MRS7012 Advanced Research Methodology Assignment Brief 2025-26 | UoGM

MRS7012 Advanced Research Methodology 

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO1: Identify an appropriate area of Master’s level research and develop a clear and relevant research question and objectives.

Assessment Task:

This assignment requires you to record a presentation of your chosen area of research, research question and objectives. For this purpose, you will choose a topic in Psychology. From your chosen topic, you should conduct your own independent literature review and identify an existing research gap. Following this, you should design a research project that seeks to answer the research question you have developed. You should include your research objectives and clearly identify the research approach you will adopt for the purpose. 

Your presentation should include: 

• An introduction to the topic 
• A brief literature review 
• The identification of a research gap
• Your study: including the research question you seek to answer, your objectives and the approach you will adopt for the purpose

You must use APA formatting for your references and show an awareness of ethical guidelines. 

After the task, add:

Declaration: At the end of the assessment, you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications, that you used in developing and completing the assessment. 

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements: 

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

Specific Assessment Criteria/Marking Scheme: 

Distinction (70% and above)

An excellent presentation concerning content, structure and delivery. There is excellent and detailed evidence of wider (including contemporary) research, which very adequately informs the development of a clear and compelling rationale for the study. Research question and objectives are clearly stated and fully justified. A full reference list is included at the end of the presentation. Presentational style is excellent in terms of speed and tone of delivery, and engagement with the audience. Timing is precise and appropriate.

Merit (60-69%)

A good presentation concerning content, structure and delivery. There is good and detailed evidence of wider research, which adequately informs the development of a clear and compelling rationale for the study. Research question and objectives are clearly stated and justified. A full reference list is included at the end of the presentation. Presentational style is good in terms of speed, tone of delivery and engagement with the audience. Timing is appropriate.

Pass (50-59%)

A satisfactory presentation concerning content, structure and delivery. There is sufficient evidence from research which informs the development of a compelling rationale for the study. Research question and objectives are clearly stated, and there is sufficient justification. A reference list is included at the end of the presentation. Presentational style is satisfactory in terms of speed, tone of delivery and engagement with the audience. Timing is generally appropriate

Fail (Below 50%) 

Students who do not meet the learning outcomes will not complete the assessment activity. 

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 

LO2: Develop a systematic and justifiable plan to address the research question and objectives – including a provisional conceptual framework.

Assessment Task:

This assignment requires you to prepare a concise research proposal that seeks to answer the research question you have identified as part of Assessment 1. You are required to present an original empirical psychology study. In your proposal, you should outline a clear research question, objectives and a justified research plan. If your research plan follows a quantitative approach, you are expected to develop well-justified hypotheses. If your research plan follows a qualitative approach, you are expected to develop appropriate research questions. If your plan follows a mixed methods approach, you might need both hypotheses and research questions. Lastly, you need to include a section where you discuss your expected results and how they can potentially contribute to practice, limitations and possibilities for future studies.

You are required to write the following:

Title (does not contribute towards the final word count)
Introduction (approx. 600 words)
Aims and Objectives (Including Research Questions and/or Hypotheses - approx. 200 words)
Proposed Methodology (approx. 400 words)

• Design (identify the type of study and justify your choice)
• Participants (who are your participants and how are you recruiting them)
• Materials/Measures (how are you going to collect data; you should justify your choices and, where relevant, discuss reliability and validity)
• Procedure (description of how you will conduct your study and collect data)
• Data analysis plan (statistical or qualitative methods you plan to use, if relevant, the software you will be using – e.g., SPSS, N-Vivo)

Expected Results and Implications (approx. 300 words)
References (at HE7 level, a minimum of fifteen to twenty sources – does not contribute to the final word count)

You must use APA formatting, correct APA referencing style, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical guidelines. 

After the task, add:

Declaration: At the end of the assessment, you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications, that you used in developing and completing the assessment. 

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements: 

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

Specific Assessment Criteria/Marking Scheme: 

Distinction (70% and above)

An excellent overview of the selected area of Psychology will be evidenced by a detailed critical analysis of existing relevant literature. Excellent knowledge of theory and evidence will be used to inform the development of a clear and compelling rationale and research aim(s). Research question(s) and/or hypothesis(ses) will be substantiated on an excellent understanding of the topic and existing evidence. The proposed design and methodological options will evidence an excellent understanding of research methods in Psychology. The research plan will make original and insightful predictions regarding the potential contributions and implications to current knowledge on the topic. Reflections will be succinct, insightful, and original. Extensive research demonstrating the use of a wide range of contemporary and seminal sources will be evident. Academic writing style, English and referencing will be excellent.  

Merit (60-69%)

A good overview of the selected area of Psychology will be evidenced by a detailed critical analysis of existing relevant literature. A good knowledge of theory and evidence will be used to inform the development of a clear and compelling rationale and research aim(s). Research question(s) and/or hypothesis(ses) will be substantiated on a good understanding of the topic and existing evidence. The proposed design and methodological options will evidence a good understanding of research methods in Psychology. The research plan will make original predictions regarding the potential contributions and implications to current knowledge on the topic. Reflections will be succinct and original. Extensive research demonstrating the use of a range of contemporary and seminal sources will be evident. Academic writing style, English and referencing will be good.  

Pass (50-59%)

A satisfactory overview of the selected area of Psychology will be evidenced by a general critical analysis of existing relevant literature. Sufficient knowledge of theory and evidence will be used to inform the development of a generally compelling rationale and research aim(s). Research question(s) and/or hypothesis(ses) will be substantiated on a satisfactory understanding of the topic and existing evidence. The proposed design and methodological options will evidence sufficient understanding of research methods in Psychology. The research plan will attempt to make some original predictions regarding the potential contributions and implications to current knowledge on the topic. Reflections will be generally succinct and original. Sufficient research demonstrating the use of a range of contemporary sources will be evident. Academic writing style, English and referencing will be satisfactory.  

Fail (Below 50%) 

Students who do not meet the learning outcomes will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 

LO3:  Identify and critically evaluate key secondary sources to underpin your research project.

LO4: Identify and synthesise appropriate research philosophies, approaches, strategies and analysis methods to address your research question and objectives.

Assessment Task:

In this 4,500-word portfolio, you are expected to include no fewer than 6 entries. These entries will be composed of:

Four short reports you will have to complete and will start during lectures. In each report, you will answer a list of pre-defined questions. In total, this component should have no more than 2,000 words. 

One annotated bibliography of the studies you have considered to identify the research question you have presented on Assessment 1, and about which you wrote a research plan in Assessment 2. This should have no more than 1,500 words. These should include:

• A summary of the main arguments/findings
• A critical evaluation of the quality/relevance of the research design
• A brief consideration of how it informs your own research 

One 1,000-word reflective piece where you should consider your journey in the module and reflect on:

• Who you are at the start of the module and your expectations (Tip: don’t forget to mention your epistemological position);
• Your experience throughout the module and your views on research;
• The main challenges you have encountered and how you have overcome them;
• How has your identity as a researcher changed, and what have you learned at the end of your journey?  

Please remember that for Assessments 1 and 2, no fewer than 15 academic sources should be considered. 

You must use APA formatting, correct APA referencing style, and an awareness of ethical guidelines. 

After the task, add:

Declaration: At the end of the assessment, you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications, that you used in developing and completing the assessment. 

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements: 

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

Specific Assessment Criteria/Marking Scheme:

Distinction (70% and above)

This piece of work demonstrates excellent achievement of LO3: Identify and critically evaluate key secondary sources in order to underpin your research project, and LO4: Identify and synthesise appropriate research philosophies, approaches, strategies and analysis methods to address your research question and objectives. The annotated bibliography demonstrates strong critical insight and clear methodological awareness. The short reports fully address the set questions and show consistent engagement with module content. The reflective piece provides a coherent, critical account of the student’s learning journey, clearly articulating epistemological position, challenges, and a well-evidenced development of researcher identity. Academic writing, APA referencing, and ethical awareness are excellent.

Merit (60-69%)

This piece of work demonstrates very good achievement of LO3 and LO4. The annotated bibliography offers accurate summaries and a strong level of critical evaluation, with clear links to the student’s research approach. The short reports address the required questions effectively and reflect very good engagement with module content. The reflective piece shows thoughtful consideration of learning experiences, epistemological position, challenges, and developing researcher identity, though with less depth than at the distinction level. Academic writing, APA referencing, and ethical consideration are very good, with only minor issues.

Pass (50-59%)

This piece of work demonstrates satisfactory achievement of LO3 and LO4. The annotated bibliography provides descriptive summaries and some critical evaluation, though analysis and synthesis are limited. The short reports respond adequately to the set questions, showing sufficient engagement with module content. The reflective piece demonstrates some awareness of learning, challenges, and researcher development, but reflection might be descriptive and lack depth. Academic writing is generally clear, APA referencing is mostly accurate, and ethical issues are acknowledged at a basic level.

Fail (Below 50%) 

This piece of work does not meet LO3 or LO4. The annotated bibliography lacks critical analysis and clear links to the research project. The short reports are incomplete, poorly addressed, or show minimal engagement with module content. The reflective piece shows little meaningful reflection on learning, epistemological position, or researcher development. Academic writing is unclear or poorly structured, APA referencing is inaccurate or absent, and ethical considerations are inadequately addressed.

General Assessment Criteria for Written Assessments 

General Assessment Guidelines – LEVEL HE7