This week our attention turned towards producing a methodology report, whilst simultaneously continuing to refine the structure of our database. As a group, we have been working to streamline the organisations included within it according to the guidance of our supervisor, using the Charity Commission Register as a benchmark for ensuring both consistency and transparency in our selection process. Although this has required revisiting some of the work we had already undertaken, it has ultimately strengthened the foundations of the project and clarified the direction we wish to take over the coming weeks.
Our week began with an introduction to research methodology, exploring not only the methods available to researchers but also the philosophical traditions which underpin them. In particular, I found it fascinating to learn about critical realism and how the assumptions researchers make about the nature of reality inevitably shape the questions they ask and the conclusions they are able to draw. It was interesting to appreciate that methodology extends far beyond selecting appropriate methods of data collection, instead providing the intellectual foundations upon which an entire research project is built.
Building upon this, we were fortunate enough to meet Catherine Day, a long-serving member of the Civil Service, whose reflections prompted us to think more critically about leadership and public service. One question she repeatedly returned to was whether leadership and management are genuinely distinguishable concepts, and if so, what characteristics define each. It was an engaging discussion which encouraged us to consider not only the practical responsibilities of leadership but also the values and vision required to bring about meaningful change.
Whilst the rest of the group continued refining the database, I spent much of Tuesday and Wednesday drafting our methodology report. My primary responsibility was translating our supervisor's structured questions and feedback into a coherent and ambitious piece of writing that accurately reflected the direction of our research. It proved to be a challenging but rewarding exercise, requiring me to articulate not only the methods we intend to employ but also the reasoning behind them. By Thursday we were able to reconvene as a group, reviewing the report together to ensure that it authentically represented our collective vision rather than simply my own interpretation of it. It was reassuring to see how our individual strands of work were beginning to come together into a more unified project.
Alongside our research, we were also privileged enough to participate in an 'Uncomfortable Oxford' walking tour. The tour explored the colonial and elitist history underpinning many of the University's colleges, including Oriel and All Souls, whilst also highlighting the experiences of the first women and Black students to study at Oxford. It was an insightful experience which challenged many of the narratives that are often presented about the University and served as an important reminder of both the privilege associated with studying here and the inequalities which have shaped, and continue to shape, the institution today.
As the project continues to gather momentum, I feel that this week has been an important opportunity to step back and consider not only what we are researching, but how and why we are doing it. Although much of our work has taken place behind the scenes through planning, writing and refining our approach, it has provided a much stronger foundation for the weeks ahead. I am looking forward to moving beyond preparation and beginning to apply these methodological foundations to the database and impact framework we have been working towards throughout the summer.