Getting Started in Research is for people in the earlier stages of development as a researcher. In contrast to the many books available on techniques of data collection and analysis, this volume deals with the many other practical considerations around actually doing research - such as good ways to frame research questions, how to plan your research projects effectively and how to undertake the various necessary tasks.
| Acknowledgements |
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vii | |
| Introducing the Academic's Support Kit |
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1 | |
| 1 Who should Use this Book and How? |
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7 | |
| 2 Getting Going: Developing Research Ideas |
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11 | |
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What do you mean, 'research'? |
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11 | |
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What can I research then? |
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12 | |
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How do I define what I'm going to research? |
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14 | |
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17 | |
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How big should a project be? |
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21 | |
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22 | |
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A little bit of exercise... |
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25 | |
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Framing research questions |
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26 | |
| 3 The Research Process |
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36 | |
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What is a research proposal? |
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36 | |
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Writing research proposals |
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37 | |
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49 | |
| 4 Doing your Project |
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50 | |
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Now that my proposal is done, what next? |
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50 | |
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Practical points for budding researchers |
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51 | |
| 5 Moving on: Developing Yourself as a Researcher |
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72 | |
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What is a professional researcher? |
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72 | |
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Getting help but not being helpless |
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73 | |
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Why don't people get the help they need? |
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74 | |
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Can I really ask for help? |
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76 | |
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How do I avoid bad advice and how do I know it when I get it? |
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79 | |
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What are my potential sources of advice and support? |
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80 | |
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Ethical practice in research |
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93 | |
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|
97 | |
| Further Reading |
|
99 | |
| Index |
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103 | |
Rebecca Boden - University of the West of England. Research interests
Education policy particularly in relation to globalisation and socio-cultural change Socio-cultural studies of diverse youthful identities and education Education, media and consumer cultures Elite Schools around the world and the formation of transnational elites
Fields of Research (FOR)
Higher Education Gender, Sexuality and Education Education Policy Sociology of Education
I work at the nexus of sociology and cultural studies and my research interests comprise childhood and youth studies, particularly sexuality, gender and race in education and in popular culture, and the cultural politics of education. Overall, my focus is on the dominant and how it is held in place, though this often involves investigating the experiences of those in subordinated, marginalised and/or stigmatised groups. I am especially concerned with how children negotiate these differences that make a difference and their agency in the context of institutional settings such as schools and families.
