Parental substance misuse & child outcomes

Research Proposal on How Substance Misuse in Parents Affects Children

Answered

You are required to write a 1,500 word research proposal (there is a 10% leeway so you can write between 1,350 words and 1,650 words, excluding references).

Your research proposal must include the following:

Research Topic: How does substance misuse in parents affects children under their care?

Research question, aims and objectives
Background/research context explaining the rationale
Theories chosen for your project and how this relates to your research question
Substantive Literature Review.
Research methods you are using and a brief discussion of ethics
Completion plan
You must use a minimum of 8 academic sources (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and academic books) in order to pass.

Substantive literature review

You must use a minimum of 8 academic sources (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and academic books) in order to pass.

Your work must be Word processed, double spaced, Arial 11 Font. You must number the pages and you must also include a word count.

You will need to source articles in the library, especially journal articles, as they will provide you with the latest research evidence/arguments.

Ensure that you include your in-text references. In all cases, in-text citations must match up with what appears in your reference list. Every in-text citation should correspond to a reference on the list at the end (and vice versa).

You must write in your own words. You are reminded that plagiarism of any type will be penalised and result in a fail.

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the most appropriate theoretical perspectives which can be adopted to study your chosen topic.

	3^rd Class – 40-49%	Lower 2^nd – 50-59%	Upper 2^nd – 60-69%	1^st Class – 70%+
1. Research question and rationale	The student identified a research question but the question is poorly constructed, difficult to understand or not suitable for an undergraduate research project.	The student identified a research question and provides some rationale for the proposed research but the question is too broad or needs to be refined.	The student formulated a clear, focused, feasible research question and provides some rationale for the proposed research.	The student formulated a clear, focused, feasible research question and provides a strong rationale for the proposed research.
2. Theory	The theory selected is related to the research topic but not appropriate for the proposed research. There is little exploration of the link between theory and the proposed research.	The student identified an appropriate theory and demonstrates some understanding of the link between theory and the proposed research.	The student identified an appropriate theory and demonstrates good understanding of the link between theory and the proposed research.	The student identified an appropriate theory that potentially has strong explanatory power and demonstrates excellent understanding of the link between theory and the proposed research.

1. Refine and develop the research question identified to produce an answerable question with a clear focus, set aims and objectives and discusses relevant ethical considerations.

2. Produce a systematic strategy for deciding what to search for, with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, to identify the most relevant literature and then implement it.

. Propose and justify a potentially appropriate method and methodology to collect secondary and or primary data that could address the research question within prescribed resource parameters.

3. Methodology	One of the four methods allowed is chosen but work demonstrates little understanding of what the method entails or how using the method helps answering the research question. There is a lack of discussion of, or inaccurate information on, two or more of the following: the search strategy, methods of analysis and/or the ethics.	The student chose an appropriate research method among the four methods allowed and provides some explanation of the chosen method. However, there is little discussion of, or inaccurate information on, one of the following: search strategy, the methods of analysis and/or the ethics.	The student chose an appropriate research method among the four methods allowed and clearly explains the search strategy but there is not enough discussion of the methods of analysis and/or the ethics.	The student chose an appropriate research method among the four methods allowed, demonstrates excellent understanding of what the method entails, and clearly explains the search strategy, methods of analysis and the ethics.
4. Referencing and the use of appropriate academic sources	6 or more relevant academic sources are used. There are a number of referencing mistakes, although a clear attempt has been made to reference the sources according to the Harvard style.	7 or more relevant academic sources and other credible sources are used (in total, over 8 sources are used). There are some referencing mistakes but the sources are referenced according to the Harvard style both in the reference list and the text of the work.	8 or more relevant academic sources are used. The student made a good attempt to reference the sources according to the Harvard style but there are occasional referencing mistakes.	8 or more relevant academic sources are used and the sources are referenced according to the Harvard style both in the reference list and the text of the work.
5. Grammar, spelling, written expression	Expression is often unclear and meanings may not be satisfactorily communicated. There are regular errors of grammar, spelling and punctuation that should have been addressed by this stage.	The student’s writing is generally comprehensible. There are some grammatical and spelling errors and poor choice of words and phrasing.	The work is largely written in clear and effective English, however there may be poor choices of words and phrasing and some uncorrected errors.	The work is both highly literate and articulate; the student communicates her/his ideas effectively. Sentences are clear, accurate and expressive. There are very few grammatical or spelling errors.