Methodology (Please continue to bottom for guidance on the Introduction including an example)
- The explanation of the focus of the research (this includes the topic and the research question), how the research will be undertaken, and how the focus is maintained throughout the essay.
Methodology is the term used to describe the ways in which you gather data and acquire knowledge. Before you finalize your research question, you will need to know which methods are most appropriate for exploring it. Here is an overview of common data-gathering methods.
You need to explain why you selected your methodology. Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?
Students must have:
Characteristics of primary sources
- The EE must be specific and sharply focused on a research question that is well connected to the visual arts. In addition to traditional forms of so-called “fine art”, the visual arts should be understood to also include some aspects of architecture, design and contemporary forms of visual culture.
- Titles must give a clear indication that the research is significant and should not, for example, lead to a simple narrative account of an artist’s life or compare the work of two randomly chosen artists.
- While a topic with opportunities for access to original artworks is a good choice, this is not a requirement and students should not shy away from library-based research.
- If students choose a popular topic that has been well researched by others (eg an essay on Banksy or the French Impressionists), they must attempt to structure a research question that may lead to a new point of view, focus or interpretation.
- The significance of the research must be explained and some indication of how the research question relates to existing knowledge in the visual arts must be given.
- In the visual arts, sources are expected to include visual images—some of which (depending on the area of research) may even be the student’s own photographs.
- Students need to demonstrate that their essay has been well planned and that they have selected an appropriate approach to address the research question.
- The research is planned and appropriate methods of data collection (methodology) are chosen and identified in order to address the research question.
- Is there evidence of effective and informed source/method selection with regard to the choice of appropriate sources and/or method(s) used to gather information, including narrowing of scope the range of sources/methods, in order to address the research question within the constraints of the word limit?
- Sources/methods are considered relevant/appropriate or sufficient in so far as the academic standards for the discipline are concerned. For example, for an economics essay, it would not be sufficient to only use textbooks but rather include reports and data. The quality of the research question itself is not considered when assessing source selection on balance.
Methodology is the term used to describe the ways in which you gather data and acquire knowledge. Before you finalize your research question, you will need to know which methods are most appropriate for exploring it. Here is an overview of common data-gathering methods.
- reading / viewing of primary and secondary sources
- comparison of primary sources
- focus on medium: film, drama, oil on canvas, architecture, etc.
- focus on intent, technique and reception of art work(s)/primary source(s)
You need to explain why you selected your methodology. Are there other possible methods that could be used or applied to answer your research question? How might this change the direction of your research?
Students must have:
- An appropriate range of relevant source(s) and/or method(s) that have been applied in relation to the topic and research question
- There is evidence of effective and informed selection of sources and/or methods
Characteristics of primary sources
- cultural artefacts, such as buildings or posters,
- works of art, such as feature films,
- results from experiments, including data,
- non-analytical by nature.
- reference works that explain or catalogue,
- documentaries that comment or synthesize,
- interpretations of results and data,
- analytical by nature.
The Introduction
The introduction should tell the reader what to expect in the essay. The introduction should make clear to the reader the focus of the essay, the scope of the research, in particular an indication of the sources to be used, and an insight into the line of argument to be taken.
While students should have a sense of the direction and key focus of their essay, it is sometimes advisable to finalize the introduction once the body of the essay is complete.
Fill in the outline below to help complete the introduction.
Under each section put your ideas and begin to construct your introduction.
While students should have a sense of the direction and key focus of their essay, it is sometimes advisable to finalize the introduction once the body of the essay is complete.
Fill in the outline below to help complete the introduction.
Under each section put your ideas and begin to construct your introduction.
- Grabber
- Research Question
- Thesis statement
- Argument Summary
- Relevance (why is this topic, this EE, worth while in the area of discipline you have chosen i.e. art)
- Methodology
- Method: the tools used for research
- Methodology: how and why the tools are used
- Just enough context/background to make sense of the other components
For a quality introduction that uses effective Methodology look at the EE below.