Explain the key features of qualitative and quantitative research approaches

FZ2061 Research Methods
Assignment Brief
Assignment 1: Research Proposal + Literature Review

This assessment requires you to submit a 2,500-word assignment in the format of a research proposal with an embedded literature review. It should reflect a ‘typical’ research proposal that you would produce if applying for research funding for a specific project or postgraduate study. This assignment will assess your ability to design a research study alongside evaluating relevant academic literature on a topic of your choice. You should reference your work within the text and must include a reference list; format your referencing according to Harvard Cite them Right.

This assessment counts toward 100% of your mark for this module.

This assignment must be submitted through Blackboard using Turnitin.

Learning Outcomes
This assessment will test your ability to meet learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 as described in your module booklet:

Evaluate relevant academic literature;
Develop appropriate research questions;

3. Explain the key features of qualitative and quantitative research approaches;
4. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different research methods.
5. Design a research project.

Aims of Assessment
To assess your ability to present findings from published literature;
To assess your ability to critically review material presented in the literature;
To evaluate your professional research study and writing skills;
To ensure that you are able to reference your sources using an accepted referencing system (Harvard Cite them Right);
To assess your knowledge of research methods.
To encourage you to read and understand the published literature, particularly peer-reviewed journal articles;

Assessment criteria
Your submission should demonstrate research of and reference to academic sources (peer reviewed journal articles, books and reports), and an understanding of relevant theories and methods. You will be marked according to the content and communication of the research literature within your project.

Project Proposal Guidance

Project design:
Be extra critical: is there something in your course so far that you have been sceptical about, or which you think needs further study?
Look for gaps in the research and recommendations for further study in the conclusion of papers and reports to identify a potential aim and RQ.
Read about an interesting topic and keep asking the question ‘Why?’: this may identify a research question you could address. While we encourage you to design a research proposal for something that particularly interests you, remember that it needs to be connected to the course content (Policing, Forensics, CSI) you have been exposed to on your undergraduate degree.
Think about feasibility – how possible is it to undertake the research you are proposing? Marks will be awarded according to how researchable a project is.
Length – as your assignment is 2,500 words in total, we recommend you devote 1000 words of this to the project proposal outlining aims, objectives and RQs, methodology and ethical considerations for your chosen project.
There are examples of Project proposals on Blackboard to assist you.
Follow the template provided to structure your research proposal.
Do not write in first person – refer to ‘this analysis indicates’, ‘the proposed aims will address’, ‘the discussion will explore’, ‘the evidence base suggests’ etc.

Literature Review:
A literature review requires you to collate current, relevant information on a given topic. Typically, the purpose of a literature review is to gain an understanding of the existing research and arguments relevant to a particular topic or area of study, and to present that knowledge in the form of a written report.
Conducting a literature review helps you to build your knowledge in your field, as well as succinctly informing your reader. This should not be an exhaustive list describing all of the research completed on the topic; it should identify the major studies and most pertinent issues.

The literature review should start with an introductory paragraph, that includes an overview of the problem/topic and the scope of your review.
You should discuss similar findings together, identifying key findings and limitations and/or criticisms of the work.
Aim to develop a clear argument and identify any gaps in the existing understanding.
The literature review should end with a concluding paragraph that summarises your key points/arguments. Remember, we don’t just want to know what’s been done and what we already know, we want to understand where the gaps in knowledge are and why this is important (practical/theoretical implications).
Length – as your assignment is 2,500 words in total, we recommend you devote 1,500 words of this to the literature review portion of your proposal outlining the research problem with explicit support from the wider literature.

Tips:
Read published literature reviews (found at the beginning of journal articles) for an awareness of the structure, writing style and content.
Discussion sections (found at the end of journal articles) can be useful indicators as to the gaps in understanding and requirements for future work.
Reference lists of published work can be helpful in directing you to additional relevant sources of information.

Presentation of work
Your work must be word processed and presented in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the Assessment Handbook. It is your responsibility to ensure that your work is neatly and accurately presented and you will lose marks for poor spelling, grammar and sentence construction.

Referencing Style
Any piece of written work must be referenced. That means citing the literature to say where you got that piece of information and to enable the reader to go to the original source. All citations and references must be in Harvard format as outlined by ‘Cite them Right’ Referencing (see Blackboard web links and Useful information). If you do not do this you will unnecessarily lose marks.

Word Count
The word limit is 2,500 words +/- 10%. This excludes the reference list.

The rules on submission of coursework and penalties for lateness and plagiarism are contained in the Assessment Handbook.

Plagiarism – a reminder!
Any material submitted for assessment must be produced specifically for the assessment and must be your own work and the result of your own efforts. The use of work produced for another purpose by you, working alone or with others, must be acknowledged.

Copying from the works of another person (including Internet sources) constitutes plagiarism, which is an offence within the University’s regulations. Brief quotations from the published or unpublished works of another person, suitably attributed, are acceptable. You must always use your own words except when using properly referenced quotations.
You are advised when taking notes from books or other sources to make notes in your own words, in a selective and critical way.

Plagiarism is an ‘examination offence’. This means that you would score 0%. No resit will be offered for any assessed work failed because of plagiarism. Hence, you would fail the module. You would also be liable for disciplinary action which could lead to dismissal from the University.
Any case of plagiarism will be mentioned in any reference given to a prospective employer or academic institution.