Mixed methods essay (2500 words) The aim of the essay is to draw upon your own disciplinary tradition to develop a mixed-method research design. This means using three different data collection techniques to collect the requisite data. Mixed methods approaches are common in social science as they strengthen the evidence base for your claims. More immediately, however, the assessment supports the learning outcomes by illustrating your capacity to adapt different techniques to collect data.
The essay should be divided into five sections: (please refer to the attached research proposal document to build the mixed method essay and fulfil the requirement related to each section 1, 2 , 3 , 4, 5 and feel free to elaborate more ). Please stick to word count related to each section highlighted in red color .
1. Introduction: describe the research scenario you plan to research. The aim of this section is to describe a broad research problem that researchers in your field or sub-field are currently working on. Your aim here is to help a reader from outside the discipline understand the broad research problem and why it is relevant. You (200-250 words).
2. Research question: develop a research question and establish relevant data This section should do two things: first it should establish the central research question. While the question should follow from the research scenario, it should be more specific and identify a distinctive (., answerable) research problem. Second, this section should identify what constitutes relevant data. Again, the emphasis here should be on the data that is required to answer the question effectively. There should be some description of the data itself (is it about emotions, opinions, beliefs, etc.) and some justification for why that data is most relevant. Bullet points are acceptable but there should be elaboration (200-250 words). Final note, one data type or several could be relevant here.
3. Research context: describe where data resides and obstacles to its collection/production. Discuss the nature of the research context (is it an office space, a domestic setting, is it urban or rural?) and the potential obstacles that reside there. Here you want to be thinking pragmatically about what kind of data collection will be possible. These constraints can be both practical (., about timing, setting, safety, ethics, weather, equipment, available respondents etc.) and methodological in nature (., constraints concerning bias or the likelihood of getting good and/or honest answers). The aim here it to think carefully about the feasibility of the study given the research context (300-350 words).
4. Methodology: description of data collection techniques This section should be divided into three sub-sections each of which discusses the research tools you will use to collect the data you have determined to be relevant. Here you should focus on the techniques you are deploying to collect the requisite data in a manner that fits the research context. I do not want a generic discussion here – ., about why interviews or surveys are good or bad. On the contrary, I want a discussion of the specific technique you are using and how it will work to collect the data you need in the context you are working in. You can also discuss how your approach avoids or mitigates the obstacles discussed in section 3. Remember to discuss three different techniques for collecting the data (1200 words).
5. Justification This section should summarise the discussion above by providing an overall justification for the research design. You should focus on highlighting the key decisions taken in sections 1-4 and justifying those decisions through key areas of the literature. Remember what counts when developing a methodology is not what you do (though this is important) but how you justify it. When you are in your Viva and your external examiner asks about your methodology, their questions will not be on the pros and cons of generic techniques, but why you – as a researcher – took the decisions you did.
They will be less interested in what you did but why you did it. This section is designed to help you practise not simply how to design a methodology but how to provide a rational account for your decisions. (450-500 words). The key to success in this essay is to be creative and adaptable in terms of research design. I am looking for a design that is feasible and logical in its attempt to align the question asked to the techniques deployed.
Thus, while re-programming a satellite might indeed be the most effective way to get data on a problem, I encourage you to find practical solutions even if it means the data will not be as good. Submission instructions: You must make sure that all the work submitted is properly cited. Any work that is copied from other sources without proper acknowledgement will be flagged and you will face accusations of unfair means.
Marking criteria assessment 2 Markers will be looking to see how well your essay satisfies the following criteria:
1. Essay fulfils the remit and structure presented above
2. Justification draws upon appropriate methodological literature
3. Essay identifies a clear mixed methods approach to data collection
4. Essay illustrates some alacrity with adapting techniques to fit the required data
5. Essay illustrates an understanding of advantages and limitations of various methods Distinction (70+) An excellent pass. The essay illustrates an excellent understanding of relevant data and how it can be collected through a range of techniques. It also illustrates an ability to adapt techniques and/or make choices about them based upon an understanding of their advantages and limitations.
It justifies the methodological approach through the relevant literature. It exhibits a clear understanding of a mixed methods approach and how it can be used effectively. Main issues are covered with an impressive level of knowledge, understanding and reflection. The essay itself is lucid, coherent and makes a persuasive case. Clear Pass (60-69) A good essay. It illustrates a basic understanding of the relevant data and how it can be collected through various techniques. It illustrates some ability to adapt techniques and a good understanding of their various advantages and limitations. The essay refers to relevant literatures but does not always use them effectively.
There is some justification for the chosen methodologies, but they do not always reflect relevant literatures and may lack insight. There is a clear understanding of the mixed methods approach and how it can be used effectively. Main issues are mostly covered with good knowledge, understanding and reflection. The essay itself is lucid, coherent and makes a persuasive case. Pass (50-59) An adequate essay. While it illustrates some understanding of relevant data and its relation to techniques, the discussion lacks detail.
There is some evidence of adaptation and creativity but it is limited. The advantages and limitations of different methodological techniques is not explicit though may be alluded to. There is some justification for the chosen methodologies but reference to the literature is perfunctory and lacks insight. There is some understanding of what constitutes a mixed methods approach but little critical reflection on why it is effective. Many issues are not covered and there is little evidence of knowledge, understanding and reflection.
Literature is cited but not effectively used. There is limited insight and justification is mostly descriptive with little analysis or self-reflection. Fail (40-49) The essay is poor and descriptive. It does not identify relevant data and the methodology is not justified. The emphasis is on description and reporting. It does not illustrate insight or understanding. The essay may point to reading but does not use the reading effectively. A descriptive essay with little academic reflection on questions of method. Clear Fail (0-39) These essays lacks coherence and do not effectively or accurately fulfil the remit of the assessment. Most of the information is irrelevant and/or descriptive. Does not achieve basic communication nor documentation. please refer to the attached document
