Assessment
You will be required to research and write a systematic literature review protocol (research project) of (2,500 words). You are required to complete and submit your research proposal and online via turnitin by 18:00 on the 14th ofMarch 2022. No paper copies are required. You may expect your work to be returned to you with feedback within ten working days after the deadline. Any change to this timeframe will be communicated to you in advance.
Assessment & Marking Guidance
For this assignment you are asked to produce a research protocol for a systematic literature review. The research protocol should follow the guidance given below. As guidance, the proposal should be 2,500 words (-+10%). Extreme deviations from the recommended word count may incur a penalty. The protocols will be marked against the criteria as given below. You should cover all of the points as set out under each heading.
The following template is designed to assist you in producing your research protocol. A good proposal should address or provide information on each of the elements outlined below. Research protocol should be written clearly and in such a way that an intelligent layperson can understand the principles involved. Any complex issues or technical terminology should be clarified for the benefit of the markers. The project proposal must offer enough information to clarify the project aims and methods, but not too much unnecessary or repetitive material. The proposal should demonstrate that the researcher fully understands the issues associated with the use of the proposed methods (for reviewing the literature).
Project Identification & Rationale (25 marks)
– A succinct and clear project title -full title, short title and/project nickname or acronym
– A clear statement of the research issue under investigation which specifies the research question or questions
– A short initial statement that makes the focus of the research clear
– Some justification of the need for research to be conducted on this topic (explain if the research will fill a gap or meet a need) it might add to knowledge, deliver productive outcomes or add value for policy and/or practice
– At least three key references should be used, and a short critique provided of how they relate to the topic
– Some discussion of existing information on the topic (at this stage a brief outline of the current state of knowledge) further justification of the need for this research and which will be expanded later in the full protocol
– An explanation of why the research needs to be conducted in the chosen setting(s)- in particular, why the proposed subjects and/or setting are needed for this research
Preliminary Literature review (25 marks)
– An adequate review of the existing literature or previous research
– Link the aims and objectives of the project to previous literature
– Contains an element of originality.
Methodology (25 marks)
– An outline of and a rationale for the research approach taken.
– Details of the systematic literature review method to be employed, including inclusion and exclusion criteria, keywords using Boolean operator, quality assessment tools, etc.
– Any difficulties associated with the use of the method(s) proposed are addressed by the prospective researcher
Research Benefits (15 marks)
An outline of the anticipated benefits of conducting the research. These could be benefits to research to business clients, service users, staff, government (local and national), the research site, the researcher(s) and/or the research organisation. An explanation of any grounds for generalising the research findings beyond the immediate research site, organisation or subject group/population category being studied e.g. regionally, across the UK, and/or internationally.
Project Management & Timetable (10 marks)
A clear outline of the project timetable noting key stages in the project such as:
– Anticipated start and completion dates
– Period of desk research and literature reviewing
– The time set aside for the production of final report
– Any anticipated obstacles to completing on schedule. –
Insert GANTTand/or PERTcharts or, at least, a simple tabulated timetable with the above items included showing awareness of the anticipated time needed to accomplish the given tasks.
An outline of your responsibilities involved in the conduct of the research. A clear specification of the project deliverables (e.g. dates when project deliverables are due) This must be consistent with and match the timetable included earlier.
| 0-40 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 60-70 | 70+ | |
| Project Identification & Rationale (25 marks) | Quality of Rationale & Research Aims A cursory attempt to detail the rationale is made and/or the research question and aims hypothesis is inaccurately stated relative to the rationale. A rationale may be present which reflects the general field of enquiry, but the research question and/or hypothesis may be missing | Quality of Rationale & Research Aims Some attempt to identify and articulate the rationale for the study is made. However, the rationale may not clearly link to the theoretical and/or empirical literature reviewed. The research question and aims may seem out of place in relation to the rationale. | Quality of Rationale & Research Aims Some attempt to identify and articulate the rationale for the study is made. The theoretical and/or empirical argument within the rationale may be incomplete or weak. The research question and aims may seem appropriate to the general area of study but may not be completely accurate in the context described. | Quality of Rationale & Research Aims A good attempt is made to articulate the rationale for the study. The theoretical and/or empirical argument may be weak in places. The research question and aims are sensible in light of the rationale although they may need some minor clarification. | Quality of Rationale & Research Aims An excellent rationale for the study is provided which links clearly from the theoretical and/or empirical arguments set out. The research question and aims are accurately stated in relation to the rationale provided. Key stakeholders, benefits & applications of the research have been clearly identified & competently discussed. |
| Literature review (25 marks) | Quality of Literature Review The summaries provided are limited in detail and accuracy. Summaries fail to show any clear understanding of the papers examined. | Quality of Literature Review The summaries provided are sparse and may rely too heavily on the sources themselves. Summaries will show little genuine understanding of the papers. | Quality of Literature Review: The summaries provided are generally accurate although some inaccuracies of interpretation may be present. | Quality of Literature Review An accurate summary of the key elements of the literature is presented although it may be somewhat verbose. Shows competent understanding of key concepts. | Quality of Literature Review An accurate and concise summary of the key elements of the literature are presented. Shows an excellent understanding of key concepts. |
| Methodology (25 marks) | Appropriateness of Suggested Method Most aspects of the methodology are poorly described, and it is difficult to determine what will be done and how the research questions/hypotheses will be addressed | Appropriateness of Suggested Method An account of the research methodology is provided but it is without clear justification from the literature. The description of the chosen method may be poor. | Appropriateness of Suggested Method An account of the research method is provided although this may be an incomplete account or unclear in some aspects. | Appropriateness of Suggested Method A good account of the research method is provided although there may be one or two points of weakness. | Appropriateness of Suggested Method The student clearly demonstrates an excellent understanding of research methodology and provides a full and accurate account of the chosen methods, timeframes & resources to address the research question. |
| Research Benefits (15 marks) | The identification & discussion of key stakeholders, benefits & applications of the research are poorly described, inaccurate or missing. | Limited identification & discussion of key stakeholders, benefits & applications of the research have been provided. | Key stakeholders, benefits & applications of the research have been named but incompletely discussed. | Key stakeholders, benefits & applications of the research have been identified & discussed. | Key stakeholders, benefits & applications of the research have been clearly identified & competently discussed. |
| Project Management & Timetable (10 marks) | Provides either no or a poorly considered account of the chosen methods, time frames & resources to address the research question. | Provides some account of the time frames & resources to address the research question although needs further development. | The student provides reasonable account of the timeframes & resources to address the research question; although detail & accuracy may be somewhat lacking. | Provides a good account of the time frames & resources to address the research question. | Full and accurate account of the time frames & resources to address the research question |
| Presentation, Organisation & Referencing Presentation | Presentation, Organisation & Referencing Presentation, organisation and / or spelling are poor throughout. Citations are present but may be inaccurate or in the incorrect format. Approximately less than 50% of the citations are accurate | Presentation, Organisation & Referencing Presentation, organisation and / or spelling are problematic in places. All citations are present but may be inaccurate or in the incorrect format. Approximately 50% of the citations are accurate. | Presentation, Organisation & Referencing Satisfactory presentation, organisation and spelling throughout. Citations are mainly in APA referencing style but there may be incomplete or inconsistent references. | Presentation, Organisation & Referencing Good presentation, organisation and spelling throughout. The majority of citations are accurate in relation to both the content and the use of APA Referencing style. | Presentation, Organisation & Referencing Excellent presentation, organisation and spelling throughout. Every citation is perfectly accurate in relation to both the content of the citation and the use of APA referencing style |
