4.1 Individual Assignment
Word length: 1000 words
Format: Research Plan
1. Select an overall topic area that you wish to explore. Give a description of the topic and the
particular area in which you are interested. You will need to refer to a minimum of 2 other
sources on this topic – these should be in addition to the 3 used in point 4, below.
(200-250 words)
2. Write 2 to 3 research objectives for a study that you may wish to conduct. Discuss how your
objectives will add to the current knowledge on the topic.
(100-150 words)
3. Describe the overall approach you would take for this research and justify your choice.
(200-250 words)
4. Find three academic sources on your topic (two must be peer reviewed journal articles and
the other may be another journal article, a text book or a major report). Write a short critical
review of the three items.
In this section you should also comment on:
• the methods used to collect the data;
• the overall approach; and
• how you would change or develop the methods
(400-500 words)
Please note the word counts above are suggestions, however they indicate where you need to
focus your work.
Presentation requirements
References this is very important
You must have a combination of texts, academic peer reviewed journal articles etc., and a
maximum of one student text. You may also use the popular media, (eg the internet,
newspapers) but remember those sources are often opinionated and unreliable. Wikipedia or
other websites with no recognisable or academically acceptable author are not
acceptable. Overall you should have a minimum of 5 different sources and you must include
at least three peer reviewed journal articles. The more journal articles, and the higher quality
sources you use, the more impressive your paper will be.