You have two options for this one. Pick either the quantitative approach with a questionnaire design or the qualitative approach with the design of an interview guide.
Option 1
Develop a questionnaire and analyse the data (Approximately 2000 words):
Imagine you are taking part in a project evaluating undergraduate students’ experience of University and Middlesex University in particular. The objectives of the study are as follows:
1) Explore how students use the different university’s services and facilities and the differences (e.g. in demographics, behaviour or profiles)
2) Explore how students spend their time while at university.
3) Explore how students combine their studies and other aspects of their lives.
As an experienced quantitative researcher you have been asked to create a questionnaire to be used with students at Middlesex University.
A crucial part of good research design concerns making sure that the questionnaire design addresses the needs and the objectives of the research. In other words, it is important to ensure that the questions asked are the right ones. To move from the research objectives to deciding what are the right questions to put on a questionnaire is a key aspect that needs to be addressed by the researcher.
Task:
Design a questionnaire which must include:
a) An introduction to the research, the researcher and explain any confidentiality issue;
b) Develop 20 questions which relate to the objectives of the research. Different types of questions should be used, e.g. closed, single vs. multiple responses, ranking, and rating. Due to the difficulty of analysing open responses, you should not include these in your questionnaire.
Tutors, during seminars, will assist you throughout this process design;
c) Carry out the questionnaire with 10 students from SOC2500; The questionnaire can be administered face to face and you may do so after the lecture for example or after your seminar. You also have the option to link your questionnaire on facebook or even try survey monkey www.surveymonkey.com or Polleverywhere http://www.polleverywhere.com/. Make sure you explain in your reflexive report how you chose to proceed and for what reason.
d) Write a brief reflective report (1500 words) which explains
a. The overall results of the questionnaires;
b. How you have determined a certain set of questions and responses to those questions;
c. Describing your experience of conducting a quantitative interview reflecting on the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach.
Note: it is important that you draw on the relevant and appropriate literature on research methods in your reflective report.
What to include in your final assignment:
1) The final questionnaire
2) The reflexive report
Assessment Criteria: Your work will be judged on the extent to which you have followed the outlined brief successfully. Your lecturer will specifically look at:
The extent to which the questions meet the objectives of the study;
The appropriateness of formulation of the question and responses;
How you have carried out the overall analysis of the results;
The overall presentation of your work.
Option 2
Develop an Interview Guide and Analyse the Data (Approximately 2000 words):
Imagine you are taking part in a project evaluating undergraduate students’ experience of University and Middlesex University in particular. The objectives of the study are as follows:
1) Explore how students use the different university’s services and facilities and the differences (e.g. in demographics, behaviour or profiles)
2) Explore how students spend their time while at university.
3) Explore how students combine their studies and other aspects of their lives.
As an experienced qualitative researcher you have been asked to create an interview guide to be used with students at Middlesex University.
A crucial part of good research design concerns making sure that the design of the Interview guide addresses the needs and the objectives of the research. To move from the research objectives to deciding what are the right questions to put on the interview guide is a key aspect that needs to be addressed by the researcher.
Task:
Design a question an interview guide which must include:
1) An introduction to the research, the researcher and explain any confidentiality issue;
2) Develop 10 questions which relate to the objectives of the research. Because it is a qualitative interview, the question must remain open to allow for a discussion. A qualitative interview is looking in-depth at an issue allowing for lengthier responses from the respondents but do not worry:
a. More information will be given during lecture on the qualitative interview;
b. Tutors, during seminars, will assist you throughout this process design.
3) Carry out the interview with 4 students from SOC2500; you may do so after the lecture for example or after your seminar.
4) You can choose to record the interviews and transcribe the interviews or you can take notes during the interview. It will depend on your research preferences as well as to what the respondents will consent to.
5) Write a brief reflective report (1500 words) which highlights:
a. The main themes coming out of the interviews;
b. How you have determined a certain set of questions;
c. Describing your experience of conducting a qualitative interview reflecting on the advantages and disadvantages of such an approach.
Note: it is important that you draw on the relevant and appropriate literature on research methods in your reflective report.
What to include in your final assignment:
1) The interview guide
2) The reflexive report
Assessment Criteria: Your work will be judged on the extent to which you have followed the outlined brief successfully. Your lecturer will specifically look at:
The extent to which the questions meet the objectives of the study;
The appropriateness of formulation of the questions in the interview guide;
How you have carried out the overall analysis of the results;
The overall presentation of your work.
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