Assignment Guidelines Psychology Department

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND LIBERAL ARTS

GA507 RESEARCH PROPOSAL
May – August 2022

Please submit your written assignments according to the following sequence:

1. Cover Page
2. Declaration of Original Work
3. Similarity Index from Turnitin
4. Scoring Rubric References
5. Report (APA 7th edition format)
6. Reference

Marks will be deducted from late assignments at the rate of 1% per day (including weekends), for a maximum of 3 days. An assignment is
considered submitted upon the receipt of softcopy of the assignment via Teams. The maximum range of plagiarism detected in Turnitin should
be 15% or less. Any assignments substantially higher will be subject to a mark’s deduction at the discretion of the lecturer, or an immediate
failure grade if deemed to be serious and intentional.

Final Project - Research Proposal (30%)

You will write a full research proposal as though you are sitting for an interim examination to qualify you as a postgraduate candidate. The
proposal should be around 20 pages long. A minimum of 15 pages and a maximum of 20 pages are required. The research proposal is an
important document that provides a clear statement of the problem, a review of literature, how the literature relates to your study, formal
research questions and hypotheses, a full methods section, and the data analysis you intend to conduct. The final research paper will be the result
of your semester’s work and a demonstration of your ability to apply your knowledge. You will present your research proposal in weeks 13 and
14. Presentations are done in a viva-voce format and should be professional in nature. You may be as creative as you want to be in presenting
your study.

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Assignment Guidelines
Criteria
Chapter 1
Introduction
Background of the study
Statement of the problem
Significance of the study
Objective/research questions
of the study
Definitions of key concepts
Theoretical and operational
definitions
Chapter 2 Literature
Review
Literature review
Exemplary (4-5 Marks)
An intriguing introduction
based on facts leads clearly
into the research proposal.
Clearly identifies the
problem and its boundaries
Statement of the research
purpose and the overall
reasons for the study are
compelling, apt and precise,
and closely and clearly
related to the background of
the problem.
Clearly delineates the
educational significance of
the problem, including issues
of equity
Very well stated research
objective based on the
purpose of the study.
Makes a clear and
compelling connection
between research questions,
purpose and problem.
Clearly defines and explains
the key concepts and terms
and their relevance to the
problem
Narrative integrates critical
and logical
details from the peer-
reviewed theoretical and
research literature. Each key
research component is
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Proficient (3-4 marks)
A fairly well formulated
introduction with some evidence
to support the topic leads into the
research proposal.
Identifies the problem and
alludes to its boundaries
Statement of the research
purpose and the overall reasons
for the study are clear and
related to the background of the
problem.
Generally, explains the
significance of the problem
Fairly well stated
research objective and research
questions based on the purpose
of the study
Defines key concepts and terms
and
begins to explain their relevance
to the problem
Key research components were
connected to relevant, reliable
theoretical and research
literature.
Partially Proficient (1-2 marks)
Introduction is not well constructed,
uninteresting, or does not lead into
the research proposal.
Describes an educational situation
and alludes to a problem
Statement of the research purpose
and the overall reasons for the study
are vague and marginally related to
the background of the problem.
Minimally describes the educational
significance of the problem
objective and research question are
not clearly stated based on the
purpose of the study.
Makes weak connection between
research questions, purpose and
problem
Attempts to define the relevant
concepts and terms
A key component was not
connected to
the research literature. Selected
literature was from unreliable
sources. Literary supports were
vague or ambiguous.
Needs improvement (0-1 marks) Marks
Lacks a proper introduction.
Alludes to a situation where a
problem might exist.
/5
Statement of the research purpose
and the overall reasons for the
study are not given
/5
Unable to make a case that the
problem has any educational
significance or ignores
educational significance
Includes no researchable
questions. Lacks connection
between research questions,
purpose and problem and no
objective stated /5
No evidence that key terms are
identified or defined.
Did not mention any previous
research, literature, or theories.
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Assignment Guidelines
grounded to the literature.
Attention is given to
different perspectives, threats
to validity, and opinion vs.
evidence.
Theoretical Framework: Clearly identifies relevant
Describes and cites major theoretical framework(s);
sources for theoretical provides a rationale.
framework
Chapter 3: Research
Methods
Introduction Clearly and succinctly re-
introduces purpose of the
study including research
problem and question;
smooth transition to methods
included.
Methods:
Research Design Describes if research is
qualitative or quantitative or
mixed methods and defines
type. Provides clear
justification for selection of
type in relation to research
problem and research
questions.
Clearly identifies participants
Participants in the study and provides
compelling rationale for their
selection; describes sampling
methods concisely and
clearly.
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Re-introduces purpose of the
study including research
problem and question; transition
to methods included.
Re-introduces purpose of the
study including research
problem and question; transition
to methods included.
Describes if research is
qualitative or quantitative or
mixed methods and provides
adequate justification for
selection of type in relation to
research problem and research
questions.
Identifies participants in the
study and provides rationale for
their selection; describes
sampling methods.
Re-introduces purpose of the study
including research problem and/or
question; transition to methods
vague, if included
Re-introduces purpose of the study
including research problem and/or
question; transition to methods
vague, if included.
Vague reference to type of research
being conducted. Non-persuasive
justification for the type of research
used.
Vague identification of participants
in the study and provides non-
persuasive rationale for their
selection; no sampling methods
included.
/5
No re-introduction to purpose of
the study including research
problem and/or question;
transition to methods not included
No re-introduction to purpose of
the study including research
problem and/or question;
transition to methods not
included.
/5
No reference to type of method
used.
Unable to identify exact
participants nor any reason for
their selection to participate in the
study.
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Assignment Guidelines
Fully describes the data
collection instruments.
Includes persuasive rationale
Data Collection for the selection and format
of these instruments in
reference to other choices.
Includes copies of actual
instruments to be used in the
Appendix.
Analytical methods were
sufficiently specific, clear,
and appropriate for the
Data Analytic plan research questions.
Provides appropriate
justification for controls.
Project is feasible
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Describes the data collection Lists the data collection
instruments. Includes rationale instruments. Includes weak
for the selection and format of rationale for the selection and
these instruments in reference to format of these instruments in
other choices. Includes copies of reference to other choices. Does
actual instruments to be used in not include copies of actual
the Appendix. instruments to be used in the
Appendix.
Data analytic plan is suitable to Data analytic plan were confusing,
measure research questions. incomplete or lacked relevance to
the research questions, or research
design
Deadline: Friday 5/8/2022 before 6.30pm
hard copy and soft copy.
Vague reference to the data
collection instruments. Includes
no rationale for the selection and
format of these instruments in
reference to other choices. Does
not include copies of actual
instruments to be used in the
Appendix. /5
Vaguely describes data analysis
plan. Does not tie procedures
closely to research questions.
Total: _____/ 30
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Assignment Guidelines Psychology Department

Checklist for the Research proposal.

Chapter 1 Introduction
1. Background of the study
2. Statement of the problem
3. Objective of the study
4. Significant of the study
5. Definitions of terms: Theoretical definitions and operational definitions
Chapter 2 Literature review
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical and conceptual framework
3. Related research
4. Conclusion
Chapter 3 research Methodology
1. Introduction
2. Research designs
3. Population
4. Sample
5. Sampling procedures
6. Instruments
7. Data collection procedures
8. Data analysis plan

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Assignment Guidelines Psychology Department

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND LIBERAL ARTS

GA513/GSP507 RESEARCH DESIGNS
AND METHODS/ RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES AND STATISTICS
SCORING RUBRIC

May – August 2022

2. Mini Presentation Anatomy of a Research Paper (15%)

Students are required to present two articles (one quantitative and one qualitative) that are somewhat similar to your proposal study. The

selected paper must be current and from a reputable journal. Your task is to use the CODING FORM with the main topics. You will critique the

strengths and weaknesses of the two papers. Grading will be based on a report of your reflections on the papers. Prepare handout in the form of

PowerPoint slides. Use other creative supportive materials to make your presentation interesting and comprehensive for audiences. You will

be given 10 minutes for your presentation and 5 minutes for question & answer session.

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Assignment Guidelines Psychology Department

Subject : GA513/GSP507 RESEARCH DESIGNS AND METHODS/ RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES AND STATISTICS
Task : Presentation
Students : ______________________________ ID : _____________________

Criteria 4-5 2-3 0-1

(a) Accuracy and Presentation was accurate and clear
flow of from the beginning, with an
presentation overarching flow and structure
clearly made known. Presentation
was smooth, with transitions being
/8
barely noticeable and presentations
kept to within the allocated time
frame
Presentation was adequately accurate
and clear, with obvious signposting
between segments. Acceptable flow,
with few if any disruptions or pauses
that are unnecessary. Concluded
within the allocated time frame
Presentation was unclear with many
inaccurate information and no clear
delineation between segments.
Presentation was disjointed, with
unnecessary stops and an overall
confusing flow.

(b) Creativity of Presentation was unique and Presentation was acceptable, with Presentation was basic, with little
presentation creative, incorporating elements some evidence of creative thought to no creativity involved in either
that are not typical of normal processes put into the the video/infographic
/7 presentations to emphasize certain video/infographic
important points
Total: / 15

Deadline: Friday 17/6/2022 before 6.30pm