Research Methods

Group Assessment Component 2: Research Design, Data Collection and Analysis

Purpose of Assessment The second group assessment component offers students an opportunity to build on the abilities acquired from undertaking the first group assessment component. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to • • Work together as a group, Present a complete methodology proposal which logically and

comprehensively addresses the research question(s) and objective(s), • Devise a research project plan which will outline the task completion over an eight month period.

Content Requirements There are five components that have to be submitted as part of this group assessment component:

(1) Statement of your Research Question(s) and Research Objective(s)

(2) Introduction to the methodology section which gives an indication of the Research Approach (quantitative/qualitative, deductive/inductive) that you are following overall.

(3) Presentation of the empirical element of your research project. Provide definitions, logical connection and justification of use of each of the following with supporting evidence from the literature for the choice you have made: • • Research Design, and Data Collection Methodology/Methodologies, including draft of the actual data collection instrument, e.g. interview agenda or questionnaire with identification of the link to the literature in individual aspects of the instrument, and related documentation as defined by good practice which have to be attached as appendices, e.g. confidentiality agreement, data storage, and • Sample including justification and clear identification of population and sampling frame where required plus and

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Data Analysis Proposal, including information on necessary data preparation steps for analysis and presentation of findings, e.g. identification of relevant data analysis tools, definition of variables, nature of the analysis based on the research question, formatting...