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No. You do not have to use NVivo for a qualitative project.

Remember, software cannot do the thoughtful analysis which leads to good findings. Indeed, it is my feeling that NVivo is not especially suited to some forms of analysis. In the past I switched to MS Word which better suited the narrative theory I was using.

NVivo supports analysis by providing tools to handle text, especially large amounts and multiple sources. However, it is possible to do a good qualitative analysis using paper, written annotations and highlighter pens for coding.

Alternatively, you can also use MS Word to store data, use the 'foot/end notes' function for annotations and the 'comments' function for coding.

Of course, for your RM2 you cannot collect any data and you don't need to do any analysis. Just discuss your proposed analytical approach to the data you to plan to collect.

Regard
Jameson

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Do we have to use NVivo if we are doing qualitative  research?

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For the research proposal of your RM2 you may be able to propose a valid project without including very specific details of your analytics. For example, if you propose an explorative survey your use of statistics might be dependent on what your initial findings show based some visual analysis of charts. Of course you could generally link valid choices of statistics to your variable designs.

Alternatively, if you are proposing quite a tight deductive  project you might be able to go further and state which statistic you think is a good choice for your hypothesis test.

However, focus on making valid connections. A t-test, for example, is based on arithmetic means so links to scale variables. The key thing to remember when reporting a statistic is to report the actual test you have conducted and not just the P value. The meaning of the P should be considered in context, eg whether or not you have a random sample. Of course, it would be reasonable to show that you understand that 0.05 is an often used threshold for judging statistical significance but it is the link between statistical significance (validity is a broader concept. Rejecting an alternative hypothesis is still a valid finding) and your RM2 that is the important factor if you are proposing this type of statistic.

Similarly, multicollinearity should be considered where it is appropriate. If you think this might be something to check then say why but avoid introducing complex concepts in a fuzzy way. For example multicollinearity relates to problematic correlations in the independent variables used in statistics such as multiple regression, not a t-test.

In short, put in your RM2 what you think can be validly said about the methods you propose. I will be able to feedback on what you put in the RM2 but there will be plenty of opportunity to refine the details during your dissertation.

Regards
Jameson

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For the data processing method, for example if I use SPSS, do I need to go into details, such as mentioning the name of the tests that I would perform and the criteria for the successful of the test (such as validity will be valid if the p-value < 0.5, multicolllinearity, t-test, etc)?

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I would like to know, because i am focusing my dissertation on qualitative research, does Sheffield Hallam provide NVivo free of charge? The cost to purchase it is £999

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Yes, you can write in the first person. I would recommend that you do so because it helps you to express your own arguments and it is recommended more widely in scholarly writing. For example, the American Psychological Association's writing guidelines, which are widely recommended, suggest writing in the first person.

However, there is some variation. Some journal guidelines ask for papers to be written in the third person whilst publishing those written in the first person. This topic is part of the intricacies of writing at a high level. For the RM2, there will be no penalty for writing in the third person and in some cases you might opt for it for your own reasons. For example, if you want to maintain strong objectivist philosophical assumptions you might feel that the third person better communicates your rationale.

Simply put, don't worry about writing on the basis or arbitrary conventions. Try to think about your own authorship skills and good written communication but remember your dissertation supervisor might have their own ideas about this topic.

Regards
Jameson

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You can download a copy of both NVivo and SPSS to your own computer via the university. There is no need to spend any money buying your own copy while you are completing your course.

To get the software, email IT help and ask for a link to the download you would like. Let them know what course you're studying. You will get a license to use the software while you are enrolled at the university.

Regards
Jameson

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Yes we can speak in first person for this assignment 

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Yes we can speak in first person for this assignment 

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Can we use the first person when we talk about the research methods we chose for the project?

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I would like to know, because i am focusing my dissertation on qualitative research, does Sheffield Hallam provide NVivo free of charge? The cost to purchase it is £999

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I would like to know, because i am focusing my dissertation on qualitative research, does Sheffield Hallam provide NVivo free of charge? The cost to purchase it is £999

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There will be assumptions regarding both ontology and epistemology in every project.

You will have assumptions about the reality of the social world (marketing/consumption in our case). These are ontological assumptions. You will have assumptions about the nature of your knowledge claims. These are epistemological assumptions. For each area consider if you assume objectivity or subjectivity. The 'tenets of positivism' table which appears in the philosophy lecture describes a wholly objective viewpoint so might be a good starting point.

By the way, as the poster of the comment as recognised, this topic is confusing so thoughtfully addressing philosophy is all that is needed. Remember, the key thing is to be reflexive. That is to recognise assumptions and present your knowledge claims bearing them in mind.

Don't get bogged down in this part of the work. Many marks come from all the other methodological considerations.

Regards
Jameson

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How should we know if our research topic is an ontological assumption or epistemological assumption? Sorry I really find this confusing.

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In general, no, they are the same thing expressed in different ways and at different levels.

Ontology and epistemology are the two main aspects of research philosophy.

Positivism is a research philosophy which is based on assumptions of an objective ontology and an objective epistemology.

You are not using the term paradigm incorrectly but this term is used variably. I would suggest that you start to address this area by simply thinking about how you are assuming either an objective or subjective reality (ontology) and whether you are making either objective or subjective knowledge claims (epistemology). The various combinations of these things are labelled positivism, realism, interpretivism, etc. so you might be able to apply a label and follow up the associated ideas and theory.

Regards
Jameson

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The research methodology should state whether the project is characterised by an ontological or epistemological assumption? Is this different from the philosophical paradigm that characterises the project (e.g. positivism)?