Lecture 7

Breakdown:

Presentation: Adam will do a quick presentation illustrating the concepts. 

Step 1: In-Class Assignment: Individual Work (60 minutes)

Objective:
Prepare a detailed 2-page document using the MRC framework to evaluate the decision to pursue the research question outlined in your original proposal. Additionally, revisit one phase of the MRC framework to formulate a new research question. If no new gaps are identified, review existing research and propose improvements.

Instructions:

Preparation:

Based on your original research question, create a 2-page document that includes the following components:

1. Utilization of the MRC Framework:

   • Restate your ORIGINAL question.

   • Go back a phase or two on the MRC framework and think about a research question that could/should have been asked.

   • Propose a NEW research question that would have come in this phase, and should be addressed before you could tackle your ORIGINAL research question.

2. Justification of Theory and Evidence:

   • Provide a robust theoretical foundation and supporting evidence for your NEW research question.

   • Include references to established theories and relevant prior research that strengthen your argument.

3. Evidence of Similar Approaches:

   • Cite examples of similar studies or approaches that have explored comparable research questions and/or methods.

   • If you identify a gap in the existing literature, propose this as a NEW research question that must be addressed before you can tackle your current research question.

   • Because this may not be the case (i.e. there are no NEW questions), you may need to refocus on a question that has been already answered but could be done better.

This section should be approximately 1 page, justifying your current and new research questions.

4. For the NEW Question:

   • Focus on Methods:

     • Emphasize the methods section, detailing the data and data collection tools you plan to use.

     • Explain any differences between the methodologies and methods used to address your NEW research question, as compared to your ORIGINAL one. The objective here is to highlight that, while it is part of the same research process, the methodologies and methods between your original question and the one preceding it may differ significantly.

This section should also be approximately 1 page, 

Additional Notes:

• Ensure your document is organized, with headings for each section to facilitate understanding.

Step 2: Break (10 minutes)

Step 3: In-Class Assignment: Group Work (90 minutes)

Objective: Collaborate with peers to review and provide feedback on each other’s 2-page proposals.

Instructions:

1. Form Groups: Organize yourselves into pairs. Each student will share their 2-page proposal with the other.

2. Proposal Review (20 minutes):

   • Each student will read the other's proposal.

   • Focus on understanding the alignment with the MRC framework, the robustness of the theory and evidence, and the appropriateness of the methods and data collection tools.

   • Write down your questions, as if you were a peer-reviewer: Summarize your understanding of the project and write down the comments in neutral language.

3. Pair Sharing (60 minutes; 10 minutes per pair of students):

• Each pair will share comments and feedback on each other’s work with the class (no slides).

• Student 1:

  • Summarize the identified gap, the NEW research question, and the methods chosen to address this question as proposed by your partner.

  • Provide your critical appraisal(i.e. comments).

• Student 2:

  • Respond verbally to each comment made by Student 1.

• Switch

• Next pair

Class Discussion (10 minutes):

• Engage in a brief discussion as a class about lessons learned from this process.

Final Submission:

• Incorporate the feedback and changes discussed into your revised version (Version 2) and submit it as your final assignment.

Submit the written assignment electronically on Canvas by Thursday (change this on Canvas). I will mark these assignments.