1、Week 8 Research MethodologyDr.Zhencong LiuContents Purpose Components Types Strategies Problems Sample Methodology sectionPurpose The Methodology section must provide sufficient information so that a knowledgeable reader can reproduce the experiment.One of the key functions of the Methodology sectio
2、n is to enable other researchers to replicate the study.Different Terms Methodology Methods Research Design Theoretical Framework Theoretical Framework and MethodologyMethodology vs.Methods“Methodology refers to the theoretical paradigm or framework in which the student is working;to the stance he o
3、r she is taking as a researcher(e.g.choosing a quantitative or qualitative paradigm)and the argument that is built in the text to justify these assumptions,theoretical frameworks and/or approaches as well as the choice of research questions or hypotheses.”(Paltridge&Starfield,2007:118-119)Methodolog
4、y vs.Methods In research papers and journal articles,“methods”is used to refer to the section containing the research procedures,data and participants,statistical treatments,materials,etc.Dissertations use“Methodology”to describe the 3rd chapter.(Edwina Carreon,EDUTL 6913 Writing the Methodology Cha
5、pter)Methodology Methodology is a much broader term,which includes methods,but also.explains the studys main conceptual/theoretical framework or paradigm specifically in terms of how this framework has influenced the researchers choice of methodological components(such as the procedures,participants
6、,research design,data analysis,and statistical treatment).justifies the choice of a qualitative or quantitative,descriptive or analytical framework in terms of the studys research questions discusses assumptions,ethical issues,and the limitations of the framework and methods.(Edwina Carreon,EDUTL 69
7、13 Writing the Methodology Chapter)Types of Research Methods Research Method Qualitative research methodsQuantitative research methodsDescriptive research method Methods observation,sound recordings,questionnaires,interviews,on-site records,logspre-experimental research,quasi-experimental researchex
8、perimental researchcase studies,group studies,surveys and development research.Application used in liberal arts and social sciences applied in scienceused in liberal arts and social sciencesChallenges for Qualitative Studies The greater length of methods sections in the social sciences.I t s u g ge
9、st s l e s s u n a n i m i t y a s to methodological practice(Brett 1994).The second-language student may avoid doing and writing about qualitative research because of the perceived linguistic challenges involved.Challenges for Qualitative Studies The complex theoretical frameworks,methodologies and
10、 innovative presentation formats of theses in very qualitative areas Heavy demands on writers and language users in the carrying out of fieldwork,interviews,observation,reflection and data analysis but also because the genres for reporting qualitative research are ill-defined and“fuzzy”Lack of a pre
11、dictable format for qualitative researchSolutions With motivation,encouragement and support A support group Reading a lot of qualitative research articles in her field helped her write up her dataEthical Issues Universitys ethical research requirements Informed consent Anonymity The need for the inf
12、ormant to emerge unharmed from the experience Power relationsPOSITION OF RESEARCH METHODCOMPONENTS OF RESEARCH METHODSTYPICAL SECTIONS IN A METHODOLOGY CHAPTER a.Research Design Review of research questions,hypotheses,assumptions Review of Theoretical/conceptual framework/approach Limitations,Ethica
13、l Issues Role as researcher b.Description of data,population sample,context(geographic,socio-cultural)c.Materials(equipment,surveys,questionnaires)d.Data Collection e.Sampling Technique f.Analysis and Treatment of Data g.Calculations/Variables h.Procedures (Edwina Carreon,EDUTL 6913,Writing the Meth
14、odology Chapter)Typical Sections in Thesis Chapter 3 Methodology 3.1 Subjects/participants 3.2 Instruments 3.3 Data Collection 3.4 Data AnalysisRepresentation of the Researcher How the writer“talks”about his or her role in the research?To what extent is the writer“present”in the thesis?Depersonalize
15、d,objective,impersonal,passive voice “the researcher”“we”“I”Problems in Methodology Students are not fully aware of the purposes of the Methodology section.Students do not understand the distinction between methodology and methods.Inadequate description of the approach and framework adopted.An absen
16、ce of argument and justification for the chosen approach.What examiners typically say about the Methodology(King 1996)inappropriateness of the methodology to the theoretical framework and perspective of the study;insufficient justification for the choice of methodology with respect to research quest
17、ions;placing the methodological approaches within logic of overall design and so demonstrating appropriateness;failure to link methodology adequately to methodological literature;inappropriateness of methodology to generate the data needed to answer the research questions posed;failure to recognize
18、limits and parameters of methodology used(generalizability and repeatability,etc.);appropriateness of methodology to sample;inadequate description of the methodological approach and framework;inadequate description of the instruments being used;inadequate description of the development and testing o
19、f new instruments or techniques;inappropriate,poor and inadequate statistical treatments.Sample Methods Flanagan,S.R.(2016).Language Orientation and Student Success in Online Learning Environments:A Case Study.MA dissertation,Arizona State University.Lawrence,G.P.J(2000).Teacher Belief Systems-Towar
20、ds computer-mediated language learning:College ESL instruction.MA thesis,University of Toronto.Hayes,K.M.(2010).A case study of Chinese university English as a foreign language(EFL)students attitudes toward learning technologies.PhD dissertation(Ed.D.),Northern Illinois University.Assignment 1.Metho
21、dology Writing:Suppose you have finished writing your introduction and literature review of your paper and enter the stage of methods writing.Please examine the procedures of your research,subjects and instruments employed,data collection and analysis techniques,etc.Then write the Methodology sectio
22、n of your own paper in a clear manner.Assignment 2.Methodology Evaluation:Select a classroom-based study from a recent journal such as Language Learning,TESOL Quarterly,or the Modern Language Journal.Summarize the Method section by providing the following data:a.Subjects b.Procedure c.Type of data d
23、.Type of analysis e.Critique Assignment 3.Methodology Evaluation:Please exchange your Methods section with Three of your classmates and comment on their Methods writing against the criteria for a good Methods section.You can draw on Kings(1996)comments on Methodology for your evaluation.Assignment 4
24、.Methodology Evaluation:Examine the Methodology sections from a couple of recent theses in your field in terms of the following questions:lWas there a justification of the choice of methodology,theoretical framework or research design?lWhich elements of the“visual map”were included?lHow were these e
25、lements ordered and was a justification offered for their choice?lHow“reader-friendly”was the section?lDid the writers discuss limitations to the research or problems they encountered during the research?ReferencesPaltridge,B.,&Starfield,S.(2007).Thesis and Dissertation Writing in a Second Language:
26、A handbook for supervisors.Oxford:Routledge.Pyrczak,F.,&Bruce,R.R.(2005).A Basic Guide for Students of the Social and Behavioral Sciences,5th edn.Glendale,CA:Pyrczak Publishing.Lunenburg,F.C.,&Irby,B.J.(2008).Writing a successful thesis or dissertation:tips and strategies for students in the social
27、and behavioral sciences.Thousand Oaks,California:Corwin Press,Inc.*Day,R.，Gastel,B.(1998).How to write and publish a scientific paper(5th edn).Cambridge:Cambridge University Press,Chapter 8,How to Write the Materials and Methods Section,pp.36-41.*Wallace,S.(2015).How to write and submit an academic paper in 18 weeks.Beijing:Peking University Press.如何成为学术论文写作高手。北京：北大出版社。THE END
