'Being a Researcher' Essay (about 2,000 words excluding references) Due March 18, 11.59pm (midnight): details and rubric Full Score: 20 points Task Description: A particular research approach involves the worldviews, designs, and methods chosen by the researcher. For your Honours thesis, what research approach do you plan to take? Discuss the philosophical worldviews, designs, and methods of your choice. You could elaborate their advantages and disadvantages, or discuss their impact on the nature, availability, and communication of the knowledge generated from your research. Word limit: 2000 words Reference Style: APA 7th is recommended; you can also use a common style of your choice, as long as you follow it consistently and name the style at the essay cover page. No minimum or maximum number of references (historically I’ve seen 10-30). Formatting and fonts: your choice, as long as it is consistent throughout the essay. Suggestions of readings: Feel free to find any additional academic sources using keywords such as research methods, epistemology, quantitative research, qualitative research, etc. See below for a list of preliminary references that may be useful: –Bell, E., Bryman, A., & Harley, B. (2018). Business research methods. Oxford university press. –Burrell, G., & Morgan, G. (2017). Sociological paradigms and organisational analysis: Elements of the sociology of corporate life. Routledge. Chapter 1 –Cherryholmes, C. H. (1992). Notes on pragmatism and scientific realism. Educational researcher, 21(6), 13-17. –Crotty, M. (1998). The Foundations of Social Research: Meaning and Perspective in the Research Process. SAGE. –Hammersley, M., & Gomm, R. (1997). Bias in social research. Sociological Research Online, 2(1), 1-13. –Lincoln, Y. S., Lynham, S. A., & Guba, E. G. (2011). Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and emerging confluences, revisited. The Sage handbook of qualitative research, 4, 97-128. –Mertens, D. M. (2008). Transformative research and evaluation. Guilford press. –Neuman, W (2017) Social research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, Chapter 4: The Meanings of methodology, Allyn and Bacon, Boston.. –Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Leech, N. L. (2005). On becoming a pragmatic researcher: The importance of combining quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. International journal of social research methodology, 8(5), 375-387. –Phillips, D. C., Phillips, D. C., & Burbules, N. C. (2000). Postpositivism and educational research. Rowman & Littlefield. –Saunders, M. N., & Lewis, P. (2012). Doing research in business & management: An essential guide to planning your project. Pearson. –Yilmaz, K. (2013). Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions: Epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. European Journal of Education, 48(2), 311-325. –http://theconversation.com/how-do-you-know-that-what-you-know-is-true-thatsepistemology- 63884 Criteria Ratings Pts Is the essay well researched 4 1. Evidence that relevant reading has been undertaken Full No Marks Marks Is the essay well structured? 4 0 1. The main sections of the essay are developed in response to the essay question Full No (relevance throughout the paper) Marks Marks Is the essay well-argued and substantiated? 4 0 1. Relationships between ideas are made clear (for example, between theoretical explanations and practical examples) Full Marks No Marks Is the essay well written? 4 0 1. Writing is clear and cohesive, with a smooth flow from one section to the next. For Full No example, a paragraph should begin by indicating what the paragraph will be about and it should be clearly linked to previous and subsequent paragraphs with link sentences to help Marks Marks Is the essay well presented? 4 0 1. Citations are referenced appropriately within the essay (see Week 1.2 slides for help with Full No APA style) Marks Marks pts 0 pts 4 pts 2. Demonstrated deep and /or broad understanding of the issues emerging in the literature pts pts 4 pts 2. The main sections of the essay reflect an analytical and critical interpretation of the topic (it is not just a description or summary of key points) 3. The introduction provides a clear overview of the key directions of the essay 4. The conclusion is effective in summarizing the key points of the essay pts pts 4 pts 2. Significance of statements is made clear (for example, the essay answers the ‘why’, ‘how’, ‘so what’ and ‘what if’ sorts of questions) 3. The significance of quotations/evidence within the essay’s argument is made clear 4. Appropriate and persuasive evidence is used to support arguments/statements 5. Examples are linked clearly and closely to the arguments of the paper pts pts 4 pts the reader follow the line of thought 2. Writing is appropriately formal and academic (for example, exhibiting a written discipline with how ideas are expressed and substantiated) 3. Writing is grammatically correct and well punctuated 4. Writing avoids the use of gender specific and discriminatory language 2. Citations appear in the appropriate places 3. Reference list is presented accurately and appropriately Total Points: 20 pts pts 4 pts
