Completing a masters proposal at the University of Cape Town

A student perspectiveMichael Paskevicius

February 10, 2011

Before you even reach the island…

…you must first journey though the sea of proposals

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

Time to start reading critically

Reading critically

Identify the conceptual/theoretical frameworks

Look for the research questions

Examine what the researchers read

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

Thinking theoretically

Social Learning Theory? (Bandura)

Thinking theoretically

Motivation/Self-efficacy? (Bandura)

Thinking theoretically

Zone of Proximal Development? (Vygotsky)

Thinking theoretically

Connectivism? (Siemens)

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

Keep it simple

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

Maxwell, J. (2008) A Model for Qualitative Research Design. SAGE Publications.

A Model for Qualitative Research

Q&A

Good luck!