COM754 Research Methods for Digital Technologies Task 3 2026/27 | Wrexham University

Small Research Project

Task 3 – Project Results, Analysis and Discussion

1.  Synthesise complex information from a variety of sources.

2. Critically evaluate research methodologies in the context of research for digital technology.

3.  Plan and execute a small research project.

4.  Compile, analyse and disseminate data in relation to a small research project.

Objective:

In the rapidly evolving field of digital technology, staying current with the latest research is crucial. This task is the third of three and will focus on your ability to synthesize complex information from secondary data sources, critically evaluate existing research, plan and execute a research project based on available data, and effectively compile, analyse, and disseminate findings from secondary data sources.

Task 3: Test results, Analysis and Discussion

Execute your research project according to your proposal from Task 2, ensuring that secondary data is collected and compiled systematically from credible sources. Analyse the results of the compiled data using appropriate quantitative or qualitative methods and present your findings clearly and coherently.

Discuss the implications of your results for the field of digital technology and conclude by suggesting potential areas for future research based on your analysis of the secondary data.

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Guidance

You are required to gather, compile, and analyse secondary data yourself. Using GenAI to automatically collect or analyse data is not allowed. The goal of this task is for you to engage directly with the data.

Using any form of GenAI to write any section of your report is strictly prohibited. The report must be your original work. Copying or pasting AI-generated content is deemed plagiarism.

You must interpret the data yourself and develop your own conclusions. AIgenerated content must not form any part of your findings, implications, or conclusions. 

Submission instructions - What should be the format of the submission? / Where should it be submitted?

Format and structure: Work should be submitted as a single MS Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF document only, containing your assignment and a reference list. No appendices are required.

This report should be written using the correct grammar and referencing skills (IEEE style); it must be formatted appropriately in a standard, accessible format; and submitted online via the appropriate Turnitin submission link found on the module space.

Suggested structure and content

Introduction

Overview of the research topic, including the context and rationale for the study, with an emphasis on the use of secondary data sources. You can summarise the Task 1 and 2 submissions here if you require. You can refer back to sections of the previous submissions to help your explanations. 

Body

Results/Findings: Clear and coherent presentation of findings based on the analysis of secondary data; interpretation of results in relation to the hypothesis and research question.

Discussion: Implications of the findings for the field of digital technology; how the results contribute to existing knowledge and understanding; consideration of any limitations due to the use of secondary data.

Conclusion

Summary of key findings.

Suggestions for future research based on the results.

Footer

Include a footer with a page number on each page (excluding the title page).

Submission 

This assessment must be submitted online via the appropriate Turnitin submission link found on the module space. (Emailed or paper versions will not be accepted).

Referencing for all written material should follow the IEEE standard, with particular attention paid to referencing of material resourced from the Web or other online facilities. References do not count towards the word count.

Work must be submitted as a single file (.doc, .docx or pdf) via the Turnitin link provided through VLE (Moodle) by 22nd January 2027.

Make sure to submit before 23:59 on the due date – Friday 22nd January 2027.

Hints and tips

All learning material will be found on the VLE.

Make use of the various digital library subscriptions that the University has access to, particularly IEEE Xplore and the ACM Digital Library, as well as Google Scholar.

Try to be as concise and focused as you can be in producing your report. Do not add words for the sake of it. Make sure each word and sentence contribute something useful.

You are expected to work on this assignment on your own, and it is important that you do not discuss or exchange your ideas, data, or any work output with other students.

All submitted work is expected to observe academic standards in terms of referencing, academic writing, use of language etc. Failure to adhere to these instructions may result in your work being awarded a lower grade than it would otherwise deserve.

Academic integrity is an important part of your learning and assessment. On submission of an assignment, software called Turnitin is automatically used to check the similarity of your work to other sources of information and the work produced by other students. The similarity scores are reviewed by the marking team and any similarity scores that are a cause for concern will be flagged and investigated. By submitting this work, you confirm that you have read, understand and accept the university’s regulations regarding academic integrity and academic misconduct such as plagiarism and collusion and agree to be subject to the academic integrity process if any such situation should arise.

If your research involves using personal or medical data, you must obtain ethical approval from the University’s ethics committee. This process ensures that your study respects participants' rights, safety, and privacy. The committee will review your research plan to ensure it follows ethical standards, including privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent. As this approval process can take time, please do not use any personal and/or medical data inside your work. Failure to adhere to this rule is an Academic Integrity issue and will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.

Late submissions: work submitted up to a week late without a valid reason can only gain a maximum of 40%. If an extension is required, then a Request for Extension to Assignment Deadline Form must be completed and agreed prior to the submission date. Any work submitted more than a week late without a valid reason may be read but will not be marked.

Marking and moderation

All grades/marks are indicative and may change when moderated – see the last page for the marking criteria.

All required work must be submitted, in full and as directed and described, by the due time and date, to achieve marks reflecting its full worth. Work submitted after the due time and date, but within one calendar week, will be capped at 40%. Work more than a week late will not be marked and will be entered as 0%.

Wrexham University Skills Framework

Employability Skills Applied

On successful completion of this module, a student will have had opportunities to demonstrate achievement of the following Employability Skills;

Tick all that apply.

Adaptability & Flexibility

(Managing Change, Coping with Ambiguity, Transferable

Skills)

Career Development

(Career information, Access to opportunity, Career readiness)

Critical Thinking (Problem

Solving, Analytical Skills,

Critical Thinking)

Digital Capabilities (Digital

Tools & Software, Data

Analysis, Digital Citizenship)

Enterprise and

Entrepreneurship

(Innovation, Commercial

Awareness and Influencing)

Interpersonal Skills

(Communication, Emotional

Intelligence, Networking,

Bilingualism)

Resilience (Positive

Mindset, Self Awareness,

Motivation & Purpose)

Social Impact and

Sustainability (Social

Responsibility, inclusivity, Cultural Awareness and application of the UN Sustainable development goals

Teamwork (Collaboration

Skills, Active Listening,

Planning & Organising)

Marking criteria

Weighting

(%)

Your report has a satisfactory introduction but provides minimal context and rationale.

Enhancing these aspects will help better frame your report. 

Your report has a fairly good introduction with adequate context and rationale. 

Strengthening these elements further could improve the overall clarity and impact of your results.

Detailed 
presentation of the data collected; analysis using appropriate methods. 

Your analysis is inadequate, and the methods used are inappropriate for your research. Consider revising your approach and using more suitable

analytical techniques.

 Your analysis is thorough and insightful, using appropriate methods

excellently. The depth and clarity of your analysis significantly enhance the quality of your research.