Student Number:

Title of Proposal:

1^st Marker:

Mark:%

Agreed Mark : %

2^nd Marker:

Mark:%

Research Proposal

Word Limit: 2,400 (-/+10%)

Comments

Mark

%

Weight

Weighted mark

Introduction:

Development of research aims, objectives and hypothesis/question.

You have to introduce the topic and clarify the significance of what you are trying to present. In addition, in this section you have to present the:

– Research aims

– Research objectives

– Research questions

Please, provide references. Give academic information.

0.25

Literature review :

Synthesis and analysis of initial literature on the topic

This section will demonstrate your knowledge of the literature and make a critical link with the research question to be investigated. Students are expected to critically review at least 6 sources to underpin the study. The literature should mostly rely on published academic journal articles in the research area. This critical activity should produce a conceptual framework

0.20

Discussion of research methods

Appropriateness and rigour of research methods

This section should provide a detailed rationale of how you intend to achieve your research objectives. You are expected to address the following areas:

–Type of investigation: Explain clearly whether your research can be classified as an exploratory, descriptive or hypothesis testing study. Refer to the lecture notes and textbook for details on each type.

–Data collection method: Explain how you are going to collect the data (e.g. postal questionnaire, telephone interview, focus group, etc) and why this fits the purpose of your research.

–Sampling method: Explain whether you plan to use a probability or non-probability sampling design and the specific sampling technique. The study participants should be able to offer the right type of information to enable you address the research problem.

–Accessibility issues: what accessibility issues are you likely to encounter when you collect the data? How are you going to manage the accessibility issues?

–Ethical issues: You must discuss any ethical issues that are relevant to your research topic, participants, and method. Discuss how you are going to deal with the ethical issues.

–Data analysis plan: how you intend to analyse the data you will collect? This section must be consistent with the previous section on data collection method and must be mindful of the nature of the data collected, whether this is quantitative or qualitative.

–Research limitations: Define the limitations of the study that you believe you may encounter and could be affect the quality, scope, or value of the research.

0.20

Strength of anticipated findings and how they relate to aims and objectives of study

You need to provide an indication of what is it that you are expecting to achieve after you have completed your research, in relation to your given research aim and research objectives

0.15

0.10

Time table and acknowledgement of sources and correct referencing technique

You may use a Gantt chart or any other method to show how you will use your available time to complete your proposed research. This will provide an indication of the viability of the proposal. You will need to justify your plan.

The reference list at this stage need not be lengthy, only sufficient to inform your proposal. The list must include all the sources that were cited and consulted in writing the research proposal. You must use the Harvard Style of referencing.

0.05

Style/Grammar/Presentation

Your proposal should be written according to the module guide requirements, be spelled-checked and grammatically error free.

0.05

Total Weighted Mark: