Assignment task
The assignment for your final piece of assessment for this module is to carry out an empirical research project using quantitative data analysis. The aim of the project is to devise a brief questionnaire, collect data and the analyse the data using SPSS and then write a 1,500-word report on your findings. Your reference list and any appendices do not count towards your 1,500-word limit.
Details of what needs to be in the report are outlined below. Guidance will be provided in class.
Do not commence data collection until the module leader has agreed your questionnaire is suitable.
Collecting data before your topic is agreed by the module leader is a breach of ethics and may result in you failing the assessment, including failure to adhere to correct ethical processes.
Your report must include the following elements and be presented in the following order:
Title
Abstract
Introduction to include
o Introduction to the topic area your research explored
o Rationale for doing the research
o Research questions and aims
Literature review of previous research on the topic you have chosen to write about
Methodology
o Methods used and rationale for these
o Sampling and rationale for this
This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your achievement of the following module learning outcomes:
LO1: Critically evaluate and assess epistemological positions, research design and ethical issues in relation to social scientific research.
LO2: Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of quantitative social research
LO3: Analyse quantitative data using SPSS and link the results to wider social scientific literature.
Practicalities: Referencing, presenting and submitting your work
Please see your programme handbook for information on the standard referencing style, presentational requirements and process for submitting your work.
Confidentiality
You are expected to take responsibility for maintaining and managing confidentiality issues in your work. You should maintain and respect confidentiality in relation to the protection of personal, technical and/or commercial information of a sensitive nature in your assessed work, whatever the format.
For further information and guidance, please see the relevant section in your programme handbook.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity means taking responsibility for your own work.
When you submit an assignment, you are making a declaration that it is your own work and that you have acknowledged the contribution of others and their ideas in its development (for example, by referencing them appropriately).
For further information and guidance, please see the University website: https://www.bnu.ac.uk/current- students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/academic-integrity-and-misconduct
0-29 (F)
Fail
Not successful
30-39 (E)
Marginal fail Below required standard
40-49 (D)
Pass Satisfactory
50-59 (C)
Pass Good
60-69 (B)
Pass Very Good
70-79 (A)
Pass Excellent
80-100 (A+)
Pass Outstanding
Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of quantitative social research
A very poor level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated.
Assignment instructions have not been followed.
An inadequate level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated.
Assignment instructions have not been followed.
A satisfactory level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated but is partial and/or not conveyed consistently.
Assignment instructions have been partially followed.
A reasonable level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated, though this is not consistently applied throughout.
Assignment instructions have been mostly followed.
A very good level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated, which is consistently applied.
Assignment instructions have been followed.
An excellent level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated, which are conveyed in a sophisticated and consistent manner.
Assignment instructions have been followed.
An outstanding level of understanding and knowledge of quantitative research is demonstrated, which are sophisticated, consistent and display original insight.
Assignment instructions have been followed.
Analyse quantitative data using SPSS and link the results to wider social scientific literature.
Analysis of quantitative data is very poor and there is no evidence of linking to wider social scientific literature.
little or no demonstration of the ability to link SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
little or no evidence of statistical analysis, failure to use SPSS to statistically analyse data
Analysis of quantitative data is inadequate and there is very limited evidence of linking to wider social scientific literature.
insufficient demonstration of the ability to link SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
insufficient evidence of statistical analysis, limited evidence of ability to analyse statistical data and use SPSS outputs cohesively and logically in work
Analysis of quantitative data is satisfactory and there is some evidence of linking to wider social scientific literature, but this is inconsistent and superficial relying on basic level and/or limited range of material which are not adequately integrated.
makes developed links between SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
sufficient evidence of understanding of statistical analysis, sufficient evidence of ability to analyse statistical data and use SPSS outputs cohesively and logically in work.
Analysis of quantitative data is good and there is reasonable evidence of linking to wider social scientific literature, though this is not always consistent or relies on basic level and/or limited range of material which are not always well integrated.
consistently well- developed ability to link SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
well-developed understanding of statistical analysis, evidence of a well- developed ability to analyse data and use SPSS outputs cohesively and logically in work.
Analysis of quantitative data is very good and there is solid evidence of consistent linking to wider social scientific literature, showing evidence of breadth of appropriate material and well integrated discussion.
consistently sophisticated ability to link SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
sophisticated understanding of statistical analysis, evidence of a sophisticated ability to analyse data and use SPSS outputs cohesively and logically in work.
Analysis of quantitative data is excellent and there is very good evidence of linking to wider social scientific literature, which is achieved in a sophisticated and consistent manner, using breadth of high quality appropriate material and well integrated arguments.
highly accomplished ability to link SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
highly accomplished understanding of statistical analysis, evidence of a highly accomplished ability to analyse data and use SPSS outputs cohesively and logically in work.
Analysis of quantitative data is outstanding and there is excellent evidence of linking to a wide breadth of high quality social scientific literature, which is achieved in a way that is sophisticated, consistent. displays original insight and well integrated analysis.
exceptionally accomplished ability to link SPSS outputs with wider literature on the chosen topic
exceptionally accomplished understanding of statistical analysis, evidence of exceptionally accomplished ability to analyse data and use SPSS outputs cohesively and logically in work.
0-29 (F)
Fail
Not successful
30-39 (E)
Marginal fail Below required standard
40-49 (D)
Pass Satisfactory
50-59 (C)
Pass Good
60-69 (B)
Pass Very Good
70-79 (A)
Pass Excellent
80-100 (A+)
Pass Outstanding
Critically evaluate and assess epistemological positions, research design and ethical issues in relation to social scientific research.
A very poor level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated, no critical understanding is evident
presentation of findings is not clear or effective, and/or gathering, processing and interpretation of data ineffective and/or incomplete.
limited/no attempt to link own research to the wider literature on research methods
An inadequate level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated, limited critical understanding is evident
presentation of findings is often not clear or effective, and/or gathering, processing and interpretation of data is substantially ineffective and/or inefficient.
basic attempt to link to link own research to wider literature on research methods
A satisfactory level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated, partial critical understanding is evident but not consistently conveyed
present findings in clear and appropriate formats, and gather, process and interpret data in a predominantly efficient and effective manner.
sufficient attempt to link own work to wider literature on research methods
A reasonable level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated, critical understanding is evident but not consistently conveyed throughout
consistently present findings in clear and appropriate formats, and gather, process and interpret data in an efficient and effective manner.
well-developed attempt to link own work to wider literature on research methods
A very good level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated, critical understanding is evident and is consistently conveyed
consistently present findings in detailed, clear and appropriate formats, and gather, process and interpret data in a consistently efficient and effective manner.
Sophisticated attempt to link own work to wider literature on research methods
An excellent level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated in a sophisticated and consistent manner
consistently present findings perceptively, convincingly and appropriately and in a wide range of appropriate formats, and gather, process and interpret a wide range of data in a highly consistent, efficient and effective manner.
highly accomplished attempt to link own research to wider literature on research methods
An outstanding level of understanding and knowledge of methodological issues is demonstrated, which are sophisticated, consistent and display original insight.
consistently present findings perceptively, authoritatively and appropriately and in a wide range of appropriate formats, and gather, process and interpret a very wide range of data in an exceptionally consistent, efficient and