CW1. Reflective Essay on the Experience of a Research Process

Assessment Requirements

CW1. Reflective Essay on the Experience of a Research Process                                              

Reflect on the process of conducting peer research involving a focus group

Include within the discussion an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of using focus groups, plus the skills, attributes and resources required and developed. Examine also the suitability of applying a similar process for collecting data from children and young people and how credible any resulting findings might be?

(2,000 words) 

 Appendix

Attach an appendix that evidences your engagement with the focus group process

For example:

• Question Design (Research Schedule)
• Presentation slides
• Sample transcript with thematic analysis

CW2. Research Proposal                                            

Create a research proposal, that includes the following chapters:                                                         

• Introduction and aims
• Literature review
• Methods
• Ethics
• Conclusion

                                                                                                                 (3,000 words)

Appendix

Attach an appendix that evidences your engagement with the supervision process

•  Initial Proposal Form
•  Supervision Logs 

To be submitted by 3pm 05/05/16

Learning Outcomes

Portfolio Requirements

Knowledge

1. Evaluate aspects of the research process relevant to young people and education, interpreting strengths and weaknesses and issues of reliability and validity.

Skills for life and work (general skills)

5. Evidence and reflect on the skills acquired and developed in relation to self-management, teamwork and professional roles and responsibilities in the field and beyond

CW1. Reflective Essay on the Experience of a Research Process                                              

Reflect on the process of conducting peer research involving a focus group

Include within the discussion an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of using focus groups, plus the skills, attributes and resources required and developed. Examine also the suitability of applying a similar process for collecting data from children and young people and how credible any resulting findings might be?

(2,000 words)

 Appendix

Attach an appendix that evidences your engagement with the focus group process

For example:

• Question Design (Research Schedule)
• Presentation slides
• Sample transcript with thematic analysis

.

Thinking skills

2. Constructively critique the research of others.

3. Plan a research project and select techniques appropriate to the field of education and young people.

Subject-based practical skills

4. Select and implement appropriate analytical techniques, academic convention, demonstrating appropriate written English.

Research Proposal                                             

Create a research proposal,                                                                                                                                  that includes the following chapters:

• Introduction and aims
• Literature review
• Methods
• Ethics
• Conclusion

(3,000 words)

Appendix

Attach an appendix that evidences your engagement with the supervision process

•  Initial Proposal Form
•  Supervision Logs

Content, guidance and suggested word count

Title

Reflect on the process of conducting peer research involving a focus group

Introduction

 (approx. word  count 100):

• Outline what is to follow in your essay
• Be as brief as possible
• Try not to repeat words
• Demonstrate a breadth of vocabulary
• Try and ‘whet the appetite’ of the reader

Part One: A review of the perceived value of the applied research method;  according to literature

(approx word count 400):

You should cover:

• At least one definition of the research method

• Identified strengths and opportunities - including how and why this particular tool is often viewed positively and the circumstances where it is believed to work well
• Recognised weaknesses and threats – including the perceived drawbacks and pitfalls.

You should avoid use of the first person in this section and make numerous references to literature

Part Two:  A review of the skills, attributes and resources required and developed

(approx word count 600):

You should cover:

• What are some of the recognised competences, personality traits and resources that help facilitate the application of the research method?
• What you learnt from your participation and how you felt?

• To what extent you feel you have developed the skills and confidence to utilise this research tool in the future?
• How the skills acquired and developed, in relation to self-management, teamwork and professionalism, might prove beneficial in any future roles and responsibilities in the field of education and beyond?
• What skills require further development and how might you go about this?

• What you (now) consider to be vital ingredients to ensure similar research is conducted professionally?
• What resources are likely to be needed for you to do so, and how might you prepare or access them?

       TIP: Most reflective essays benefit from an honest appraisal and awareness of   areas for development. Exaggerated claims of strengths or an impression given of being beyond improvement are often seen as disingenuous or naïve.

You must refer to literature as well as reflecting on your personal experience

You may also want to refer to your appendices

As Part Two is partly about reflecting upon ‘your ‘journey’ , moderate use of the first person is appropriate

Part Three:   A reflection on the suitability of applying a similar process for collecting data from children and young people and how credible any resulting findings might be?

(approx word count 700):

You should cover:

• Examples of how a similar process has been, or could be, applied to collect data from children and young people on other educational topics?
• How credible are any findings likely to be and why?
• How are findings typically processed?
• An appreciation of issues (and definitions) of reliability, validity and bias
• To what extent are the views expressed likely to be representative of the wider population and to what degree this might matter?
• Different perspectives on the value of  ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ data
• How the method may or may not be particularly suitable for gathering information from children and young people?
• What you could do to make the process more accessible to children and or young people?
• An awareness of some of the risks involved
• In particular possible behavioural and child protection issues, including the importance of obtaining informed consent and maintaining confidentiality, agreeing ground rules and the right to withdraw, and being aware of children and young people’s vulnerabilities and adults’ safeguarding responsibilities.

You should avoid use of the first person in this section and continue to make numerous references to literature

Conclusion

 (approx word count 200):

• Provide a clear summary of themes addressed in all three parts
• Indications of when, whether and why you might apply the method in the future
• Do not include any surprises or references within the conclusion

Reference list:

Should include all items referred to in your assignment

• Wide ranging (including the core texts)
• Does not over rely on websites
• Follows academic conventions (Cite them Right)

Presentation of your essay and appendices / academic conventions to apply

Layout:

* Please ensure you use the submission template provided

• Continue to ensure the accuracy of your in-text referencing.
• You are allowed to use sub headings
• Do not make paragraphs so short they appear more like bullet points

Language:

• clear, succinct, coherent expression, error free
• spelling and grammar accurate and consistent
• correct use of punctuation
• effective  use of topic sentences and linking words to create a flow

• students may use the first person, for example I interviewed…I felt ... I chose…. However they should ensure that their work does not become too descriptive, informal or conversational.

• Restrict use of the first person to part two and the conclusion

Appendices:

• All students are required to submit an appendix that evidences their engagement with this research process which you may want to make reference to within your essay

For example:

• Question design (Research Schedule)
• Presentation slides
• Sample Transcript Thematic analysis

Ethical warnings

*     Gain permission from and credit your student colleagues, if submitting a collaborative presentation as an appendix to the reflective essay (citing student numbers and  not names)

*     Do not recruit research participants outside the scope of this module or out of line with UEL policy

*     Failure to heed these warnings may result in breach of UEL regulations and serious consequences for offenders.

More details about UEL policy on research integrity and ethics can be found via:

http://www.uel.ac.uk/wwwmedia/internal/qa/committees/docs/Student-Handbook-Information-on-research-integrity-and-ethics-v3.doc

Content, guidance and suggested word count

Title

This should succinctly encapsulate what the proposed research is about

Purposes and aims (approx word count 300):

What does the research aim to find out and why (referenced to literature)?

• Why is the proposed research important? (referenced to, for example, literature, media or government interest or personal/professional reasons)
• Who might be a potential user of this research?
• What are the specific research questions?

Literature review (approx word count 1,000):

You must demonstrate critical engagement with the literature on your proposed topic. You should:

• Treat the literature reviewed as a body rather than itemised individual pieces
• Identify relevant theory and define key terms
• Identify, describe and analyse themes/issues in the literature
• Identify, for example, gaps, weaknesses, strengths, contradictions, and areas of concentration, confusion, agreement, disagreement in the literature

• Show how the existing literature influences your proposed research

Methodology (approx word count 1,000):

In this section you need to provide a rationale for the research design choices and discuss issues relating to validity:

• Which research paradigm will be used – positivist (quantitative), interpretivist (qualitative) or both. Why?                         
• Which research approach/strategy (e.g. case study, ethnography, survey) will it be using? Why?
• Which data collection methods will be used in the study? Why? You might briefly touch on the methods you rejected?
• How do you intend to ensure that the research is valid?

Your discussion in this section must be supported with relevant literature on research design.

Ethical considerations (approx word count 500):

In this section you need to demonstrate understanding of ethical procedures and, where appropriate, how they will be applied in your proposed study. For example:

• What is informed consent? How will you gain informed consent in the study?
• What is meant by confidentiality and anonymity? How will confidentiality and anonymity be assured in the study?
• What are the possible risks to the participants? Are there any threats to children’s well-being?
• Do power dynamics or reflexivity create any threats to the validity of the research?

Your discussion in the Ethics Chapter section must be supported with relevant literature on ethics e.g. BERA guidelines

Conclusion (approx word count 200):

• Provide a clear summary of issues addressed
• Indications that you have considered some of the practicalities of how the research will be undertaken as part of the independent research project

Reference list:

Should include all items referred to in your assignment

• Wide ranging (including the core texts)
• * Does not over rely on websites
• Follows academic conventions (Cite them Right)

Presentation of your proposal and appendices / academic conventions to apply

Layout:

* Please ensure you use the submission template provided

Alpha, numerical, section headings/sub headings, consistent bulleting, use of font/italic for emphasis/ ordering and accurate in-text referencing.

Language:

• clear, succinct, coherent expression, error free
• spelling and grammar accurate and consistent
• correct use of punctuation
• effective  use of topic sentences and linking words to create a flow
• no use of the first person within the literature review 
• minimal use of the first person in all the other ‘chapters’