COP3: Lecture 2

Context of Practice 3 Lecture 2 - Methodologies and Critical Analysis taken by Richard Miles 7th October 2014
Today's lecture was pretty much a continuation from last weeks, but with added elements about methodology and critical analysis which was very interesting and helpful. To begin with we wanted to look at how we find our information and the different ways in which is can be found:
- Sourced
- Collected
- Collated
- Presented

You need to know what your researching and why. You should feel in control of what you are doing. Why are you using a particular method to gather research? What are the strengths in doing it that way?

Theories
These can help you decide upon the methods you use. Alternatively the material you find may suggest the appropriate theories. Choose at least one key theory that will help with your practice.

It is very important to choose the theories and methods most appropriate to your subject!
1. Make decisions about to collect and order information.
2. Choose relevant theoretical stand point.
3. Apply these to your studies.
4. Explicitly outline this in the introduction. Address suggested failings in the conclusion.

Critical Analysis
Being critical is weighting up different sides of an argument and making a selection based on an informed decision. Critical means to choose between different possibilities. Its about understanding different perspectives and being aware of them. For example, looking at Wittgenstein's Duck-Rabbit image. There is a duck and a rabbit in the picture and regardless of which one you see, you will always be right with the outcome.

Evidence
What is the evidence for what your are saying? Could you find more evidence to support your conclusion?

Argument
What do you want to say? Have I got evidence to back it up? Where else do I need to look in order to find more evidence?

Am I expressing myself clearly and logically?

A Clear Logical Plan
- Keep it simple, refine what you want to say and focus on a few key issue.
- Look into your key issues in depth and bring in the maximum evidence to support your views,
- Discus your issues and evidence you have found in a clear and logical manner.
- Move from the general to the specific.