Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of

Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of
Discourse Analysis, extended guidance Please use this in conjunction with the general structure provided on Moodle  Detailed guidance on the content analysis- for the methodology and ethics chapter and the discussion and findings chapter Overview: Methodology and Ethical Considerations (Discourse Analysis) 4,000 words Your steps: stating the research questions identifying the relevant documents (sampling) applying the sampling method, designing a protocol for data collection, analysing the documents (discourse analysis) interpreting the findings. Within the broad methodology of discourse analysis there are many different traditions and approaches. We propose that within Special Educational Needs (drawing upon education, early childhood, critical disability studies etc) you apply an interpretive approach to the analysis of documents as you may be interested in the meanings about key concepts (e.g. childhood, disability, pedagogy, SEN, SEMH) that are conveyed within your selected documents. You may be interested in how the issue or problem that is being addressed is defined or constructed by your chosen documents, and the hidden assumptions that may underpin these documents. This means you are choosing to apply discourse analysis. Based on Brown et al. (2019) Findings and discussion (Discourse Analysis) 4,000 words Presentation and discussion of findings arising from the discourse analysis – this needs to address/answer your research questions. How do your findings support/contradict/build on and/or raise further questions about the topic you are investigating? Holliday (2002, p.104) favours a thematic approach: ‘the development of themes and organisation of data are interconnected with the development of an argument’. Select a small sample of relevant documents (please see relevant section on what constitutes valid documents) Although discourse analysis can be either qualitative or quantitative, for the purpose of this project, you will have to engage with QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS of the sources. In qualitative analysis are taken into consideration: the author (who is writing for a specific audience, with a known/hidden intention); the social context in which the document is produced and by which is influenced, the audience (possible impact and outcomes deriving from the document), and lastly the ‘symbols’ employed to communicate a message or develop new meaning/understanding. METHODOLOGY CHAPTER SUGGESTED STRUCTURE Introductory paragraph (100-200 words) Describe the structure of your chapter. This must be brief and providing an explanation to the structure of the chapter, rather than a list of what is discussed. Citations to references are needed in this section. Framing your research (400-500 words) Paradigm – this refers to the theoretical paradigm framing your research. You are likely to be an interpretivist and you could combine this with another theoretical or paradigmatic perspective (feminism, post-structuralism, emancipatory, etc). Citations to references are needed in this section. Positionality (400-500 words) Explore your positionality in relation to the research methodology. How will this methodology support you in revealing and challenging your own assumptions? Is it aligned with your own beliefs and preferred models of research? How does the project reflect your own values and how will you employ reflexivity to ensure you are addressing any bias you may bring to the research? You are looking to link your paradigm, theoretical framework and values to the research project here. Citations to references will be needed here- these will likely be research methodology texts. Research Design and data collection (1500-1800 words) Introduce, discuss and defend (which means support with relevant literature and demonstrating awareness of possible limitations and shortcomings) the design decisions you have made in your research. This should include- your sampling strategy approach, your protocol for data collection and a discussion about your use of discourse analysis. The sampling strategy approach, this section should include: *search engine /database use to identify documents. *methods for search of sources *selection criteria for sources (inclusion/exclusion criteria, such as date of publication, context, validity of source, type of document, etc…). This is your sampling strategy. Introduce, discuss and defend (which means support with relevant literature and demonstrating awareness of possible limitations and shortcomings) the protocol for data collection from the documents You should have a clearly developed protocol for data collection from the documents. This is discourse analysis. The protocol for data collection can focus on one or more of the following elements – the following are relevant to discourse analysis *arguments presented in the document. *specific language (particularly symbolic language, such as metaphors or terms that imply correlation with other realities) *patterns (of recurring themes or terms) *structures of discussion *unspoken elements / assumptions presented in the document *any difference between explicit (what is written) intended (the purpose for having written it) and received meaning (the possible impact / outcomes from engaging with the writing) Citations to references are needed in this section. Critical exploration 1,000-1,100 words Explore a number of core relevant ethical principles and how you have applied them in your research. These will be centred around doing ethical documentary research, and ensuring you have been able to act ethically as a researcher engaging in desktop research. Citations to references will be needed here- from research methodology texts and ethical guidance instruments. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION SUGGESTED STRUCTURE Introductory paragraph (100-300 words) Remind your reader the process and rationale* that has led to the selection of the relevant documents analysed. Reflect on your own positionality in relation to the topic and how this affected your engagement with the documents. Describe the structure of your chapter. This must be brief and providing an explanation to the structure of the chapter, rather than a list of what is discussed. Citations to references are needed in this section. *these points would have been explored in depth in the methodology Analysis of chosen documents (3-6 recommended, depending on length/type of source – please discuss with your supervisor) The documents (600-800 words) Present briefly the documents you are analysing. You should provide the full reference (Harvard style) followed by a) a brief summary of the content of each document (100 words max per piece) and b) a brief overview of the context in which they have been produced (another 100 words max per piece) The protocol for data collection (100-300 words) Remind your reader the protocol you have followed to collect ‘data’ from the documents (the protocol should be discussed in your methodology section). The outcome of your data collection will then be analysed (see below). Introducing the analysis (300-400 words) Remind your reader the type of analysis you have selected for engaging with your documents (eg: coding, thematic, etc) – ensure to support your choice with relevant methodological literature (see the recommended reading document) In this section you can discuss any challenges, barriers, points of relevance Introducing the findings from the analysis (1,000 – 1,200) [NOTE: In most qualitative discourse analysis, a thematic analysis is adopted to present the findings] In this section you should outline the key findings (possibly themes if you adopt a thematic analysis approach). Ensure there is clear reference to the sources used (you might quote a passage / explore the analysis of a specific section/word/etc) When discussing the key findings, ensure to relate the findings back to your research questions (explain how they are relevant /address the research question in discussion). Citations to references are needed in this section but use with care. Interpretation 800 to 1,000 words approximately The focus of this last section is to provide your own interpretation (supported through relevant theories and literature) In this section you are bringing together the key findings of your analysis to reflect on their meaning / impact / relevance in relation to your research questions (and with support of relevant theories/literature). Here you can reflect on whether the analysis has revealed an underlying motive / a message / a desired outcome in the documents You could reflect on whether the analysis of the documents reflects / evidence an underlying social process/ reality/ issue Citations to references are needed in this section. Here your focus is presenting your argument emerging from the analysis of the documents in response to your research questions. Smith, E. (2006) Using secondary data in educational and social research. Maidenhead: Open University Press. This provides guidance on analysis of secondary sources. Click here to access.
Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of
Critical Analysis of 4 Key Sources, additional guidance. Please use this in conjunction with the general structure provided on Moodle  Detailed guidance on the critical analysis of four key sources- for the discussion and findings chapter Overview: Methodology and Ethical Considerations (Critical analysis of 4 key sources) 4,000 words Your steps: stating the research questions identifying the relevant documents (sampling) applying the sampling method, discussing the protocol for data collection and analysing the documents (critical review and synopsis) interpreting the findings. Discussion and Findings (Critical analysis of 4 key sources) 4,000 words Select four key sources (either journal articles or chapters in edited books- they must report on research) that aim to provide a critical analysis of your topic. In this section you are undertaking a critical review and analysis of each text, in which you may critically review and analyse the: Focus of the text and its position in the field of literature Positionality of the author and their theoretical framework Aspects of the methodology Their argument and findings You will then have a concluding section where you compare the different contributions to knowledge in the field made by the texts. METHODOLOGY CHAPTER SUGGESTED STRUCTURE Introductory paragraph (100-200 words) Describe the structure of your chapter. This must be brief and providing an explanation to the structure of the chapter, rather than a list of what is discussed. Citations to references are needed in this section. Framing your research (400-500 words) Paradigm – this refers to the theoretical paradigm framing your research. You are likely to be an interpretivist and you could combine this with another theoretical or paradigmatic perspective (feminism, post-structuralism, emancipatory, etc). Citations to references are needed in this section. Positionality (400-500 words) Explore your positionality in relation to the research methodology. How will this methodology support you in revealing and challenging your own assumptions? Is it aligned with your own beliefs and preferred models of research? How does the project reflect your own values and how will you employ reflexivity to ensure you are addressing any bias you may bring to the research? You are looking to link your paradigm, theoretical framework and values to the research project here. Citations to references will be needed here- these will likely be research methodology texts. Research Design and data collection (1500-1800 words) Introduce, discuss and defend (which means support with relevant literature and demonstrating awareness of possible limitations and shortcomings) the design decisions you have made in your research. This should include- your sampling strategy approach, your protocol for data collection and a discussion about your use of this research pathway- the critical analysis of 4 key sources. The sampling strategy approach, this section should include: *search engine /database use to identify documents. *methods for search of sources *selection criteria for sources (inclusion/exclusion criteria, such as date of publication, context, validity of source, relevance of source, language, focus of the research, etc…). This is your sampling strategy. Introduce, discuss and defend (which means support with relevant literature and demonstrating awareness of possible limitations and shortcomings) the protocol for data collection from the documents- this is the critical review and synopsis (Wallis and Wray 2016). You are discussing its suitability, the way you will carry this out, the strengths and limitations of this approach, and ultimately your reason for using this methodology. Citations to references are needed in this section. Critical exploration 1,000-1,100 words Explore a number of core relevant ethical principles and how you have applied them in your research. These will be centred around doing ethical documentary research, and ensuring you have been able to act ethically as a researcher engaging in desktop research. Citations to references will be needed here- from research methodology texts and ethical guidance instruments. Suggested structure for this chapter (discussion and findings) Introductory paragraph to the chapter 100-300 words. Summarise your strategy for the critical review and analysis of the four texts. Reflect on your own positionality in relation to the topic and how this affected your engagement with the four texts. Citations to references are needed in this section. Describe the structure of your chapter. This must be brief. Critical review and analysis- 700 – 800 words per source Write the full Harvard reference for each source followed by critical review and analysis. Inspired by Wallis and Wray (2016) write a critical synopsis for each source. Introduce the text Prompts for thinking: Why am I reading this? How is this text aligned to my positionality and theoretical framework? (50 to 100 words) Report the content Prompts for thinking: What are the authors trying to achieve in writing this? What are the authors claiming that is relevant to my work?’ (100-200 words) Evaluate the methodology (100-200 words) Prompts for thinking ‘How relevant is the methodology to the topic? How is it innovative in the data collection methods? How does the research design uphold ethical principles?’ Evaluate the findings (100-200 words) Prompts for thinking: ‘How convincing are these claims and why?’ Consider: theoretical underpinning, design of empirical study, argument and validity Draw your conclusion (100-150 words) (Prompts for thinking: how does this source address my research questions? How does this source further knowledge in the field? How does this source provide innovation in methodology?’ Citations to references are needed in this section but use with care. The literature and theory you cite should have already been reviewed in your literature review chapter or included in your methodology and ethics chapter. Concluding paragraph to this chapter 800 to 1,000 words approximately Comparison of the different contributions to knowledge in the field made by the texts. In this section you need to be selective by considering: The different ways in which the texts make contributions to knowledge in the field (e.g. application of theory and the findings). You must make links to your research questions. You must make links to your literature review. How do these texts relate to the field of literature? The different ways in which the authors apply theoretical frameworks, research paradigms and methodologies to examine the topic. What are the differences and similarities? How do different approaches provide a range of perspectives and insights into the topics? The questions that the four studies raise in relation to ethical issues in conducting research in the field. Citations to references are needed in this section. Here your focus is comparing the sources and situating them in the field of knowledge.
Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of
Empirical Research, extended guidance Please use this in conjunction with the general structure provided on Moodle  Detailed guidance on the empirical research option- for the methodology and ethics chapter and the discussion and findings chapter Overview: Methodology and Ethical Considerations (Empirical Research) 4,000 words Your steps: stating the research question Framing the focus of your research identifying the data collection methods you will use designing a protocol for data collection analysing the data Findings and discussion (Empirical Research) 4,000 words Presentation, reflection, analysis and discussion of findings arising from your research project, and interpretation of these findings linked to literature– this needs to address/answer your research questions. METHODOLOGY CHAPTER SUGGESTED STRUCTURE Introductory paragraph 100-200 words Describe the structure of your chapter. This must be brief and providing an explanation to the structure of the chapter, rather than a list of what is discussed. Citations to references are needed in this section. Framing your research 500 words Paradigm – this refers to the theoretical paradigm framing your research. You are likely to be an interpretivist and you can combine this with another theoretical or paradigmatic perspective (feminism, post-structuralism, emancipatory, etc). This is your theoretical framework. Consider how these elements impact upon the research you are carrying out and the way in which you are seeking to create new knowledge. Citations to references are needed in this section. Research Design and Data collection 1,500 words Introduce, discuss and defend (which means support with relevant literature and demonstrating awareness of possible limitations and shortcomings) the research design decisions you have made in your project. Consider here your research approach and design, sampling strategy, research tools- their selection, design and use, and your plan for analysing the data you collect. This section should also include an account of and reflection on the data collection process itself, for example, what did you eventually do in your project? How many participants did you have and did this differ from your plan? What was your process in collecting and analysing your data? It is helpful to state again your research questions. Citations to references are needed in this section. Critical exploration 1,000-1,200 words Explore a number of core relevant ethical principles and how you have applied them in your research project. For an empirical project this might include your own values and how these could impact upon your research (bias and reflexivity), informed consent, gatekeeper consent and power relations. This may include discussions around the data collection process too- how did you ensure you were acting ethically in your data collection events? Citations to references are needed in this section. Positionality 500-600 words Explore your positionality in relation to the research methodology. How will this methodology support you in revealing and challenging your own assumptions? Is it aligned with your own beliefs and preferred models of research? How will this project support you to reflect on and develop your own practice? How does this project and your practice link to your theoretical framework? Citations to references are needed in this section. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION CHAPTER SUGGESTED STRUCTURE Introduction (500-600 words) Remind your reader the process and rationale* that has led to the selection of the relevant data analysed. Remind your reader the protocol you have followed to collect data through your research project (the protocol should be discussed in depth in your methodology section). Reflect on your own positionality in relation to the topic and how this has formed your project. Describe the structure of your chapter. This must be brief and providing an explanation to the structure of the chapter, rather than a list of what is discussed. Citations to references are needed in this section. *these points would have been explored in depth in the methodology Discussion and analysis of your findings from the research project (3,400-3,500 words) In this section you should outline the key findings (usually structured as themes if you adopt a thematic analysis approach, but some prefer to structure by research question). When discussing the key findings, ensure to relate the findings back to your research questions (explain how they are relevant /address the research questions in discussion). Good practice is to ‘weave’ by stating your finding, providing an example from the data that illustrates the finding and then interpreting this finding by relating it to literature and theory.   Remember this is an analysis of your findings so avoid lengthy presentations or descriptions of the raw data by research tool. You can use sub-headings to support the structure of your discussion and help identify key themes to the reader. In this section you are bringing together the key findings of your analysis to reflect on their meaning / impact / relevance in relation to your research questions with support of relevant theories/literature from your literature review. Citations to references are needed in this section. Here your focus is presenting your argument emerging from the analysis of your research findings in response to your research questions. This will be supported by the literature discussed in the literature review. Louise Arnold, Dr Jenny Robson and Dr Fran Zanatta
Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of
Research Proposal This is not given a grade but will help you explore your ideas, and commit them to the page, preparing you and your supervisor for your supervision journey. We will review it together in class from time to time to ensure you are developing your ideas. You will submit it to Turnitin in order to be given written feedback, any changes you need to make, and a supervisor. No minimum word count but please give as much detail as you can at this point, but no more than 1000 words! Introduction – what is the problem you will be researching? Why have you chosen it? Title and Research questions – what are the specific questions you will be looking to address in your research? Remember- ethical, feasible, appropriate, precise (Thomas, 2017) Title: RQ1. RQ2. RQ3. Possible sub-headings for your literature review (show the themes you are thinking of including- what is coming up in the literature? How will you show development of your ideas?) An outline of the methodology you intend to use, with a brief explanation of why. You may choose to use references here, these will be from the research methods literature or similar academic studies (see the reading list in the Module guide and our weekly readings for a starting point) References (a reference list including the resources you have referenced in this research proposal- in Harvard style please- see Cite Them Right)
Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of
General Dissertation Structure and Guidance- MA SEN Title Page (Not included in the word count) This should include your title, student number, module code and title, your institution and final word count. There is a template available on Moodle to support you with this. Acknowledgements (Not included in the word count) This is your opportunity to thank those who have supported you in your research. Contents Page (Not included in the word count) The contents page should be a clear guide as to what is contained in your dissertation. The template will support you with creating a contents page. Abstract (Approx. 250 words) The abstract should provide the reader with a summary of the research carried out, and will include information such as research aims, methodology, ethical issues, key findings or conclusions and limitations of the research. This should be written in third person, and is usually written last. Introduction (Approx. 1000 words) This section introduces the research- what the topic is, the key issues being researched, why this is important, your motivation, how this research fits within the field, your research questions, introduction to the context of your research (your setting if appropriate) and the data collected, and how this was done. This section should also introduce the ideas of positionality and reflexivity- what assumptions have you brought with you to this research, and how are you going to mitigate the effects of these? Literature Review (Approx. 4000 words) The literature review evidences critical engagement with existing texts relevant to the topic and research questions. These texts can include theoretical texts (books and papers), empirical texts (research papers or articles) and policy documents.  You are strongly advised to evidence your structure through the use of sub-headings in this chapter, and these should evidence the development of your topic.  In this section the focus is on synthesis and analysis of existing knowledge about your topic.  You aim to adopt a critical perspective by exploring assumptions, challenging arguments, questioning the existing research studies (e.g. critique of methodology adopted, or theoretical framework or research has not included practitioner or child or family perspectives) and analysing contradictory or alternative perspectives on your topic. You should also be considering the implications of the work of others, and how this relates to your own research.  The concluding paragraph of your literature review should introduce your evolving argument as informed by the existing literature. Methodology and Ethical Considerations (Approx. 4000 words) The Methodology chapter evidences the rationale for your research design choices including for example your paradigm, justification for your selection of methodology, research approach and a detailed critical discussion of the data collection methods. This chapter should be informed by existing empirical studies and the research methods literature relevant to Special Educational Needs and the wider fields of education and social sciences. Your methodology chapter should make clear links to your research topics/questions; you should aim to form an argument supporting your method design and its relevance to your study.  Throughout you must adopt a critical perspective where you consider the potential strengths and limitations with each aspect of your research design. You should position your study in relation to ethical principles that are relevant to your topic and method/data.  There should be a detailed and critical discussion of the ethical principles/practices adopted to gain access to the data, selection of data, and where relevant information for participants/gatekeepers and the processes to obtain informed consent to obtain/use data.   This section should include an exploration of the power relations and reflexivity from the perspective of the researcher, particularly in relation to existing literature and the data collection processes; there would also be an expectation that you would set out the strategies and actions that you as a researcher will put in place to minimise power imbalances and personal bias. Your critical engagement with ethical principles in your research must be informed by the research methods literature. Findings and Discussion (Approx. 4000 words) Your findings need to be presented and discussed within the context of the literature; answer your research questions. Consider whether your findings build upon, raise further questions about, support or contradict research in the field, and current thinking in your topic of choice. Your discussion of the findings from your study must address your research questions; you must justify your structure and how it relates to all your research questions.  In your discussion of findings, you are critically analysing and reflecting on the data collecting by considering how it relates to your literature review and applying the lens of your theoretical framework (paradigm). This will support the development of your argument first presented in the concluding paragraph of your literature review.  In the structure of your writing you must ‘weave’ by stating your finding, providing an example from the data that illustrates the finding and then interpreting this finding by relating it to literature and theory.   Please note that no new literature should be included in this chapter- you should only draw on your literature review to support analysis.   Conclusion (Approx. 750 words) Summarise and evaluate the research, discuss your recommendations (at policy or practice level for example), consider the implications and limitations of the research and how it could be developed further. Avoid introducing new literature, findings or concepts here- conclusions should be based on what you have already presented in your dissertation. Reference List (Not included in the word count) To be presented in Harvard style (see Cite Them Right) and including only sources referred to in the dissertation. Appendices (Not included in the word count) All appendices should be numbered. They could include your blank research tools and any other documents that you have created and referred to in your work (for example, a coding table). The appendices will not usually contain raw data. Please do not include your research proposal or ethics form in the appendices. Style guidance: please use a san serif font (Arial, Helvetica, Calibri) in point 12, with 1.5 or double line spacing in your submission. Louise Arnold and Dr Fran Zanatta, January 2022
Please I need a Research/ Thesis Topic + Proposal in the field of Psychology ( Special Educational Needs Precisely) Please find attached documents relating to the choice of options and break down of
Please find, some of the resources that has been added to my Moodle page for references, except that they are only available online in my school library, I can’t download, but it will be nice to mention them for reference sakes… 1. How to Do Your Project (Gary Thomas, 2011). 2. Research Methodologies in Education; Cohen, Louis, Manion, Lawrence; Morrison… 3. Research in Special Education Design Methods and Application; Rumrill , P. Cook, B.G and Willey. A.L (2011) . 4. Using Secondary Data in Education and Social Research. Smith, Emma (2008). 5. Ethical Guidelines for Education Research (2018) BERA 6.’Finding and Reading Documents’ in Tight (2019) 7.Methodology and Methods in Carter (2018)- Chapter 5 8. Documents As Sources of Data ( Bryman,2015) chapter 23 9. Lichtman (2014) Chapter 4 Conceptualizing Research Approaches 10. Largan, C. and Morris, T. (2019) Qualitative Secondary Research: A Step by Step GuideChapter 1 https://contentstore.cla.co.uk/secure/link?id=2cb64b01-1ba1-ec11-a22a-0050f2f0d45d https://contentstore.cla.co.uk/secure/link?id=bfd22f66-1ba1-ec11-a22a-0050f2f0d45d 11. Critical analysis of 4 key sources- Wallace and Wray (2006) chapter 3 and 4 12. Ontology/Epistemology/paradigm overview- Thomas (2017) p.106-126 Cohen, Manion and Morrison (2011) Chapter 22 (e-book) Rumrill, Cook and Wiley (2011) Chapter 7 (e-book) Saldana (2009) Coding Manual