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Assessment Task 2: Part B: Research Proposal Due Date: May 31 2021, 11.59pm Word Limit: 2500 words (+/- 10%) Value: 50% Students are required to write a research proposal that consists of the following sections: TitleIntroduction/backgroundResearch question/sResearch aimsConceptsLiterature reviewMethodologyEthical considerationsReference list Title The title of the research proposal should sum up the focus of the research in a clear and succinct way. Try to keep it simple and precise: titles should “convey as much information as possible in as few words as possible” (Punch, 2000, p. 69). Introduction/background After stating the title of the research project, your proposal needs to begin with an introduction that provides a concise overview of the research that is being undertaken as well as some background information on the research. Research question/s This section should articulate the main focus of the research topic in the form of questions (Natalier, 2013, p. 26). Research questions need to incorporate the key ideas that the research seeks to address as well as the key concepts underpinning the research (Natalier, 2013, p. 26). Depending on your research topic, you may be required to formulate one research question or a series of research questions. Research aims Your research proposal should provide an overview of the aims of the research. Your aims should explain the reasons and motivations as to why you are undertaking your research as well as what you are hoping to achieve (Natalier, 2013, p. 28). Concepts Students will also be required to break down and de?ne the key concepts in their research. For example, if your research question is “Is smoking during pregnancy more common among teenage than older mothers?”, you will need to de?ne the concepts of ‘smoking’, ‘pregnancy’, ‘teenage mothers’, and ‘older mothers’ (Natalier, 2013, p. 39). As well as de?ning concepts, students will also be required to consider any variables pertaining to these concepts. Literature review The function of the literature review is to critically analyse the available literature relating to your area of study/research focus. When applicable, consider including the following information: The philosophical or ideological issues relating to the topicThe major theories pertaining to the topicThe main issues or problems in this area of studyThe main ?ndings relating to the topicGaps in existing studiesWhere your own research ?ts within the broader literature Note that these questions are a general guide to what information you should include in your literature review. Not all these questions will necessarily be applicable to the sources you are reviewing. The literature review should have be a minimum of 800 words and a maximum of 900 words. Note too that you are required to write your literature review in paragraph form: do not use these questions as subtitles. It is, nonetheless, a good idea to extract themes from the literature and use these as subtitles. Methodology A research methodology is comprised of the researchers’ standpoint, theoretical framework, and research method/s (Walter, 2013, p. 10). Accordingly, this section of your research proposal should address the following: Standpoint In writing your methodology, it is important to take into account your standpoint as a researcher. A standpoint is “[t]he way we see the world and our position within it in relation to others and society” (Walter, 2013, p. 11). Our lived experiences and personal identity impact how we approach our research. For example, female researchers will have a di?erent worldview than male researchers and Indigenous researchers will have a di?erent standpoint to non-Indigenous researchers (Walter, 2013, p. 11). Theoretical framework The second element of a methodology is an overview of the theoretical framework that the research will be utilising. A theoretical framework is a “theoretical map” that determines how you will conceptualise, analyse and interpret the data to answer your research questions (Walter, 2013, p. 16). For example, you might choose to conceptualise your research through a functionalist, interpretivist, feminist, postmodernist, or Marxist lens. Method/s Your methodology also needs to discuss the proposed method/s that will be utilised for your research and how these methods will be used. Research methods, as Walter (2013) explains, refer to “technique[s] for gathering information, such as an interview, questionnaire, or documentary analysis” (p. 10). Research methods can be either quantitative (statistical) or qualitative (interpretative). For research focused on “what?” and “how many?” questions, a quantitative method will be of most use (Ezzy, 2013, p. 55). Research questions that are centered on questions of meaning will bene?t from a qualitative method (Ezzy, 2013, p. 56). You might ?nd that a mixed method approach might be bene?cial if your research consists of a combination of these kinds of questions. Ethicalconsiderations In this section, you will be required to outline the ethical implications of your research and how you intend on dealing with them. For example, if you are conducting interviews with vulnerable people, you will need to consider the potential for psychological harm and how you plan on addressing this as a researcher. The ethical considerations should be a minimum of 450 words and a maximum of 500 words. Reference list You will be required to include a reference list that cites the source

s included in your proposal in adherence to the conventions of APA. Assessment 3: Research Proposal Fail: 0-49Pass 50-59Credit 60-69Distinction 70-79High Distinction 80-100Formulation of clear andResearch topic andResearch topic andResearch topic andClearly articulatesClearly articulatesappropriate researchquestion/s are lacking inquestion/s are relativelyquestion/s are clear,strong and appropriatestrong and appropriatetopic, question/s, andclarity and areclear and appropriate inappropriate, andresearch topic andresearch topic andaimsinappropriate in contentcontent and scope. Thesuitable in scope. Thequestion/s that arequestion/s which are(10%)and scope. Question/squestion/s do notquestion/s cover most ofsuitable in content andsuitable in content anddo not incorporate orexhaust the key ideasthe key ideas andscope. The question/sscope. 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SomeAnalysis is present, andanalysis is strong, and(30%)to the research topic.the topic, but thepreliminary analysis issources have beeneach source has beenLow level researchresponse is overlypresent, but thelinked back to theexplicitly linked back toskills, relying on non-descriptive and lackingresponse is largelyresearch topic, but therethe research topic.academic sources (e.g.in analysis.descriptive and furtherare some gaps in termsextensive use ofPreliminary reflection onanalysis is required.of justification.Wikipedia and web-the applicability of theSources have beenbased opinion pieces).sources to the researchlinked back to thetopic has been provided.research topic, butfurther justificationwould improve theresponse.Critical awareness ofUnsatisfactory reflectionContains someCritically reflects onCritically reflects onCritically andethical considerationsof ethical considerationsreflection on ethicalethical considerations ofethical concerns ofthoughtfully reflects oneffecting the proposedpertinent to theconsiderations of thethe proposed research,proposed research andethical concerns ofresearch (20%)proposed research.proposed research andas well as how theseoffers a good responseproposed research andDoes not outline howa preliminary outline ofconcerns will beto how these will beoffers an excellentthese concerns will behow these concerns willaddressed, with someaddressed.response to how theseaddressed.be addressed is offered.gaps remaining.will be addressed.Clarity of expressionPervasive errors withIssues with spelling,A few issues withIndicates a recognitionPresents advanced(15%)spelling, grammar andgrammar, punctuation,spelling, grammar, andof academic register inskills in academicpunctuation. 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