PBS6000 Honours Project

This coursework should be presented in the form of a research proposal where you must address all parts of the following sections. The criteria on pages 3-7 will be used to assess your work.

• Write a background to your research question based on references to at least five relevant academic publications. (9 marks 400 words)
• Write one research question that is relevant to your degree programme that you could realistically investigate. State three related research objectives. (5 marks 70 words)
• Provide a substantiated justification for undertaking the proposed research. (6 marks 130 words)

Produce a preliminary review of the literature which should involve a critical analysis of the main academic studies and other key items that are relevant to your research question stated in Section A.

Prepare a methodology for your proposed research that you could realistically achieve in 400 hours of undergraduate study on PBS6000 by focussing on the following areas.

Critically evaluate and justify the research approach you propose to use within your research. (8 marks 300 words)

Critically evaluate and justify the sampling technique and approximate sample size you intend to use within your research (8 marks 300 words)

Critically discuss how you might collect data to assist you in achieving your question (8 marks 300 words)

Critically evaluate how you might analyse data for your proposed research (8 marks 300 words)

For marks of 85% or above the work will be outstanding, answering the question directly, using exceptionally mature judgment and skilful argument. Your work will demonstrate comprehensive, relevant and accurate coverage, clearly informed by a wide variety ofappropriate literature, a clear understanding of advanced concepts, effective choice and use of analytical approaches and perceptive critical thinking, as well as skilful and highly sophisticated communication.

Work achieving marks from 70-84% may be considered excellent: it will be critical andanalytical at all times, answering the question directly, establishing a coherentset of arguments clearly informed by a range of appropriate literature which is skilfully employed. Itwill be fluent and articulate as well as clearly and persuasively addressing the relevant issues.

In the 2.1 class the work may be generally described as very good. You will demonstratehigh levels of competence and appreciation of the task as well as mature communication skills. Work will be well written, clearly articulated and effectively structured and presented. There will be evidence of a very good understanding of the issues and a well-reasoned attempt to answer the question accurately and appropriately, capturing relevant issues and debates. There will be evidence of a good range of reading and the work will draw on relevant sources incorporated appropriately to inform a clear set of arguments.

The standard of work in the 2.2 class is good. Essentially you will have understood the question or task and addressed it competently. For example, relevant theory, knowledge or models will be identified and explained and applied if relevant. However, the ways in which the material is used (analysis or synthesis, for example) will be lacking, perhaps by not explaining the relevance or not applying theory to the question clearly, accurately or effectively. You may also need to improve the quality of your communication skills.

Work in this category is satisfactory, but towards the lower end of the marks it will only just be satisfactory. This could also be described as a ‘basic’ answer. For example, a third classanswer would show some appreciation of the question set and applicable theory or models, but would be flawed in that it may not address all the issues fully or accurately, or may omit some key principles or apply them inappropriately/inaccurately. There may also be some problems in respect of the quality of your communication skills.