RESEARCH PROJECT

PHASE 1

Step 1: Selecting a topic

Look through all topics

Select 3 that captures your attention

Identify the issues that are related to the topic

Use the topic you have selected for your research paper and oral presentation

For example:

- Media and society

How to choose a good topic?

Not a broad or general topic

Develops interest or a topic interested in

Never been researched is an advantage

Researchable with reliable advantage

How to begin?

RESEARCH!!!

Ask these questions: What are interests me?

Does the topic have available information needed?

Where to retrieve the information required?

Where can research be done? The internet

In the library

Asking for recommendations from lecturer

Step 2: Narrowing down to a specific issue

Topic in itself has a huge scope

Narrow down your scope for research

For example:

- Inappropriate images portrayed by media

Use the issue you have written on in your research paper and oral presentation

Scope must be one that can be argued There must be supporters and opposers to the

issue

Ask the following questions:

What is it about this topic that needs more research?

Who should I focus on?

Am I over generalising the topic? (words such as everyone, all or nobody show over generalising)

Is my topic still too broad?

Example:

General Topic: Media

First Narrowing: Messages portrayed by the

media

Second Narrowing: Inappropriate messages

portrayed by the media

Third Narrowing: The effects of inappropriate

messages portrayed by the media

towards teenagers

Step 3: Finding a focus

Generating a research question (RQ)

Criteria for a good RQ

Step 4: Writing a proposal

Once you have completed Step 3, you have to formulate a proposal based on the format of the actual research paper or report.

Your lecturer will provide you with a proposal form, which you have to fill and submit by the stipulated deadline.

You are to complete the proposal form in note-form.

The sample is in the manual (pp. 6-9).