The Research Journal: A Reflective Tool for Your First Independent Research Project

The Research Journal
Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction
	Who this journal is for
	How to use this book
	The role of writing in research and learning
	Research terminology
	Outline of contents
Part 1: Engaging in the research process
Theme 1: Journal writing
	Theme 1.1: What does a research journal look like?
	Theme 1.2: The importance of journal writing
	Theme 1.3: The link between writing and understanding
	Theme 1.4: How to get started with reflective writing
	Theme 1.5:  A model for reflective writing
	Top Tip Things that can make reflective writing easier and enjoyable
Theme 2: Making a good start
	Theme 2.1: What are you ultimately hoping to achieve?
	Theme 2.2: Starting the research process
	Theme 2.3: Criticality
	Theme 2.4: Making the most of networks
	Theme 2.5: The importance of your research question
	Top Tip The importance of getting started
Theme 3: Time management
	Theme 3.1: Making a research plan
	Theme 3.2: Does planning always work?
	Theme 3.3: Setting goals for your research
	Theme 3.4: Dealing with procrastination
	Theme 3.5: Reaching a large word count
	Top Tip: ‘Don’t get it right, get it written!’
Theme 4: Reading for research
	Theme 4.1: Deciding what to read
	Theme 4.2: Targeting your reading
	Theme 4.3: Working towards a strong reference list
	Theme 4.4: Knowing when to stop reading
	Theme 4.5: Keeping a record of what you have read
	Case Study: Accessing the right support
Theme 5: Key research terminology
	Theme 5.1: What does‘ methodology’ mean?
	Theme 5.2: The links between methodology, and epistemology and ontology
	Theme 5.3: Quantitative and qualitative method
	Theme 5.4: Validity, reliability and generalisability in research
	Theme 5.5: Research methods
	Top Tip: A hierarchy of objectives
Theme 6: Research ethics
	Theme 6.1: What are ethics?
	Theme 6.2: Some common ethical issues in empirical research
	Theme 6.3: Subjectivity
	Theme 6.4: Maintaining confidentiality and keeping your data secure
	Theme 6.5: Gaining informed consent
	Case Study: Researching a sensitive topic
Theme 7: Support and feedback
	Theme 7.1: The supervisory relationship
	Theme 7.2: Building a good relationship with your supervisor
	Theme 7.3: Making the most of feedback
	Theme 7.4:  The role of a critical friend
	Theme 7.5: What to do if you experience difficulties
	Top Tip: Be open-minded
Theme 8: Research management
	Theme 8.1: Managing your research project
	Theme 8.2: What to do when things don’t go according to plan
	Theme 8.3: Coping with the unexpected
	Theme 8.4: Getting ready to analyse your data
	Theme 8.5: Dealing with large amounts of data
	Top Tip: ‘Big rocks first’
Theme 9: Motivation
	Theme 9.1:  What motivates you in your research?
	Theme 9.2: The role of emotions in research
	Theme 9.3: Dealing with peaks and troughs
	Theme 9.4: What to do when you feel like giving up
	Theme 9.5: Why does it all feel so important?
	Top Tip: Treat yourself – you deserve it!
Theme 10: Submission and review
	Theme 10.1: The finishing touches
	Theme 10.2: Presenting your work to others
	Theme 10.3: What would you do differently?
	Theme 10.4: What have you learned about yourself?
	Theme 10.5: How have your skills developed?
	Case Study: A fresh pair of eyes
Part 2: My research project
	1. The Research Process
	2. The introduction
	Top Tip: A strong structure
	3. Literature review
	Top Tip: Using annotated bibliographies
	4. Methodology
	Top Tip: ‘Put yourself in my shoes’
	5. Data analysis
	Case Study: Selecting the most significant data
	6. Discussion
	Case Study: From data description to data analysis
	7. Conclusions
	Case Study: Time to celebrate together
References
Index