Assignment Information

Module Name: Project Discovery

Module Code: 6002CMD

Assignment Title: CW1 - Proposal (including evidence of submission of Ethics application)

Assignment Due: 4 December 2025: 18.00

For assessments that are submitted through Turnitin, the University allows a 24-hour grace period for receipt of submission. Therefore, submissions will only be accepted up until the 5 December 2025 by 18.00hrs. This should NOT be viewed as extra time to complete the assessment but is provided to allow for any unforeseen technical issues that may occur around the submission deadline, especially when Turnitin is handling large numbers of submissions.

Please note that this assessment is not eligible for an extension.

If you do not pass this assessment, you may have an opportunity to resit it. If you do need to resit, you will be asked to use the feedback provided to revise your original submission , so that it meets the pass requirements for the module. You must clearly indicate the changes you have made in the new submission. Please check your SOLAR results and the submission links on your Aula module page to see when the resit is due.

Assignment Credit: ! 20 credits !

Word Count (or equivalent): Range 2000- 5000 words (not counting Reference Section)

You should state your word count at the end of the written work. If you exceed the word limit by more than 10% (i.e. if you exceed 5500 words), then your work will only be read up to the allocated limit.

Assignment Type:

Percentage Grade (Applied Core Assessment). You will be provided with an overall grade between 0% and 100%. To pass the assignment you must achieve a grade of 40% or above.

Assignment Task

! This is an Amber assignment – AI can be used to assist you with research and writing but must be credited precisely how any tool was used. You will be guided on best practices on using Generative AI models/Large language Models like Microsoft’s copilot to ensure your own authenticity and creativity is demonstrated !

The 6002CMD semester 1 Project Discovery Module acts as a foundation for the second semester Individual Project Module. Guidance will be provided throughout.

In the 6002CMD Project Discovery Module you will identify a suitable research question for your Individual Project, as well as conduct extensive background research in related topics, and use that information to form. a robust plan for executing both the technical and research aspects of the project.

You will be allocated a member of staff as Supervisor to guide you with whom you will be able to discuss project proposal ideas.

Your task to pass this module is to:

A

1.   Define an idea for a project related to your course and come up with a project proposal title

2.   Craft a suitable research question/sub-questions and choose an appropriate methodology derived from reviewing scientific and technical literature

B

3.   Write-up your idea for an individual project presenting this in a proposal document in WORD which includes a reference list of real, existing sources at the end.

4.   You must prepare an ethics application in CU Ethics online and include the ethics application number [Pxxxxx] in your proposal document. Walk-through of the CU Ethics online platform. will be provided to prepare you to answer the numerous questions you must address in the ethics application form.

The deliverable is the proposal document which should be structured in a coherent, logical manner, such as this:

1.   Title page with your name and student ID

2.   Abstract: this should succinctly summarise the proposed project idea in approx. 300 words maximum

3.   Contents page

4.    Introduction to the project proposal idea outlining:

a.   Proposed research question or research statement to explore

b.   Motivation – why you have chosen this particular topic

c.   Aims and Objectives

5.   Literature Review: this section should be written in narrative style presenting the latest

research from reviewing scientific, technical, statistical and other literature available through Lanchester Library’s LOCATE online access to trustworthy sources. Use your university credentials to access here: Locate

6.   Proposed research methodology derived from the literature review appropriate to execute your individual project.

7.   Tentative timeline project plan presenting identified tasks and duration (you can use Gantt chart or other tool)

8.   *Declaration of how a Generative AI/ Large language model was used, see below.

9.   Reference list: sources must be real. Guidance on how to present sources using APA will be provided during the semester.

Template for the proposal will be uploaded to Aula and walk-through to guide you on how to present your project proposal.

Submission Instructions:

Submissions must be made through Aula before the scheduled deadline. The word-count must be included. Reminder, the Reference List should be presented at the end of the proposal, the words in it do not count towards the word-count for your proposal, items 2-7 from above.

Guidance on how to ethically use Generative AI/large language models will be provided to boost your research and understanding of topics. Before then, please do check OpenAI’s guidelines at the link below, on the responsible use of Generative AI/ Large language model:

A Student’s Guide to Writing with ChatGPT | OpenAI: Note this warning from OpenAI:

“There are also ways to use ChatGPT that are counterproductive to learning—like generating an essay instead of writing it oneself, which deprives students of the opportunity to practice, improve their skills, and grapple with the material.”

“For students committed to becoming better writers and thinkers …  some ways to use ChatGPT to engage more deeply with the learning process.”

The same advice should be applied if you use other free Generative AI tools, such as Microsoft’s copilot. The university will not be responsible for compensating you if you use a subscription version of any Generative AI or any other AI tool used for the proposal.

*In your proposal, you should include a summary of where and how you used Generative AI tools at the end of your work before your reference list. This could include the adaptation of the following table:

If you experience any technical problems when trying to submit your work, please consult Aula help via the question mark link.  If these problems are experienced at the time of the submission deadline and cannot  be  quickly  resolved,  please  capture  screenshots  as  evidence  and  email  these  and  your completed assessment to the module leader as soon as possible. Whilst this cannot be marked it could be used as evidence that you’ve gained no time advantage on your work should this be needed for an appeal.

Marking and Feedback

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked by the module team

How will I receive my grades and feedback?

Provisional marks will be released once internally moderated

Feedback will be provided by the module team alongside grades release

Feedback comments can be accessed by clicking on your submission in Turnitin and selecting the comments icon.

Your provisional marks and feedback should be available within 2 weeks (10 working days).

What will I be marked against?

Details of the marking criteria for this task can be found at the bottom of this assignment brief.

Assessed Module Learning Outcomes

The Learning Outcomes for this module align to the marking criteria which can be found at the end of this brief. Ensure you understand the marking criteria to ensure successful achievement of the assessment task. The following module learning outcomes are assessed in this task:

1. Identify a suitable topic or problem relevant to both course title and chosen personal specialism.

2. Appraise current information resources relevant to the topic and justify appropriate problem-solving strategies with respect to resources, tools and techniques.

3. Deploy project planning skills for the development of a significant piece of individual work.

4. Assess professional, legal, social and ethical issues relating to research and project work.

5. Communicate effectively in formal and informal situations the topic with interested parties.