Research Proposal on Digital Wellbeing: Defining a Research Question & Literature Review

An important learning methodology is the extensive use of case studies.They enable learners to apply the concepts that they learn in their subjects. The learners have to study the case, analyse the facts presented and arrive at conclusions and recommendations. This assists in the assessment of the learner’s ability to apply to the real world the tools and techniques of analysis which they have learnt. The case study serves as a supplement to the theoretical knowledge imparted through the course work.

Any act of plagiarism will be seriously dealt with according to the colleges and awarding bodies’ regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:

Plagiarism is presenting someone’s work as your won. It includes copying information directly from the web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework form another student and submitting it as your own work. Suspected plagiarism will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the college procedure. (For further details please refer to the plagiarism policy and the student code of conduct.)  

‘Academic Misconduct’ is a term used to describe a deliberate attempt by a student to take unfair advantage over other students to undermine the quality, standards and credibility of the programmes and qualifications offer by UKCBC. Academic Misconduct includes: plagiarism; collusion; falsification; replication; cheating; bribery; and impersonation. A student suspected of Academic Misconduct will be investigated by the College and appropriate action will be taken.

‘Contract Cheating’ is defined by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) as occurring when, “a third party completes work for a student who then submits it to an education provider as their own, where such input is not permitted.” Such third party companies have become known as ‘essay mills’, and it is the responsibility of students to avoid contact and association with such third party companies throughout their entire period of study. A student suspected of Contract Cheating will be investigated by the College and appropriate action will be taken.

Digital Wellbeing is about fashioning and sustaining a healthy relationship with technology. As technology plays a big part in our lives we find ourselves spending an increasing amount of time online and on our devices. Our wellbeing is dependent upon our mental and physical health and thereby our digital wellbeing is influenced by our online interactions and the amount of time we spend on our devices.  Whilst technology and the internet can simplify and enhance our lives they can also be distracting, be a cause of anxiety, and make us feel upset. Being in control of technology enables us to use its full potential and gain all the benefits of it.

Plagiarism

Produce a research proposal that clearly defines a research question or hypothesis based on the theme “Digital wellbeing” supported by a literature review. Your proposal should examine appropriate research methods and approaches to primary and secondary research.

The research proposal should set out the plan for how you will achieve the intended research objective and shows whether the objective will be feasible, ethical and achievable in the time scale. It should also set out how secondary research supports the research objective, how the research will be conducted and how the research will be evaluated.

The research objective should allow students to broaden their understanding and widen their perspective of being able to explore, argue, prove, and/or disprove a particular objective. The research objective  should be feasible, novel, ethical, relevant and ultimately of interest to the student.

Students are to choose their own research topic for this unit based on the theme provided.  Strong research projects are those with clear, well focused and defined objectives. One of the best ways to do this is to put it in the form of a question or hypothesis.

The following is a range of possible topic areas that could be covered but you would have to narrow it down to a more specific area to address a specific issue:

How to find the balance towards a healthy relationship with devices? Are tech companies.

-responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of users?

-What tools and strategies can a company use to develop a system(s) that addresses digital wellbeing for users?

-What impact will future digital tech have on human wellbeing?

-You will need to reflect on the success of your research project and your performance at the end of the project with the inclusion of a project evaluation and recommendations.

-The research project can take the following forms:

-Feasibility study.

-Investigation/fieldwork

Your proposal should be a maximum of 2,000 words, in addition to your timetable and references or a short bibliography. We do not expect the proposal to be perfect at this stage, nor do we expect you to stick to it very closely as your ideas will almost certainly change once you start to study, but we do expect you to write it as follows;

Title or working title of research project (in the form of a research question or hypothesis)

Research aim and objectives

State the rationale or reasons for choosing the topic explaining why it is of academic and or practical importance.

Write a short literature review, indicating the importance of previous related research or investigated literature and how your own research question might make a useful contribution to the area.

-Explain and justify your research approach (qualitative and quantitative)

-State the main research techniques (interviews, questionnaire, case studies, modelling etc.) you might use

-Indicate your suggested data collection procedures, indicating sources and any possible difficulties

-Explain any analytical techniques you intend to use