EDM9784M Research Methods Assignment 2 Brief | UOL

EDM9784M  Description of Assessment Task and Purpose: 

In this 3000-words assignment you are asked to analyse a small dataset, chosen from an open dataset such as the UK data service or data.gov.uk

You would have to choose a data set to analyse, taken either from among those provided or elsewhere.  For example, students wishing to undertake qualitative analysis could use a government report on (say) bullying in schools to analyse, or some academic journal articles on SEND teaching or use the Qual data sets provided. Once the data set has been chosen, you need to undertake a short literature review, relating to the contents of that chosen data, to derive a hypothesis to test or research questions to answer. Once these research questions have been ascertained, you need to determine what tools you will use to interrogate the data and thereby enable the hypothesis to be tested or the research questions answered, and provide a justification for this choice (by, for example, reference to the literature). You then have to analyse the data and relate the findings of the analysis to the research questions or hypotheses. In undertaking these tasks, you should adopt a critical perspective. For more details see the additional supportive info under ‘Assessment tab’ on the module site on Blackboard.

Word count: 3000 (±10%) words 

EDM9784M Learning Outcomes Assessed:

The learning outcomes are the criteria we use to assess your work for each module. 

It’s important you have read and understood these as they structure your learning, as well as your assignment content.
 
For this assignment, these are as follows: 

LO1: Explain the relationship between research paradigms, the research topic and question and the choice of research methods in the field of education and a chosen quantitative/qualitative data set.
LO4: Justify the selection of robust methods for analysing quantitative or qualitative data and effectively use these to analyse a quantitative or qualitative data set. 
LO5: Justify decisions about the use electronic methods to support data collection, storage and analysis.

Knowledge & Skills Assessed: 

You will be assessed on the learning outcomes above as well as referencing, academic writing and effective communication of ideas.
Read through the marking rubric (this can be found under ‘Assessment tab’ on the module site on Blackboard. This is what we will use to mark your work. You will only be marked on what is written in this rubric so it’s important you have read through it carefully.   

Assessment Submission Instructions: 

• Submit an electronic copy of your assignment (in Word or PDF format) to Turnitin (the software we use). You access this through the ‘Assessments’ tab on Blackboard (find this on the left-hand side). 
• You should submit one file only, so this should include your reference list and anything else you have been asked to submit. 
• You can re-submit your assignment before the final deadline below.
• You should aim to submit in advance of this deadline in order to deal with any ICT issues if they arise. 

Your assignment is due by 30th of May 2024, 4:00 pm

Date for Return of Feedback: 27th of June 2024, 4:00 pm
Only the grade shown at this time is the correct grade. If you have been granted an extension, your grade will be ready 20 working days after your submission unless you are told otherwise.  

Format for Assessment: 

Written assignment

EDM9784M Marking Criteria for Assessment: 

We have provided you with the marking rubric (this can be found in ‘Assessments’ tab on Blackboard) your markers will use to assess your work. 

Please note that all work is assessed according to the University of Lincoln’s policy | Link | Management of Assessment Policy | and that marks awarded are provisional on Examination Board decisions (which take place at the end of the Academic Year). This means that your mark is officially confirmed at the end of the year, only. 

Feedback Format: 

Your feedback will be given to you using Turnitin. You can access this through Blackboard by clicking ‘My Grades’ on the left-hand menu. 

Here, you will see:

• comments on your assignment itself
• a highlighted marking rubric indicating which band your work was in for each learning outcome
• a comment which summarises your marker’s advice to you (including what you did well and what you should work on for future assignments).

We recommend that you write a list of your feedback and keep it safe for future assignments. 

Additional Information for Completion of Assessment: 

Word count: It is important you adhere to the word count given to you for this assignment. You are allowed to go over your word count by 10% and no more. If you do go over 10% of your word count (i.e., for a 2,000-word assignment, you write 2,201 words), your mark will be reduced by 10% of the total word count (i.e., for an assignment worth 100%, you will be deducted 10% from the mark you were awarded). 

Students must provide an accurate word count on all written assessments. Please write your word count clearly beneath your assignment title. 

Your word count does not include your main title, reference list and appendices (should you decide to provide appendices). 

Cover sheet: You are required to provide a cover sheet for this assignment. This can can be found under ‘Assessments’ tab on Blackboard.

Extensions: 

Should you experience unexpected and exceptional difficulties in preparing for, or completing assignments, and have evidence for this, you can request an extension to your due date. You can find the form and further information under the ‘Assessments’ tab on Blackboard.  

Module leader’s guidance:

An up-to-date reading list can be found in the module site.

A reference list of all sources in APA 7th edition format should be provided to the end of your
dissertation. An electronic copy of the APA Referencing Handbook can be found at APA 7th Edition - University of Lincoln

More resources, guidance and past students’ exemplar assignments can be found under ‘Assessment Tab’ on the module site on BlackBoard. 

Assessment Support Information:

Please remember to use the assignment description and guidance here and anything that has been provided to you in the ‘Assessments’ tab on Blackboard. 

You can speak to Tracey Newby (tnewby@lincoln.ac.uk) in the library if you have questions about referencing or academic writing. Your personal tutor can also help you with academic skills. 

There will be support at the end of the term to specifically look at assignment queries and you will be given guidance in Session 12. Please ensure you have started thinking about your assignment in advance of this in order to utilise this time. 

If you are unclear about any guidance provided to you, you can ask your module co-ordinator for this module. Email them to make an appointment or to find out if they have office hours you can attend. 

Important Information on Dishonesty & Plagiarism:

University of Lincoln Regulations define plagiarism as 'the passing off of another person's thoughts, ideas, writings or images as one's own.

Examples of plagiarism include the unacknowledged use of another person's material whether in original or summary form. Plagiarism also includes the copying of another student's work'.

Plagiarism is a serious offence and is treated by the University as a form of academic dishonesty. Students are directed to the University Regulations for details of the procedures and penalties involved.