Assessment: Quantitative Research Project Report

Instructions:

You are required to design a simulated research project proposal combining the two quantitative methods taught to you during the Spring Semester of the module: content analysis and surveys (No data collection or analysis will be involved in the task). Proposal must include a reflection about the suitability of combining both methods, and a critical discussion about the data analysis strategy and how the data will be used to address the research questions in the proposal. This should include a reflection on the strengths and potential limitations of the empirical analysis.

For the project, you can choose one of the following topics and identified data sources. For the purpose of illustration, below is a list of potential topics where content analysis and survey research could be combined.

For your project, you can choose one of the following topics:

• University's student policy and students' satisfaction. Does University's policy influence student satisfaction? To answer this question one can draw on University's documents laying out student related policies and a student satisfaction survey (such as the ones from Loughborough University) to study whether there exists any relationship.

• Media representation of migrants and racism. Does the way media portrays migration and migrants affects people's views of racism? To answer this question one can draw on news reports related to migration from different places and a public opinion survey on social attitudes (such as British Social Attitudes, Understanding Society) to study whether there exists any relationship.

• Media and Brexit. Media and Brexit. Is there a relationship between news coverage of Brexit and people's attitudes towards the EU? To answer this question you can draw on articles related to Brexit and on opinion polls (such as the Eurobarometer, British Social Attitudes) to explore whether there might be a link between what kind of information are people exposed to and what do they think about Brexit and the EU.

You can interpret your chosen title how you wish, but you should devise a clear research question or research aims that relate to a specific aspect of it. Once you have decided on your topic and clear research question(s) or aim(s), you must discuss:

• Similarities and differences between methods. How can they complement each other?
• Explanation of why content analysis and surveys are suitable method for this research project, including reflection on their advantages and disadvantages.
• A general discussion of ethics and practicalities of conducting quantitative research.
• Specification of the population, unit of analysis and sampling unit, as well as the method of sampling (for both methods).
• At least 7 content categories should be briefly outlined, including the instructions on how they will be coded in the text.
• The proposed questionnaire in full, containing 15 individual questions.
• Critical discussion about data analysis strategy and the techniques used to analyse the data.
• References: use academic literature to back up your findings and observations.
• Appendices: Proposed coding and questionnaire.

Research Report Structure

The style of your research report is different from a traditional academic essay. You will make more use of subheading to divide the report into separate sections.

Your report should be presented in a clear and professional style. Double space your text, ensure that the same font is used consistently throughout and add page numbers at the bottom of your page.

Please use the following format for your research project report:

• Title, Student Name and Students ID Number
• Introduction (description of your research question/topic/issue) - approx. 200 words
• Literature Review (describe some relevant social science literature you have identified on your chosen topic. The literature review should include a minimum of three academic references (academic sources are journal articles and/or books; NOT media articles) - approx. 500 words
• Research Methods (critically describe/introduce content and survey analysis; refer to relevant research methods literature) - approx. 700 words
• Evaluation of Methodological Strategy (reflect on advantages/disadvantages of the combined use of both methods, as well as on ethics and practicalities, making sure you refer to literature on research methods) - approx. 300 words
• Data collection. Specification of the population, unit of analysis and sampling unit for both methods -­- approx. 200 words
• Construction of coding categories and questionnaire. Brief narrative explanation of what kind of content variables and questionnaire questions you plan to use and how are they going to be defined, in general terms. At least 7 codes for content analysis and a survey questionnaire containing 15 individual questions. Approx. 400 words.

• Critical discussion about data analysis strategy and its suitability to address the research questions: This should include a description of the methods and techniques used in the data analysis and also a reflection on the advantages and limitations of those tecnhiques - approx. 600 words
• References (use the APA format; see guidance on Learn)
• Appendix (use appendices as required to include proposed coding structure and questionnaire)

Attachment:- Quantitative Research Project Report.rar