Research and report
The assignment for your final piece of assessment for this module is to carry out an empirical research project using quantitative data analysis and then write a 1,500-word report on your findings (excluding references).
Your reference list and any appendices do not count towards your 1,500-word limit.
Devise a brief questionnaire, collect data and the analyse the date using SPSS and write up your research findings as an overall report.
Do not commence data collection until the module leader has agreed your topic area. Guidance will be provided in class.
This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:
LO1: Critically evaluate and assess epistemological positions, research design and ethical issues in relation to social scientific research.
LO2: Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of quantitative social research
LO3: Analyse quantitative data using SPSS and link the results to wider social scientific literature.
Task requirements
Your report must include the following elements and be presented in the following order:
Title
Abstract
Introduction to include
Introduction to the topic area your research explored
Rationale for doing the research
Research questions and aims
Literature review of previous research on the topic you have chosen to write about
Methodology
Methods used and rationale for these
Sampling and rationale for this
Research process – (e.g. what you did in practice)
Ethical considerations – (e.g. what you did to ensure your research was ethical)
Reflexivity – (e.g. the part you played in the process and an evaluation of what you did)
Results (e.g. themes from qualitative data or statistical results from quantitative projects)
Discussion
Conclusion
Reference list
Appendices (i.e., your SPSS data output plus a copy of your questionnaire etc.)
Referencing and research requirements
Reference your work according to the Harvard style as defined in Cite Them Right Online (http://www.citethemrightonline.com).
This information is also available in book form: Pears, R. and Shields, G. (2019)
Cite them right: the essential reference guide. 11th edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Copies are available via the University library.
How your work will be assessed
Your work will be assessed according to the following criteria:
Satisfactory completion of all elements
Coherence of research project as a whole (i.e. coherent relationship between research aims, literature review, methods used, discussion and conclusion)
Evidence of quality of research and reflexivity
Understanding
Quality of analysis of data and discussion
Quality of academic writing
Breadth and quality of academic sources
Referencing
Last Completed Projects
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