ABSTRACT
A concise summary of the research project. It should include:
· The purpose of your research (what you set out to do)
· A brief rationale for conducting the research (why this is an important topic)
· The methodological framework proposed (how you intend to do it) including the approach (quantitative or qualitative), the proposed method(s) to collect data and the sampling strategy
(100 words – 5%)
OVERALL AIM
· Clearly state in a single sentence what is the research problem or issue you wish to examine. It should include WHAT the project is about, WHO it focuses on and in WHICH context.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
· A bullet pointed list of the objectives or questions that will inform the overall aim.
RATIONALE
· Some background literature on key findings from previous research setting out the reasons why the study is worthwhile research to conduct.
(400 words – 10%)
LITERATURE REVIEW: Use at least a minimum of 12 relevant academic sources
· Examine background knowledge in relation to your research topic
· Identify the main concepts relevant to your project
· Identify the commonalities and differences between different sources (which authors support/contradict each other)
· Discuss the various views that exist regarding the concepts involved in your project
(1000 words – 25%)
METHODOLOGY AND METHODS: Use at least a minimum of 8 relevant academic sources
RESEARCH APPROACH
· Discuss whether you propose to use qualitative, quantitative, or a mixed approach; why have you chosen to do this, what are the benefits and limitations)
RESEARCH METHODS
· Explain how you propose to collect data (interviews? Questionnaires? Focus groups?) and justify this choice of method(s) justification for the method(s), explain why have you chosen to do this and what are the benefits/limitations
· Discussion on ethical issues
SAMPLING STRATEGY
· Discuss the population you will focus on and how you propose to sample respondents (probability/non-probability sampling) and why you propose to use this approach. Include details of the sample size and discuss the benefits/limitations of what you propose
(1000 words – 35%)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
· Explain how you intend to present the data you have collected (using descriptive statistics/interview extracts etc)
· Provide examples of this using mock data to illustrate how you would present the findings
· Outline the way in which these findings would be discussed with reference to the literature presented in your literature review (you may wish to organise your results into key ‘themes’)
(500 words – 15%)
REFERENCE LIST
At least 20 sources required (12 for the literature review and 8 for the methodology); use the Harvard referencing system)
(Not included in the word count – 10%)
(Project presentation and layout – 5%)
SUMMARY
Weighting Word Count Guidelines
Abstract 5% (100 words)
Aims, objectives and rationale 10% (400 words)
Literature review 25% (1000 words)
Methods 30% (1000 words)
Results and discussion 15% (500 words)
References 10%
Project presentation and layout 5%
TOTAL 100% 3000 words
