Reference no: EM133052868 , Length: word count:1500

REM502 Research Methodologies - Comparative Analysis of Research Methodologies

Learning Outcome 1: Build appropriate research design suitable to the context
Learning Outcome 2: Present and evaluate academic arguments including writing and presenting a research proposal
Learning Outcome 3: Select and critically analyse published resources
Learning Outcome 4: Compare and contrast quantitative and qualitative research methods
Learning Outcome 5: Synthesise and integrate ethical principles related to research

Task Summary

This assessment (Comparative Analysis Report) is designed to help determine the particular research methodology and subsequently the research methods, after the literature analysis that you have done in assessment 1. Comparative analysis will lead you in preparing your final Research Proposal (Assessment 3).

The Comparative Analysis Report is an individual assessment and covers 30% of your overall grade. Your report should be of 1500 words (+/-10%) include the following key elements:

A written report that includes:
• The title of your research
• Research questions (2nd draft)
• Aims and objectives (2nd draft)
• Comparative Analysis of research methodologies
• Proposed methodology and research methods
• References
• Appendices (if applicable)
It is important to include the University ethos "Here for Good" into your ideas for your proposed research.
Please refer to the Task Instructions for details on how to complete this task.

Context
This assessment, a Comparative Analysis report is formative in nature and is the second stage working towards your final Research Proposal (Assessment 3). Each assessment in this subject is designed to build competency in research methodologies and are not stand-alone assessments. The Comparative Analysis report is designed to help you decide on the particular research methodologies that are appropriate for you to propose your research. From this, you will need to develop the particular methods that the project will use.

This assessment requires you, as a Software Engineering student, to research and prepare a comparative analysis of the different research methodologies available. From this the methodologies, such as qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods research should be analysed to determine the best approach for your Research Proposal.

Once you have determined the methodological approach, the specific approach, or method, using tools/research instruments will be developed. Research instruments (or tools) may include surveys or questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, quantitative statistical analysis etc.

For example: If you intend on using a survey, you need to write the specific questions you intend to ask and describe your method of data analysis. Please include the questions in the Appendix.

Task Instructions
Write a Comparative Analysis of Research Methodologies Report. Your report should include the following key elements:
• Title: The title of a research project is usually a single concise sentence that accurately reflects the proposed research.
• Research question(s): Consider this a second draft of the research questions, continuing from the Annotated Bibliography.
• Aims and Objectives: Consider this a second draft of your aims and objectives, improved or revised from your Annotated Bibliography

• Comparative Analysis of Research Methodologies
By considering an analytical approach, evaluate qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research methodologies. Outline the strengths and weaknesses of each approach in relation to your proposed research project. What methods does each approach utilize? What are the limitations associated with each approach?
• Methodologies are a systematic examination of the methods applied to any research field. It may be comprised of a system of methods designed to achieve the research outcome.
• Methods are the particular tools/research instruments that are intended for being used. (e.g. qualitative interviews, or quantitative statistical analysis)
• Ethics are an important issue when developing specific research tools, particularly with human research.

• Proposed Methodology and Methods
Deriving from the comparative analysis, determine which research methodology (e.g. qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods) is appropriate for your research project. Discuss the reasons behind your choice of a methodology. From this determine which particular methods you intend on using and explain why. Outline the software design, relate the methodologies and methods to the research question(s) - what methods are being used to address the research question(s)? What tools/research instruments are you planning on using? How do you plan on triangulating your data? What ethical issues need to be taken into consideration? How has ethics influenced the development of your research tools?

Referencing
It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing research.