Research in Practice
University of Sunderland
Faculty of Technology
ENGM 106 Research in Practice
Assignment 2
2021/22
THIS IS WORTH 50% OF YOUR MODULE MARK
The following learning outcomes will be assessed:
1. Advanced knowledge of current research in a specified topic at the forefront of the student’s
discipline.
2. The ability to find, critically appraise and review a range of information sources and integrated the
knowledge acquired into a review of current literature.
3. The ability to present information in written, and where appropriate graphical, forms to a
professional standard.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Avoiding Accusations of Plagiarism / Collusion
You should ensure that all work in the written submissions is your own and correctly referenced. If
it is a Group assignment you must adhere to the guidelines of the group work and submission of it.
Even if group work, the reports and other written, presentation or research may be individually
assessed, in which case it will need to still be your own work. Check the assignment details.
Academic Misconduct Regulations:
Academic guidance
Academic regulation
Where you draw on references, you should ensure that you clearly explain their relevance to your own
work. If you are unsure on the correct way to reference any material, please ask or refer to the
guidance available via the University Library Website:
http://library.sunderland.ac.uk/find-resources/referencing/
Presentation of Work
Presentation of work is of critical importance. The elements being submitted electronically should be
typed and clearly formatted making appropriate use of headings and subheadings.
| Submission Date and Time | 22 May 2022. 11.59pm |
| Submission Location | No hard copy submission: Electronic Submission on Turnitin through Canvas at the assignments tab. |
AssignmentTutorOnline
Extensions
Extensions will be assessed on a case by case basis and are offered in emergencies. Any extension
will have a maximum duration of 72hrs from hand in date and time. Extensions beyond this will
need to be progressed through the Extenuating Circumstances procedure.
Extenuating Circumstances Procedure
Portfolio item 2: Assignment worth 50% of the module
TASK
Choose one of the following topics on which to do a plan for a research study. This must build
on a topic suggested for further work in a published, peer-reviewed article. You must reference
this source article and although you may use some of their references, literature review to
support your proposed new study and the design including sampling, number of participants,
process of research, data collection instruments must be your own writing.
• The ethics of collecting and analysing data in sensitive commercial or government
institutions.
• The ethical considerations of managing failing projects
• Ethics and other soft skills in successful project management
• Ethics, privacy and security in collecting social networking data
• Managing ethical risks when designing public access wireless networks
• E-commerce and ethical web design
PART A PLANNING A NEW PIECE OF RESEARCH USING A V DIAGRAM (10%)
You firstly need to decide on your research question(s). You will plan a research study that
addresses these research question(s) related to the chosen topic and use this to build your V
diagram. This research must be on one of the above topics. You can use the Q5 technique to
help you complete a V diagram of your research plan but you will only be marked on the V
diagram. Put as much detail as you can on your V diagram as this will help in the planning
process of any research. You are NOT required to collect or analyse any data.
PART B (90%) RESEARCH PLAN (NB YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COLLECT ANY
DATA)
The total word count is 2000-2,500 words. The requirements for each section, relative
importance of the weightings and guidelines on word count are given next.
Structure of the assignment
Part A
Title of research and plan mapped onto a V diagram (200 words) worth 10%
Map out (as a minimum) your research question(s), concepts, hypotheses, methods and
expected findings.
Part B
Introduction (150 words) worth 10%
Establish the significance of the topic/subject, problem/issue/theory, the context of the work
(why is this new? What does it build on?) and what you expect to find. Include a critique of
how ethical considerations are addressed if applicable.
Literature review (1000 words) worth 30%
This will contain a summary of the key academic debate on this topic with reference to key
papers and concepts/ constructs. The literature review should include at least 10 relevant
academic journal articles, conference papers or other peer-reviewed material and must be
written to support your argument. This section should also lead to the formulation of your
research question/ questions and any related hypotheses. You can find examples of the style
needed by carefully reading good academic articles.
Methodology (750 words) 30%
Describes the research approach adopted and the main instruments used to collect the data
and the rationale for the methods. Also briefly outlines the suggested analytical techniques
(including statistical techniques) that may be used to analyse the hypothetical data. Research
ethics should be considered if relevant to the study.
Reflective summary (250 words) 20% (NB-do not write just a conclusion to the papers)
A concise summary of the arguments presented in the papers and a reflection on what you have
learnt from the planning of this research study and how this could be applied to your future
research for say your MSc project.
Feedback sheet
| Structure | >80% | 71-80% | 60-69% | 50-59% | 40-49% | Borderline Fail | Fail | Mark |
| PART A V diagram 10% |
Succinct and interesting title, excellent, very appropriate research question(s) and detailed sections that could be used to plan a research project |
Interesting title, very good and very appropriate research question(s) and detailed sections that could be used to plan a research project |
Title is good and not too general, very appropriate research question(s) and detailed sections that could be used to plan a research project |
Title is adequate and not too general. Research question(s) are appropriate and and sections could be used to plan a research project |
Title a little high level, adequate research question and most sections complete and appropriate |
The research question is too high level or not very appropriate, some sections not correctly completed. |
Not done or plagiarised |
| PART B Introduction 10% |
Excellent, concise and very well-written summary of the significance of the problem addressed, the methods used and the suggested findings. |
A very good, concise summary of the significance of the problem addressed, the methods used and the suggested findings. |
A very good, concise and generally very well-written summary of the problem addressed, the methods used and the suggested findings. |
A good, concise and well-written summary of the problem addressed, the methods used and the suggested findings. |
An adequate summary of the problem addressed, the methods used and the suggested findings. |
A descriptive account of the research into the topic with little or no link to the current debate |
Not done, no comparison or plagiarised |
| Literature review) 30% |
An excellent summary of the key academic debate on this topic with reference to key papers and concepts/ constructs. Research question/ questions and any related hypotheses clearly and appropriately articulated. |
A very good summary of the key academic debate on this topic with reference to papers and concepts/ constructs. Research question/ questions and any related hypotheses clearly and appropriately articulated. |
A very good summary of the academic debate on this topic with reference to key papers and concepts/ constructs. Research question/ questions and any related hypotheses appropriately articulated. |
A good summary of the academic debate on this topic with reference to papers and concepts/ constructs. Research question/ questions and any related hypotheses articulated. |
An adequate summary of the academic debate on this topic with reference to papers and possibly concepts/ constructs. Research question/ questions and any related hypotheses articulated. |
A summary of this topic with reference to some papers and concepts/ constructs. May or may not identify the Research question/ questions and any related hypotheses. |
Not done or may contain large sections of the original papers and/or plagiarism. No clear research question. |
| Methodology 30% |
An excellent research design with a clear, systematic means described for collecting data. Excellent rationale for the methods and excellent understanding of the possible ways of analysing the data, including |
A very good research design with a clear, systematic means described for collecting data. Very good rationale for the methods and very good understanding of the possible ways of analysing the |
A good research design with a systematic means described for collecting data. Good rationale for the methods and good understanding of the possible ways of |
A reasonable research design with a mainly systematic means described for collecting data. Some rationale for the methods and an understanding shown of the |
An acceptable research design with means described for collecting data. Some rationale for the methods and some understanding of the possible ways of analysing the |
Some methods described for collecting data but these may not be appropriate. Limited appreciation of research ethics demonstrated. |
Not done/ No understanding of research ethics demonstrated possible plagiarism detected. |
| use of statistical techniques. Understanding of research ethics demonstrated. |
data including use of statistical techniques. Understanding of research ethics demonstrated. |
analysing the data including use of statistical techniques. Understanding of research ethics demonstrated. |
possible ways of analysing the data including use of statistical techniques. Understanding of research ethics demonstrated. |
data. Some mention of statistical techniques. Understanding of research ethics demonstrated. |
|||
| Reflective summary 20% |
An excellent reflection of the process of planning this research and how this may help you in future work eg for your MSc project |
A very good reflection on the process of planning this research and how this may help you in future work eg for your MSc project |
A good reflection of your research planning process and how this may help you in future work eg for your MSc project |
An adequate reflective summary of the process of planning this research and how this may help you in future work eg for your MSc project |
A basic summary of the process of planning this research and how this may help you in future work |
A summary of the research and no personal reflection |
Not done/ too brief or plagiarised |
| Total |