Task:

The academic poster is designed to test the student’s ability to both conduct a search of existing literature, and design an appropriate research strategy for adding to this literature.

Your poster will:

Demonstrate your understanding of the research process;

Present your research aims and objectives;

Explain how your work is related to or derived from the available literature;

Make clear the philosophical underpinnings of the research;

Specify the design, data collection and analysis methods to be used.

Be submitted to Turnitin via blackboard.

Demonstrate independent research that is applied effectively and appropriately using the Harvard system of referencing.

1..Research questions.

Construct a specific question(s) your research will answer. This question will form the clear theme throughout your dissertation / research paper: everything you do will be directed toward answering these questions in your final conclusions. One question is usually sufficient Think of statements which begin with Why …. How…. What….. and end with a question mark! Make sure there is a direct link between the research questions and the methods you choose.

2. Research Objectives. 

Provide a breakdown of the specific objectives you will undertake in your dissertation / research paper to answer the research question(s).  These should fit together, not be disparate.   Be as precise as you are able as this will help direct your research and provide a structure to the dissertation / research paper.

3.Literature review. 

You must identify the main theoretical underpinnings of your work and the key authors in your field.  You should make reference to the main authors and themes from ‘academic literature’ literature relevant to the proposal.  It should use recognised academic sources (e.g. journal articles) and should be referenced. You are supposed to draw a conceptual framework - this sets out formally the concepts you intend to include in your data collection.  This should normally be presented in a diagram. (approx. 700 words)

4.A description and justification of research methods for your study including: 

a.Your methodological approach to your study

b.How you intend to gain access to appropriate sites, data or informants for your study and any issues associated with these matters

c.The data collection methods you intend to use, a justification of their appropriateness and strengths and weaknesses 

d.How you intend to construct your sample frame and an outline of your sampling strategy

e.How you propose to analyse the data you gather

f.Any problems you anticipate and how you might overcome them

g.Any limitation of your study, its design or methods

h.A consideration of any ethical or professional issues raised by your research

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