SRR782 A S S I G N M E N T 2 DEVELOPED RESEARCH PROPOSAL (60%) TRIMESTER 1 - 201 7 RUBRIC FOR SRR782 HIGH DISTINCTION | HD 80-100% DISTINCTION | D 70-79% CREDIT | C 60-69% PASS | P 50-59% FAIL DEFICIENT | N 25-49% FAIL OUTRIGHT | N - 0-24% SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION: REFINED RESEARCH AIM(S), SCOPE, TERMS, RATIONALE (10%) SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION, REFINEMENT OF AIMS AND RATIONALE (10%) ULO1 Demonstrates extensive ability to articulate a strong and engaging Introduction with a comprehensive, clear statement of research aim(s); including scope of research and explanation of terms used, in the framing of research proposals. Comprehensive and wellarticulated rationale explaining what gap or opportunity the research topic addresses by reference to clearly cited seminal sources; excellent description of why this is important for the discipline. Demonstrates competent ability to articulate a proficient Introduction with a clear statement of research aim(s); including scope of research and explanation of terms used, in the framing of research proposals. Clear rationale explaining what gap or opportunity the research topic addresses by reference to clearly cited sources; proficient description of why this is important for the discipline. Requires MINOR revisions. Demonstrates adequate ability to articulate a satisfactorily Introduction with an acceptable statement of research aim(s); including scope of research and explanation of terms used, in the framing of research proposals. Acceptable rationale explaining what gap or opportunity the research topic addresses by reference to clearly cited sources; average description of why this is important for the discipline. Requires MEDIUM revisions. Demonstrates limited ability to articulate an Introduction with a restricted and narrow statement of research aim(s); including scope of research and explanation of terms used, in the framing of research proposals. Limited capacity to articulate a rationale explaining what gap or opportunity the research topic addresses by reference to cited sources; limited description of why this is important for the discipline. Requires MAJOR revisions. Demonstrates insufficient ability to articulate an Introduction and statement of research aim(s); including scope of research and explanation of terms used, in the framing of research proposals. Insufficient capacity to articulate a rationale explaining what gap or opportunity the research topic addresses by reference to cited sources; poor description of why this is important for the discipline; and/or not articulated or written to a standard expected for a Master’s programme; and/or Introduction task misunderstood or not addressed. Demonstrates lack of ability to articulate an Introduction and statement of research aim(s); including scope of research and explanation of terms used, in the framing of research proposals. Inadequate capacity to articulate a rationale with no explanation as to what gap or opportunity the research topic addresses by reference to cited sources; no description of why this is important for the discipline; and/or not articulated or written to a standard expected for a Master’s programme; and/or Introduction task missing altogether. SECTION 2: REFINED AND EXPANDED LITERATURE REVIEW (TOTAL: 10%) SECTION 2: LITERATURE REVIEW READING EVIDENCE AND KNOWLEDGE OF RESEARCH FIELD AND TOPIC (5%) ULO1 Demonstrates extensive ability to conduct a thorough literature review to support the development and justification of a research proposal; field of research introduced by locating highly relevant references demonstrating outstanding evidence of independent reading in the discipline and research field, history of research activity, and the state of current knowledge and research activity. Demonstrates competent ability to conduct a literature review to support the development and justification of a research proposal; field of research introduced by locating relevant references demonstrating a firm understanding of core texts and materials, history of research activity, and the state of current knowledge and research activity. Demonstrates average ability to conduct a literature review to support the development and justification of a research proposal; field of research introduced by locating relevant references demonstrating a sufficient understanding of core texts and materials, history of research activity, and the state of current knowledge and research activity. Demonstrates selective ability to conduct a review of the main literature to support the development and justification of a basic research proposal; field of research introduced by locating relevant references demonstrating limited evidence of having read and understood the core texts and materials; history of research activity, and the state of current knowledge and research activity. Demonstrates insufficient ability to conduct a review of literature to support the development and justification of a basic research proposal; field of research NOT introduced by locating relevant references demonstrating poor evidence of having read any of the core texts and materials; insufficient understanding of the history of research activity, and the state of current knowledge and research activity. Demonstrate inadequate ability to conduct a review of literature to support the development and justification of a basic research proposal; field of research NOT introduced by locating references demonstrating no evidence of having read any of the core texts and materials; poor understanding of the history of research activity, and the state of current knowledge and research activity. SECTION 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ANALYTICAL SKILLS, GAP IN KNOWLEDGE/ RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY (5%) ULO1 Extensive capacity to comprehensively and accurately understand arguments and different perspectives; conducts critical, in-depth and rich synthesis of the literature. Gap(s) in knowledge or research opportunity identified and articulated to an excellent standard by reference to a comprehensive range of specific and highly relevant sources. Proficient capacity to understand and articulate arguments and different perspectives; conducts critical and thorough synthesis of the literature. Gap(s) in knowledge or research opportunity identified and articulated to a very good standard by reference to a wide range of specific and relevant sources Requires MINOR revisions. Average capacity to understand and articulate arguments and different perspective; conducts good level of critical and detailed synthesis of literature. Gap(s) in knowledge or research opportunity identified and articulated to an acceptable standard by reference to a range of relevant sources. Requires MEDIUM revisions. Limited capacity to understand and articulate arguments and different perspectives; conducts restricted level of critical analysis and synthesis. Gap(s) in knowledge or research opportunity identified and articulated to a limited standard by reference to relevant sources. Requires MAJOR revisions. Insufficient capacity to understand and articulate arguments and different perspectives; poor attempt at a critical evaluation or synthesis of the literature, therefore very few arguments or key variables identified relevant to the topic. Gap(s) in knowledge or research opportunity poorly identified and explained by reference to relevant sources. And/or Literature Review task misunderstood or not addressed. Inadequate capacity to understand and articulate arguments and different perspectives; lack of attempt at a critical evaluation or synthesis of the literature, therefore no arguments or key variables identified relevant to the topic. Gap(s) in knowledge or research opportunity not identified and explained by reference to relevant sources. And/or Literature Review task missing altogether. SECTION 3: METHODOLOGY FOR ONE YEAR (TOTAL: 20%) SECTION 3: METHODOLOGY METHODOLOGY FOR A ‘HYPOTHETICAL’ ONE YEAR OF RESEARCH (10%) ULO3 and 4 Demonstrates extensive ability to articulate overall research design/methodology which is abundantly clear and logical for the student to apply. Choice of methodology, including research approach, strategy and sequence of methods/tactics comprehensively and extensively described to plan research that could be undertaken by one person over one year of full time study. These approaches, strategies and methods/tactics appropriately and accurately referenced to Research frameworks introduced in unit. Demonstrates extensive understanding of key ethical issues raised by proposed research. Demonstrates competent ability to articulate overall research design/methodology which is firmly clear and logical for the student to apply. Choice of methodology, including research approach, strategy and sequence of methods/tactics competently described to plan research that could be undertaken by one person over one year of full time study. These approaches, strategies and methods/tactics accurately referenced to Research frameworks introduced in unit. Demonstrates competent understanding of key ethical issues raised by proposed research. Requires MINOR revisions. Demonstrates average ability to articulate overall research design/methodology which is sufficiently clear and logical for the student to apply. Choice of methodology, including research approach, strategy and sequence of methods/tactics adequately and satisfactorily described to plan research that could be undertaken by one person over one year of full time study. These approaches, strategies and methods/tactics adequately referenced to Research frameworks introduced in unit. Demonstrates satisfactorily understanding of ethical issues raised by proposed research. Requires MEDIUM revisions. Demonstrates limited ability to articulate overall research design/methodology which is clear and logical for the student to apply. Choice of methodology, including research approach, strategy and sequence of methods/tactics described in a restricted manner to plan research that could be undertaken by one person over one year of full time study. These approaches, strategies and methods/tactics referenced to Research frameworks introduced in unit-to a limited capacity. Demonstrates limited understanding of ethical issues raised by proposed research. Requires MAJOR revisions. Demonstrates insufficient ability to articulate overall research design/methodology which is not clear and articulated poorly in terms of the logic of application by the student. Insufficient explanation of the methodology, including research approach, strategy and sequence of methods/tactics. Poor indication of reading on methodology or data-collection techniques. Sequence of methods NOT clearly described to plan research that could be undertaken by one person over one year of full time study. And/Or methods NOT accurately referenced to Research frameworks introduced in the unit. Demonstrates insufficient understanding of ethical issues raised by proposed research. And/or Methodology task misunderstood or not addressed. Demonstrates inadequate ability to articulate research design/methodology which is unclear and no attempt at explaining the logic of application. No explanation of the methodology. No indication of reading on methodology, approach, strategy or data-collection techniques. Sequence of methods/tactics NOT clearly described to plan research that could be undertaken by one person over one year of full time study. These approaches, strategies and tactics NOT accurately referenced to Research frameworks introduced in the unit. Demonstrates lack of understanding of ethical issues raised by proposed research. And/or Methodology task missing altogether. SECTION 3: METHODOLOGY RATIONALE FOR METHODOLOGY + METHODS (10%) ULO3 and 4 Provides extensive consideration and explanation of a wide range of research approaches and strategies and from this, articulates a coherent and logical argument as to why the proposed approach, strategy and methods are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research aims. Provides proficient consideration and explanation of a range of research approaches and strategies and from this, articulates a clear argument as to why the proposed approach, strategy and methods are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research aims. Requires MINOR revisions. Provides adequate consideration and explanation of a sufficient range of research approaches, strategies and methods, and from this articulates a satisfactory argument as to why the proposed approach, strategy and methods are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research aims. Requires MEDIUM revisions. Provides limited consideration and explanation of alternative research approaches, strategies and methods, and from this articulates a narrow argument as to why the proposed approach, strategy and methods are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research aims. Requires MAJOR revisions. Provides insufficient consideration and explanation of alternative approaches, strategies and methods, and from this articulates an unclear and weak argument as to why the proposed approach, strategy and methods are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research aims. Lack of any consideration and/or explanation of alternative approaches, strategies and methods, and from this NO justification or argument provided as to why the proposed approach, strategy and sequence of methods are the most effective and appropriate way to address the research aim(s). SECTION 4: METHOD FOR 11 WEEK THESIS (TOTAL: 10%) SECTION 4A DETAILED METHOD FOR 11 WEEK THESIS (5%) ULO3 and 4 Demonstrates extensive capacity to develop and articulate a detailed description of research method(s) that could be undertaken within 11 weeks, extensively supported with appropriate references. Evaluates comprehensively feasibility of study by identifying potential problems and appropriate solutions to enable the completion within the set timeframe. Demonstrates competent capacity to develop and articulate a detailed description of research method(s) that could be undertaken within 11 weeks, competently supported with appropriate references. Evaluates proficiently feasibility of study by identifying potential problems and appropriate solutions to enable the completion within the set timeframe. Requires MINOR revisions Demonstrates adequate capacity to develop and articulate an average description of research method(s) that could be undertaken within 11 weeks, adequately supported with appropriate references. Evaluates sufficiently and in a clear manner feasibility of study by identifying potential problems and appropriate solutions to enable the completion within the set timeframe. Requires MEDIUM revisions Demonstrates limited capacity to develop and articulate a description of research method(s) that could be undertaken within 11 weeks, supported with appropriate references, to a limited capacity. Evaluates feasibility of study by identifying potential problems and appropriate solutions to enable the completion within the set timeframe, in a limited capacity. Requires MAJOR revisions Demonstrates insufficient capacity to develop and articulate a description of research method(s) that could be undertaken within 11 weeks, insufficiently supported with appropriate references. Evaluates insufficiently and an unclear manner feasibility of study by NOT identifying potential problems and appropriate solutions to enable the completion within the set timeframe. And/or Detailed Method for 11 weeks research task misunderstood or not addressed. Demonstrates inadequate capacity to develop and articulate a description of research method(s) that could be undertaken within 11 weeks; and/or lack of appropriate references to support the proposed description of method(s). Lack of evaluation of feasibility of study with no identification of potential problems and no appropriate solutions to enable the completion within the set timeframe. And/or Detailed Method for 11 weeks research task missing altogether. SECTION 4B RESEARCH PLAN/ANNOTATED DETAILED DIAGRAM OF ACTIVITIES FOR 11 WEEK THESIS (5%) ULO3 and 4 Demonstrates extensive capacity to develop a detailed annotated timeline (research plan) that maps out 11 weeks of research, including appropriate and very clear milestones, using multi-tasking and/or feedback loops. Demonstrates competent capacity to develop a detailed annotated timeline (research plan) that maps out 11 weeks of research, including clear milestones, using multi-tasking and/or feedback loops. Requires MINOR revisions Demonstrates average capacity to develop a detailed annotated timeline (research plan) that maps out 11 weeks of research, including adequate milestones, using multi-tasking and/or feedback loops. Requires MEDIUM revisions Demonstrates limited capacity to develop an annotated timeline (research plan) that maps out 11 weeks of research, with limited capacity to articulate milestones, using multi-tasking and/or feedback loops. Requires MAJOR revisions Demonstrates insufficient capacity to develop an annotated timeline (research plan) that maps out 11 weeks of research, with poor articulation of milestones, using multi-tasking and/or feedback loops, and/or not feasible within 11 weeks. And/or Detailed annotated diagram for 11 weeks research task misunderstood or not addressed. Demonstrates inadequate and lack of capacity to develop an annotated timeline (research plan) that maps out 11 weeks of research, with no articulation of milestones, using multi-tasking and/or feedback loops, and/or not feasible within 11 weeks. And/or Detailed annotated diagram for 11 weeks research task missing altogether. PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION and DOCUMENTATION (10%) PROFESSIONALLY COMMUNICATE RESEARCH PROPOSAL (10%) ULO2 Demonstrates extensive professional capacity to communicate research proposal; highly developed skills in written expression; clarity and focus evident; accurate and consistent acknowledgement of wide ranging relevant and scholarly sources. Demonstrates competent professional capacity to communicate research proposal; proficient skills in communication and presentation with regards to structure and sequence, layout, writing, grammar, and academic referencing to a consistent style. Requires MINOR revisions. Demonstrates adequate professional capacity to communicate research proposal; relatively convincing and adequate skills in communication and presentation with regards to structure and sequence, layout, writing, grammar, and academic referencing to a consistent style. Requires MEDIUM revisions. Demonstrates limited professional capacity to communicate research proposal; selective skills in communication and presentation with regards to structure and sequence, layout, writing, grammar, and academic referencing to a consistent style. Requires MAJOR revisions. Demonstrates insufficient professional capacity to communicate research proposal; insufficient and poor skills in communication and presentation with regards to structure and sequence, layout, writing, grammar, and partial or inconsistent acknowledgement of sources. Demonstrates inadequate capacity to communicate research proposal; lack of skills in communication and presentation with regards to structure and sequence, layout, writing, grammar, and inappropriate acknowledgement of sources. These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this Unit At the completion of this Unit, successful students can: ULO1 Conduct a literature and project review to support the development and justification of research proposals. ULO2 Professionally communicate research proposals. ULO3 Develop and document plans to undertake research, identifying potential problems and appropriate solutions to enable the completion of a research thesis within a set time frame. ULO4 Demonstrate understanding of research methodology in the framing of research proposals and plans.