Assignment Task
Purpose
The dissertation is a research project which is based around a topic to be investigated and the outcome is likely to be answers to a set of research questions. The dissertation is expected to be submitted in the form of a thesis*. This thesis will demonstrate research data gathering and analysis skills, as well as depth of understanding of the topic area. Formative feedback is provided by regular discussions with the dissertation supervisor and through comments received on draft chapters.
The students can choose any area of study, which is of particular interest to them, provided that the core of the Dissertation falls within the single, major or joint field of study. Ideally the topic should be based around a question so that the students can put forward an argument and discuss the benefits and drawbacks, or exceptions and limitations, challenges and comparisons.
Task
Your task is to devise and conduct an independent research project on a topic and write a dissertation on the research project you have undertaken. The dissertation must include the following elements:
1. Introduction
a. Presentation of the problem that you have identified
b. Rationale for conducting the research, who could benefit from it and how
c. Research aim, objectives and related research questions
2. Literature review
a. Explain where your investigation fits in the wider body of literature and perhaps informs a current debate in that literature.
b. Critically evaluate carefully selected concepts, theories and ideas which might be useful for investigating your research topic and taking it forward.
c. Discuss material from a range of relevant academic journal articles, as well as appropriate secondary research.
d. Produce a theoretical or conceptual framework to guide your primary research tool/s.
3. Methodology
a. Approach and design
b. Methods used and rationale for these. Presentation of the instruments for data collection
c. Population and Sampling (for quantitative research)
d. Participants and criteria for selecting the participants (for qualitative research)
e. Ethical considerations – (what ethical issues you have identified and what you did to address them)