HSC7004 Postgraduate Preparation for Research Design Assignment Brief 2026 | UGM

HSC7004 Preparation for Post-Graduate Research Design Assignment Brief

Assessment 1

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 

Assessment 1:

LO1: Develop and critically review a research aim and research objectives/questions and the scope of a proposed project.
LO2: Critically analyse a research plan in order to meet stated research aim and objectives/questions.

Assessment instructions 

• You are required to present your research objective/questions with a clear and critical rationale of how you arrived at them.
• You should also show an outline of your plan in terms of how you intend to meet the research aim and objective.
• You should be prepared to answer questions related to the research choices to date.
• The assessment will need to include at least 15 references.

Assessment 2: Research proposal

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 

Assessment 2:

LO3: Produce an initial critical appraisal of key literature synthesised into an appropriate draft conceptual framework.
LO4: Critically appraise research philosophies, approaches, strategies in order to develop initial research methodology.
LO5: Critically analyse the ethical considerations of a proposed research project.

Assessment instructions 

• You are required to submit a 4000-word research proposal which is related to a specific area for research in your discipline (health and social care). 
• The proposal should be in a suitable format for a research proposal, the focus will be on: 
• The choice of area with a brief outline of the influencing literature;
• The proposed research methodology and methods;
• Providing an analytical overview of the choice with reference to the research philosophy;
• Providing a critical account of the ethical issues to be considered and actions to ensure compliance with guidance and legal rights.
• The assessment will need to include at least 15 references.

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements: 

Level HE7 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include four refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria (for both assignments):

Distinction (70% and above): 

Students will provide an excellent critique of key literature sources on their chosen topic resulting in clear and logical conclusions. The literature review will demonstrate excellent knowledge of the subject area and confident use of appropriate theoretical models. Creative and well justified recommendations will be made as to how problems within the field may be addressed in practice.  Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident in the annotated reference list. Academic style and referencing technique will be excellent.  

Merit (60-69%): 

Students will provide a cohesive appraisal of key literature sources on their chosen topic demonstrating critical reasoning skills. The literature review will demonstrate a sound knowledge of the subject area and use of appropriate theoretical models. Specific and detailed recommendations will be made as to how problems within the field may be addressed in practice.  Research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident in the annotated reference list. Academic style and referencing technique will be good.  

Pass (50-59%): 

Students will provide a satisfactory appraisal of key literature sources on their chosen topic demonstrating critical reasoning skills. The literature review will demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the subject area and understanding of appropriate theoretical models. Recommendations will be made as to how problems within the field may be addressed in practice.  Research demonstrating use of a range of current secondary research sources will be evident in the annotated reference list. Academic style and referencing technique will be fair.  

Fail (49% and below):

Students who do not meet the requirements of a pass grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.