This course is compulsory for all Honours Students.
The purpose of the Research Philosophy and Methodology course is to develop your understanding of the discipline's philosophies and methodologies so that you can undertake a research project in accordance with accepted disciplinary norms. The activities and assignments have been designed to guide you through the construction of your research proposal step-by-step, and you will be consulting with your supervisor throughout the process.
There are several class activities and assignments spread over five weeks followed by one week to finalise your research proposal. In addition to interactive class activities, the course is supported by readings and online engagements which will be completed individually.
For those of you who are new to studying at Rhodes University, this course also serves to introduce you to our systems and ways of teaching. You will receive guidance about our online learning platform, RUConnected, and the library, referencing and plagiarism etc.
Explain that research can be positioned according to different paradigms which have changed as the discipline has evolved.
Explain relationships between ideology, epistemology, ontology and methodology of selected research work.
Demonstrate that you can interpret your own, and other people's work, by making appropriate knowledge and value claims.
Demonstrate an ability to design a methodology and/or methodologies through which information can be collected accurately and consistently.
Make an appropriate selection from a range of techniques through which information can be analysed and transformed.
Produce a written research proposal that contains consistent and appropriate concepts, theories and methods and which is presented in a scientifically acceptable form.
Draft Literature Review, Data Analysis, Methodology Matrix (20%);
Research Proposal (40%);
Proposal Presentation (10%).
3 hour paper in November.
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