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Level 5 BEng/BSc/FD/HND Reseach Project Assignment

This document contains an assignments for guiding project supervisors and their students through a research project at penultimate year bachelors degree level or in the final year of a HND or foundation degree. The project is weighted at 15 credits A set of descriptors are used to guide grading criteria.

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In this module you will carry out an individual research project on an area that is compatible with your stream of study but beyond the taught syllabus. Thi is the only assignment for the Minor Research Project module. A guide to carrying out this research project is available. Please read it. The research can be continued in the honours year to form the final year project. Tasks 1. Choose a topic within the cognate area of the stream that you are studying that is not covered elsewhere within the syllabus. The topic may be linked to an area of the taught syllabus, in which case the investigation must extend your knowledge significantly beyond the material gathered in lectures and normal reading. Please see the list of ideas submitted by staff. 2. Send a proposal for your research to the module leader, stating also your stream of study. You should be informed within about 1 week as to whether it is acceptable or whether it requires modification. Once accepted you will be allocated one of more supervisors from the staff of the department. 3. Carry out research into the topic. 4. Write a formal written project report on your findings. 5. Give an audio-visual presentation of your research to staff and peers. Submission Requirements Hand in a report and keep a copy of the report. Give a presentation to staff and peers.

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Grading Criteria (max mark 100)

Outline Study and Literature Survey [25] 10-13: Demonstrate a capacity to research topics within the body of published literature or through your own investigation or enquiry. Demonstrate that you have researched material from at least one of each of the following sources. Written material Website 14-17: References are compatable with the general purpose of the report. Citations are correct and follow an appropriate style. Your report should contain (at least) ONE of the following: Transcript of discussion with an expert1 Carry out a survey Carried out a case study A personal investigation A reasoned argument of your own. 18-25: Sufficient background research in the topic of your choice, giving rise to a confident report. References correctly support text of report. Formal written project report [50] 20-27: Critically evaluate and select material relevant to the research topic and report findings in the form of an academic report. Report is in your own words, following a uniform style.Topic is within the curriculum area but outside the taught syllabus at Ordinary Degree level at ELIHE. 28-34: Assertions are generally supported by references, survey, enquiry or investigation. Findings are reported in an accurate and balanced way. The report should be substantially technically accurate in terms of use of diagrams and language as well as spelling and grammar. Report is securely bound. 35-50: Research topic is interesting. Research information should be from a range of sources so that you can be sure of the validity and completeness of your work. Your findings may have influenced the original course of your research and this should be demonstrated. Valid conclusions should have been drawn from your work. The report should be technically accurate in the use of diagrams and language, spelling and grammar. Report is well-focussed and concise. Text of report is correctly supported by detailed references. Audio-visual presentation to staff and peers [25] 10-13: Effectively communicate findings in a presentation. 14-17: As above but also acceptable use of visual aids and/or use of language and answering questions. Answer questions effectively. 18-25 As above but excellent use of visual aids and/or use of language and answering questions. Prepared presentation lasts no more than 15 minutes. Give clear, concise and correct answers to questions.

Mark

/25

/50

/25

1For

the purposes of this work an expert is someone who can be identified as having more knowledge of the topic than you at the outset.