MA IN PROJECT PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

OCT. 2010 INTAKE

GROUP ASSIGNMENTS (CLASS A, CLASS B AND WEEKEND CLASS C)

Guiding Instructions

(1) This assignment should be done by all members of the group. Marks will
be awarded according to an individuals contribution to the group work.
(2) Each group will be given 15minutes to present their paper in class
(3) The final paper should be ready for marking on or before 23rd February 2011.

Group 1:
(a)Discuss the various ways of knowing indicating clearly and critically
why the scientific way is more acceptable in research.

Group 2:
Discuss the various types of research critically explaining when and how
they are applied by researchers.

Group 3:
“Compare and contrast the three major philosophies (positivism/post-positivism,
constructivism/ enterpretivism, emancipatory/ realism) that influence research.

Group 4:
Compare and contrast the three approaches to research.

Group5: Discuss the various probability and non-probability sampling

techniques used in research.

Group 6: Discuss each of the three main approaches (qualitative, quantitative and
mixed mode) used in research

Group 7: Discuss the various data analysis methods used in quantitative

research

Group 8:
(a) What is the purpose of literature review in research?
(b) How would you advise a fellow research to conduct a
literature review for a research study?

Group 9:
(B) Explain what the following terms mean in research.
(i) Validity
 (ii) Reliability
(b) How are the various methods of determining validity and reliability?
(c) Are the two terms (validity and reliability) related in any way in
Research?

Group 10:
Discuss the various ethical considerations a researcher should adhere to
when conducting research in a social science setting?

Group 11: Discuss the various data collection methods, highlighting their
merits and demerits.

Group 12: Discuss the steps a researcher needs to follow in constructing a

questionnaire for a research study.

Group 13: Is there any difference between “theoretical framework” and

“Conceptual framework”. Discuss this question indicating the similarities and
differences between both concepts.

Tutor: Dr. Christopher M. Gakuu

Senior Lecturer, Department of Extra-Mural Studies
University of Nairobi