Research Methods in Politics 20

1. Research Methods in Politics20 Writing-Up ‘. . . and in the end was the beginning’ (Chapter XIII, The Last Time) Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

2. Teaching and Learning Objectives • to consider when to begin writing-up your research • to identify essential contents • to learn how to communicate your research so that it stands out favourably from other similar works • to consider how best to maintain the interest of your readers Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

3. Writing-up • Why? • How? • What? • So what? • To whom? Who is the readership? • Where? In what publication? What are ‘their’ rules? Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

4. Readership • determine language • pre-knowledge: expert or novice • your relative status • style: politics researchers tend to: • admit subjectivity and bias • demonstrate enthusiasm and interest • tell a good story • report should lead readers stage-by-stage through research process to enable them to fully share (or reject) conclusions Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

5. Publication Rules • number of words • presentation: recto or verso, line-spacing, margins, binding, font • referencing • footnotes, end notes • check: tutors may be unaware of changes Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

6. Structure • continuous, or • highly-structured • paragraph numbers • sub-paragraph numbers • advantages Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

7. When • ‘write-as-you-proceed’ • parallel with theory/ literature review, fieldwork and analysis • provides substantive evidence of progress • basis for discussion with supervisor and colleagues • assures sponsors/ funders • evidence for upgrading of academic award • prepare for many re-writes Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

8. write generally in the third person; e.g. ‘it was considered that . . .’ use the pronoun ‘I’ to emphasise your own position avoid writing ‘one’: use ‘you’ to share the text with the reader, e.g., ‘as you have seen’, avoid gender problems of ‘his/her’ by referring to subjects as ‘they’ if possible using the present tense to describe historical events may be a good literary device to create excitement: however, it can become very confusing in academic reports. Instead, use the past tense to describe the methodology and field-work; reserve the presenttense for your analysis and conclusions qualify your assertions state assumptions clearly strike balance between the coverage and erudition given to theoretical discussion, methodology, data, interpretations and conclusions don’t write the data speaks for itself: you must interpret the data avoid excessive spurious accuracy in the text, e.g. don’t say ‘48.73%’, write ‘nearly half’: where you think that precise figures are helpful, give them in footnotes follow normal grammatical conventions avoid excessive acronyms: after a time, the reader may forget what they stand for and their significance. Avoid inventing acronyms which are the same or similar to well-established ones, e.g. don’t label independent research analysis as IRA seek to maintain pace and interest ensure that your report is read by another person before you submit it. If English is not your first language, then seek the assistance of a proof-reader be positive and up-beat: if you don’t sound confident of your research, then your readers are even less likely to have confidence in your report Conventions and Advice Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

9. Structure • I – Abstract etc • II – Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2; Theory and Literature Review Chapter 3: Method of Data Collection Chapter 4: Data collected, e.g., case-study Chapter 5: Analysis and Discussion Chapter 6: Conclusions • III – Appendices • Tabulated data • Questionnaire • Transcripts • Technical specification • Statistical methods: which and why • IV - References and Bibliography Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

10. Abstract, etc • title: identify theory • abstract: summarises report • preface: personal statement • acknowledgements • declaration • contents page • list of figures • list of tables Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

11. Is the meaning clear? Is the report well written? (tenses, grammar, spelling, punctuation) Is the referencing well done? Does the abstract really give the reader a clear idea of what is in the report? Does the title indicate the nature of the study? Are the objectives of the study stated clearly? Are the objectives fulfilled? If hypotheses were postulated, are they proved or not proved? Has a sufficient amount of relevant literature been studied? Does the literature review provide an indication of the state of knowledge in the subject? Is your topic placed in the context of the area of study as such? Are all the terms clearly defined? Are the selected methods of data collection accurately described? Are they suitable for the task? Why were they chosen? Are any limitations of the study clearly presented? Have any statistical techniques been used? If so, are they appropriate? Are the data analysed and interpreted or merely described? Are the results clearly presented? Are tables, diagrams and figures well drawn? Are conclusions based on evidence? Have any claims been made that cannot be substantiated? Is there any evidence of bias? Any emotive terms or intemperate language? Is the data likely to be reliable? Would another researcher get the same results? Are recommendations feasible? Are there any unnecessary items in the appendices? and, finally, Would you give the report a good grade of you were the examiner? If not, an overhaul is necessary. (Bell, 1997: 162) Check-List Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

12. Word Distribution: Suggested • Chapter 1 Introduction Scoping 5% • Chapter 2 Theory and Literature Review 30% • Chapter 3 Method of Data Collection 5% • Chapter 4 The data, e.g., case study 30% • Chapter 5 Analysis and Discussion 20% • Chapter 6 Conclusions and Implications 10% • Avoid reducing the analysis and discussion: adequate coverage is essential if conclusions to be shared. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20

13. Questions for Discussion or Assignments • Select three research reports from approved journals on the same topics, e.g., election turnout. Contrast and compare these. Which do you regard as being most successful in attracting your interest? Why? What improvements would you suggest to the other two? 2. Select a dissertation previously approved by your department for BA, MA or PhD purposes appropriate to your own degree. Critically evaluate the writing-up. What improvements would you make? Give specific examples 3. Prepare a programme for your research project on a week-by-week basis. Integrate your proposed supervision meetings and writing, and re-writing of chapters Research Methods in Politics Chapter 20