INTRODUCTION
Research skills equip learners with
a higher level of knowledge and skills that will allow them to be self-directed
and focused in a specific field of expertise. Research is undertaken in a range
of disciplines and is quite prevalent in domains such as medicine, science and
academia.
Research
is paramount in terms of establishing what has been experienced and discovered
in the past, relating this to current studies in the field, and providing some
sort of hypothesis or prediction for the future.
Research
involves the exploration of a range of primary and secondary sources of
information. From these sources, conclusions can be drawn regarding a particular
question or theory that may need to be investigated and tested. Submitting a
research proposal, may be based upon these original findings, and through the
adoption of a research methodology, new discoveries could be unearthed and
recorded.. There are a number of elements that contribute to research. These
can include the application of a research methodology that will determine how
the research is conducted and also whether it will be of a qualitative or
quantitative nature. The research question should spearhead the studies and
provide a focus on a specific area, idea, concept or development.
On
completion of this unit learners should be able to conduct a literature review
that will engage them in identifying a range of primary and secondary
information sources. Learners will be able to critique sources and triangulate
the information gathered to determine currency and validity in the area of
study undertaken.
Learners
will also engage in research seminars both as a participant and as a reviewer. The
seminars will be used as a forum to disseminate good practice, and to create an
awareness of topical issues within their chosen research field.
AIM
To
equip learners with the knowledge and research skills needed to select a research
question, and design a research proposal for a chosen topic of interest.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
1 Understand different research methodologies
2 Know how to conduct a literature review
3 Be able to present a research proposal
4 Be able to contribute to a research seminar.
LEARNING OUTCOMES AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
LO1 Understand different research methodologies
1.1 assess different research methodologies
1.2 justify the use of a research methodology to be
used for the research proposal
1.3 discuss the importance of both qualitative and
quantitative data in research
1.4 explain the problems that can arise when
undertaking research
LO2 Know how to conduct a literature review
2.1 justify the use of research sources
2.2 evaluate the importance of using primary information
sources
2.3 describe a recognised system for referencing
LO3 Be able to present a research proposal
3.1 present a research proposal to a defined audience
utilising appropriate survey techniques
3.2 discuss the role of ethics in research
LO4 Be able to contribute to a
research seminar
4.1 prepare an extract
from the research proposal appropriate to a seminar environment
4.2 provide constructive feedback on proposals
presented within the seminar environment.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
1 Understand different research methodologies
Research types and methodologies: types e.g.
experimental research, survey research, evaluative research, observational
research, developmental research; applied versus fundamental research
Data collection: methods e.g. primary and
secondary data collection, observatory, experimental
Research pitfalls: problems e.g. dependency
and access to information sources, time, money, expertise, introduction of
bias, the Hawthorne Effect, the Halo Effect
Types of data: qualitative e.g. ‘information
rich and data poor’; quantitative e.g. statistical analysis techniques, ratios
2 Know how to conduct a literature review
Sources of information: types e.g. visual,
audio, paper-based, electronic; benefits and drawbacks of types; categories e.g.
primary and secondary sources, restrictions and limitations
Accuracy of information: validity e.g.
triangulation of resources to ensure validity; currency
Literature review framework: styles e.g.
Harvard referencing; adopting a formal format
3 Be able to present a research proposal
Research question: defining the question e.g.
selection and suitability; scope and boundaries; target audience
Survey methods: interview techniques e.g.
unstructured, structured, semi-structured; administered questionnaire; attitude
measurements e.g. Likert scaling, Thurstone scaling, Guttman scaling, semantic
differential scaling; sampling e.g. random, quota, stratified
Research ethics: issues e.g. potential
ethical issues arising during research, ways to address ethical issues in
research; role of the Ethics Committee
4 Be able to contribute to a research seminar
Research seminar: functions e.g. disseminate
ideas and good practice; discuss research proposals; gather feedback to inform
proposals
Delivery strategies: structure e.g. clear
framework; level of detail; use of IT
ASSIGNMENT
TASK 1 to TASK 4: You are required to follow
the instructions as specified towards each task and support with a research by
using supportive materials like books, websites, etc., and give a feedback on
the findings by relating your arguments to the relevant case studies as
specified towards each task:
Case Study
Social media or Social Menace
Millions of people around the world with
access to the Internet are members of one or more social networks. They have a
permanent online presence where they create profiles, share photos, share their
thoughts with friends and spend hours just catching up with what hundreds of
friends are doing with their life but its dark side is still being measured.
There arises the need to examine the effects
of social media on individuals and families.
You are required to prepare your process of
investigating the factors that determines these individuals fascination with
social media and the effects it has on their families.
Task 1. The
objective for this task is to address and exhibit an understanding of different
research methodologies. You are required to address the task as specified and
research by using supportive materials like books, Journals, websites, etc. to
address the learning outcomes as specified: Please note that the research and
subjective skill needs to exhibit transferable skill by reflecting it to the
case study. Answers reflected without reflective
practice will be referred.
P1.1 assess different research
methodologies
e.g.
experimental research, survey research, evaluative research, observational
research, developmental research; applied versus fundamental research
P1.2 justify the use of a research
methodology to be used for the research proposal e.g. primary and secondary data
collection, observatory, experimental
P1.3 discuss the importance of
both qualitative and quantitative data in research e.g. ‘information rich and
data poor’; quantitative e.g. statistical analysis techniques, ratios
P1.4 explain the problems that can
arise when undertaking research e.g. dependency and access to information
sources, time, money, expertise, introduction of bias, the Hawthorne Effect,
the Halo Effect
Task 2. The
objective for this task is to conduct literature review and demonstrate
understanding of Literature review framework. You are required to address the
task as specified and research considering the given case study in your
assignment to address the learning outcomes as specified
P2.1 justify the use of research
sources e.g. primary and secondary data collection, observatory, experimental
P 2.2 evaluate the importance of
using primary information sources e.g. triangulation of resources to ensure validity;
currency
P 2.3 describe a recognised system
for referencing e.g. Harvard referencing adopting a formal format
Task 3. The
objective for this task is to conduct and present a research proposal. You are
required to address the task as specified and research considering the given
case study in your assignment to address the learning outcomes as specified.
P3.1 present a research proposal
to a defined audience utilising appropriate survey techniques .g. unstructured,
structured, semi-structured; administered questionnaire; attitude measurements
e.g. Likert scaling, Thurstone scaling, Guttman scaling, semantic differential
scaling; sampling e.g. random, quota, stratified
P3.2 discuss the role of ethics in
research e.g. potential ethical issues arising during research, ways to address
ethical issues in research; role of the Ethics Committee
Task 4. The
objective for this task is to address and exhibit an understanding of
conducting research and to contribute to a research seminar. You are required
to address the task as specified and research considering the given case study
in your assignment to address the learning outcomes as specified
P4.1
prepare an extract from the
research proposal appropriate to a seminar environment e.g. disseminate ideas
and good practice; discuss research proposals; gather feedback to inform
proposals
P4.2
Provide constructive feedback on
proposals presented within the seminar environment e.g. clear framework; level
of detail; use of IT
Assignment Guidelines:
·
Use a standard report structure,
Word-process the report and use Normal script of a proper font size 12.
·
Produce an academic report, detailing the
above issues with a word limit of 4000 to 4500 words.
·
Complete the title page and sign the statement
of authenticity.
·
The Assignment sheet should be attached in
the front.
·
Submit the document in a folder in the form
of a file as well as a soft copy on the submission date.
·
It should be uploaded on E-Learning platform
before the deadline and submitted to -------- and sign the submission form of
the college.
·
Assignments submitted after the deadline
will not be accepted unless mitigating circumstance and may be entitled for a
late fee.
·
Collusion and Plagiarism must be avoided.
·
Start each answer on a new page and pages
should be numbered. Highlight each question clearly.
·
Include a Bibliography at the end of the
assignment and use the Harvard referencing system.
·
All work should be comprehensively
referenced and all sources must be fully acknowledged, such as books, journals,
websites (include the date of visit), etc.
·
Try to give the page numbers, publishers'
details and the year of publication
·
In order to pass you need to address all the
Learning Outcomes (LO)
·
In order to get a merit you need to address
the characteristics of M1, M2,M3
·
In order to get a Distinction you need to
address the characteristics of D1, D2 and D3.
Use
a common format for the questions, for example:
Ø Introduction
(analyze the question.)
Ø Underpinning
Knowledge (write about the relevant theory/points)
Ø Applied
knowledge(Data Analysis)
Ø Conclusions
and Recommendations (summarizing the whole scenario keeping in view pass,
merit, distinction criteria.)
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