SBS-MSC HCM Assignment Research Methods Assessment

General Instructions

• All assignments are to be submitted on 6th March 2025 via ATMS LMS.

• Requests for assignment submission extensions must be sent to Azra Fatima (AVP of Academics) at afatima@atmsedu.org at least 5 days before the due date, with valid reasons and documentary evidence.

• APA 7th edition referencing guidelines must be followed.

• Similarity between student submissions is strictly prohibited. Any student found submitting similar work will receive zero marks and fail the course. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense.

• Revaluation requests must be submitted within 5 days of grade release. Late requests will not be entertained.

• Revaluation is not applicable for plagiarized assignments.

• Late submissions within 1 week of the due date will incur a 20% penalty.

• Re-evaluation requests do not apply for failed courses in the 59–69 mark range. Grades below 59 are ineligible.

• Rescheduling requests must be submitted within 1 week after the assessment. Late requests will not be accepted.

• Once submitted to the exam board, the assignment is final for marking.

• A second extension requires supporting documentary evidence.

• Students are advised to keep a copy of their work to prevent loss of submission.

Note: Adherence to these instructions is mandatory. ATMS will not be responsible for any consequences arising from failure to comply.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is defined as using material from an uncredited source, or without proper acknowledgment of the original author.

Common forms of plagiarism include:

• Copying another author’s work without acknowledgment

• Cut-and-paste without proper citation

• Paraphrasing without crediting the original author

• Copying sentence structure or idea flow without acknowledgment

• Submitting work created by another person (writing service or another student)

• Falsifying results or pretending ownership of ideas

• Improper or missing citations, quotation marks, or reference list

Plagiarism tolerance for MSC students is 8%.

• If plagiarism exceeds 8%, students may resubmit a revised assignment.

• Continued plagiarism results in a one-grade reduction.

Assessment I: Research Methodology/Methods Analysis

Instructions:
Students must write a critical analysis of the research methodology and research methods intended for their thesis study. The word count should be approximately 3500 words, excluding diagrams, tables, references, bibliography, and appendices.

Assignment Structure

Introduction

Include the following:

• General area(s)/topic(s) of literature your study is grounded in

• Focal literature your study will concentrate on

• Identified gap in the literature

• Importance of the gap for knowledge development

• One clear research question addressing the gap

• Contribution of your research to the literature, conceptualization, field, or practice

Main Body

a. Research Methodology

• Overall research methodological paradigm (e.g., inductive, deductive, positivism, interpretivism)

• Literature review of the chosen paradigm

• Critical analysis of its strengths and weaknesses

• Reasons why other paradigms were not selected

• Discussion on epistemology, ontology, and axiology and their relevance

b. Research Methods

• Elaboration of chosen research methods and critical analysis of their strengths and weaknesses

• Justification for not choosing alternative methods

c. Data Analysis Approach

• Techniques and approaches for data analysis (e.g., thematic analysis, discourse analysis, correlation)

• Reasons for selecting these techniques

d. Approach to Writing Up

• Techniques and approaches for presenting findings (e.g., case study, narrative/storytelling, statistical presentation, critical incident approach)

• Justification for selected approaches

e. Ethical Considerations

• Consent protocols, data storage, usage and disposal, and protection of respondents and researchers

 Conclusion

• Summarize key points and arguments

• Avoid introducing new material

• Highlight intended contributions to the field

• Suggest future research directions

Assessment Summary

Assessment Objective:
The purpose of this assessment is to critically analyse the research methodology and methods that will be employed in the student’s thesis study. The assessment evaluates the student’s ability to:

• Identify a research gap within a chosen literature area

• Formulate a clear research question

• Justify the choice of research methodology and methods

• Demonstrate understanding of data analysis techniques, writing approaches, and ethical considerations

• Apply contemporary research principles and APA 7th edition referencing

Key Requirements:

1. Word Count: ~3500 words (excluding diagrams, tables, references, bibliography, appendices)

2. Submission Deadline: 6th March 2025 via ATMS LMS

3. Referencing Style: APA 7th edition

4. Plagiarism Tolerance: 8% (exceeding leads to resubmission or grade reduction)

5. Content Structure:

   • Introduction: Contextualize the study, highlight literature gap, define research question, explain contribution

   • Main Body:

     • Research Methodology: Paradigm selection, critical evaluation, epistemology, ontology, axiology

     • Research Methods: Chosen methods, strengths/weaknesses, justification for exclusion of alternatives

     • Data Analysis: Techniques and reasoning

     • Writing Up: Presentation approaches and rationale

     • Ethical Considerations: Consent, data storage, protection of participants

   • Conclusion: Summarize key arguments, contributions, and future research directions

Approach Adopted by Academic Mentor

The academic mentor guided the student in a step-by-step approach, ensuring clarity, structure, and compliance with academic standards:

1. Understanding the Assignment Requirements:

   • Reviewed the brief, highlighting critical points such as word count, structure, APA referencing, and plagiarism rules.

   • Identified assessment objectives and expected learning outcomes.

2. Introduction Guidance:

   • Assisted in defining the general literature area and focal studies.

   • Supported the student in identifying a research gap and articulating why addressing it is significant.

   • Formulated a clear, focused research question.

   • Discussed the expected contribution of the research to the field.

3. Main Body Guidance:

   • Research Methodology: Explained paradigms (inductive, deductive, positivism, interpretivism) and helped justify the selection based on the research aim.

   • Research Methods: Reviewed possible methods, explained strengths/limitations, and guided the choice of appropriate methods.

   • Data Analysis Approach: Advised on techniques (thematic analysis, discourse analysis, correlation) and explained why each was suitable for the study.

   • Writing Up Approach: Recommended presentation methods (case studies, narrative/storytelling, statistical reporting) and rationale.

   • Ethical Considerations: Ensured consent, confidentiality, and data protection protocols were addressed.

4. Conclusion Guidance:

   • Helped summarize arguments clearly without introducing new material.

   • Highlighted contributions to the literature and suggested directions for future research.

5. Review and Feedback:

   • Checked alignment with learning outcomes and rubric criteria.

   • Ensured APA 7th edition compliance.

   • Monitored plagiarism risk and originality.

Outcome Achieved

Through this guided process:

• The student developed a comprehensive and coherent thesis plan aligned with contemporary research standards.

• Clear articulation of research gaps, methods, and ethical considerations ensured a robust framework for their thesis.

• The student demonstrated understanding of research paradigms, data analysis techniques, and writing approaches, covering all intended learning objectives.

• The final submission was structured, evidence-based, and academically sound, providing a solid foundation for thesis development.

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