ICT 651 Research Methods in IT Assessment 3

Research Proposal (Individual Assessment)

Weightage: 40%

1. Assignment

Write a research proposal on any of the topic below:

1. How AI-Powered Tutoring Tools Influence Student Learning Outcomes in Universities
2. The Effects of Short-Form Video Platforms (e.g., TikTok/Reels) on Teen Attention and Wellbeing
3. Impact of Wearable Health Devices on Patient Self-Management and Preventive Care
4. How Generative AI Tools Affect Academic Integrity and Assessment Practices in Higher Education
5. The Influence of Online Multiplayer Gaming on Children's Social Skills and Behaviour
6. Effects of Digital Learning Platforms on Student Motivation and Engagement in Secondary Schools
7. Impact of Smartphone Notifications on Productivity and Stress Levels Among University Students
8. How Telehealth Services Change Access, Cost, and Quality of Healthcare for Rural Communities
9. The Role of Social Media Algorithms in Shaping Body Image and Self-Esteem in Adolescents
10. Effects of Extended Remote Learning on Child Cognitive and Emotional Development

2. Learning Outcomes

• Analyze and evaluate research methods in IT projects, adhering to principles of good practice.
• Critically review, analyze and synthesize relevant literature in an area of IT.
• Exhibit advanced written and verbal communication skills relevant to the planning, proposal, design, and presentation of a written or verbal research project.
• Investigate socio-cultural and technical issues affecting project success, recommending potential solutions.
• Advocate research ethics in conducting and reporting research, ensuring integrity, and avoiding harm.

3. Submission Details

This is an individual assignment. You must discuss and finalize the chosen topic with the instructor. Do not start working on the assignment before taking approval from the instructor.

The report is to be submitted in a word or pdf format. The assessment carries 40% weightage. 30% marks are for the report and 10% marks for the in class presentation or the Q/A session as arranged by the lecturer. The length of the report should be between 2500 and 3000 words. The word count does not include the title page, table of contents and list of references. The similarity index of your report should be less than 20%. The deadline for submission of the report is midnight on before the class of week 12. The report must be uploaded via the Turnitin links provided on the Moodle before the deadline. Do not cut and paste from the internet or from AI tools including ChatGPT.

The proposal is evaluated based on two components:

• Written Report: This accounts for 30% of the total marks.
• Presentation and Q&A Session: This component, accounting for 10% of the total marks, requires students to present their research and participate in a discussion or Q&A session, as per the lecturer's arrangements.

Attendance Requirement:
Students who fail to participate in the presentation or the Q&A session will receive a score of 0 for the 10% allocated to this component.

4. Structure of the Report

Title Page
The title page of your report must contain:

• The title of the report (make the title as informative as possible)
• Who the report is prepared for
• Who it is prepared by
• The date the report is submitted

Abstract
It should be between 200 – 300 words long (tip: write the abstract last)

Introduction
This section should include the following,

• The research problem and its importance
• Brief Literature Review
• Research Motivation
• Research Objectives/Questions
• Research Methodology used.
• Contributions
• Organization of the report

Theory Base
In this section, you will provide the theoretical background of your research topic. All key theories related to your research topic can be explained here.

Literature Review
In this section, you should critically evaluate, and synthesize latest articles related to your research topic. At least eight key articles are needed in this section.

Research Aims, Objectives and Questions
You should clearly discuss your aims and objectives in this section. Research questions should be clearly mentioned here. Hypothesis can also be mentioned here, if used.

Research Methodology
Your research methodology is discussed in this section. This will consist of type of research design, population, sample, participants, data collection instruments e.g. survey questionnaire etc. Attach the survey questionnaire in the appendix at the end of the report.

Project Timeline
Explain the key deadlines of major milestones of your research by making a Gannt chart.

Anticipated Ethical Issues
All ethical issues related to your research should be discussed here. Informed consent form should be attached in the appendix at the end of the report.

Conclusions
Conclude your work by providing a summary of your work.

References
You must use correct APA (7th edition) for referencing various academic resources that you have used to write this report. Your references should enable someone reading your report to easily identify and refer to any works you have used. At least 10 recent and relevant academic resources (i.e. peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers etc.) are needed in the report.

Grading Rubric for the Report

Total Marks = 100

Abstract, Introduction and Conclusions (25 marks)

Abstract (5 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Clearly explains all key aims, objectives and content of the report

Distinction (75-84%)
Explains key aims, objectives and content of the report with minor errors and/or minor omissions

Credit (65-74%)
Explains the key aims, objectives and content of the report with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Explains key aims, objectives and content of the report with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Explanation has major errors and omissions

Introduction (15 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Clearly explains the background and other key details of the research topic

Distinction (75-84%)
Explains the background and key details of the chosen research topic with minor errors and/or minor missions

Credit (65-74%)
Explains the background and key details of the chosen research topic with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Explains the background and key details of the chosen research topic with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Explanation has major errors and omissions

Conclusions (5 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Clearly summarizes key results of the report

Distinction (75-84%)
Summarizes key results of the report with minor errors and/or minor missions

Credit (65-74%)
Summarizes key results of the report with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Summarizes key results of the report with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Summarization has major errors and omissions

Main Body (75 marks)

Theory Base (10 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Clearly explains the key theories related to the research topic.

Distinction (75-84%)
Clearly explains the key theories related to the research topic with minor errors and/or omissions.

Credit (65-74%)
Explains the key theories related to the research topic with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Explains the key theories related to the research topic with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Explanation has major errors and omissions

Literature Review (15 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Clearly summarizes and critically evaluates key articles related to the research topic.

Distinction (75-84%)
Clearly summarizes and critically evaluates key articles related to the research topic with minor errors and/or omissions.

Credit (65-74%)
Summarizes and critically evaluates key articles related to the research topic with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Summarizes and critically evaluates key articles related to the research topic with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Summarization and critical evaluation of articles have major errors and omissions

Research Aims, Objectives and Questions (10 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Research aims, objectives and questions are clearly explained.

Distinction (75-84%)
Research aims, objectives and questions are clearly explained with minor errors and/or omissions

Credit (65-74%)
Research aims, objectives and questions are explained with one major error and/or one major omission.

Pass (50-64%)
Research aims, objectives and questions are explained with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Research aims, objectives and questions are not explained and have major errors and omissions

Research Methodology (15 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Research Methodology used is clearly explained

Distinction (75-84%)
Research Methodology used is clearly explained with minor errors and/or omissions

Credit (65-74%)
Research Methodology used is explained with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Research Methodology used is explained with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Research Methodology used is explained with major errors and omissions

Project Timeline (5 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Project Timeline clearly explains the deadlines of various milestones

Distinction (75-84%)
Project Timeline clearly explains deadlines of various milestones with minor errors and/or omissions

Credit (65-74%)
Project Timeline explains deadlines of various milestones with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Project Timeline explains deadlines of various milestones with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Project Timeline poorly explains the deadlines.

Ethical Issues (15 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
Ethical issues related to the research are clearly explained.

Distinction (75-84%)
Ethical issues related to the research are clearly explained. with minor errors and/or omissions

Credit (65-74%)
Ethical issues related to the research are explained with one major error and/or one major omission

Pass (50-64%)
Ethical issues related to the research are explained with more than one major error and/or more than one major omission

Fail (0-49%)
Ethical issues related to the research are poorly explained.

References (5 marks)

High Distinction (85- 100%)
At least ten peer reviewed academic resources are used with all of them in proper APA format.

Distinction (75-84%)
At least ten peer reviewed academic resources are used but few are not in proper APA format.

Credit (65-74%)
At least ten academic resources are used. Few of them are not peer reviewed and are not in proper APA format.

Pass (50-64%)
Less than ten academic resources are used. Most of them are not peer reviewed and/or are not in proper APA format.

Fail (0-49%)
Less than ten academic resources are used. They are not peer reviewed and are not in proper APA format.

Late Submission

No late submit on time 0 marks
1 Day late -10 points
2 Days late -20 points
3 days late – 30 points
4 – 5 days late – 40 0or – 50 points

Grading Rubric for the in-Class Presentation/ Q&A Session

Total Marks = 10

In Class presentation or Q&A session (10 marks)

High Distinction (85-100%)
Engaging and confident, captivating the audience. Able to answer all the question asked, with excellent understanding and learning outcome achieve.

Distinction (75-84%)
Confident delivery with strong engagement. Able to answer all questions with clarity and depth, demonstrating solid understanding.

Credit (65-74%)
Moderate engagement. Answers most questions accurately and shows a reasonable understanding of the submitted work.

Pass (50-64%)
Limited engagement and confidence. Requires report/ presentation slide or refers frequently to report/slides when answering. Demonstrates basic understanding.

Fail (0-49%)
Lacks engagement, coherence, did not attend the session or lack of idea about part of the submitted content.