1. Assessment Question Choice
For this assignment you will need to develop one simple research question (RQ) based around an issue/topic from your area of practice.
- Keep it simple and something that is manageable
- Look at the literature on this topic/issue – what do we currently know on this topic/issue – what don’t we yet know on this issue – this is the ‘gap’ in the literature
- You will develop your research question – from this ‘gap’ in the literature – we do not want to do a study that has already been done – we want you to develop a research question that is going to develop new knowledge on this topic/issue
- Remember we are not actually doing this study – this is a proposal for a study – telling us how you would go about answering the research question you developed.
1.1. Overview of the Assignment
The assignment should be based on the approach and methods you would use to answer the research question you developed and encompass the following sections:
- Contents page (not in word count)
- Introduction (200 words approx. *)
- The main body of the assignment which will include:
- 500 words (approx.) on searching for evidence
- 2100 words (approx.) research pilot design
- 500 words (approx.) on dissemination and implementation
- Conclusions (200 words approx.)
- Reference list – all references should be cited using APA7th referencing style which is attached as SHSC Referencing Guidelines 2020.pdf (not in word count)
- Appendices -if used (not in word count).
*Wordcount given for each section are approximations and should not be taken literally. Your total word count should be 3500 words (plus or minus 10%). While there is no formal penalty for being under or over the wordcount, if you are under the wordcount it is unlikely that you will have addressed the assignment requirements fully. If you are over the word count significantly you will have failed to demonstrate that you can write concisely. In both cases, you will lose marks.
1.2. Summative Assignment
Your final assessment will comprise of One 3,500 Word Essay which will make up 100% of your overall grade.
Frame your assignment around three main areas:
- PART 1: Discussing how you would search for evidence and evaluating this selected evidence
- PART 2: Design a small pilot study, following the stages of the research process
- PART 3: Discuss how you would disseminate the findings from your study and how implementation might occur.
Part 1 in more detail requires you to:
- Describe how you will locate relevant evidence for the chosen scenario (including keywords & database)
- Provide a clear systematic search strategy
- Retrieve relevant literature (minimum 6 articles)
- Evaluate the evidence based on hierarchy of evidence
Part 2 in more detail requires you to:
Develop a research proposal based around the following areas:
- Developing a research question
- Determine research approach – you need to choose from one of the following:
Quantitative – experimental
Quantitative – observational
Qualitative
- Determine Setting
- Sampling method
- Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- Recruitment
- Ethics
- Data Collection
- Data Analysis (you will not actually analyse data – but you need to discuss how you might analyze the data if it was collected.)
*You must use literature to demonstrate you understand the research process and to justify the decisions you are making when planning your research.
Part 3 in more detail requires you to:
- Consider how you would share your work (Dissemination Plan) and implement changes in practice
- Write about what will help or hinder dissemination and implementation using evidence to support your writing.
1.3. Marking Criteria
The criteria that will be used to assess your written assignment is attached as Assessment criteria APR 20.docx.
– please make sure you look at this when structuring and writing your assignment.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU LOOK AT THIS!
This provides you with the information about what we are looking for when you write your assignment. The module team uses this to grade your work.
1.4. Correct Referencing and Presentation
Referencing & Presentation in adherence with University Guidelines (Worth 10% of the final mark)
- Throughout your assignment references must be cited using the accepted format which is attached as SHSC Referencing Guidelines 2020.pdf.
- Your assignment should read coherently, be proof-read and be grammatically accurate.
- Assignment must be presented in accordance with University Guidelines
Your assignment should be presented in Arial, Size 12 font and double-line spaced. It should have the accepted front cover correctly completed, a signed plagiarism declaration sheet, contents page and each page should be numbered.
- References to appropriate literature to support assignment
The references used should demonstrate that you have undertaken wider reading to support your learning. They should come from a variety of sources such as journal articles, text books and reliable internet sources.
- The Assignment should be logical in sequencing and presented as an academic piece of work
The assignment should be presented as an academic piece of work (i.e. have a brief introduction, main body -including the EBP and critique sections- and a brief conclusion). Each section should have a logical flow to it. You should use third person wherever possible.
- Accurate Grammar & Spelling
Remember to use spell check before you submit and consider getting someone to ‘proof-read’ it for you!
- Accurate referencing
All sources must be correctly cited in alphabetical order in your reference list using the APA7th system. N.B. The reference list is not counted in the word count but citations within the essay are.
