Research Methodology

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  • How many hours in total do i have / need for this project?
  • How much training do i need before I can really start progress?
  • How much equipment and support are available?
  • Where might I have to look for other resources

Review of existing literature

Notes here are from the Routledge Study Guide on YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT by Dr Andy Hunt. Cos sometimes its just goddamned hard to make yourself sit down to do a proper literature survey. So here, this checklist will finally stop the damn procrastination.

  • Books
  • Journals
  • Conference proceedings
  • Scholarly Magazines
  • Popular Magazines
  • Web sites

Point of literature survey:

  • you know what other work exists in your field
  • you have gathered and read some subject specific material
  • you can analyse and comment on existing work
  • you can know how your proposed work relates to the work
  • you understand to what extent your work is going to be unique

Possible approaches

  • brainstorm main subject area to establish keywords
  • visit the library to identify main journals and books
  • web search on topics identified in brainstorm
  • database of contacts in the area
  • write up a literature survey

MAKE SURE YOU DO HAVE THESE DELIVERABLES

  • database of contacts
  • literature survey

BUT... IS THIS STILL TOO HARD? YES ARGH HOW DO I DO THIS LITERATURE REVIEW lets break it down more...

  1. go on computer and perform the search
  2. book appointment with subject librarian
  3. note down relevant journals
  4. skim read journals and books
  5. photocopy relevant articles
  6. borrow any relevant books
  7. schedule in some time to read these books

ONE POMODORO WORK UNIT:

  • OBJECTIVE
  • OVERVIEW
  • MAIN TASK
  • KEY DELIVERABLE
  • CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS???

How to design a (design) brief

How to design a brief - notes from james's talk

  • Begin by choosing subject
  • Design a ____ or _____ space; rethink the _____ based on complex human needs and desires, on the rules of existing space, on the strengths of _____ technologies.
  • Don't get distracted by stereotypes as these often ignore the points.
  • Your perspective could be on applications or implications.
  • Why are you doing the project
  • What are your goals?
  • Who is your audience?
  • If your project is successful what will it achieve?

Books

  • Routledge Study Guide on YOUR RESEARCH PROJECT by Dr Andy Hunt.

See also