Assignment 1: Research Project

Introduction
There are three sections to this assignment. The first section (50 marks) is a review of three
articles.
The second section (40 marks) is a reflection.
The third section (10 marks), is an online assessment related to information literacy.

Your assignment will focus on one of the following themes:

Mental Health
Social Media
Gender

Section One: Due date – Week of 02nd March 2020 (50 marks)
Section One requires you to do two things – first, write a short review of the three articles
and, secondly, explain how you would obtain further information on your topic.
Part one: Short review
Choose one theme from those above. Review at least three articles on your chosen theme
(literature review). In your report, you are required to:
a. Introduce your theme for the assignment. The introduction can include why you
chose the theme, what aspect of the theme is of importance to you and why (use
the heading ‘Introduction’ to write this information).
b. Write one review of the three or more articles you read. Your review should
include the common theme running through the articles and explore the key points
the authors are highlighting in the articles. You should also quote from the articles
to support the key points you have identified.
c. End your summary with one key question that you would like to explore further.
Part two: How would you carry out a research process?
In this part, you will outline how to gather information to answer your key question
(methodology).
1. You would need to identify who the relevant people would be who could provide you
with important information that could answer your key question.
2. Explain why you think they are relevant to your study.
3. Outline how you would access them.
 4. Develop 10-12 open-ended interview questions that would allow you to gather
information relevant to your key question.
5. Discuss how you would record or manage the information they provide.
(Length: about two typed page)

Section Two: Due date – Week of 13th April 2020 (40 marks)
Reflection
Write a detailed reflection exploring your experience of developing Section One, above. Your
reflection should be in two parts.
Part one: This part should be on the process you have followed above and would answer the
question “how do I understand research better?” The following questions may guide you in
this:
a. What was I required to do?
b. How did I need to do it?
c. What was most relevant about the topic?
d. What is my understanding of research? Use evidence from current literature.
e. If I had to do a research project like this again, how would I do it differently?
Part two: This part will be a personal reflection on your thoughts and feelings and would
answer the question “how do I understand myself better?” The following questions may
guide you in this:
a. What did I struggle with?
b. How did I feel through this process?
c. How have my thoughts on the topic or life in general changed? Why?
d. Was there anything that surprised me? Why?
e. What life lessons have I learned from this?
f. What did I enjoy the most?
If you chose to conduct an interview, your reflections on this process can also be included.
(Length: about 2 typed pages)
NB: If you fail any part of the assignment you will be given an opportunity to re-do it for a
maximum of 50%
Section Three: Information Literacy assessment (10 Marks)
This is an online assessment that will be available to you in the Cornerstone Moodle
classroom and will be available from the 10th of February 2020 and will close on the 17th of
April 2020. The Information Literacy assessment consists of 5 modules. Each module needs
to be read before you answer the quiz at the end of it.