IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

Research Practice
REPR7312
MODULE OUTLINE 2018
(First Edition: 2017)

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of 1978, no part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
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Table of Contents

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3
Using this Module Outline........................................................................................................................ 5
This Module on Learn .............................................................................................................................. 6
Icons Used in this Document and on Learn .............................................................................................. 7
Module Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 9
Module Outcomes ................................................................................................................................... 9
Module Pacer......................................................................................................................................... 13
Glossary of Key Terms for this Module ................................................................................................... 24

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Introduction

As discussed in du Plooy-Cilliers, Davis and Bezuidenhout (2014, p.10), research is a cyclical progression
and involves a structured and systematic process whereby research is undertaken on a topic or problem
that the researcher finds interesting. The aim of this module is for you to develop and complete a
research proposal of your own on a topic of your choice. Designing and planning a research study
involves selecting a researchable, significant topic and then preparing a well-developed research
proposal which will guide you through the research process.

This research proposal should not just be seen as a means to an end. You need to acknowledge that by
planning your own research project, you are effectively testing your ability as a researcher and
demonstrating your skill at one day conducting a practical, real-world research study.

This module on Research Practice will enable you to add a practical element to the theoretical work
you studied in your first semester and allow you to gain a better holistic picture of the research process.
Since this module is a co-requisite to INRS7311 (Introduction to Research) it is important for you to
familiarise yourself with the theory you learnt in the first semester. You also have the option of
expanding on the research topic developed for INRS7311 within this module. Your lecturer will provide
you with practical assistance and guidance and will therefore act more as a facilitator and supervisor as
opposed to a lecturer that gives structured theoretical lectures.

This module is unlike any of your other modules that you have come across within your degree thus
far. You therefore need to be prepared for a major mind shift in terms of how this module is presented
and what is required from you.

The main reason for this vast difference is the fact that the module is practical your final assessment
will be your specific research proposal that you will work on and research throughout the semester.
You will thus not have any tests or ICE tasks to complete. This in no way suggests that this is an ‘easy’
module. Far from it in fact. You will have various deadlines throughout the semester to meet whereby
you will submit sections of your proposal for marking. The marks for the different sections will be final
and will accumulate throughout the semester to culminate in your module mark. The responsibility is
therefore on you to ensure that you work consistently and deliver material that you can be proud of.

What is expected of you?

As a research student, you are expected to have an enquiring mind – you need to question issues and
ideas that interest you and that make you open to new ways of thinking.

This module requires that you put together a detailed plan for an entire research project which you will
present as a research proposal. You are NOT required to actually conduct the research – you are only
submitting the proposal as if you were planning to conduct the research. Your research proposal will
therefore contain all the key elements that would be involved in conducting a complete research study.
You therefore need to be meticulous, systematic, and logical in how you go about developing and

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presenting your research proposal. The major challenge for this module is that the research you will
conduct at every step of the research process is directly or indirectly linked to the theoretical concepts
you learned about in your first semester. Thus, if you are a bit wary or uncertain of some of these
concepts you will have to revise them accordingly. As mentioned, there are no theoretical lectures for
this module; it is practical based and your lecturer basically serves as a facilitator and supervisor and
will guide you through the research process and ensure you are on track with your research.

It is also vital that you adhere to the deadlines given – these dates are essentially taking the place of
your formative assessment dates. So, for example, the date of the final submission of your Research
Proposal must be seen just as an exam date would be seen – you cannot miss this date nor hand your
Research Proposal in late - that would be the equivalent of missing your final examination!

The first step in studying this module is that you need to familiarise yourself with all the content. To do
this, begin by reading through this entire Module Outline and acquaint yourself with the content, the
requirements for your Research Proposal and terminology. You will also need to study the relevant
material in the prescribed textbook that relates to the sections that need to be researched and
discussed in your research proposal. Ultimately, you need to hand in and deliver a research proposal
that is coherent and holistic and demonstrates how you have developed your chosen topic into
something that could be researched and conceptualised, and which is also feasible and relevant to your
field of study.

The Research Proposal

According to Labaree (2013) the goal of a research proposal is to present and justify a research idea
you may have on a particular topic and explain practical ways in which you plan to conduct the research.
While different researchers may follow a different format or structure when presenting a research
proposal, all research proposals will include a detailed discussion of the topic and the reason it should
be researched, a literature review on the topic, a thorough discussion of the research design that will
be followed, and concluding remarks on the possible contribution of and limitations to the research
study.

As you will by now be aware, conducting a research study will be extremely labour-intensive and time-
consuming. It should not be seen as something you just begin without proper planning beforehand. The
plan that you develop is known as a research proposal and it will provide you with the direction of your
research, help you refine your thinking and make you aware of all the details that must be covered in
the research process (du Plooy-Cilliers et al, 2014, p. 283). Your research proposal will include clear,
logical, and detailed steps that you intend to follow in order to complete your research study.

Before beginning work on your own research proposal, you need to consult chapter 20 of the textbook
(pp. 282-293) to familiarise yourself with the structure and requirements of a research proposal. The
headings that you will need to cover are slightly different from those used in the textbook but the
overall format is the same.

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Using this Module Outline

This module outline has been developed to support your learning. Please note that the content
of this module is on Learn as well as in the prescribed material. You will not succeed in this
module if you focus on this document alone.

 This document does not reflect all the content on Learn, the links to difference resources,
nor the specific instructions for the group and individual activities.
 Your lecturer will decide when activities are available/open for submission and when
these submissions or contributions are due. Ensure that you take note of
announcements made during lectures and/or posted within Learn in this regard.

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This Module on Learn

Learn is an online space, designed to support and maximise your learning in an active
manner. Its main purpose is to guide and pace you through the module. In addition to the
information provided in this document, you will find the following when you access Learn:

 A Module Pacer;
 An assessment brief;
 A list of prescribed material;
 A variety of additional online resources (articles, videos, audio, interactive graphics, etc.)
in each learning unit that will further help to explain theoretical concepts;
 Critical questions to guide you through the module’s objectives;
 Collaborative and individual activities (all of which are gradable) with time-on-task
estimates to assist you in managing your time around these;

Kindly note:
 Unless you are completing this as a distance module, Learn does not replace your contact
time with your lecturers and/or tutors.
 REPR7312 is a Learn module, and as such, you are required to engage extensively with
the content on the Learn platform. Effective use of this tool will provide you with
opportunities to discuss, debate, and consolidate your understanding of the content
presented in this module.
 You are expected to work through the learning units on Learn in your own time –
especially before class. Any contact sessions will therefore be used to raise and address
any questions or interesting points with your lecturer, and not to cover every aspect of
this module.
 Your lecturer will communicate submission dates for specific activities in class and/or on
Learn.

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Icons Used in this Document and on Learn

The following icons are used in all your modules on Learn:

Icon Description

A list of what you should be able to do after working through the learning
unit.

Specific references to sections in the prescribed work.

Questions to help you recognise or think about theoretical concepts to be

covered.

Sections where you get to grapple with the content/ theory. This is mainly
presented in the form of questions which focus your attention and are aimed
at helping you to understand the content better. You will be presented with
online resources to work through (in addition to the textbook or manual
references) and find some of the answers to the questions posed.

Opportunities to make connections between different chunks of theory in the

module or to real life.

Real life or world of work information or examples of application of theory,

using online resources for self-exploration.

You need to log onto Learn to:

 Access online resources such as articles, interactive graphics,
explanations, video clips, etc. which will assist you in mastering the
content; and
 View instructions and submit or post your contributions to individual or
group activities which are managed and tracked on Learn.

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Module Resources
Prescribed Material (PM) for Du Plooy-Cilliers, F, Davis, C. and Bezuidenhout, R. 2014.
this Module Research Matters. Claremont: Juta and Company Ltd.
ISBN: 978-1-48510-201-4
Recommended Readings, Please note that a number of additional resources and links
Digital, and Web Resources to resources are provided throughout this module on the
Learn platform. You are encouraged to engage with these
as they will assist you in mastering the various objectives of
this module. They may also be useful resources for
completing any assignments. You will not, however, be
assessed under examination conditions on any additional
or recommended reading material.
Module Overview You will find an overview of this module on Learn under
the Module Information link in the Course Menu.
Assessments Find more information on this module’s assessments in
this document and on the Student Portal.

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Module Purpose
This module provides the opportunity for third year students to conduct a literature study
on a given topic in a relevant field of study, to devise data collection instruments and
procedures, to analyse data, and to compile a basic research proposal.
Module Outcomes
MO1 Critically reflect on a relevant research problem in order to create a research
proposal to solve the problem.
MO2 Devise data collection instruments and procedures for analysing and evaluating
data for a research project in a relevant field of study.
MO3 Write a well-argued, critical review on the research literature associated with a
particular topic.

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Assessments

Assessment Structure
Portfolio of evidence in the form of a Research Proposal and a measurement instrument.
There are four submissions throughout the semester. The first three submissions are parts
of the research proposal. Once these are marked, each submission will be returned to you
with feedback that you can, if you choose, incorporate into your final submission. The fourth
and final submission will be the completed research proposal that includes each of the
previous submissions as well as the remaining sections and conclusion. Each submission
contributes to your semester mark and will be assessed as follows:

Formatives Submission 1 Submission 2 Submission 3

Description Introduction Literature Review Research paradigm,
design,
questionnaire and
data analysis
method
Weighting 15% 15% 40%
Total marks 35 marks 35 marks 80 marks
Due date 3 weeks from the 6 weeks from the 10 weeks from the
start of the semester start of the start of the
semester semester
Submit after LU 1 LU 2 LU3
Resources required Additional research Additional research Additional research
required required required

Summative Submission 4
Description Completed research proposal: including all sections listed in the
Portfolio of Evidence checklist
Weighting 30%
Duration 12 weeks from the start of the semester
Total marks 200
Resources required None
Learning Units covered All

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Assessment Preparation Guidelines

Format of the Preparation Hints
Assessment
Submission 1: Introduction
Research proposal Ensure the following sections are complete:
written using  State the research title. (5)
academic tone and  Discuss the background to your research proposal. (10)
style and referenced  State the research problem/ issue. (5)
appropriately.  Motivate the relevance of your research proposal to your field
of study. (5)
 State the research question. (5)
 Discuss the objectives of the research study if qualitative (5) OR
state the research hypotheses if quantitative. (5)

Submission 2: Literature review

Research proposal Ensure the following sections are complete:
written using  Explain your theoretical approach. (10)
academic tone and  Discussion of previous literature and application to your
style and referenced research topic. (15)
appropriately.  Conceptualisation of key terms. (10)

Submission 3: Research paradigm, design, questionnaire and data analysis methods

Research proposal Ensure the following sections are complete:
written using  Discuss the research paradigm and design. (10)
academic tone and  Discussion of units of analysis, target and accessible population,
style and referenced and population parameters/ characteristics. (10)
appropriately.  Discuss probability or non-probability sampling, sampling
method and sample size. (15)
 Explain the data collection method. (20)
 Questionnaire to be developed and submitted. (10)
 Explain the data analysis procedures. (15)

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Final submission: Completed research proposal

Research proposal Ensure the following sections are complete:
written using  Resubmission of introduction; (35)
academic tone and  Resubmission of literature review; (35) and
style and referenced  Resubmission of research methodology. (80)
appropriately. And then:
 Explain the validity, reliability and/ or trustworthiness of the
research. (10)
 Discuss ethical considerations and possible limitations of the
research study. (10)
 Discussion of the anticipated contribution of the research study.
(10)
 Consult checklist and ensure you adhere to layout/ format
requirements and include all the necessary sections. Pay
attention to your spelling and grammar and referencing. (20)

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Module Pacer
Code Programme Contact Sessions Credits
REPR7312 BACC3; BAG3; BASB3; BBB3; BBSC3; 41
BCD3; BCEC3; BCM3; BCSM3; BDI3;
BDM3; BM3; BPD3
REPR7312f BBA3f 41
REPR7312p BCM3p; BDM3p; BM3p; BPD3p; 41 15
BSB3p
REPR7312e BBA3e 41
REPR7312d BBA3d; BPD3d; BSC3d 37
REPR7312w BBA3w; BM3w; BPD3w; BSC3w 12 weeks
Learning Unit 1 Research Proposal Introduction
Overview:

This Research Practice module is unlike the other modules you have encountered thus far.
Your lecturer will be the facilitator and supervisor guiding you through the research process.
The format that this will take will be discussed with you in class. Your lecturer will be
facilitating the overview and discussion of the research process, but it will be up to you to
contextualise this within your own research topic. For each session it is your responsibility
to:
 Read the prescribed text;
 Source additional readings with theory and/ or research methodology related to your
research topic related to your field of study; and
 Prepare to impart your understanding of the theory related to your research topic to
your lecturer.

Each learning unit will guide you towards the assessment submissions for this module. The
first three weeks of the semester you will work toward submission one. This first
submission is important as it will lay the groundwork for the rest of the research proposal.
Submission one will therefore require that you:
 Formulate a research question that appropriately describes what is being researched
and how the research is being undertaken;
 Explain the background to the research problem, so as to provide context to where the
problem arises from;
 Provide a concise and thoughtful explanation of what the research problem is;
 Outline why this research is relevant to your discipline of study;
 Detail the research question/s that you will be attempting to answer so as to address
the research problem you have highlighted; and
 Determine if your research will be qualitative or quantitative in nature and develop
research objectives/ hypotheses accordingly.

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After the submission has been marked you will be provided with feedback from the marker.
This is so that you can address any concerns raised for submission two and three.

Submission four will include reworked versions of submissions one, two and three. In other
words, you will be given the opportunity to re-work your original submission and correct
any errors, or include any omissions highlighted by the marker. It is therefore suggested
that you carefully consider any and all feedback provided to you.

If you are a contact student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 1 and 2.

If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Week 1 and 2 and will likely spend 5 sessions on this learning unit.

Please work through Themes 1 to 6 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of your
prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives for
this learning unit, please also ensure that you complete the following activities on Learn:

Activity Estimated Time

on Task
1.1.1 Submit Your Plagiarism Declaration 1 hour
Submission 1: Introduction 3 weeks
Estimated total time for this learning unit’s activities 3 weeks

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Learning Unit 1: Theme Breakdown

REPR7312/f/p/e Theme 1: Research Title Prescribed Material
Sessions: 1–6 (PM)
REPR7312d
Sessions: 1–5
REPR7312w
Weeks: 1–2
Academic Weeks: LO1: Write a research title that describes the Chapter 20
1–2 proposed research.
Related Theme 2: Background Chapter 4 & 20
Outcomes: LO2: Provide a discussion of the background
MO1 literature that will inform the research
problem.
Theme 3: Research Problem/ Issue Chapter 1 & 4 & 20
LO3: Describe a research problem/issue that
will inform the research question.
Theme 4: Relevance of the Study Chapter 1
LO4: Justify the relevance of the proposed
research in relation to the chosen
discipline of study.
Theme 5: Research Question Chapter 1 & 4
LO5: Develop a research question that will
address the research problem.
Theme 6: Objectives/ Hypotheses of the Chapter 6 & 7 & 20
Research Study
LO6: Write either research objectives
(qualitative studies) or hypotheses
(quantitative studies), that will provide
answers to the research question.

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Learning Unit 2 Literature Review

Overview:

This Research Practice module is unlike the other modules you have encountered thus far.
Your lecturer will be the facilitator and supervisor guiding you through the research process.
The format that this will take will be discussed with you in class. Your lecturer will be
facilitating the overview and discussion of the research process, but it will be up to you to
contextualise this within your own research topic. For each session it is your responsibility
to:
 Read the prescribed text;
 Source additional readings with theory and/ or research methodology related to your
research topic related to your discipline; and
 Prepare to impart your understanding of the theory related to your research topic to
your lecturer.

The second three weeks of the semester you will work toward submission two. This second
submission will build on the first submission. You are welcome to use the assignment from
the Introduction to Research (INRS7311) module completed in semester one to form the
basis of this literature review. However, it is important that this submission speak to the
overall research background, problem and objectives/ hypothesis as outlined in submission
one.

Submission two will require that you:

 Explain your theoretical approach by identifying a suitable theory and providing a clear
and coherent discussion of how the theory applies to your research.
 Discussion of previous literature and how it applies to your research topic.
 Conceptualisation of key terms provided with appropriate definitions and a clear
explanation of their relevance to your research topic.

After the submission has been marked you will be provided with feedback from the marker.
This is so that you can address any concerns raised for submission two and three.

Submission four will include reworked versions of submissions one, two and three. In other
words, you will be given the opportunity to re-work your original submission and correct
any errors, or include any omissions highlighted by the marker. It is therefore suggested
that you carefully consider any and all feedback provided to you.

If you are a contact student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 6 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Week 3 and 4.

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If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Week 3 and 4 and will likely spend 5 sessions on this learning unit.

Please work through Themes 1, 2 and 3 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of
your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives
for this learning unit, please complete the following activities on Learn:

Activity Estimated Time

on Task
Submission 2: Literature Review 3 Weeks
Estimated total time for this learning unit’s activities 3 weeks

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Learning Unit 2: Theme Breakdown

REPR7312/f/p/e Theme 1: Theoretical approach Prescribed Material (PM)
Sessions 7–12
REPR7312d
Sessions 6–10
REPR7312w
Weeks 3–4
Academic LO1: Provide an explanation of a suitable Chapter 2 & 8 & 9 & 20
Weeks: theory and motivate its relevance
3–4 to the research problem, question
and objectives/hypotheses.
Related Theme 2: Review past literature Chapter 8 & 20
Outcomes: LO2: Write a review of past literature
MO2 related to the research problem,
question and
objectives/hypotheses.
Theme 3: Conceptualisation Chapter 9 & 20
LO3: Conceptualise any and all key terms
integral to understanding the
research problem, question and
objectives/hypotheses.

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Learning Unit 3 Research Methodology

Overview:

This Research Practice module is unlike the other modules you have encountered thus far.
Your lecturer will be the facilitator and supervisor guiding you through the research process.
The format that this will take will be discussed with you in class. Your lecturer will be
facilitating the overview and discussion of the research process, but it will be up to you to
contextualise this within your own research topic. For each session it is your responsibility
to:
 Read the prescribed text;
 Source additional readings with theory and/ or research methodology related to your
research topic related to your discipline; and
 Prepare to impart your understanding of the theory related to your research topic to
your lecturer.

For the third submission you will use the information from submission one and two to inform
the research methodology sections. It is here that you need to outline how you intend to
collect and analyse the data you will need to answer the research question. You will also
need to develop a questionnaire that speaks to your data collection and analysis methods.
The paradigm, sampling, questionnaire, data collection, and data analysis methods need to
be selectively chosen to ensure that they will lead to data that speaks to the overall research
problem, question and objectives/ hypothesis as outlined in submission one.

Submission three will require that you:

1. Describe and apply an appropriate research paradigm and design for your research
problem, question and objectives/hypotheses.
2. Outline who/what the population of the study is and their/ its key characteristics in
relation to the research problem, question and objectives/hypotheses.
3. Explain and justify an appropriate sampling method that relates to the population, as
well as the research problem, question and objectives/hypotheses.
4. Describe and justify a data collection method that aligns with the research paradigm,
design and sample, as well as the research problem, question and
objectives/hypotheses.
5. Design a questionnaire that is clear and that will help in the investigation of the
research problem, question and objectives/hypotheses.
6. Describe and justify a data analysis method that aligns with the research problem,
question and objectives/hypotheses.

After the submission has been marked you will be provided with feedback from the marker.
This is so that you can address any concerns raised for submission two and three.

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Submission four will include reworked versions of submissions one, two and three. In other
words, you will be given the opportunity to re-work your original submission and correct
any errors, or include any omissions highlighted by the marker. It is therefore suggested
that you carefully consider any and all feedback provided to you.

If you are a contact student, you will likely spend 17 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 17 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Weeks 5 to 10.

If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Weeks 5 to 10 and will likely spend 17 sessions on this learning
unit.

Please work through Themes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on Learn, together with the relevant sections
of your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the
objectives for this learning unit, please complete the following activities on Learn:

Activity Estimated Time

on Task
Submission 3: Research Methodology 4 weeks
Estimated total time for this learning unit’s activities 4 weeks

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Learning Unit 3: Theme Breakdown

REPR7312/f/p/e Theme 1: Research paradigm and design Prescribed Material (PM)
Sessions 13–29
REPR7312d
Sessions 11–27
REPR7312w
Week 5–10
Academic LO1: Apply an appropriate research Chapter 1, 2
Weeks: paradigm to a research problem,
5–10 question and objectives/hypotheses.
LO2: Apply an appropriate research
design to a research problem,
question and objectives/hypotheses.
Related Theme 2: Population Chapter 11
Outcomes: LO3 Describe the population of a study in
MO3 relation to a research problem,
question and
objectives/hypotheses.
Theme 3: Sampling Chapter 11
LO4: Justify an appropriate sampling
method that relate to an identified
population and research paradigm.
Theme 4: Data collection method Chapter 12, 13, 20
LO5: Justify a data collection method that
aligns with a research problem,
question and objectives/hypotheses.
LO6: Design a questionnaire relevant to a
research problem, question and
objectives/hypotheses.
Theme 5: Data analysis method Chapter 15, 16, 20
LO7: Justify a data analysis method that
aligns with a research problem,
question and
objectives/hypotheses.

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Learning Unit 4 Completed Research Proposal

Overview:

This Research Practice module is unlike the other modules you have encountered thus far.
Your lecturer will be the facilitator and supervisor guiding you through the research process.
The format that this will take will be discussed with you in class. Your lecturer will be
facilitating the overview and discussion of the research process, but it will be up to you to
contextualise this within your own research topic. For each session it is your responsibility
to:
 Read the prescribed text;
 Source additional readings with theory and/ or research methodology related to your
research topic relevant to your discipline; and
 Prepare to impart your understanding of the theory related to your research topic to
your lecturer.

The fourth and final submission you will be encouraged to implement any and all changes
that have been suggested by the marker on the first three submissions. It is therefore
suggested that you carefully consider any and all feedback provided to you. You will resubmit
these, along with the remainder of your research proposal. Again this final submission should
be a cohesive document with each section in alignment with the others.

Submission four will require that you:

1. Address the feedback from submission one and resubmit;
2. Address the feedback from submission two and resubmit;
3. Address the feedback from submission three and resubmit;
4. Discuss the validity, reliability, and/ or trustworthiness of your proposed research
study;
5. Discuss the ethical considerations relevant to your study and how these will be upheld
throughout the research study;
6. Discuss the possible limitations of your proposed research;
7. Discuss the anticipated contribution of your study; and
8. Provide a coherent document that seamlessly links each of the submissions and
provides a logical, referenced academic discussion of the proposed research.

If you are a contact student, you will likely spend 12 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a part-time student, you will likely spend 12 sessions on this learning unit.
If you are a distance student, you will likely complete this learning unit during the course of
Academic Week 11 and 12.

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IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

If you are a student on an IIE digital campus, you should complete this learning unit during
the course of Academic Week 11 and 12 and will likely spend 10 sessions on this learning
unit.

Please work through Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4 on Learn, together with the relevant sections of
your prescribed source/s. To ensure that you are working towards mastering the objectives
for this learning unit, please complete the following activities on Learn:

Activity Estimated Time

on Task
Submission 4: Completed Research Proposal 2 weeks
Estimated total time for this learning unit’s activities 2 weeks

Learning Unit 4: Theme Breakdown

REPR7312/f/p/e Theme 1: Validity, reliability, Prescribed Material (PM)
Sessions 30-41 trustworthiness
REPR7312d
Sessions 28-37
REPR7312w
Weeks 11–12
Academic LO1: Apply the concepts of validity, Chapter 17
Weeks: reliability, and/ or trustworthiness
11–12 to your proposed research.
Related Theme 2: Ethical considerations Chapter 18
Outcomes: LO2: Discuss the ethical considerations
MO1 relevant to your proposed research.
MO2 LO3: Explain how you will address these
MO3 identified ethical concerns
Theme 3: Limitations of the study Chapter 19
LO4: Explain the possible limitations of
your proposed research.
Theme 4: Anticipated Contribution of the Chapter 20
study
LO5: Discuss the anticipated contribution
of your proposed research.

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IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

Glossary of Key Terms for this Module

Term Definition My Notes

Empirical The process of developing knowledge
research gained from observations that are
formulated to support insights and
generalisations about the phenomenon
under investigation.
Experimental Research where the goal is to determine
research whether or not one variable causes an
effect on another variable.
Hypothesis A tentative statement that predicts the
relationship between variables.
Literature review A literature review is a step in the research
process that not only allows you to refine
your research, but it also serves as a
benchmark against which you can compare
and contrast your results.
Population All individuals or social artefacts that belong
to a group that form part of the research
study.
Positivism A research paradigm that recognises only
observable phenomena and those which
can be verified through observation,
measurement and testing through
controlled experiments wherein the
relationship between variables is often
tested.
Qualitative Involves researching people's
research interpretation, understanding and unique
points of view on a particular issue.
Quantitative Involves research which can be converted
research into quantifiable data and which can be
analysed, predicted, and explained. The aim
of this type of research is prediction and
control of quantifiable results.

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IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

Questionnaire A questionnaire is generally a concise

document with a set of pre-planned
questions which are designed to yield
specific information to meet a particular
need research information about a specific
topic. A questionnaire can be self-
administered and could be a mail,
telephone, or group-administered
questionnaire.
Research design A plan of how the data will be collected in a
research study.
Research Different approaches to a systematic
methodology enquiry developed within a particular
paradigm.
Research A formal statement that implies
problem investigation. It is an issue that lends itself
to investigation through research.
Research A statement in the form of a clear question
question about the specific issue that the research is
investigating, in order to address a research
problem. The research will help answer the
research question.
Sample A selection of individuals or social artefacts
from the population from which data is
collected.
Sample size The number of participants or social
artefacts that form part of the study. A
larger sample size is used in quantitative
research because the researcher wants to
generalise the findings. However, a smaller
sample size is acceptable in qualitative
research because the researcher is aiming
for a deeper understanding and the aim is
not to generalise the findings.
Survey A data collection method in which
participants provide information through
questionnaires or interviews.

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IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

Rubrics for Assessments:

Please note that the below are the rubrics for each of the formative assignments, and the
summative research project. For detailed information as to what is required for each
submission, please refer to the information provided on Learn.

Rubric: Activity: Submission 1: Introduction (Semester weighting: 15%)

Criteria Inadequate Emergent/ developing Novice scholarship
novice scholarship
Title Key elements of the There is sufficient Keywords, emphasis, and
proposed study are not detail relating to the impact are clearly
presented in the study. key components of the described within the title.
research study.
0-2 3 4-5
Background Inadequate detail as to Detail pertaining to the Background provides a
why the concern was research problem/ clear indication of why the
identified. issue is provided, but issue/ concern should be
not substantiated by studied and is
available data. substantiated with
evidence.
0-4 5-7 8-10
Research Problem/ issue not clearly The problem/ issue is Well defined research
problem/ defined and therefore too defined but requires problem/ issue which
issue vague. further clarification. requires no clarification.
0-2 3 4-5
Relevance The relevance of the Relevance of the The relevance of the
research study is not clear research has been research has been clearly
and/ or ambiguous. discussed, but with expanded upon and
minimal detail. details provided.
0-2 3 4-5
Research Research question unclear, Research question Research question is clear
Question does not align with aligns with research and concise. Provides
research problem. Is not problem, but still vague focus for research. Is
possible to research (either or not focused enough. possible to research.
too broad or too complex). Is possible to research.
0-2 3 4-5
Objectives/ The objectives/ hypotheses The objectives/ Objectives/ hypotheses
Hypotheses are vague and/ or will not hypotheses provide for are clear and specific and
support the investigation of some investigation but will lead to investigation of
the research problem/ lack expansion and the research problem/
issue. detail. issue.
0-2 3 4-5
Total /35

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IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

Rubric: Activity: Submission 2: Literature Review (Semester weighting:

15%)

Criteria Inadequate Emergent/ developing Novice scholarship

novice scholarship
Theoretical No/ little application A suitable theory has A suitable theory has been
approach of appropriate theory been identified but identified and there is a
to the research, and/ more application is clear and coherent
or theory is not necessary. discussion of how the
relevant/ suitable. theory applies to the
research.
0-4 5-7 8-10
Literature review Very vague Statements, Very clear statements
statements. No/ little argumentation and supported by evidence.
logical progression of critical discussion Means of expression with
ideas and no/ little present, however, respect to critical analysis
coherence. some problems with particularly clear.
synthesis of different Argumentation follows
theories or lack of logically.
application to current
study.
0-5 6-11 12-15
Conceptualisation Identification of key Identification of Key definitions have been
definitions is unclear definitions is relatively defined appropriately and
and lacks referencing clear and there is some their relevance to the
from authoritative attempt to research is stated clearly.
sources. contextualise them
within the research
framework.
0-4 5-7 8-10
Total /35

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IIE Learn Module Outline
Rubric: Activity Submission 3: Research Methodology (Semester
weighting: 40%)
Criteria Inadequate
Research paradigm Research paradigm and
and design design applicable to the
research is not clearly
defined and motivated.
0-4
Population Limited information on
the population and its
characteristics are
provided.
0-4
Sampling Limited information on
sampling has been
discussed with no/ little
evidence.
0-5
Data-collection Description of the
method method and actions to
be taken to collect the
data are vague/
unclear.
0-6
Questionnaire The items in the
questionnaire will not
serve in investigating
the proposed research
problem/ issue.
0-4
Data analysis The discussion of how
the data will be
analysed is vague and/
or incoherent.
0-5
Total
© The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2018
Emergent/ developing novice
scholarship
Research paradigm and
design have been identified
but not motivated.
5-7
Information pertaining to the
population is provided but
the description lacks detail
and substantive evidence.
5-7
Information has been
provided on all aspects of
sampling but there is
inadequate detail to motivate
choices.
6-11
Descriptions of the method
and actions to be taken have
been provided but detail is
lacking.
7-15
The questionnaire is suitable
but contains some errors.
5-7
Clear descriptions of how the
data will be analysed have
been provided but lack depth
and insight.
6-11
REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w
Novice scholarship
Research paradigm and
design have been clearly
described and related to
the research.
8-10
Detailed information
related to the population
is provided including
evidence to clearly
identify key
characteristics of the
population.
8-10
Detail about sampling and
all key aspects thereof
have been identified,
discussed, and motivated.
12-15
Descriptions of the
method and actions to be
taken have been provided
in detail.
16- 20
The questionnaire is clear
and contains no errors.
Items in the questionnaire
will all help in the
investigation of the
research problem/ issue.
8-10
The proposed data
analysis has been
explicitly defined and
discussed and it is evident
how the information will
help in improving the
understanding of the
research problem/ issue.
12- 15
/80
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IIE Learn Module Outline
Rubric: Activity: Submission 4: Completed Research Proposal
(Semester weighting: 30%)
Criteria Inadequate
Title Key elements of the
proposed study are not
presented in the study.
0-2
Background Inadequate detail as to
why the concern was
identified.
0-4
Research problem/ Problem/ issue not
issue clearly defined and
therefore too vague.
0-2
Relevance The relevance of the
research study is not
clear and/ or
ambiguous.
0-2
Research Question Research question
unclear, does not align
with research problem.
Is not possible to
research (either too
broad or too complex).
0-2
Objectives/ The objectives/
Hypotheses hypotheses are vague
and/ or will not support
the investigation of the
research problem/
issue.
0-2
Theoretical No/ little application of
approach appropriate theory to
the research, and/ or
theory is not relevant/
suitable.
0-4
Literature review Very vague statements.
No/ little logical
progression of ideas
and no/ little
coherence.
© The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2018
Emergent/ developing novice
scholarship
There is sufficient detail
relating to the key
components of the research
study.
3 4-5
Detail pertaining to the
research problem/ issue is
provided but not
substantiated by available
data.
5-7
The problem/ issue is defined
but requires further
clarification.
3 4-5
Relevance of the research
has been discussed but with
minimal detail.
3 4-5
Research question aligns with
research problem, but still
vague or not focused
enough. Is possible to
research.
3 4-5
The objectives/ hypotheses
provide for some
investigation but lack
expansion and detail.
3 4-5
A suitable theory has been
identified but more
application is necessary.
5-7
Statements, argumentation
and critical discussion
present, however, some
problems with synthesis of
different theories or lack of
application to current study.
REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w
Novice scholarship
Keywords, emphasis, and
impact are clearly
described within the title.
Background provides a
clear indication of why
the issue/ concern should
be studied and is
substantiated with
evidence.
8-10
Well defined research
problem/ issue which
requires no clarification.
The relevance of the
research has been clearly
expanded upon and
details provided.
Research question is clear
and concise. Provides
focus for research. Is
possible to research.
Objectives/ hypotheses
are clear and specific and
will lead to investigation
of the research problem/
issue.
A suitable theory has
been identified and there
is a clear and coherent
discussion of how the
theory applies to the
research.
8-10
Very clear statements
supported by evidence.
Means of expression with
respect to critical analysis
particularly clear.
Argumentation follows
logically.
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IIE Learn Module Outline
Criteria Inadequate
0-5
Conceptualisation Identification of key
definitions is unclear
and lacks referencing
from authoritative
sources.
0-4
Research paradigm Research paradigm and
and design design applicable to the
research is not clearly
defined and motivated.
0-4
Population Limited information on
the population and its
characteristics are
provided.
0-4
Sampling Limited information on
sampling has been
discussed with no/ little
evidence.
0-5
Data-collection Description of the
method method and actions to
be taken to collect the
data are vague/
unclear.
0-6
Questionnaire The items in the
questionnaire will not
serve in investigating
the proposed research
problem/ issue.
0-4
Data analysis The discussion of how
the data will be
analysed is vague and/
or incoherent.
0-5
Validity, reliability There is no/ little
and/ or discussion of the
trustworthiness validity, reliability, and/
or trustworthiness and
there is no application
© The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2018
Emergent/ developing novice
scholarship
6-11
Identification of definitions is
relatively clear and there is
some attempt to
contextualise them within
the research framework.
5-7
Research paradigm and
design have been identified
but not motivated.
5-7
Information pertaining to the
population is provided but
the description lacks detail
and substantive evidence.
5-7
Information has been
provided on all aspects of
sampling but there is
inadequate detail to motivate
choices.
6-11
Descriptions of the method
and actions to be taken have
been provided but detail is
lacking.
7-15
The questionnaire is suitable
but contains some errors.
5-7
Clear descriptions of how the
data will be analysed have
been provided but lack depth
and insight.
6-11
Discussion of the validity,
reliability, and/ or
trustworthiness is apparent
but the application to the
proposed research study is
lacking detail.
REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w
Novice scholarship
12-15
Key definitions have been
defined appropriately and
their relevance to the
research is stated clearly.
8-10
Research paradigm and
design have been clearly
described and related to
the research.
8-10
Detailed information
related to the population
is provided including
evidence to clearly
identify key
characteristics of the
population.
8-10
Detail about sampling and
all key aspects thereof
have been identified,
discussed, and motivated.
12-15
Descriptions of the
method and actions to be
taken have been provided
in detail.
16- 20
The questionnaire is clear
and contains no errors.
Items in the questionnaire
will all help in the
investigation of the
research problem/ issue.
8-10
The proposed data
analysis has been
explicitly defined and
discussed and it is evident
how the information will
help in improving the
understanding of the
research problem/ issue.
12- 15
The validity, reliability,
and/ or trustworthiness of
the proposed research
study have been
discussed in detail and
the application to the
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IIE Learn Module Outline REPR7312/p/f/e/d/w

Criteria Inadequate Emergent/ developing novice Novice scholarship

scholarship
to the proposed proposed research study
research study. is coherent.
0-4 5-7 8-10
Ethical There is a lack in detail Detail pertaining to ethical All possible ethical
considerations and on ethical considerations has been considerations have been
limitations considerations and provided but there is limited identified and discussed
sensitivity towards discussion of how these in detail and it is clear
participants. ethical issues will be upheld. how these will be upheld
throughout the research
No/ little indication of Some limitations have been study.
the problems that may identified but there are
impact negatively on either obvious limitations All possible limitations to
the research study has omitted and/ or they have the proposed research
been given. not been discussed in-depth. study have been
identified and discussed
in detail.
0-4 5-7 8-10
Anticipated The anticipated There is a clear discussion of The discussion of the
contribution contribution of the the anticipated contribution anticipated contribution is
study is limited and of the research study but clear and logical and is
lacks depth. there is little motivation for motivated by sound
the line of reasoning. reasoning.
0-4 5-7 8-10
Structure, spelling There are many spelling There are a few errors in There are no spelling or
and grammar and grammatical errors spelling and grammar. grammatical errors
through the research Overall, there are few throughout the entire
proposal. The overall mistakes with regards to the proposal. The structure
structure and layout is correct structure and layout and layout of the proposal
illogical. of the research proposal. are coherent and logical.
0-6 7-15 16- 20
Total /200

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