7019CPD Systematised Literature Review : Masters Dissertation Assignment Brief 2025-26 | CU

Assignment Task of 7019cpd 

The dissertation aims to provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of a specified subject area of interest as well as knowledge of the principles of research. To achieve this, the following format is suggested to structure the dissertation:

Abstract

A short, well-structured abstract of 250 words or fewer is required to provide a few lines of overview. This should include:

• Background/aim
• Methods
• Key findings
• Conclusion/recommendations

The number of words used in the abstract is not counted in the total word count of 8,000 words.

Chapter One: Introduction and Background

This is the introduction to the dissertation as a whole and should contain the following:

• Introduction to the context of your dissertation
• The background and rationale for choosing the topic
• The research aims and objectives.
• The research question
• A description of the dissertation structure, chapter by chapter.

Chapter Two: Review of related literature (Background literature)

This is where you critically review key concepts related to the topic area. You should take the following steps: 

• Begin by clarifying the broader area of study and its significance, explaining how it relates to your specific research question or problem.
• Identify and select key concepts, then organise the literature chronologically based on what best supports your research.
• Highlight inconsistencies, debates, or gaps in the existing literature, explaining how your research will address these issues or contribute new insights to the field.
• Ensure a logical flow and clear connections to your research question, while using smooth transitions between different key concepts
• Ensure proper citation of all sources, and connect this background literature section to other parts of your dissertation, particularly the discussion 

Note: The introduction and background may be integrated into one chapter - discuss with your supervisor. 

Chapter Three: Research Methodology and Methods 

This is the methodology chapter where you should explain your choice of research approaches, strategies, and methods; this is an opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of research methods/methodology. You should take the following steps:

Provide a succinct explanation of the research methodology
Explain literature review type conducted (narrative/systematised): purposes and characteristics. 
Justify why a literature review is appropriate for your research question.
Explain your research philosophy (indicate whether your literature review focused on qualitative or quantitative studies or both, and explain the rationale)
Explain your Research Question Framework (e.g. PEO/PICO), based on your research question, using an appropriate table such as the ones below. 

PEO and Search Terms

OR (depending on your research question framework)

• Conduct a systematic search on databases to identify primary research studies relevant to your topic.
• Narrate your search strategy. Including how you conducted the search and the Boolean operators
• Use tables (PEO/PICO) to ensure you develop robust search terms, including search strings and limiters (see ‘search table’ below).
• Outline the inclusion/exclusion criteria (see the inclusion/exclusion criteria table below), including reasoning.
• You should use the tables below

Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria

Search Table

•  Use the PRISMA Flow Chart to display your search result
• Quality assessment - Discuss the data extraction tool used, how you analysed the data, and any critical appraisal tool used.
• Discuss the ethical approval process (where necessary) and any ethical concerns relating to your dissertation research.
• Note that systematic/narrative/integrative/critical reviews are not selected for data analysis in your review.

Chapter Four: Findings and Analysis

This is where to present findings from the studies reviewed, including your appraisal of the overall methodological design. You should take the following steps:

• Start by providing an overview of the key findings and how you arrived at any given themes/subthemes.
• Organise the findings from the primary research studies according to common themes or variables
• Use tables, charts, or matrices to visually summarise the key findings, making it easier to identify patterns, similarities, and differences across studies
• Aggregate similar studies whilst presenting findings within themes or paragraphs (do not present studies individually)
• Evaluate the research methods used in the studies, considering their strengths, weaknesses, and potential biases.
• Analyse findings about each other, highlighting consistencies, contradictions, and outliers.
• Analyse how the context, such as geographical location, sample size, or study design, might have influenced the results
• Integrate findings from different studies to draw an identification of overarching trends
• Please do not list and answer questions from the critical appraisal tool used. 

Chapter Five: Discussion and conclusion 

This is where you draw and discuss key findings presented in chapter 4 above. You should take the steps below to effectively discuss your findings and conclusions

• Recap the objectives, aim and/or research question that guided your study – consider the effectiveness of your study to respond to the research question, aim and objectives.
• Set the context by briefly reminding the reader of the purpose and scope of your research to establish a foundation for discussing the findings.
• Summarise the most important findings, focusing on those that directly address your research questions
• Organise your discussion by research question or themes to maintain a clear and focused narrative.
• Discuss the implications of your findings, explaining how they contribute to the understanding of the research problem.
• Compare your findings with existing studies, highlighting how your results support, contradict, or expand upon previous research.
• Provide interpretations for your findings, considering alternative explanations, unexpected results
• Discuss Implications and explain how your findings contribute to the theoretical framework or concepts within your field.
• Discuss any practical applications of your findings, such as recommendations for policy, practice, or future research.
• Acknowledge any limitations by reflecting on the research process
• Provide a concise summary of the main conclusions drawn from your research, emphasising how they address the research questions or objectives.
• Connect your conclusions to the original problem statement or research gap identified at the beginning of your study.

List of references 

Appendices

You must declare your word count on the cover page. Please note that your 8,000 words (+/-10%) excludes figures, text box content, list of references and appendices.

Submission Instructions:

• A clear font should be used (minimum size 12) so that the essay can be read easily.
• Your work should be referenced using the APA System as the standard format for citations and references for academic assignments.  For more information, please visit the Library Portal Coventry University
• Please provide a title page, which must include:
• The module title and code
• The course you are studying
• The title of the assignment
• The date of submission
• The actual word count
• Your student number (Not Name).
• Your work should be submitted online to Aula Turnitin, via the 7019cpd Assignment submission portal on 11 August 2025 by 18:00.
• Your coursework will be given a zero mark if you do not submit a copy through Turnitin by the specified date and time above (late work receives a zero mark).
• Your Turnitin links can be found under the assessments tab on Aula. Please take care to ensure that you have fully submitted your work.
• Each piece of work uploaded will overwrite the previous, and the version remaining at the assignment deadline will be deemed as your final submission and marked accordingly.
• You may use the Aula submission link marked with DRAFTS to submit and check your similarity scores several times and then submit your final copy via the link marked FINAL.
• DO NOT attempt to modify or resubmit your work after the strict assignment deadline, as doing so will result in your work being marked as late and will therefore receive a mark of 0%.
• All work submitted after the submission deadline without a valid and approved reason will be given a mark of zero.
• Students MUST keep a copy and/or an electronic file of their assignment.
• Checks will be made on your work using anti-plagiarism software and approved plagiarism checking websites.
• The assignment must address module learning outcomes 1, 2, & 3.
• Please note that your 8,000 words (+/-10%) excludes the abstract, figures, text box content, list of references and appendices. 

RESIT ASSESSMENT: If you are not successful at the first attempt of any module, you are offered an automatic resit opportunity, you may focus on the same topic. If you pass the second attempt, the module mark will be ‘capped’ at 40%. If you fail the second attempt, the exam board has discretion to award a third attempt so long as you have achieved a minimum module mark of 20%.

Marking and Feedback

How will my assignment be marked?
Your assignment will be marked by the module team
How will I receive my grades and feedback?
Provisional marks will be released once internally double-marked.
Feedback will be provided by the module team alongside grade release within Aula Turnitin.
Feedback can be accessed via the submission portal - select Student Success App.
Your provisional marks and feedback should be available within 2 weeks (10 working days). If not due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be advised by the Module lead.
What will I be marked against?
Details of the marking criteria for this task can be found at the bottom of this assignment brief. 

Assessed Module Learning Outcomes

The Learning Outcomes for this module align with the marking criteria, which can be found at the end of this brief. Ensure you understand the marking criteria to ensure achievement of the assessment task. The following three module learning outcomes are assessed in this task. Please ensure you address all of the learning outcomes in your submission.

• Identify a research question and objectives, and choose an appropriate research method
• Design a study that is congruent with the research question and methodology and demonstrates competence at each stage of the research process
• Produce a report of the study which shows critical analysis and evaluation and includes interpretation of findings, conclusion and recommendations/implications for practice.