Lecture note on a generic dissertation report chapter 3 [research methodology] template for my Housing Studies students: based on positivism

Lecture note on a generic dissertation report chapter 3 [research methodology] template for my Housing Studies students: based on positivism

 

In the context of doing a part-time Housing Studies dissertation project, based on positivism, on a housing policy evaluation theme, please suggest a generic dissertation chapter template on chapter 3 [Research Methodology].

Here’s a generic, positivism-aligned Chapter 3 (Research Methodology) template you can adapt for a part-time Housing Studies dissertation focused on housing policy evaluation. It follows the “research onion” logic (philosophy → approach → design → methods → data → analysis → quality/ethics) and is written so you can drop in your own details.library.soton.ac+2

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

·        Restate the research problem/gap and the main research question(s) or hypotheses for your housing policy evaluation.

·        Briefly summarise the overall methodological stance (positivist, quantitative/structured, policy-evaluation focus) and how the chapter is organised.library.soton.ac+1

3.2 Research Philosophy and Paradigm

·        Philosophical position: Positivism.

o   State that you assume an objective social reality that can be measured and tested, with the researcher as a detached, value-free analyst.professays+2

·        Ontology and epistemology (positivist):

o   Ontology: Reality exists independently of the researcher; housing policy effects are “out there” to be observed.

o   Epistemology: Knowledge comes from observable, measurable evidence and logical analysis; emphasis on law-like generalisations.professays+2

·        Justification for positivism in housing policy evaluation:

o   Suitability for testing hypotheses about policy impacts (e.g., affordability, supply, uptake rates).

o   Alignment with use of official statistics, surveys, and structured indicators for policy performance.mdpi+1

3.3 Research Approach and Design

·        Approach: Deductive (theory → hypotheses → empirical test).

o   Explain how existing housing policy theories or evaluation frameworks inform your hypotheses.repository.up+1

·        Research design:

o   Specify design type (e.g., cross-sectional quantitative study; quasi-experimental; before–after policy evaluation; comparative case study with quantitative indicators).

o   Clarify unit(s) of analysis (e.g., households, housing estates, districts, policy schemes).

o   Describe time horizon (single cross-section vs. longitudinal if you have multiple years of data).library.soton.ac+1

·        Link to research questions/hypotheses:

o   Show how the design enables you to answer each question or test each hypothesis about policy outcomes.library.soton.ac

3.4 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

·        Theoretical framework:

o   Identify key theories or models underpinning your evaluation (e.g., policy evaluation frameworks, housing market models, welfare regime typologies, etc.).

o   Explain how these inform your choice of variables and expected relationships.josephho33.blogspot+1

·        Conceptual framework / analytical model:

o   Present a diagram or narrative of your conceptual model: independent variables (policy instruments, eligibility rules, subsidies), mediators/moderators (income, location, tenure), and dependent variables (affordability, uptake, waiting time, spatial distribution).

o   Define key constructs and how they will be operationalised as measurable variables.mdpi+1

3.5 Research Strategy and Methods

·        Overall strategy:

o   State whether you use a mono-method quantitative strategy, or a primarily quantitative design with limited secondary qualitative context (if any).

o   Justify why this strategy fits a positivist, policy-evaluation aim.repository.up+1

·        Primary vs secondary methods:

o   Primary methods (if applicable): structured survey, structured interviews with fixed-response items, systematic observation using coding sheets.

o   Secondary methods: analysis of official statistics, government policy documents, administrative data, housing authority datasets, census data.mdpi+1

·        Flowchart of methodology (optional but useful):

o   Insert a figure showing steps from research questions → framework → data sources → collection → analysis → interpretation.josephho33.blogspot+1

3.6 Population, Sampling, and Data Collection

·        Population and sampling frame:

o   Define the target population (e.g., all public rental housing households in X district; all applicants to a specific scheme; all private rental units in a city).

o   Describe the sampling frame (e.g., housing authority records, census tracts, policy beneficiary lists).

·        Sampling technique and sample size:

o   Specify sampling method (e.g., stratified random sampling, systematic sampling, cluster sampling) and justify it in positivist terms (representativeness, generalisability).

o   Indicate intended/actual sample size and any power considerations if relevant.library.soton.ac+1

·        Data collection procedures:

o   For surveys: instrument design, pilot testing, mode (online, face-to-face, telephone), response rate, non-response handling.

o   For secondary data: sources, time periods, variables extracted, data cleaning steps.

o   Explain how you ensured standardisation and minimised researcher bias.library.soton.ac+1

3.7 Measurement and Instruments

·        Operationalisation of variables:

o   List key variables and how they are measured (e.g., affordability ratio, waiting time in months, subsidy amount, occupancy rate).

o   Show alignment with your conceptual framework and hypotheses.mdpi+1

·        Instruments and data sources:

o   Describe questionnaires, coding schemes, or data extraction templates.

o   Mention any established indices or indicators you adopt from prior housing/policy studies.mdpi+1

·        Reliability and validity of instruments (design stage):

o   Note steps such as pilot testing, expert review, use of validated scales, and consistency checks.library.soton.ac+1

3.8 Data Analysis Procedures

·        Data preparation:

o   Describe data cleaning, handling of missing values, outlier treatment, and creation of derived variables/indices.

·        Analytical techniques:

o   Specify statistical methods aligned with your hypotheses, e.g.:

§  Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations to profile policy beneficiaries.

§  Correlation and regression analysis (linear, logistic, multinomial) to test relationships between policy variables and outcomes.

§  Difference-in-differences or interrupted time-series if evaluating policy changes over time.

§  ANOVA/ANCOVA if comparing groups while controlling for covariates.repository.up+2

·        Software:

o   Name the software used (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and why it is appropriate.

·        Link back to research questions:

o   Explicitly map each analysis to specific research questions or hypotheses.library.soton.ac

3.9 Research Quality: Reliability, Validity, and Generalisability

·        Reliability:

o   Explain steps to ensure consistency (standardised instruments, training of data collectors, replication of coding rules).repository.up+1

·        Validity:

o   Internal validity: control of confounding variables, appropriate model specification.

o   External validity: sampling strategy, representativeness, and scope for generalising findings to similar contexts.

o   Construct validity: how well your measures capture the intended concepts (e.g., “affordability”, “policy effectiveness”).repository.up+1

·        Generalisability:

o   Discuss the extent to which findings can be generalised to other housing policies, districts, or populations, given your design and sample.repository.up+1

3.10 Ethical Considerations

·        Ethical approval:

o   State whether ethical approval was obtained (e.g., from your university’s ethics committee) and reference the approval number if available.

·        Informed consent and confidentiality:

o   Describe consent procedures, anonymisation of data, secure storage, and compliance with relevant data protection regulations (e.g., HK PDPO).

·        Risk management:

o   Note any potential risks to participants (e.g., sensitivity of housing status) and how these were mitigated.library.soton.ac+1

3.11 Limitations of the Methodology

·        Acknowledge methodological limitations inherent in a positivist, quantitative policy-evaluation design, such as:

o   Constraints on capturing lived experiences or contextual nuances.

o   Dependence on quality and granularity of secondary data.

o   Potential omitted variable bias or measurement error.

·        Briefly indicate how these limitations will be addressed or reflected upon in the discussion chapter.library.soton.ac+1

3.12 Chapter Summary

·        Concisely recap:

o   The positivist stance and deductive approach.

o   The research design, data sources, and analytical methods.

o   How these choices collectively enable a rigorous evaluation of the housing policy in question.library.soton.ac+1

 A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.