OUAN601 - Methodologies and Critical Analysis Lecture

This lecture was centered around understand and being able to determine our own methodology when moving forward with our dissertations. A methodology is 'a system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.' In other words it is the approaches taken and the methods used to undertake a particular task, in this case the researching of a dissertation question. Some things that could be included in a methodology of this nature are, a literature review (literature from the library, internet and journals), questionnaires, interviews, sketchbooks, reflective blog, and maintaining a critical diary. In my case I will include a literature review, interviews with the relevant people to my dissertation question and any reflective or critical record I keep of my findings including sketchbook work. The methodology used should be outlined and explained at the beginning of the dissertation in the introduction. Richard stated the importance of having a methodology and that we will need to develop one to complete our dissertations.

• Every Research Project will have some sort of methodology, even if it is ill thought out, or you don’t recognise it as such.
• Methodology is a scientistic word, with intimidating connotations, but is actually pretty straightforward.
• Simply put, a methodology is –
• A logical, systematic, and structured way of organising a research project and gathering necessary information.
• Evidence that you have reflected critically on various research methods and chosen the ones that are most appropriate for your particular research project.
• Therefore, a methodology is unique to each project.

In terms of critical analysis, we were also given some advice as to where to find certain information and how to include it in our writing. Critical analysis was defined as stepping away and using reasoned thinking combined with evidence based research to draw conclusions about a certain topic or question. To do this, it is important to look at different viewpoints when addressing a piece of information or research. Furthermore, building a good argument to answer the research question is important when writing in this way. Making sure that I am constantly asking myself if I have good evidence to support the points being made as well as making sure I am looking in the correct places and in turn expressing my argument in a clear and logical way is paramount. I will also need to make use of triangulation in order to pit the different viewpoints I am including against each other. This includes bringing a position to light and finding viewpoints that both agree and disagree with this particular position where possible and drawing conclusions in this way. Finally, in the conclusion to my dissertation I need to show the person reading that I am evaluating the evidence for its relevance and reliability, and from this coming to conclusions based on the the value of the evidence I've found.