Research Skills Proposal

This assignment requires students to write an individual research proposal as preparation for their dissertation. The proposal must include a focused research question, a critical literature review demonstrating the research question's relevance, a discussion of appropriate research methodologies, data collection and analysis techniques, ethical considerations, and potential outcomes. The assignment is worth 60% of the final grade and is assessed based on clarity of the research question and objectives, literature review completeness and relevance, appropriate application of research techniques, and critical reflection on the process and ethical issues. A short, informal presentation is also required to receive feedback on the proposal's ideas.

RESEARCH SKILLS AND PRINCIPLES 2016/17
ASSIGNMENT 2: Individual Research Proposal
Submission date 28th April 2017 via Blackboard
You are required to write an individual research proposal. This will allow you to start preparing for
the research project that you will undertake during the dissertation phase of the course. This
assignment is designed to allow you to identify a research question, review the literature and discuss
research methodologies that would be appropriate for a research project of your choosing.
Assessment criteria will include focus and objectives, method and reflection.
This assignment will be worth 60% of the final mark.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this assignment you will be able to:
 Present and communicate information, ideas and outcomes in an effective
and appropriate manner for Master's level
 Evaluate a range of research methodologies, tools and techniques appropriate for big data research
The Assignment
The objective of this assignment is to allow you to develop a research proposal which explains:
 What you wish to achieve
You need to formulate the research question using the skills and knowledge that you have gained
from the course and this module. First of all you need to establish a focused research question that
is of interest to you and some intended audience (that you should identify). The objectives of the
research should be stated clearly.
 Why this is important
You will then need to undertake a literature search for your topic and write a critical review that
shows how your research question fits with the debate in the current literature.
 How it can be achieved
Identify and evaluate, from the appropriate literature, research methods that may be used to
answer the research question and fulfil the objectives. This should also include a brief discussion of
the data that you expect to be collected and how it would be analysed to answer the research
question.
 What might be the potential outcomes of the research

You should then explain the ethical issues that might arise from your proposed methods and any
anticipated problems of access. Show how the expected results of your proposed research can be
used by the community to which it is addressed and the potential outcomes of this use
To help you formulate and structure this piece of work you are required to give a brief presentation
(5 minutes maximum) to the group on the 20th March. This is not marked; it is purely to give you
feedback on your ideas.
The assignment will include the following sections:
1 Title Indicative word count
for each section
2 Research question and objectives of the research 150
3 Critical evaluation of the literature 750
4 Proposed research methods and discussion of why they are the best
method for the problem
750
5 Data to be collected and techniques to be used in analysis 150
6 Issues of access and ethics. Reflection of potential outcomes and
expected impact on the intended audience
500
7 References and bibliography
8 Research Ethics checklist
The total length of the assignment should not exceed 2500 words (excluding the references and any
appendices)
Assessment Criteria
Marks are awarded as follows:
 A clear articulation of the research question and objectives 25%
 Completeness and relevance of the literature and appropriateness of its use 25%
 Correct evaluation and application of research techniques 25%
 Clear, appropriate and critical evaluation and reflection of the outcome and process,
including ethical issues 25%