Assignment 3: Research Report

Assignment 3: Research Report

Task overview

Item Details

Course HSC8050 Research Methodology for the Human Sciences

Assessment Type Workbook (A Research Report)

Brief task description Engaging in a Mock research exercise with your Course Coordinator and the entire student cohort for the semester.

Rationale for assessment task The rationale for this assignment is to demonstrate your understanding of the fundamental skills of undertaking research and consolidate those learnings into a coherent, structured, and feasible research process and report.

You will participate and build the components of your research process and report over the course of the semester.

Due Date TBA

Length 2000 words +/-10% (word length includes in-text referencing and excludes your reference list and appendices)

Marks out of:

Weighting: This assignment will be marked out of 50 marks.

This assignment is worth 50% of the total assessment for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes measured

Course Learning Outcomes measure in this assessment:

CLO1. Critically analyse the current methodological debates taking into consideration the different philosophical bases of different approaches to research;CLO2. Explain the varying ways the term "theory" is used in each of the research paradigms;CLO3. Discuss the centrality of theory to research and describe how each paradigm claims to demonstrate the theory-evidence link;CLO6. Select an appropriate research methodology and method to answer a research question;

CLO7. Analyse and critically appraise literature in a field of specific interest;CLO8. Discuss ethical considerations which arise in research design and conduct.

Task information

Task detail Assignment Tasks

This is an INDIVIDUAL assignment that requires you to use the following problem/research question and identify 1. an appropriate Qualitative research methodology and method for your study & 2. An appropriate survey design following qualitative analysis that allows for wider confirmation of emerging qualitative data.

Research Question:

What is the perceived relevance and application of post graduate assessment tasks to a Health Professionals own work environment?

Task A. You are to write a brief introduction and background that justifies why this research is important. This must be fully referenced. (200 words)

Task B. You are to provide detail on a methodology and method that best aligns with the research question being answered. You must justify your choice. (400 words)

Task C. You are to detail the key considerations of ethics that need to be applied to this research. (200 words)

Task D. You will participate in one of 4 focus groups sessions which will be led by your course coordinator. These sessions will be recorded in ZOOM, where a transcript will be made available. Using the transcripts from these recorded sessions you will undertake a thematic analysis of the qualitative data.

You must 1. Detail and then demonstrate the application of a thematic analysis process you have chosen to complete your analysis. (No more than 200 words) This must be fully references.

2. You are to then write up the results of your analysis. This must be clear and fully justified acknowledging the key concepts that have emerged from the data. No more than (500 words) Note you are not required to submit the transcripts.

3. Based on the findings of your data you are to generate a discussion section which links back to the broader literature. (500 words) This must be fully referenced.

Task E. Using the key findings from your Qualitative research component and the confirmation against the literature you are to now generate a survey tool.

This must not be more than one page in size and should only include closed ended questions. How do I create a survey using the UniSQ Survey tool?This must include 1. A written hypothesis

2. A description of the step you will use to create your survey (this can include the survey software being used) You must detail who the survey will be distributed to, justifying the target sample and the sample size. (200 words)

3. The final survey tool. (Not included in word count) 1 page only

There is no conclusion required for this assessment

Resources available to complete task Support for academic writing and referencing is available from the Learning Advisor and Liaison Librarian, you can contact them via their site: https://www.usq.edu.au/library/usq-libraries/contactStudy Support can be found at: https://www.usq.edu.au/library/study-supportStudy and Support for Health and Community Program students can be found at: https://open.usq.edu.au/course/view.php?id=321 Writing Style This assessment piece will be written in the form of a modified Research Report, including an introduction and a discussion section. Include required headings and subheadings. Support your proposal with relevant, credible literature (provide links). This assessment should be written in the third person.

Formatting Style Written essay style.

Font: 12 pt, times new roman

Spacing and margins: double spacing and 2.54 cm margins on all sides

Include page numbers: in bottom right corner

Referencing/ citations For this assessment you will use APA 7th referencing style.

Sources: your reference list must include scholarly sources with the majority no older than 10 years old, unless seminal work in the field.

In text citations: You must include intext citations in the body of your work. Each new point or piece of evidence must be attributed (via in-text citation) to the source.

Submission information

What you need to submit Submit one Microsoft Word document that contains the following items:

Title page including student name and student number; course code and name; year and semester; assignment number and assignment title, and word count

Your research proposal assignment

File Name Conventions Note: Do not include the marking criteria

File Name Conventions

Save your document with the following naming convention:

Lastname_Firstname_studentnumber_coursecode_A1.doc/docx/pdf

e.g., Jones_Grace_0003216_HSC8050_A1.docx

Moderation & Marking This task will be marked against marking criteria available at the end of this document.

All staff who are assessing your work meet to discuss and compare grading decisions before marks or grades are finalised.

Academic Integrity & Misconduct Students should be familiar with, and abide by, USQs policy on Academic Integrity and the definition of Academic Misconduct . Penalties apply to students found to have breached these policies & procedures.

Turnitin has been enabled so that students can check for similarity matching within their assessment and make amendments prior to the due date to demonstrate academic integrity.

Assessment Policies & Procedures Information and links regarding USQs assessment policy/ procedure; extensions and late submissions; academic integrity & misconduct and marking are found on your course StudyDesk Assessment page.

Note on Late submission & extensions: Applications for an extension of time will only be considered if received in accordance with the USQ Assessment procedure and the Assessment of Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances Procedure. Refer to the links on StudyDesk for copies of these procedures.

Criteria Referenced Assessment (CRA)/Rubric

Assignment 3: Application of Knowledge and Skills to develop a proposal for a research study Student Name:

Student Number:

Criteria Grade

(5) (4) (3.5) (3) (2.4-0) Task A Introduction/Background There is excellent discussion evident as to the background or origins of the problem with no apparent gaps or point of clarity required. There are clear links of the problem to the literature being searched and the literature has been used well to contextualize the problem. There is good attempt to justify the significance of the problem statement, where strong emphasis has been made around highlighting the risks associated with the problem not being addressed. There is good discussion evident as to the background or origins of the problem with minors gaps or point of clarity required. There are reasonable links of the problem to the literature being searched and the literature has been used well to contextualize the problem, but minor clarity is required. There is good attempt to justify the significance of the problem statement, where a sound emphasis has been made around highlighting the risks associated with the problem not being addressed. There is partial discussion evident as to the background or origins of the problem however some gaps remain unclear or apparent. There are some clear links of the problem to the literature being searched and the literature has partially been used to contextualize the problem. There is some attempt to justify the significance of the problem statement, how little emphasis has been made around highlighting the risk associated with the problem not being addressed. There is little to no discussion evident as to the background or origins of the problem. There are no clear links of the problem to the literature being search and the literature has not been used to contextualize the problem. There is no attempt to justify the significance of the problem statement Inappropriate or absent introduction/ background

Student needs to visit

http://www.usq.edu.au/learningcentre/assignment-skills/writing-assignments/essay-writing /5

Comments: (5) (4) (3.5) (3) (2.4-0) Task B Methodology and Method

Methodology is consistent with the problems/questions and demonstrates an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology

This clearly describes your chosen research methodology, including whether you are using qualitative or quantitative methods, or a mixture of both, and why. (This must include a complete definition and description of the type of methodology You should be clear about the academic basis for the choices that you have made.

Methods are clearly identified, explained and justifiedThe method contains good detail on the participants of the proposed study

There is good detail on the procedure that will be followed in the study, particularly with detail on data collection

There is sufficient detail on the measures and materials used, i.e. data collection tools, and necessary equipment.

There is sufficient detail on how the data will be analyzed Methodology is consistent with the problems/questions and demonstrates an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology, with only some minor omissions

This partially describes your chosen research methodology, including whether you are using qualitative or quantitative methods, or a mixture of both, and why. There are some omissions in defining and describing the academic basis for the choices that you have made.

Methods are clearly identified, explained and justified, but contains minor omissionsMinor omissions on the participants of the proposed study

Minor omissions on the procedure that will be followed in the study, particularly with detail on data collection

Minor omissions on the measures and materials used, i.e. data collection tools, and necessary equipment.

Minor omissions on how the data will be analyzed Methodology is only partially consistent with the problems/questions and only a sound demonstration of the understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology

A sound outline describing your chosen research methodology, some major omissions are apparent. Methods are partially identified, explained and justifiedThe method contains partial detail on the participants of the proposed study

There is partial detail on the procedure that will be followed in the study, particularly with detail on data collection

There is partial detail on the measures and materials used, i.e. data collection tools, and necessary equipment.

There is partial detail on how the data will be analyzed

Minor errors in interpretation Methodology is only barely consistent with the problems/questions and poorly demonstrates an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology

Minimally outlines your chosen research methodology, some major omissions are apparent

Methods are poorly identified, explained and justifiedThe method contains little detail on the participants of the proposed study

There is little detail on the procedure that will be followed in the study, particularly with detail on data collection

There is little detail on the measures and materials used, i.e. data collection tools, and necessary equipment.

There is little detail on how the data will be analyzed

Major errors in interpretation Methodology is not consistent with the problems/questions and does not demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the methodology

Fails to outline the way in which research is to be undertaken

Fails to identify the broad philosophical underpinning to your chosen research methodology.

Methods are not identified, explained or justifiedThe method contains insufficient detail on the participants of the proposed study

There is insufficient detail on the procedure that will be followed in the study, particularly with no detail on data collection

There is insufficient detail on the measures and materials used, i.e. data collection tools, and necessary equipment.

There is insufficient detail on how the data will be analysed /5

Comments

(5) (4) (3.5) (3) (2.4-0) Task C

Ethics The student has made a clear statement about ethical committee approval

The student has made a clear description about the required core principles of ethics. The student has made a mostly clear statement about ethical committee approval

The student has made a clear description about the required core principles of ethics., but with some minor omissions The student has made a sound statement about ethical committee approval

The student has made a clear description about the required core principles of ethics. but with some minor omissions, and some misinterpretation Ethics representation is weak and not critiqued.

Major errors in interpretation Inappropriate or absent acknowledgement of ethics /5

Comments (15) (11-14) (10-7.5) (3-7) (0-2) Task D

Application of Thematic Analysis

Results & Discussion

There is a strong demonstrate on the application of a thematic analysis process chosen to complete the analysis.

Results are clearly and fully justified acknowledging the key concepts that have emerged from the data.

These have been supported with a concept map (Image or diagram)

All findings have been adequately discussed with strong links back to the broader literature. There is a high level of evidence synthesis or integration of evidence apparent. There is a sound demonstrate on the application of a thematic analysis process chosen to complete the analysis with some minor omission or misinterpretation.

Results are reasonably justified acknowledging most of the key concepts that have emerged from the data with some minor omission or incorrect prioritization.

These have been supported with a concept map (Image or diagram)

All findings have been reasonably discussed with some links back to the broader literature. There is a good level of evidence synthesis or integration of evidence apparent with some addition evidence required. There is a partial demonstration on the application of a thematic analysis process chosen to complete the analysis with many omissions or misinterpretations.

Results are sound in their justification partially acknowledging some of the key concepts that have emerged from the data with many omissions or incorrect prioritization.

These have been supported with a concept map (Image or diagram) however the quality requires some work.

There has been a sound discussion with sound links back to the broader literature. There is a sound level of evidence synthesis or integration of evidence apparent with stronger additions of evidence required. There is a weak demonstration on the application of a thematic analysis process chosen to complete the analysis with many omissions or misinterpretations.

Results are weak in their justification barely acknowledging some of the key concepts that have emerged from the data with many omissions or incorrect prioritization.

These have not been supported with a concept map (Image or diagram)

There has been a weak discussion with weak links back to the broader literature. There is a weak level of evidence synthesis or integration of evidence apparent with stronger additions of evidence required. There is a no demonstration on the application of a thematic analysis process chosen to complete the analysis.

Results clearly do not align to the transcripts with very poor justification or this component has not been completed.

These have not been supported with a concept map (Image or diagram)

There has been no discussion with links back to the broader literature. There is a no level of evidence synthesis or integration of evidence apparent.

/15

Comments (10) (7.5-9) (5-7) (3-4.5) (0-2) Task E

Survey Tool The hypothesis clearly states the predictions about what the research will find

The relevant variables are mentioned.

The specific group being studied is part of the hypothesis.

The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis is included in the hypothesis.

The steps taken for survey development are clearly and correctly addressed.

This includes:

the target population

The sample size, with justification

The completed survey tool is included, and the proposed survey questions clearly align with answering the research question. The hypothesis clearly states most of the predictions about what the research will find and is missing one or more of the following.

The relevant variables are mentioned.

The specific group being studied is part of the hypothesis.

The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis is included in the hypothesis.

The steps taken for survey development are mostly addressed with some minor omissions.

The completed survey tool is included, and the proposed survey questions mostly align with answering the research question with some requiring clarity. The hypothesis partially states the predictions about what the research will find many of the following being omitted.

The relevant variables are mentioned.

The specific group being studied is part of the hypothesis.

The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis is included in the hypothesis.

The steps taken for survey development are only partially addressed with some major omissions.

The completed survey tool is included, however the proposed survey questions partially align with answering the research question with many requiring clarity. The hypothesis poorly states the predictions about what the research will find many of the following being omitted.

The relevant variables are mentioned.

The specific group being studied is part of the hypothesis.

The predicted outcome of the experiment or analysis is included in the hypothesis.

The steps taken for survey development are poorly addressed with some major omissions.

The completed survey tool is included; however the proposed survey questions poorly align with answering the research question with major clarity required. The hypothesis is omitted.

The steps taken to develop the survey are not addressed.

The survey tool is not included /10

Comments:

(5) (4) (3.5) (3) (2.4-0) Written Expression/ Grammar High standard of written expression.

Language is appropriate and of a high academic standard.

Well-written and well-structured paragraphs.

No breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of a high standard.

An above average standard of written expression.

Language is appropriate and of a high academic standard with minor error.

Well-written and well-structured paragraphs with minor error.

Minor breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of an above average standard. A good sound standard of written expression.

Language is appropriate and of a sound academic standard with major error.

Unstructured paragraphs with many errors.

Many breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of a sound standard. An average use of written expression that requires significant work.

Language is not considered to be at an academic standard.

Inconsistent use of paragraphs with only minimal structure evident.

Major breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of an average standard. Poor written expression. Reader must reread sections to understand content.

Poorly written paragraphs without any structure.

Uses dot points.

Uses colloquial language.

Changes tenses.

Changes 'person' (i.e., switches from 2nd person to 3rd person).

Incomplete sentences.

Uses first person.

Inappropriate punctuation.

Misspelled words.

Inappropriate abbreviations. (i.e. SMS language /5

Comments:

(5) (4) (3.5) (3) (2.4-0) Appropriate Referencing/ Appropriate synthesis of evidence:

In-text and

Reference list Consistently correct in-text referencing as per USQ guidelines.

Correct use of APA Referencing.

Correct expression of secondary citations.

Assignment acknowledges source of all referenced materials.

There is high level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments Minor errors in referencing throughout. But consistent with requirements.

There is a good level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments, however further evidence could be used to build arguments. Many inconsistencies with style of in-text referencing (those in the body of the paper)

Many Inconsistencies with reference list

Moderate issues identified with referencing.

There is a sound level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments, where more extensive evidence could be used to build arguments. Average use with style of in-text referencing (those in the body of the paper)

Many Inconsistencies with reference list

There is a poor level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments, where the student has simply listed single authors with no associated connection in building an argument. Inappropriate or absent acknowledgement of cited material.

Inappropriate paraphrasing from published literature'

Incorrect secondary citation.

Incorrect use of 'et.al.'

Reference List is not in alphabetical order.

Format not consistent with APA

Inappropriate punctuation in list.

Assignment utilizes material from sources without acknowledging source.

There is no evidence of an integration of evidence

/5

Comments:

Comments: MARKS LOST FOR LATE PENALTY (IF RELEVANT) Marker: Date: Total: /50

Overall Comments: