1. Assignment Guidance Dr Nisheet Gosai
206FIS Research Methods
Assignment Guidance
Dr Nisheet Gosai

2. Aims and Objectives Module Assessment
The Dissertation Proposal-Format and possible word limit outline.
Research Topics Aims and Rationale
Key Literature
Methodology
Ethical issues
References
Submission
Marking
Overall project layout

3. Module Assessment
 Assessment for this module will be by a single coursework component comprising the following::
 3000 word dissertation proposal (weighting 100% of module mark which assesses learning outcomes studied in Lectures)
 Pass requirement for the module is a minimum mark of 40% in this assessment.

4. The Dissertation Proposal
Present a plan of your research design set out in the following sections:
Research topic, aims and rationale (approx 500 words)
Key literature (approx 1000 words)
Methodology (approx 1000 words)
Ethical issues (approx 500 words)
Reference List

5. Research Topic, Aims and Rationale
Outline topic & provide brief background to research
Provide a rationale for carrying out the research – why is it important to study?
Set out your key aims and objectives, e.g. your research question or questions, or what you are aiming to achieve

6. Key Literature Review the literature in your topic
What does the literature tells us about the topic
Key debates/issues?
Outcomes of other research
Theories/concepts
Identify themes (main idea) that your research will explore
Need to synthesise and critically discuss the literature, not discuss each in turn in an unrelated way

7. Methodology
Should set out clearly and concisely how you plan to carry out your research:
Which search engines will you be using
What epistemological assumptions inform your approach (why you are doing it the way you intend)
What methodology and methods you plan to use (how you will do it through using qualitative/quantitative research)
What methodological issues you envisage needing to deal with to be able to carry out your research (e.g. access, gatekeeper, sample, resources, etc)

8. Ethical Issues
Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical issues that will arise in your research and how you will deal with them
Make sure your proposal is based on a strategy that can be approved
If library-based then discuss how ethical considerations in taking an empirical approach has shaped your decision to do library-based research

9. References
Full list of references at the end of your proposal in an alphabetic order. (By Author)
Make sure ALL references in the text appear in the list and vice versa
Reference ideas from your sources and factual information
At least references overall throughout your proposal, not just in your key literature
Academic sources (subject & methodological) & bona fide websites only

10. Submission
Deadline: 7th May

11. Marking Research topic, aims and rationale Key literature Methodology
Ethical issues
Evidence of reading
Standard of referencing
Overall presentation of work

12. Project Lay out Research topic, aims and rationale (approx 500 words)
Task: Outline the topic and provide a brief background to your research. State your rationale for carrying out the research and the key questions/issues that you wish to address.
Key literature (approx 1000 words)
Task: Carry out a brief review of the key literature relating to your area of research and set out the main issues that arise and will inform your own exploration of the topic. This is like background reading. It is usual for this review to raise issues and give your ideas about the nature and detail of your project. Be critical in your dealing with the works. Do not simply repeat what the author has written, do not simply describe the book. Be more engaged with the work and cross reference each title with others and also suggest how and where your research idea fits in.
Methodology (approx 1000 words)
Task: Discuss the research design that will guide your project including the epistemological and practical issues that have influenced your methodological approach and chosen method of data collection. Here you are expected to take account of all of the problems and barriers which you might forsee and devise logical and practical working solutions to them. It is not expected that you simply state a thing that may be a problem without at least attempting to resolve the issue. If you leave any significant issued left unresolved you will fail you proposal. You must convince the marker that you are ready to progress the project at level three.
Ethical issues (approx 500 words)
Discuss the main ethical considerations in carrying out research and explain what (if any) consequences are associated with your own research and the steps you anticipate taking to account for these.