Research Methods: PG Dip IDM (September 2022)
Lecturer: Dr M Waseem Akhtar
Assignment 1 (40% of the overall module)
Research Paper
You are required to write a research paper that is not less than 1200 words and not more than 1400 words (excluding title and references). The purpose of this paper is to engage you an in-depth research project – employing critical thinking – in the field of emerging disruptive innovations (technologies and products), their impact and the relevant future trends. As part of this assignment, you are required to do literature review and are required to present your own / original views.
As discussed in the first few weeks in-class discussions, this is a broad field in which many exciting developments are occurring. The topic selection is up to you; however, it should be in line with our in-class discussions. Be creative in your approach to your topic. If you are unsure, or have a question or need to further discuss this, please drop me an e mail.
Organize and format your paper carefully. Please give an abstract at the beginning. Include an introduction with a clear description of “what” is your topic. Do include the details that “why” you have selected this topic (motivation); discuss in detail the origin, history and impact of the selected technology, and the future trends. Along with the information gathered as part of the literature review and from your research, there should be a recognizable element of your original thoughts and views. Connect your ideas together with good transitions from paragraph to paragraph. Write clearly and proofread carefully. At the end of the conclusion section, and before the bibliography, please indicate the word-count. Following is a suggested outline:
Title of the Paper
Author’s details (name, organization, e mail)
Abstract
I. Introduction to the topic
– What is the technology under discussion?
– Why is it an important topic at this time?
(Is it currently a hot topic? Has it been a hot topic for some time? Is it a new technology / product that has just come on the scene? Do give information from the literature review and highlight your take on this. Make it sound interesting.)
– Give the reader an idea what this paper is about and how it is structured by stating: “This paper will…” and “next section presents…, section xx discusses …… then concluding remarks are presented in section ….”.
II. Historical perspective on the topic
– What did your extensive research / literature review reveal about this topic?
– Where did this topic/technology/idea originate, and what is its history?
– Organize your review of the info so that you address several topics in an orderly fashion.
– Try to address the issue from both the consumers’/users’ and the producers’/developers’ point of view.
III. Current perspectives on the topic
– What is going on right now with this issue/topic?
– Why should we be interested in this topic today?
– What are the positions of the competing interests?
– What are the forecasts for the future of the relevant technologies?
Make a case for the disruption that this Technoloy is / will cause.
IV. Conclusion
– Brief restatement of the ideas and opinions presented
– Brief summary of what you found, and why it is important to study it
References List / Bibliography
You can certainly use the Internet for your research, but remember that it is sometimes difficult to determine the credibility of the information on a website. Carefully cite the credible sources – books, academic, conference and journal papers and articles, and technical documents – by using a standard referencing systems (Harvard Referencing Systems is recommended). You must use at least 22 credible sources in writing your paper – more would be better. Please provide the word count of the paper at the end of the conclusion section.
Formatting guidelines:
Title: Use Calibri Font, size 14 bold
Name & Organization: use Calibri Font, Size 12 bold
E mail: Font Lucinda Console, size 12
Abstract: Calibri Italic size 11, single line spacing
All body text Calibri size 11, single line spacing
Section Heading: Calibri size 12 bold
Note:
● One of the main objectives of this assignment is to assess your ability to conduct literature review. That is why, intext referencing & citations and a relevant bibliogrpahy are an essential part of this assessment. Make sure you complete three checks outlined in the brief.
● Outline to perform self-assessment of your paper are provided in this brief and discussed in the class. You are required to compete this form and submit it with the assignment.
● You have to write a brief reflective statement (400 words) about your paper evaluating it against the Universal Intellectual Standards.
● You are required to pass it through “Turn-it-in” on the Moodle and make sure that the similarity index is less than 30.
● There will be two links on Moodle.
● RM Assignment 1: Turn-it-in Link
● Use this link to pass your writeup through Turn-it-in to check similarity index. Clearly specify this similarity index at the end of your paper.
● RM Assignment 1: Final Submission Link
● Use this link to submit the final assignment document. Please submit one document file that must include assignment submission sheet, research paper with bibliography, self-assessment and reflective statement, preferably in MS Word format; however, PDF files acceptable as well. Clearly specify final Turn-it-in similarity index just after conclusion at the end of your paper, and in the self-assessment section
● PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT ZIPPED FILES.
Research Methods
Assignment 1 (Research Paper)
Self-Assessment sheet
No
Category
Marks Allocated
Marks Obtained
Comments (justify the marks)
1
Clarity
(Idea)
10
5
2
Accuracy
10
3
Precision
10
4
Relevance
5
5
Depth
20
6
Breadth
20
7
Logic
10
8
Significance
5
9
Fairness
5
10
Total
100
11
Turn-it-in Similarity Index
Check
Check Details
Yes / No
Comments
Check-1
Intext Referencing / Citations
Check-2
Bibliography
Check-3
Intext Referencing Matches Bibliography
Check-4
Reflective Statement
