Assignment title Quantitative Research Report (2000 words)
Assignment Learning Outcome(s) Critically analyse the characteristics and theoretical foundations of different methodological approaches and methods of research evaluation.
Articulate the philosophical basis and practical applications of quantitative and qualitative research.
Critically evaluate the applicability of different methodologies within specific areas of research.
Justify the selection of appropriate analytic methods in order to fulfil research aims ethically, rigourously, and accurately.
Further details Elements of a good report will include:
In this element of the assessment, you are required to produce a quantitative report based upon data provided from a real-life study through open science focusing on body image, quality of life, and self-esteem of individuals with a lower-limb amputation (Holtzer, et al., 2014). The data set is based upon a study focusing on elements of health and clinical psychology.
This element of assessment corresponds with learning outcomes 1-5. In your write up you should ensure that you specifically address the learning outcomes. Please refer to the unit handbook for assessment criteria at Masters level.
Suggested format (e.g. sub-headings, tables, appendices, etc.):
Title
Introduction and Literature Review
Aims, Objectives, and Hypotheses
Methodology (Including all relevant subsections)
Results (Descriptive and Inferential Statistics)
Discussion
References
Appendices
There will be dedicated assignment brief online support sessions within the teaching schedule where members of the unit team will discuss what should be included in each of these sections. Please also feel free to contact the unit lead or member of the unit teaching team to discuss any aspect of the assignment.
Word count does not include tables, reference list, and appendices.
Marking Criteria Your work will be marked according to the MSc Programme Marking Descriptors outlined in the table in the handbook.
A process of moderation will be undertaken to ensure that marking criteria has been fairly, accurately and consistently applied.
Please note that marks received are provisional until they are agreed by the Assessment Boards held in June, September and December each year.
Detailed Guidance on Writing Up Reports
Introduction – The development of the research idea should be described through critical consideration of current knowledge and the available evidence. This should lead to the aims and hypotheses/research questions. A good introduction will appropriately justify the variables/topics studied and convince the reader that the study is necessary and appropriate to carry out in the way that it has been. The introduction should follow the ‘funnel’ shape, starting from the general and moving on to the specifics (see the figure at the end of this section).
Methods – In the methods section, you should describe exactly how the study was conducted under the following headings:
Design Justify the selection of qualitative/quantitative methods
State your epistemological position and why this is appropriate for your research question (qualitative research only)
Briefly introduce method of data collection and analysis
Participants Provide an overview of sampling and recruitment strategy
Provide an overview of any inclusion and exclusion criteria (with justification)
Demographics table
Data Collection Justify your chosen data collection strategy
Materials (e.g. details on questionnaires used, with information on their reliability)
Data Analysis Justify your chosen method of data analysis. If using statistical analysis packages, information on the version number should be provided.
How did you operationalise this in the current study
Ethical Considerations Procedural ethical considerations and how these were overcome
Conceptual ethical considerations and how these were overcome
Results –It is important to seek a balance between descriptive text and tabulated or graphical presentation of data in order to explain how hypotheses have been tested or research questions addressed. You should provide appropriate descriptive statistics and inferential statistics that are interpreted in relation to the research question. All figures and tables should be clearly labelled and referred to in the text.
Discussion – Here, the results presented in the results section are briefly summarised in relation to the aims/hypotheses/research questions outlined in the Introduction. The results should be considered in relation to previous work and their clinical and/or theoretical implications. Were your predictions met? How do your findings fit with the existing literature? Why are your findings novel and important? It is important not to speculate too far beyond the findings of the study in this section. A section of ‘Strengths and weaknesses’ of the study should be included, with suggestions for future research made. Some qualitative designs may combine Results and Discussion sections and this is acceptable. This section will end with a subheading of ‘Conclusions’ that provides a summary of your findings and implications. The discussion follows the inverse funnel pattern from your introduction – in this section you move from the specific (the findings of your study) to the general (see the figure below).
References – You are expected to use APA style referencing
Appendices
The appendices could contain tables of supplementary raw anonymised data, descriptive analyses or other material, which complement data and analyses presented in the report but which were not essential for inclusion.
