DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE (DMUIC)
RESEARCH METHODS
ASSIGNMENT 1: Designing a Research Project
Credit Value: 12
Owning Board: Joint Academic Board (DMU/OIEG)
Faculty: University Wide Learning (DMU)
Module Tutor: Sarah Gannon.
Assessment Weighting: 50% with 40% threshold
Word Count: 1,500 (Guidance – not including references, tables/fig’s)
(only up to 10% plus or minus this guidance is allowed)
ASSESSMENT OUTCOMES
You must demonstrate learning outcome 1:
Apply basic skills in experimental and survey methodologies within relevant contexts, and related issues of research design
Assessment Brief given on: Week 3
Draft is due on: week 6
Assessment due date: Friday 18th February 2022 (week 6) 09:00am via Turnitin
Feedback will be given on or before week 8
You are to carry out a small scale psychological study. You are to choose one of the following topics to research:
• Covid lockdown and Stress
• Gender and attraction
You will design a questionnaire and gather data.
You will present this assignment as a report. You will need to include the following in your report (use as a check list).
?Title/Topic of research
?Abstract
?Introduction
?Method – with explanation of how you used it and why you used it.
?Findings (description of what you found/observed) – can be in a written or numerical form.
Discussion.
?Conclusion – summary of what have you found out
?Evaluation – what were the strengths and weaknesses of your study?
?Appendix – Include examples of questionnaires/interview schedule or observation notes.

Submission
You should also upload your report including references which follows a referencing system, such as Harvard, onto Turnitin by 9.00a.m. Friday 18th February 2022.
MARKING THE ASSIGNMENT: CRITERIA
See marking criteria attached.
PLAGIARISM AND BAD ACADEMIC PRACTICE
DMUIC provides guidance and advice on good academic practice and avoidance of plagiarism. In submitting any academic work for assessment, you are deemed to be doing so on the basis that you have not committed an Academic Offence or Bad Practice.
A major expectation of all assessments whilst at DMU/DMUIC is that students work in the English language and generate their assignments in the English language. Initial work should be produced in English not a second language. This means that the use of any language generation/translation or websites is discouraged. The use of such tools may be considered Bad Academic Practice and the consequences outlined in the previous section will apply.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA - ASSIGNMENT 1
Research Methods
Criteria Max. Mark
Research:
0-7 marks Sources used: module text book, internet
8-15 marks sources used: 2 text books 2 online books 2 journals and 2 internet sources 15
Abstract:
Brief description of what it is the aim of your research, how you went about it and a general statement describing your findings 10
Introduction:
This would describe and previous research regarding your topic of interest, explains the goals of your current research, your hypothesis – what you expect to discover as a result of your research.
15
Method:
You will need to describe the procedures you used in your research, such as sampling methods, number of participants, your independent and dependent variables, and type of experimental design.
25
Results/Findings:
You’ll outline the statistical data you have gathered from your research, using tables and figures to display statistical data and results
10
Discussion: Conclusion/Evaluation.
An interpretation of the results of your experiment and state whether your findings support your hypothesis. You should also offer possible explanations for your findings. Evaluate your research.
15
Referencing and Appendix:
Correct use of Harvard referencing includes a reference list and has cross referenced sources used, Appendix to include examples of questionnaires/interview schedule of observation notes 5
General Presentation: QWC, spelling, punctuation and grammar, correct use of software tools and Text formatting (line spacing, font and size, word count, fully justified text) 5
Total 100