NIE352 Interdisciplinary Problem-Solving for Impact Group-based Assignment 1, 2026, Singapore

NIE352 Group-based Assignment 1

This assignment is worth 30% of the final mark for NIE352 Interdisciplinary ProblemSolving for Impact.

This is a group-based assignment. You should form a group of 5-6 members from your seminar group. Groups will be formed in class in Week 1. Any changes to group members must be finalised by Week 2. You will complete both GBA1 and GBA2 in the same group.

Each group is required to upload a single report via your respective seminar group site in Canvas. Please elect a group leader. The responsibility of the group leader is to upload the report on behalf of the group.

Note to Students:

You are to include the following particulars in your submission: Course Code, Title of the GBA, SUSS PI No., Your Name, and Submission Date.

NIE352 Assignment Objectives

This course breaks down interdisciplinary problem-solving into four stages of assessment: (1) formulating a problem; (2) gathering evidence; (3) analysing evidence; and (4) construct and evaluate an interdisciplinary solution to the problem.

GBA01 assesses Stages (1) and (2) of the problem-solving process. The final product of this assignment is an investigation of a problem which entails formulating a problem and designing an approach to gather evidence to address the problem.

This assignment allows students to use and assess different sources of knowledge (primary vs secondary, quantitative vs qualitative) to formulate a complex problem and design an approach that addresses the problem. Students will collaborate to examine the assumptions and perspectives of different disciplines or professional expertise and use various disciplinary bases to address complex problem. In the process, they will develop interpersonal, interdisciplinary, and problem-solving skills.

NIE352 Assignment Overview

The investigation plan entails scoping, formulating, and framing a problem and gathering evidence to address the problem.

For this assignment, your group will submit an investigation plan with the following parts:

1. Background

• Based on secondary sources from your desktop search, what are the main key terms of your investigation?
• What fields do your topic span?
• What has been discussed about your topic across these fields?
• What kind of evidence have you gathered for formulating your problem: qualitative or quantitative, longitudinal or cross-sectional, theoretical or empirical?
• How do existing knowledge on the topic contribute to your own understanding of the problem?
• Which investigations support your understanding of the problem?
• Which investigations contradict your understanding of the problem?
• Are there existing gaps or unresolved issues in existing knowledge about your topic?

2. Problem Statement

• What is the main problem?
• What are the objectives of your investigation?
• What is the rationale behind your objectives?
• How will your investigation be relevant to the field/society/stakeholders?

3. Approach

• Evidence-gathering
  o What kind of evidence do you need?
  o What data collection method will you use to procure the evidence you need?(e.g. qualitative vs quantitative)
  o Who is your target audience?
  o How many participants will you need?
• How will you ensure your data is meaningful? (e.g. Designing of survey or interview questions; ensuring participants are relevant to topic)
• What questions will you ask your participants? Will these questions elicit answers aligned with your objective(s)?
• Analysis of evidence o What method of analysis will you use to interpret your data?
  o How will your analysis contribute to the construction of interdisciplinary solutions?
• What is your estimated timeline for evidence gathering and analysis?

Note: You will be expected to submit the evidence gathered during fieldwork. Please ensure you keep a record of the questions and data collected (e.g. survey results, transcripts) to be submitted for GBA2.

The above pointers are non-exhaustive and are simply suggested questions to guide your thinking process for the completion of GBA1. You are not expected to answer them one by one in the investigation plan.

Your investigation plan will be graded based on the rubrics attached. Please look at this before starting work on your assignment.

* Please note that your group will be expected to complete GBA1 and GBA2 focusing on the same selected topic. This is meant to enable groups to build their content knowledge on particular issues across the group assignments. If you would like to change your topic, please consult your TG instructor for approval prior to doing so.

Submission Instructions

• This assignment will constitute 30% of your final grade.
• An investigation template shall be provided to students (Appendix)
• Your submission must be no more than the word/line limit for each part. Please include your word count in the submission.
• Use the “NIE Assignment Cover Page Template” as part of your submission.
• You may submit using APA or Chicago referencing styles. A list of cited material must be appended.
• Diagrams/illustrations/photos/charts (optional but encouraged) must be properly captioned/credited
• You may submit multiple versions over the period before the close of the folder – Instructors will only take into consideration the last version submitted before the deadline.
• Late submissions will be penalised.

Consultations

Instructors are available for group consultations (up to 15 mins per group).Group consultations are optional and not compulsory. Please email your instructors to arrange for a mutually agreeable date and time for consultations. This can be conducted in person or over zoom meetings.

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