Methodologies and Critical Thinking

Context of Practice Lecture.
Methods.
How the information you have found is...
-Sourced
-Collected
-Collated
-Presented

What your researching and why?
You need to clearly evidence why you selected these methods of gathering information and selecting evidence and why they are the most appropriate for your study...this will make it clear as to what you are doing.
Picking a methodology is like picking a side or theoretical standpoint.

Theories.
These can help you decide upon the methods you use. A theory is a particular conception or view of something, not the only view but your view.
When selecting a theory, it will be looking for certain answers.
You approach is biased based on research this is my angle.
The most important thing is to choose the theories and methods most appropriate to your study.

1. Make decisions about how to collect and order information.
2. Choose a relevant theoretical standpoint.
3. Apply these to your study.
4. Explicitly outline this in the introduction and address suggested failings in the conclusion.

Write an introduction outlining methodological approach and why, and how/what you will be looking into. Evidence and analyse throughout.

Critical Analysis.
Being critical...
-Weighing up different sides
-Making a selection based on informed decisions
-Pick more than one theory and explore them to understand which to run with.
-Be Skeptic
-Pick a topic which enthuses you, but not too much, energy backed up with critical reasoning.

Methodology is about outlining the biased, be skeptical about the sources you are using.
-Where was the author/artist/designer, photographer situated?
-Try to consider different points of view.
-Has your theory been challenged by other theories, or does it support your theory?
-Where am I coming from?
-How is my choice of topic influenced by my emotions, aspirations, context?

Consider the influence of one or more of the following...
-Time
-Place
-Society
-Politics
-Economics
-Technology
-Philosophy
-Scientific

Evidence.
Where is the evidence for what you are saying?

Supporting research.
-Don't just regurgitate the opinions of others.
-Find evidence to support what you saying.
-Find more evidence to support your conclusion.
-EVIDENCE IS KEY

All key things for a critical methodology.
-Evidence
-Reason
-Logic
-Argument

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

Triangulation
-Pitting alternative theorists against the same body of data.
-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 issues.
-Look into key issues in depth and bring in the maximum evidence in to support views.
-Discuss your issues and evidence you have found in a clear and logical manner.
-More from the general to the specific.

-History of..
-Ideology of...
-Look at three particular examples/sources.
-One image to explain them all.