Introduction
The second part of the assessment for this module builds upon the work you have completed in specifying a research question(s) and objectives, setting these within a specific research context and exploring the literature already published in your subject area. It will consist of a critical discussion of research methods and approaches as the justification of the research design framework, and an ‘initial reconnaissance’ (exploration) to test the validity of your selected research tools by capturing and analysing a small sample of primary data”
Assignment Brief
You are to produce a report of 2000 words (+ / – 10%) in which you present a critical discussion of research philosophy, research methodology, and research methods relevant to your proposed research question and objectives stated in Assignment 1. Your paper should provide justification of the research design framework you plan to take forward into your final year Dissertation. The report should include the following minimum content:
1. A contents page (not in the word count)
2. An Introduction setting out the scope and content of the document (200-250 words)
3. A brief restatement of your research question and associated objectives (N.B. this should reflect any feedback given to you on Assignment 1) (100-200 words)
4. An explanation of what you believe to be an appropriate research philosophy for the project you intend to undertake (300-350 words)
5. An explanation of your proposed research approach, (1000-1200 words) including:
a. Methodological justification of the relevance and validity of research methods (i.e. tools) you plan to use in primary research
b. An explanation of the relevance of your selected research methods relative to the secondary data explored in your first assignment
c. An explanation of how you plan to ensure validity and reliability in your research design.
6. A final section that presents the results of a small scale pilot test of your primary research tools (200-250 words)
Secondary Research Level HE5 – It is expected that the Reference List will contain between ten and fifteen sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include two refereed academic journals and three academic books.