Extended Research - Assignment Brief

This module comprises 3 summative assessments:

• a 3,500 word assignment
• a poster presentation
• a reflection based on blog entries

Written assignment (3,500 words)

Please submit one electronic copy on duo and one paper copy in the assignment box.

For this assignment, you are required to work with your Academic Advisor and complete a piece of independent research. You will analyse and research an area related to your degree subject. Your research can take the form of an essay, or it could be a project where you use data to test a hypothesis you have developed on your subject area. Your Academic Advisor can help you to decide whether an essay or a project format is most suitable for your chosen progression route.

You will meet three times with your Academic Advisor over the course of the module and they will help to guide you through the process. All the Academic Advisors will also run a series of timetabled sessions to support students through the research process.

If you are writing an essay, it will include these sections:

• An introduction: This should establish the context for the essay and signpost the content and conclusion which will follow. It should include a clear thesis statement which answers your research question;

• A main body: This should be clearly structured and signposted with arguments supported by evidence from your reading;

• A conclusion: This should draw your main points together and show that your position was well-supported in your essay;

• A bibliography: This should list all the sources you have cited in the main body of your essay. Use your copy of Cite them Right to make sure you are formatting your bibliography correctly.

If you are writing a project, it will normally include these sections:

• An Abstract (roughly 150 words providing an oversight of your entire project);
• An Introduction (roughly 1500 words) which in turn includes
• An opening paragraph;
• A Background outlining current research on your topic;
• A Hypothesis for your research (depending on subject area).
• A Method section (roughly 500 words) outlining how you collected/obtained your data;
• A Results section (roughly 500 words) with graphs/charts summarising what you found;

• A Discussion section (roughly 1000 words) describing your results in more detail and linking them to your hypothesis and your literature review;

• A conclusion: This should draw your main points together and show that your position was well-supported in your research;

• A Bibliography listing your sources;
• An Appendix which includes your data;