Research Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

About the course

1. Are there classes every week?
No. There is only an orientation on the date indicated on your schedule, which goes through
what is required of you in this module.

2. How long is this module?

This module lasts approximately 3 months from the orientation to the final submission.

3. What support do I have with this module?

There are recordings that cover the different chapters in the Research Project. Additionally, if
you have any queries, you can reach out to the Academic Department at
academics@oxfordgraduate.uk

4. Can I be exempted from this module?

There are no exemptions for this module. If you have completed Research Skills in another
Diploma programme, you must do another Research Project that is relevant to the Diploma
you are undertaking.

Eligibility to do Research Skills

1. I have completed 3 of my 6 modules can I do Research Skills?
Students who have requested early completion of their programme (2 semesters) can do 3
modules plus Research Skills.

2. I am not up to date with my payments will I be allowed to do Research Skills?

Students are urged to bring their accounts up to date to be allowed to continue the module.
Students with very high balances will be removed from the module.

3. What is the Award Fee and do I have to pay it?

Students who began their Diploma programme in June 2022 and after do not have to pay an
award fee as this has been worked into the cost of your programme.

Students who began their Diploma programme before June 2022 must pay their award fee.
The award fee is your £ payment for your Diploma indicated on your acceptance letter. This is
a non-refundable fee that is separate from your tuition fees. Upon payment of the award fee
an award fee confirmation form would have been sent to you. With effect from February 01,
 2022 the award fee is £155.00 and older students who did not complete their award fee
payment MUST pay the new fee.

To remain enrolled in the Research Skills module, a deadline of July 12, 2023 will be given to
complete payments.

The Research Project

1. Can I do research on any topic?
The Research Project must be relevant to the Diploma that you are doing. E.g. Diploma in
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology must be engineering based, Diploma in
Advanced Accountancy must have some basis in accounting.

2. Do I have to use a real company or actual situation/problem?

No. The company does not have to be real. You can make up or create a business to base the
project on. The situation/problem, however, must be realistic.
Additionally, you can use another company, your own, a friend or family member’s company.
You can even change the name if the information/data collected is sensitive.

3. How long should the project be?

The project is 4,000 words. This is from the Executive Summary to the Conclusion. There is a
10% allowance under and over. Therefore, a minimum of 3,600 to a maximum of 4,400 words.

4. What format should I submit the project in?

You can submit as a Word document or PDF. Word is preferable.

5. What if I cannot come up with 3 project ideas?

Ensure that the 1 or 2 ideas that you have are something you can work with?

6. What do I do if my project idea is not approved?

The subject expert who will approve your idea will provide an extension to resubmit your ideas
based on their feedback on your submission.

Plagiarism
1. Is the project sent through plagiarism software?
Yes. There is built-in plagiarism software that scans the internet and the OGC platform to
determine if other sources or other student’s work is used.

2. What is the allowed plagiarism percentage?

Submissions must be under 20%. All work taken from internet, newspaper, journals, textbooks
and other resources must be properly cited using the Harvard Referencing Style. Large chunks
 of text and blogs should be paraphrased, or you run the risk of failing for plagiarism or your
work lacking original thought.

3. Can someone provide me with guidance?

If you receive help with the project from a third party, in the learner declaration, which must
be submitted with your final submission, there is the option to indicate that you received help.

4. Can I pay someone to write the project for me?

You run the risk of being failed for this. We do reference your writing in discussion forums and
previous assessment submissions to determine if the writing style is yours.

Deadlines
1. How will I know when to make my confirmation form, draft, and final submission?
At the top of this module on the e-learning platform there is a schedule of dates that must be
adhered to. No exceptions will be granted.

2. I missed the deadline to submit my confirmation form what do I do?

If you have missed the deadline to submit your confirmation form you MUST submit a deferral
for the Research Skills module as no attempts at late submission will be accepted.

3. I am enrolled in the Research Skills module, why do I have to submit a confirmation form?
All students MUST submit a confirmation form indicating that they will be pursuing the
Research Skills module in this semester. This is to ensure that you are assigned to subject
expert to review/approve your ideas, and your draft.
Any student who does not submit a confirmation form will be suspended in the module and
unable to continue with the module for this semester. A deferral MUST then be submitted by
the student.

4. The deadline for my draft submission is coming up and I am not finished what do I do?
Submit where you are at with the project so that feedback can be provided. This allows the
person providing feedback to steer you or advise if you are moving in the correct direction.

5. I did not submit a draft for review, does this mean I cannot submit the Final?
Students who do not submit a draft can still submit their final project. However, it is advised
that you submit a draft, even an incomplete one.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

1. I do not have the time to focus on this project right now, what do I do?
Submit a deferral form.
2. Who provides feedback on project ideas/drafts?
A subject matter expert in the respective field is randomly assigned to provide feedback.

3. My project idea is approved and I am running into difficulties with the project what do I do?
Submit a deferral form and indicate the reason(s) for not being able to proceed with the
project.

4. I submitted a draft for review and did not submit a final project, what happens next?
You will be awarded a failing grade and will be required to pay to resit the module in the next
semester.

5. I am not seeing feedback on my project ideas, or my draft submission, what do I do?

Click on your submission and scroll to the bottom of the page. If you do not see feedback
under the Feedback heading, please email academics@oxfordgraduate.uk

6. I have failed the Research Skills module, what is my next step?

You will be required to pay to resit the module in the next semester. The resit fee is £100.00
and must be paid before you can be enrolled for the next semester.

7. What happens if I do not want to do this Research Project?

You will not be awarded the Diploma.

8. Where can I find my Final Grade for Research Skills?

Click on Previous Semester Grades from the Menu in the e-learning platform. The date that
grades will be released will be displayed when submitted the Final Project.

9. I have successfully completed my 6 modules and the Research Project, what next?
Diplomas are requested in cohorts to the awarding body. Once verifications are complete that
you have successfully completed your modules, and there are no outstanding fees, your
Diploma will be requested.

The awarding process takes 4-6 months and you will be advised by the Academic Department
when your Diploma arrives and what is the procedure for collection.

10. What can I do while I wait for my Diploma certificate?

You can request a completion letter or transcript which indicates your success in the
programme and you are awaiting your physical certificate.