Quick questions on Methodology and data collection: designing the investigation - Eduqas A-Level English Language

The methodology section explains and justifies the design, not just describes it. It states how the data was selected and gathered (source, sampling, amount), the analytical approach and why it suits the question, and the ethical decisions taken. It is written transparently, so a reader could understand and in principle repeat the study. The justification, why this design answers this question, is what lifts the methodology above a bare description.

"For a question on how gendered identity is constructed in online reviews, an appropriate design might gather a focused set of reviews from a single platform, sampled to allow comparison, and analyse them qualitatively using the frameworks (lexis, pragmatics, modality), perhaps with a small quantitative count of evaluative terms. The data set is the right kind and size to answer the question, and the qualitative-led approach suits the close analysis the question needs." This shows a design fitting the question.

"Where an investigation uses recorded spoken data, the methodology would record that informed consent was obtained from the participants, that they were told how the data would be used, and that all names and identifying details were anonymised in the transcription and write-up. Stating these decisions, rather than omitting them, shows the ethical rigour the NEA requires and protects the participants." This shows ethics built into the methodology.

Why must the data set fit the research question? [2 marks]

What ethical steps are required when collecting data from identifiable people? [2 marks]

Describe and justify the methodology for a language investigation, including data collection and ethics. [16 marks]