Examination of research methods and the designing of a research project.

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The assignment is in two parts:

Part 1: Students will develop a proposal for a small-scale enquiry (4,000 words) (75%)

■ provide a background to the project- including why you wish to investigate this particular area (rationale for the project)

■ a brief indication of relevant literature

■ specific aims and objectives of the proposed enquiry- what do you hope to learn from undertaking the project

■ Propose methodology and methods including data collection and analysis as relevant *.

■ need to identify main paradigms

■ where will your project sit- why (your methodology)

■ how will you collect your data - your methods

■ a realistic project management plan (over one academic session/12 months)

■ consideration of ethical issues

■ identification of any limitations of the proposed enquiry

■ This section comprises the main part of your assignment and should be at least 2,000 words

Part 2

Access and prepare an ethics application using the University of Glasgow's ethics paperwork for the project outlined in part 1. This should include the application form, plus any additional paperwork required for example: plain language statements, consent forms, questionnaires etc.  (Please note this is an assignment should NOT be submitted to the online portal - please submit to Moodle) (25%)

■ Develop the ability to access and critically review relevant literature (information literacy).

■ Develop the capacity to evaluate and use research in making educational decisions.

■ Introduce research skills - including qualitative and quantitative methods of enquiry, data collection and analysis.

■ To increase awareness of ethical issues in conducting practitioner research.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

■ Use search techniques to access and record information to fulfil research needs.

■ Evaluate information sources and critically review information retrieved.

■ Use ethical guidelines in appraising published research and proposing own research project.

■ Design and justify an appropriate methodology and methods for a small-scale, practice-based enquiry.

■ Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the ethics process by completing the University of Glasgow ethics forms. 

To meet requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council, students are required to submit all elements of an assignment and attendance at 75% of classes is required (3 out of 4 contact days).