Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
2. Finding and evaluating sources
3. Planning and referencing

What you will be able to do

• 1.1 Assess the problems faced by businesses.
• 1.2 Identify a problem that can be solved within a stipulated time.
• 1.3 Develop problem statement and justify the need for further investigation.
• 2.1 Search and evaluate relevant literature, draw conclusions and justify the need for further research.
• 2.2 Evaluate various theories and choose a specific theory for explaining the observed phenomenon.
• 2.3 Develop a theoretical solution for the identified problem and justify the need for further research.
• 3.1 Explain epistemological and ontological assumptions and its impact on the nature of our understanding.
• 3.2 Understand the relationship between ontology, epistemology, methodology, methods and sources
• 3.3 Demonstrate understanding of research. philosophies and its influence in data collection process.
• 4.1 Define an area of research by providing a clear rationale, scope and express it in terms of contribution to wider body of knowledge.
• 4.2 Evaluate existing studies by examining its methodological gaps, discrepancies in theoretical stance, findings and analysis.
• 4.3 Evaluate literature from the ontological and epistemological views of the author.
• 4.4 Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of a chosen subject area and present them as a logically structured succinct report to relevant audience.
• 4.5 Provide a theoretical debate by critically evaluating relevant theories for a given discipline.

Activity

Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Further resources

• Harvard Referencing quick guide 2025 (York St John University) · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
• Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
• Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students