Project Assessment: Learning Outcomes, Review of Literature, Research Design, Analysis of Data

Identifying complex research topics and defining desired outcomes

Students will have scheduled teaching sessions in Term 1 and meetings with a supervisor in Term 2. In Term 1 you will be briefed on the range of projects available to you in your subject area and the assessment criteria used for grading your work. Details of your supervisor will be revealed towards the end of Term 1.

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes assessed in the Project assessment are:

1.Identify a complex research topic & clearly define the desired outcomes.

2.Critically evaluate relevant theory, & provide a synthesis between theory and practice.

3.Plan & implement appropriate data gathering methods in relation to specific research objectives.

4.Draw conclusions &/ or make recommendations consistent with the proceeding analysis & the purpose of the research.

Thinking skills

5.Develop an argument in which students are equipped to explain, evaluate and justify appropriate methods of research and investigation.

6.Extending skills in the analysis and interpretation of data and to draw conclusions and make relevant recommendations.

Subject-based practical skills

7.Demonstrate the ability to manage a project successfully to its conclusion.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

8.Communicate effectively in writing, editing, researching, analysing, and drawing conclusions and presenting.

·Is the topic clearly stated and defined with a clear overall purpose?

·Are the aim and objectives (or research questions) clear, relevant and coherent?

·Is there a clear justification for the project in terms of its contribution to knowledge?

Review of literature - 25%

·Has a comprehensive range of relevant literature been used, that is pertinent to the research questions?

·Are the sources used up to date where appropriate and do they have sufficient academic weight?

·Is there evidence of a critical attitude towards the literature? Does the review compare, contrast and criticise relevant concepts, models and theories?

Research design or method of inquiry – 15%

·Is there a clear rationale for the methodology? Is the methodology appropriate? Have the alternatives been discussed and have the advantages and disadvantages of chosen methods been discussed?

·Is there a discussion of qualitative or quantitative research, sampling, reliability and validity, analysis of data and limitations of the research methods used?

·Have ethical considerations been made and discussed?

Analysis of data and conclusions/recommendations – 30%

·Are the analysis and interpretation of data presented in a clear and structured manner?

·Are the findings meaningful and do they address the business problem, research question and objectives?

·Are all the statements made supported by the data?

·Do the conclusions/recommendations follow logically from the findings? Are the conclusions/recommendations grounded in the evidence and arguments presented?

Overall presentation (including writing skills and referencing) – 10%

A member of staff from the field of your study and appropriate to the subject will supervise your project. You will be allocated a supervisor during the latter parts of Term 1. The supervisor’s role is to provide advice, support and encouragement to you and to monitor your progress. It is your responsibility to make the initial contact with your supervisor and to keep in contact. You are advised to agree expectations with your tutor from the outset, with regard to such matters as:

- Timing, content and frequency of contact;

- Submission of work and/or drafts of the project;

- The proposed timetable for completion of the various phases of the project.

Once you have a project plan that your supervisor agrees is satisfactory you should be able to work with minimum supervision. Being able to work independently is something employers look for in recruiting graduates and this piece of work is something you can use to provide evidence of being able to do this. Nevertheless, contact with your supervisor is essential in ensuring your continued progress and ensuring that the examiners’ expectations are met.

Research Ethics and Ethics Approval

As per UEL policy, if you are planning to conduct primary research involving people (including, but not exclusive to, interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observations) you need to obtain an ethics approval before you start collecting data. If you carry out this type of research without having obtained ethics approval, you will receive a mark of 0. The procedure for seeking ethics approval will be explained in class and the necessary forms and documents will be posted on Moodle. Your supervisor, who will need to pre-approve your ethics application, will also be able to further guide you with regard to research ethics,

·Is the structure and presentation effective?

·Has the Harvard referencing system been utilised correctly?