NBS8289 - Research Methods

End-of-module summative assessment

In your end-of-module summative assessment, you should address the following brief:

With reference to academic literature, discuss the issues to be considered when analysing research data.

[The assessment brief is asking you to write about the things that a researcher should take into account when analysing research data: what should a researcher think about when planning their data analysis and/or when analysing their data?].

In your response, you must draw on and cite at least four methodological journal articles and two empirical journal articles on a topic relevant for your programme of study.

In completing your Assessment, you must engage with recent research - that is:

      methodological articles that have been published in the past 10 years

      empirical articles that have a publication date in the last 7 years

Methodological journal articles

      The Module’s Reading List includes more than 50 methodological journal

articles – you can choose relevant articles from this list to develop your essay.

      If you wish to source your own methodological articles, that meet the essential requirements of the brief, then see the Module's Reading list, 'Journals -

Methodology and Methods' section for journal titles.

      You must choose a methodological article that considers a qualitative method of data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis) or a quantitative method of data analysis (e.g. regression analysis). Do not draw on an article that uses mixed data (both qualitative and quantitative).

      For advice on sourcing articles via the Library website, the Library have produced this blog -> ‘Finding empirical and methodological articles’

Empirical journal articles

      The Module’s Reading List includes more than 50 empirical journal articles – you can choose relevant articles from this list to develop your essay.

      If you wish to source your own empirical articles, that meet the essential

requirements of the brief, then you can search within a range of journal titles

including The International Journal of Human Resource Management; Journal

ofInternational Business Studies; Work, Employment and Society; Organization Studies; Journal of International Management; Employee Relations and Human  Resource Management Journal. For more journal titles that relate to your programme of study see the 'Module Handbook'.

      You must choose a methodological article that considers a qualitative method of data analysis (e.g. thematic analysis) or a quantitative method of data analysis (e.g. regression analysis). Do not draw on an article that uses mixed data (both qualitative and quantitative).

      For advice on sourcing articles via the Library website, the Library have produced this blog -> ‘Finding empirical and methodological articles’

Approaching the Assessment:

You choose the method of data analysis that will form. the basis of your essay, but you might choose to write about the data analysis method that most interests you (this could be the approach that you are likely to use in your future studies).

Whatever method of data analysis you choose to write about in your essay; first, proactively engage with the module’s ‘data analysis’ materials. Next, read the relevant chapter in the module’s text book to build your foundational knowledge around data analysis.

Then, search for methodological articles that discuss your chosen approach. Read the articles to acquire further knowledge of the data analysis approach; for example, what are its strengths, weaknesses, when is it useful, what are the potential problems etc. Note: you would not simply describe the strengths and weaknesses etc. of the approach to data analysis in your essay; rather, this broad knowledge   gives you a foundation to build on.

Next, search for empirical articles that use your chosen approach to data analysis and consider what issues (things) the author(s) took into account when analysing the data they had collected. Read the empirical article/s with the aim of understanding the research project - its aims, processes and claims. Then, you can apply and integrate your knowledge from the methodological journal articles with your knowledge of the empirical journal articles to address the Assessment brief.

Formative feedback:

      Drop-in session 3 in Teaching Week 15 is dedicated to the providing formative feedback for this end-of-module assessment

      This Drop-in session will be delivered via zoom and will provide a valuable opportunity for you to discuss your ideas with peers and ask questions of  faculty to help you identify the key ‘issues’ (things to be considered) that  surround data analysis, prior to submitting your assessment

      During Teaching Week 15, you will also be able to post any additional

questions about the assessment on the dedicated Canvas ‘Discussions’ board

      Please note: The Drop-in session and ‘Discussions’ board are your only

opportunity to ask questions about the assessment. Please do not email

faculty on the assessment; the module team cannot answer any questions on the assessment via email, unless specified in a Student Support Plan

Deadline:

      The deadline to submit your Assessment is Monday 06 January 2025 at midday (12pm) (UK, Greenwich Mean Time)

Format:

      The word count is 1,400 words (+ / - 10%)

      Your Assessment must be word processed and submitted as Word or PDF file

      Please use Times New Roman or Arial as your font in size 12

      You must include a Reference list at the end of your essay. A Reference list details the works that have been cited in the essay.

      The Reference list is not included in the word count.

      Please use Cite Them Right Harvard as your referencing style

      Intext citations e.g. (Author, year) are included in the word count.

      There is no template cover sheet - instead, on the first page of your

Assessment enter 1) the module number and module name and 2) the word count of your essay

      The Assessment will be marked anonymously; please do not put your name anywhere on the document

      Further formatting guidelines are in the 'Module Handbook' on Canvas

Submission:

      Your Assessment must be submitted electronically through the TurnItIn link, which will be made available in the ‘Assignments’ section on Canvas

      The 'Assignments' section will be made available in Canvas' left-hand menu during the assessment period

      You do not need to submit a hard copy of your Assessment

      You only have one opportunity to submit your Assessment via TurnItIn

      You will need to check if your submission has been successful via TurnItIn on Canvas

      If there is no record of your submission on Canvas, your submission has been  unsuccessful. This means that TurnItIn has no record of your Assessment and, therefore, it cannot be marked. You are likely to be penalised for late

submission and may have to be reassessed in the next assessment period

      You must keep all documentation relating to your Assessment until the marks   have been confirmed by the Board of Examiners at the end of your programme of study

Marking and Summative Feedback:

      This Assessment is worth 70% of the module mark

      Your Assessment will be marked in accordance with the marking scheme provided in your degree programme handbook and the ‘Postgraduate

Assessment Criteria’ posted to Canvas

      We endeavour to provide you with your grade and individual feedback via TurnItIn within 20 working days of the end of assessment period