1 – Selecting a topic (300 Words)
The research process begins by thinking about possible topics that you could focus on. Inspiration for research can come from previous studies, current events, engagement with community groups, and personal experiences. As a social scientist, the possibilities are endless!

In this case, you are asked to think about a topic you would like to research. Reflect on your reasons for studying this topic and why it is important. Now write a 300-word reflexive entry explaining the following:

1. What your chosen topic is
2. Why it is important and relevant

In introducing the importance of your research topic, you may also include some contextual or industry-related evidence from the literature to add strength to your proposed topic.

2 – Identifying relevant literature (400 Words)
Your second task involves narrowing down the focus for your research study. To do this, you will need to search for relevant literature on the topic.
Now write a 300-word reflexive entry commenting on the following:

1. In view of your selected topic, come up with a list of 5 key words relevant to the topic and comment on your rationale for these choices

2. Identify three good quality references that you could use in your literature review.
Comment on how you went about finding these and explain why they are relevant and useful – are they journal articles, books, websites? Comment on their quality.

N.B. Please note that this task is not about writing a literature review but about understanding the literature and demonstrating skills of identifying good and reliable sources.

3 – Writing a research question (300 Words)
Based on your reading of the literature and the useful sources you have identified, write a 300-word reflexive entry commenting on the following

1. Outline the importance of developing research questions for a study.
2. Can you formulate a research question or questions that would help you narrow down your topic and the focus of you study?

4 – Identifying a philosophical position and methodological orientation (400 Words)
Working with your research question(s), you must now decide on the philosophical position that would best inform your research query. Your task is to write a 300 word reflexive entry commenting on the following:

1. What philosophical position would you adopt to answer your RQ? Why is this a good choice?
2. How is your chosen paradigm different from other paradigms you have learned about? What methodological implications could this paradigm have for your study?

Referencing
Your assignment should be entirely written in your own words. If you must quote directly, you will be expected to provide the full Harvard reference for the quoted source to include in a list of references at the end of the document.