BS4S14 Research Methods

Assessment 2 Brief

Assessment 2: Report 1

1. Assessment Description

Summary: Each student is required to produce an individual reflective journal documenting their
experience while undertaking the main research project of this module.

This style of reflective report is intentionally less structured to allow you to express your
individual thoughts and opinions freely and openly. While there is no right or wrong answer your
reflection should illustrate how you have developed your ability with what was covered in this
module.

To complete this journal try to focus on i) what you have learnt about yourself and what you
gained through this experience. For example, think of: How the topic informed your thinking?
How did you benefit? Were you proactive or reactive? What did you discover about your
personality? etc. and also reflect on ii) the challenges faced while working on the project. What
were they? How did you overcome them? If not, why not?

Then proceed to report on the effect the project had on iii) your philosophical school (post
positivist, pragmatist, constructivist, etc.) by reflecting on your ontological, axiological and
epistemological stance, before, during and after the project and iv) inform on how you managed
the ethical issues encountered in producing this work; such as data confidentiality, obtaining
informed consent, debriefing participants, etc.

You should present your report in the form of a 1200 word (+/10%) reflective journal. You are
advised to support your reflections by researching relevant literature on reflective writing, and
ensuring all sources are cited and referenced using the Harvard style.

Page 1 of 2
 BS4S14 Research Methods
Assessment 2 Brief

2. Essential information: All module summative assessments

Assessment Project Output 1 Report 1

Deadline End of Week 10 End of Week 11

Word Count 4800 (+/- 10%) 1200 (+/- 10%)

Weight 80% of Module Marks 20% of Module Marks

Assessments should be uploaded to the submission link in the VLE by 11pm (23:00 hours) VLE
(UTC) time on the due date at the latest.

Furthermore, your assignment will be submitted to Turnitin so it can be electronically checked

for originality of content.

The standard USW policy in relation to penalties for late submission/non submission will apply.
Late submissions of up to 5 days are accepted but capped to 40% of the assessment marks,
submissions over 5 days late receive a mark of 0.

If you face any extenuating circumstances please seek advice from UNICAF Student Support
who can advise you of your options and on how to put an appropriate claim to the USW Advice
Centre as soon as the circumstances arise. Please note the regulations in relation to the USW
“Fit to Sit” policy.

2. Marking and Feedback

Please refer to the general “Marking Criteria for Post Graduate Assessments”, as well as the
“Module Assessment Criteria” documents posted in the VLE for details on how your submission
will be marked. Feedback will be provided using the appropriate “Assessment Cover Sheet and
Feedback Form”.

Page 2 of 2