyse data as part of a formal research proposal. The course finishes with thesis writing, research ethics, and considering where your research could lead next. Suitable for those completing the final stage of a formal research qualification.

Do you have a thesis to write and want to improve your writing and organisation? Then this could be the course for you. Expand your research skills and at the same time be guided to develop a plan for doing a thesis. You are supported throughout the course by our highly experienced tutors. Plan for a major research project that will culminate in a thesis paper. Study online or by eLearning - the course requires approximately 100 hours of study to complete. ACS courses are available to start at any time, and you study at your own pace. COURSE STRUCTURE AND LESSON CONTENT Lesson 1. The Problem Statement Introduction What is a problem Selecting a topic Structure of a problem statement How does a problem statement relate to quantitative and qualitative research Referencing and reference types Lesson 2. The Literature Review Part One What is a literature review Relating your literature review to the problem statement Types of literature Collecting information Finding literature: text books, journal articles, indexes, abstracts, internet Lesson 3. The Literature Review Part Two Critical reading Literature review structure Writing Verbs Quotations Presentation of work Lesson 4. The Hypothesis What is a hypothesis Definitions Scientific method Structuring a hypothesis What is not a hypothesis Null hypothesis Correlation v. cause and effect Occam's razor Lesson 5. The Method Introduction Structuring your research method Research strategy Data collection Quantitative data Qualitative data Data sampling Sampling methods Research integrity Lesson 6. Data Collection Introduction Primary and secondary sources of data Quantitative data Qualitative data Data collection Literature review Key informants Experimental Correlation What is correlation? Questionnaires, Surveys and Tests Interviews Documentation Observation Focus groups Case studies Combination and triangulation Lesson 7. Research Proposal Introduction Outline Cover Page, abstract, introduction, problem statement, hypothesis, context background, literature survey, research methodology Time schedule, budget, terminology, resource list, appendix Academic writing Lesson 8. Thesis Writing Nature of thesis structure Thesis structure guidelines: different types Lesson 9. Ethics Ethics of collecting data Human research Non human research Ethics committee Categories of research 10. Where To From Here Pitfalls Finalising a thesis submission SOURCES OF DATA Primary data sources are those where you get the information first-hand. This includes information you have collected it yourself through observation, surveys or interviews. It may also include books etc. depending upon the research involved. This is the preferred source of information for research, however they may not always be available for several reasons such as the original language the source was written in or the source is out of print. Collecting data from primary sources is often called field research. Secondary data sources are those where the information is not first-hand. They may include commentaries, reviews, summaries, explanations, other research articles etc. Secondary data is also very useful in that it may point the researcher to many other sources of primary data, it is also easy to obtain, but the researcher must always be careful with the information. Collecting data from secondary sources is referred to as desk research. Quantitative Data Quantitative data includes information that can be directly measured numerically. It uses numbers to measure and describe the subject (quantity = quantitative). For example: trees per hectare: 124 trees/ha, average height: 32.3 m. Quantitative data is: precise reliable structured easier to analyse. You would use quantitative date if: you want to do statistical analysis you know exactly what you want to measure you are covering large groups. Qualitative Data Qualitative data includes information which can be observed but not measured. It is descriptive and deals with the quality of the subject (quality = qualitative). Eg: types of trees on property: E. maculata, E. pipperita, height: tall. It provides responses which reflect: attitudes descriptions judgement. You would use Qualitative data if: you want anecdotal information or personal information, and/or are not entirely sure what you want to measure, and/or are not required to quantify your results. Data Collection Data collection techniques include: Using available information - Literature. Using available information - Key informants. Surveys. Interviews – degrees of flexibility. Focus Groups - discussion. Observation – of behaviour, of the current state of an object. Mapping – important visual representation of geographic relationships. Scaling – gain other’s opinion. Literature Review The literature review provides a framework within which to investigate the field of interest. The aim is to provide you with sufficient working knowledge of a topic in preparation for studying that topic. It will also help focus you in your proposed area of research. Key Informants A key informant is someone who is considered very knowledgeable or has experience in your field of research. They may be a community member, an academic or a survivor who tells their story. They provide an opportunity to access available information. Experimental This method is one in which a researcher manipulates a variable (anything that can vary) under highly controlled conditions to see if this produces (causes) any changes in a second variable. All scientific disciplines use this method because they are interested in understanding the laws (cause-and-effect relationships) of nature. The power of the experimental method derives from the fact that it allows researchers to detect cause-and-effect relationships In order to see cause-and-effect relationships the researcher must be sure that his manipulations (the independent variable) are the only variables having an effect on the dependent variable. He does this by holding all other variables, variables that might also affect the dependent variable, constant (equivalent, the same). WHAT NEXT? You can enrol on this Thesis Writing course today - simply go to the "It's easy to enrol" box at the top right hand side of this page. Or, if you would like to know more, or need help in choosing a course get in touch with us today. Phone us on (UK) 01384 442752, or (outside UK) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or Use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE - connect with our specialist tutors - they will be pleased to hear from you.