Transcript Step 4 Which Research Method

Planning Step 4
What Research Methods
Planning Step 4
What Research Methods
Step 1
Choosing the
Study Theme
Step 8
Description &
justification of
RMs
Step 2
Choosing the
issue
The
Dissertation
Step 7
Introduction
Aims
Step 3
Brainstorming
Making a
mind map
Step 4
What research
methods?
Step 6
Introduction
Context
Step 5
Drawing up
a plan or
structure
Step 4

Once you have completed your
mind map, you will have some
ideas about the issues that you
need to research

how you are going to carry out
your research

what sources you are going to
access

what information you should be
looking for

‘’It is the electoral systems
themselves, not the political
parties, which are to blame for low
turnouts in the UK and USA’’.
Primary Research Methods

At this level of study, you should
be prepared to use at least one
primary research method.
 Primary sources include the
generation of evidence by you,
the analysis of data such as
survey data generated by others,
and the examination of official
governmental publication. The
range and availability of primary
sources will depend on the field of
study.
Primary Research Methods
Surveys, questionnaires
In-depth
interviews
Participant and nonparticipant
observation
Use of official
statistics e.g. voting
returns
Analysis of official
publications e.g.House
of Commons papers
Analysis of media
presentation of
information and
opinions
Opinion polls e.g.
MORI, ICM
Secondary Research Methods
 Survey data generated by others
Secondary Research Methods

You should focus on academic
sources – materials written by
political scientists, sociologists etc.

You must use theories, concepts
and case studies to support your
arguments and in the final
analysis, answer the hypothesis.

Your can also access newspapers,
periodicals, CD-roms, videos, online computerised data bases and
the Internet.
Appendix 4: Record of Sources
Reference
to issue
Author’s
viewpoint,
quotations
Possible
references
Title
Author
Publisher
Date and
place of
publication
Access
date