OUGD601: Context of Practice 3 - Lecture Two: Methodologies & Critical Analysis

Methods,
how the information you have found is:

• Sourced
• Collected
• Collated
• Presented

How you have gone about the project

Defining a strategy - Your take, your agency and your angle

Should be logical and systematic

What you are researching, why you are researching it and to what end

You need to clearly evidence why you selected these methods of gathering information and selecting evidence and why they are the most appropriate for you study..

This will make you appear to be in control and aware of what you are doing.

Why you are choosing that particular tactic/ method, what are the strengths? 

Picking a particular side and knowing why you picked that side

Theories: These can help you decide upon the methods you use . Alternatively the material you find may suggest the appropriate theories.

What you theoretical stand point on your chosen topic is

A particular view on something

Communication theory?

Theories:

Psychological

Social History / Marxist

Postcolonialism

Feminist

This is my take, find evidence to back this up

What theories do I need to use? What methods do I need to employ

Choose the theories and methods most appropriate to your subject

1. Methods 2. Theories 3. Application

1. Make decisions about how to collect and order information

2. Choose a relevant theoretical stand point

3. Apply these to your study

4. Explicitly outline this in the introduction. Address suggested failings in the conclusion

Understanding that your subject has different avenues of investigation

Critical Analysis

Being critical..

Is about weighing up the different sides of the argument

Evaluating material based on evidence/research selection

Reasoned Thinking: 'stepping away' and using evidence and logic to come to your conclusions 

Awareness of perspectives

Where was the author / artist / designer / photographer situated?

Whatever sources you use be skeptical

Try to consider different points of view

How is my choice of topic influence by my emotions; aspirations; context?

Where am I coming from?

'Context is everything'

Consider the influence of one or more of the following:

• Time
• Place
• Society 
• Politics
• Economics
• Technology
• Philosophy
• Scientific theory

Evidence

What is the evidence for what you are saying?

Supporting research - Quotes, experiments, observations

Could you find more evidence to support your conclusions

Evidence - based on research

Reason - methodology

Logic - methodology

Argument  

What do I want to say?

Have I got the evidence to back it up?

Where else do I need to look in order to find more evidence?

Triangulation

Pitting alternative theories against the same body of data - compare and contract, which is the best?

Am I expressing myself clearly and logically?

A clear logical plan

Keep it simple - refine what you want to sat and focus on a few key issues

Look into your key issues in depth and bring in the maximum evidence in to support your views

Discuss your issues and the evidence you have found in a clear and logical manner 

Move from the general to the specific