INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
COURSE/ UNIT INFORMATION
Course
Doctorate in Management – UCAM
Course Level
Doctoral
Module Name
Introduction to Research Methods
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
Faculty
TO BE FILLED BY THE STUDENT
Student Name
Student ID
Email ID
Date Submitted
ASSSESSMENT FFEDBACK
TO BE FILLED BY THE ASSESSOR
NB: The Turnitin will be checked internally by assessors only.
Assessment type
Marks
Marks Awarded
Task 1: Critical Answers
70
Task 2: Research Ethics Analysis Sheet
30
Overall Marks
100
Overall Grade achieved by the learner
Summative Feedback by Assessor for further improvement
GRADE DESCRIPTORS
70% and above
(Distinction)
The assignment evaluated is of a high to exemplary standard. The work addresses clearly and articulately the assignment requirements and thus meets and satisfies all the learning outcomes (either well or in an exemplary way). The work demonstrates: clear knowledge; references to appropriate academic literature; analysis; critical evaluation; and originality of argument. It is structured and presented to a high (or exemplary) standard. Referencing conventions are fully observed.
60 to 69%
(Merit)
The assignment evaluated is of a good to a high standard. Substantial knowledge, comprehension and analysis is evident throughout. Arguments presented are clear and focused with a logical structure in place. There is clear evidence of critical evaluation of a wide range of theories/perspectives from academic literature and some independent thought. The work is well-written and addresses well all of the learning outcomes. Referencing conventions are fully observed.
50 to 59%
(Pass)
The assignment evaluated is of a fair to good standard. Adequate knowledge, comprehension and analysis is evident throughout. The arguments presented have a logical structure and show some critical evaluation in places, although there may be limited evidence of an independent perspective. There is evidence of some good engagement with some of the appropriate literature. Learning outcomes have been largely met and to an appropriate degree. Referencing conventions are observed.
40 to 49%
(Fail/Redo)
The assignment evaluated is of a basic standard. The arguments presented have some logical structure and are supported by academic literature in most cases. The academic literature used is outside of the suggestions made in the module guide but remains limited. Little critical evaluation is evident, and the work tends more widely towards a descriptive style. Learning outcomes have been addressed in a basic but satisfactory way. Referencing conventions are mostly observed.
Fail Grades
30 to 39%
(Module retake)
The assignment evaluated is of a limited standard. Limited use of academic literature and as such knowledge and argument is very weak. A simple descriptive style with no evidence of critical evaluation throughout. Over-reliance on simplistic, limited sources. Referencing conventions may not be observed. Some learning outcomes met but in a weak and simplistic way. The work is needs to be developed in greater depth and detail to move to a passable standard at this level of study
29% and Below
(Module retake)
The assignment evaluated is of an unacceptable standard. There is little or no evidence of knowledge and understanding that is required at this level. Referencing is inadequate or non-existent. The learning outcomes have not been addressed fully and the work requires significant modification to bring it to a passable standard.
Module Description
This course will enhance participants understanding of the research process. Participants will critically explore research approaches, language, and ethics. The course will take a step-by-step approach to develop students’ knowledge, skills and understanding on design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative research designs including Cross-sectional surveys, cohort studies, Randomized Controlled Trials, and operational study designs which include quasi experiments and Cluster Randomized Controlled Trials. The course will equip students with the skills necessary to conduct secondary research designs including scoping and systematic reviews. The course will also help students to develop the skills to recognize and reflect on the strengths and limitations of different research methodologies and address ethical and practical issues in research. Further the student will be equipped with the ability to methodologically review and derive meaning from published research work for application in professional practice and growth.
Learning outcomes
LO1: Identify and describe different quantitative study designs, describe the key elements and weaknesses and strengths associated with each approach, and application of quantitative research in professional Practice.
LO2: To understand Qualitative Research approaches and their application including qualitative data collection, analysis, and reporting methods.
LO3. To understand secondary research design and application methods including Scoping and Systematic reviews approaches, and how different research designs can be combined in a mixed method study approach.
LO4: To understand the concept of research quality assurance and its application in research integrity and ethical principles and application of validity and reliability principles in research.
Expectations
Materials Access
All learning materials are provided in the form of a module kit and can be accessed from the Learning Management system (LMS)
Learning Hours
Students need to be aware of their commitment requirements in regard to study time. In order to give you an indication of that, we have based the following information on the United Kingdom (UK) Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency guidelines. The notional learning hours associated with qualifications, programmes and individual units of study are based on a broad agreement across institutions that students can expect to spend 10 hours learning on average in order to gain one academic credit unit (QAA 2006).
Re-sit
If you do not secure a pass, please read closely the feedback and speak with your Course leader(s) or faculty. After consulting the feedback, close attention is essential to rework on the areas of weakness and then resubmit the work at the next opportunity. As per the QAA requirements, only one REDO is allowed where the marks will be capped at a Pass.
Plagiarism
All forms of plagiarism are taken seriously, and any suspected cases will be investigated thoroughly. If a case is found proven, then the work will be graded as a fail and the case will be reviewed by the academic committee.The assessment team checks the Turnitin before the evaluation of the assignment is undertaken.
Student appeals
There areno re-evaluations as the marks are graded and internally verified before release for the assignments. Any dissatisfaction with the grades should be annotated in detail and sent to the course leader. However, this will not guarantee a re-evaluation.
Assignment submission extensions
Students can apply for extensions via the LMS based on extenuating circumstances (if any) with evidence (proof) as per our extensions policy.
General Guidelines
Complete the To be filled by the student section in the cover page.All assignments must be submitted as an electronic document in MS word via the LMS (Use 12 Times New Roman script with 1.5 spacing between lines)The results are declared only if the student has met the mandatory attendance requirement of 75% and/or minimum 50 % under extenuating circumstances approved and ratified by the academic committee and the examination board.The assignment should not contain any contents with references cited from websites such as ukessays.com, styudymode.com, slideshare.net, scribd.com, Wikipedia but should contain references/citations from credible academic journal and articles. For information about HRS please refer to the tutorial video on LMS.Submit the assignment on the LMS with the file name being: First Name Last Name _ Module Abbreviation_Course Name of assignment. For example: John Smith_IRM_DM
Checklist
o
I have filled the student Information on the cover sheet as given in the start of the document.
o
The contents of the assignment are purely my own work, and I give the assessors a right to run it through any plagiarism check.
o
I have strictly followed Harvard Referencing Style and Citations.
o
I acknowledge and adhere to the institution’s AI Policy Statement, ensuring the ethical and responsible use of AI tools, and confirm that all my submissions will reflect originality and integrity.
o
I declare that all websites and AI tools utilized during the preparation of this assignment comply with the AI Policy.
Assessment tasks
There is no scenario for this assignment. However, this assignment is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the research process. Ensure that your responses are well- structured, clear, and exhibit a high level of critical analysis and academic rigor.
A tentative word count for each question is provided for a reference and a +/-10% of total word count is allowed. The word count does not include the references mentioned by you at the end.
Task 1 (2500 words, 70 marks)
Please answer the following questions in a structured manner with proper headings and sub-headings: –
Explain critically the main considerations in selecting research topic in the field of management and critically discuss the role of terms of reference (aim, objectives, and research questions) in research.[400 words, 10 Marks]Critically review the three main quantitative research designs namely, Correlational, Predictive, and Experimental[500 words, 15 marks].Discuss the difference between probability and non-probability sampling methods. Provide a justification and examples of scenarios where researchers should consider choosing probability and non-probability sampling techniques in the research[400 words, 10 Marks].Analyse the use and application of mixed methods research designs for research methods used for undertaking research in the field of management[400 words, 10 Marks].Critically evaluate the scoping review and systematic literature review approaches of the literature review. Provide one example of a research question where these approaches can be applied. You may use any published literature review to search for the research questions[300 words, 10 marks].Describe briefly the difference between Content Analysis and Thematic Analysis. Provide one example for each method from the literature related to your field in Management that has used the approach[500 words, 15 marks].
Task 2 (1000 words, 30 marks)
Explain the concepts of validity and reliability in research, and their significance in ensuring the quality of research outcomes[300 words, 10 marks].Develop a critical analysis in terms of research integrity and ethical considerations in the famous Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment[700 words, 20 marks].
START WRITING YOUR ANSWERS FROM THIS PAGE. GOOD LUCK