Assignment Task

Note: This assignment is a replacement for the examination; there is no sit-down examination for this module.

This version of the assignment is the second opportunity. If you choose to use the second opportunity, the mark awarded will be your final examination mark and the first opportunity mark will fall away.

You have been provided with two separate research questions to choose from, one qualitative and one quantitative. You only need to choose one of the options. You should construct your research proposal to answer the research question of your choice.

Your research proposal should include the following sections:

1. An introduction to the topic;

2. A literature review;

3. The methodology you intend to use, made up of the paradigm, research design, population you want to focus on, sampling technique you will use, the method of data collection you will use, and the method of data analysis you will use along with any other important topics;

4. The important ethical considerations, including what permissions would be required to conduct the study at North-west University along with other practical ethical issues and how they will be done in practice;

5. A problem statement as a conclusion which summarises your proposed study and makes a significant argument for the importance of your study by referring to your methods and to existing literature.

 Option 1 (Qualitative Research Question): Why do uneducated, Zulu women with children who live in rural areas of South Africa choose to remain married to physically abusive husbands?

Option 2 (Quantitative Research Question): Do children from rural areas who never attended school have lower intelligent quotients (IQ scores) than children who attended school in rural areas or children who attended school in urban areas?

Introduction

The introduction should clearly show the intention of the proposed research project and highlight the gap in the research which makes the project important. 

Literature Review

The literature review should provide background context for the proposed study and discuss the important information associated with the topic. The information in the literature review should be relevant and contribute to understanding of the topic being researched as well as illustrating why the research is important in context of global issues. 

Methodology

The method chosen should link to the proposed paradigm, population, research design, and sampling technique. The methodology chosen should align with the research topic and be suitable to answer the research question. All aspects of the methodology should complement one another to answer the research question.

Proposed Data

Analysis The method of analysis chosen should match that which was described in the other methodology sections and should be clearly explained. The method of analysis should complement other areas of the methodology and be able to practically answer the chosen research question in the manner described throughout the methods.

Theoretical Ethical

Considerations The theoretical ethical principles should be presented and aligned with the practical considerations. The explanation of the ethical considerations should be tied to the proposed research as a whole and applicable to the proposed research.

Practical Ethical

Considerations The important ethical principles should be considered from a practical perspective. Upholding the different ethical aspects should be reflected in practical activities, not only theoretically. Specific activities planned should be clearly indicated and linked to the appropriate ethical principles.

Problem Statement 

The problem statement and conclusion should clearly summarise the intended study and make a significant statement for the importance of the study with reference to existing literature. 

Evidence of Reasoning and Critical Analysis

There should be a line of reasoning present throughout the proposal with clear evidence of logical flow among the sections of the proposal. The full proposal should align across the topic, literature, and methodology to present a cohesive argument for the importance of the study.