Module Two study plan

Hi,

 From yesterday's skype discussion, I could feel the transition from Module 2 to Module 3. Though some are beginning Module 1, some are moving to Module 2, we all seem to be experiencing the same challenges where to begin from? 

 I felt I should share what I learnt from Module 2...as I took enormous amount of time to understand its requirement.  Hope this helps Module Two.  

Project Inquiry proposal is a prepared document that provides detail description of your intended  project. It is not your actual project but an outline of a planned work-based project that is relevant to your professional practice.  It provides clear evidence that you (worker-researcher) have a good understanding of the project context and the area/topic of research. 

The format or structure of your proposal would depend on several factors including the type and nature of your intended work-based project – hence there is no right or wrong way to present your proposal. However, the following points guided me to develop my proposal.   

- Is my research topic worthwhile and interesting to me?

   - What benefits would it have to my organisation or employer?

   - What benefits would it have to me?

   - Other unique things to consider?

 Introduction/background

    - What is the context of my project proposal? – my practice context; existing ideas & knowledge about the topic; what are the issues/gaps/opportunities.

 What is my research question(s)?

 - develop your main research question which should link strongly to your project aim and when answered should directly achieve your project aim

 What is my research approach & Methodology?

  -  Select and justify your project approach; e.g.  quantitative/qualitative; action research

  - Clearly explain your approach; supported by appropriate literature

  Data generation/collection & analysis

 - Think about the type of data you would need to answer your project question or achieve your project aim; e.g. quantitative, qualitative or mixed data?

  - Then select and justify your methods of data collection and analysis; e.g. Interviews; questionnaire; observation; documents; artefacts etc

  - Clearly explain the methods; supported by appropriate literature

  - Clearly explain how you would analyse and make sense of the data.

Project feasibility

 - Provide an action plan for your project to demonstrate how you will manage it in the time available; plan should show activity and planned date/time (could be in actual dates: e.g. 15th – 30th October 2012; weeks: e.g. Week 1 – 3; 1st – 3rd Week of October 2012; or Months: Mid October – Mid November etc); could use Gant chart.

- Identify potential ethical issues that are likely to affect the project and how you intend to deal with them; e.g. if your project involves children there may be ethical issues which would require you to gain formal permission (consent) from school authorities and parents; also, to prove that children would not be in any form of danger (physical or psychological) etc.

Do leave your comments!!