Advanced Research Methods

Question: Prepare a 4000-word structured literature review protocol of your own topic. This protocol will critically engage with research methods and searching theory to provide a detailed critical account of how the structured literature review will be conducted. As such, this will likely underpin subsequent dissertations. Do not devise a mixed methods protocol as this would be outside the scope of assessment.Topic: The protocol is a Structured Literature Review (Quantitative Study) and should address the following learning outcomes as applicable:

• Critically evaluate the main differences between quantitative (inductive) and qualitative (deductive) approaches.
• Distinguish between different research methodologies and critically evaluate components that comprise each method.
• Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise information retrieval skills.
• Critically appraise and evaluate published research that relates to relevant subject areas.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role and procedures involved in gaining ethical approval.
• Formulate research questions and where appropriate set relevant hypotheses.
• Critically appraise the ability of different research methods to answer specific research questions.
• Devise and critically review data collection methods used in both qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Select and apply data analysis methods used in qualitative research.
• Select appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse quantitative data