Critically evaluate the main differences between quantitative (inductive) and qualitative (deductive) approaches.

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Learning Outcomes

On completion of the module the student should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate the main differences between quantitative (inductive) and qualitative (deductive) approaches.
2. Distinguish between different research methodologies and critically evaluate components that comprise each method.
3. Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilise information retrieval skills.
4. Critically appraise and evaluate published research that relates to relevant subject areas.
5. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role and procedures involved in gaining ethical approval.
6. Formulate research questions and where appropriate set relevant hypotheses.
7. Critically appraise the ability of different research methods to answer specific research questions.
8. Devise and critically review data collection methods used in both qualitative and quantitative methods.
9. Select and apply data analysis methods used in qualitative research.
10. Select appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse quantitative data.

Assessment Guidelines

Formative Assessment Guidelines

Literature search process and critical methodological appraisal of one primary research paper.

Word Allocation: 750 words. Submission deadline Week 7 - 9am, Mon 8th Nov 2021

This formative assessment provides students with the opportunity to practice their skills developed during the module, as well as providing feedback to indicate their understanding of key issues. Although submission of the formative assessment is compulsory, it is not graded and does not count towards the final summative mark awarded for the module.

The purpose of this assessment is to practice your;

• literature searching skills
• ability to read and synthesise key literature
• academic writing and referencing skills

Title

• The title for this assessment should reflect the wider topic you wish to focus on for your protocol.

Aim

• State your research questions or aims/objectives. These can be ‘in progress’ and do not need to be your final question.

Literature Search Process (500 words)

Clearly describe the process for searching out relevant literature to include:

• databases used in search
• combination of key words and limits employed
• number of hits identified in search using your keywords/limits combination, in a table
• details of any manual searches performed to identify grey literature
• describe the key studies found (e.g. topic area and references)
• you should not actually critically appraise the body of evidence you find

Critical Methodological Appraisal of one chosen primary research article (250 words)

• Select one primary research study resulting from your literature search.
• Summarise the aim of the study in 1-2 sentences.
• Focusing on the methodology of this research paper, critically appraise the
• Approach
• Design
• Sampling
• Method
• Analytical process adopted
• Summarise the methodological adequacy of this paper based on your critique.

You may go no more than 10% over the total word limit for this assessment.

Formative Assessment Presentation and Submission

The Formative Assessment should be submitted to TurnItIn. You do not need to submit a hard (printed) copy of this assignment. You should follow the presentation guidelines for the Summative Assessment later in this handbook.

Summative Assessment Guidelines

Word allocation 4,000 words. Submission Deadline: Thurs 6th January 9am 2022

Weighting 100%

The summative assessment for this module requires you to write either an Empirical Research Protocol or a Structured Literature Review protocol for a research study on a topic of your own choosing. This study will likely form the basis of your Dissertation. The information below specifies the different sections required within your protocol and the issues which are to be examined therein. The approximate word allocation for each section is also specified as a guide to the breadth required, as well as the mark allocation (in brackets).

Qualitative or Quantitative Empirical Research Protocol

Title (approximately 25-50 words)

Provide a short title of approximately 25-50 words. This will likely be based around your key research question or aim.

Abstract (200 words) (5%)

This should summarise your protocol including your topic, question/aims, perspective, methodology and methods. It is much easier to write this after you have completed the rest of your assessment.

Introduction: (200 words) (5%)

Provide the reader with the background and justification of your study.

Literature Review (600 words) (15%)

Briefly describe the literature review you undertook during the formative assessment, then provide a detailed critical analysis of relevant research and, if appropriate, other literature to underpin your topic. Identify the limitations of previous research and how this supports the need for your proposed study.

Research question and aims (200 words) (5%)

Usually you will have a specific aim or research question which is a broad statement of intent. You may wish to include a maximum of four objectives which outline the how you will achieve this aim.

Perspective and Methodology (1000 words) (25%)

This section will include a critical summary of your chosen research perspective (qualitative or quantitative) in relation to your research question and a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen methodology (e.g the quantitative design/ qualitative approach you will adopt , for example thematic, phenomenological, randomised controlled trial, cross-sectional survey etc.).

Methods (1000 words) (30%)

Critically appraise how you will conduct your study, including your population, sampling strategy and frame, data collection tools and data analysis. Issues of rigour/validity/reliability must be considered throughout, considering the strengths and limitations of these methods. Provide a draft example of your questionnaire, interview schedule etc. in an appendix (this does not need to be fully developed but should give some indication of where you want this to go). It is essential that the proposed methods are feasible given the time constraints of an MSc dissertation, the resources available to you and relevant ethical considerations (i.e. involving NHS patients requires lengthy ethical applications). Critically evaluate the main differences between quantitative (inductive) and qualitative (deductive) approaches.

Recruitment and Ethical issues (500 words) (10%)

Discuss key ethical issues pertinent to your study as well as practical issues affecting participant recruitment, including access to the relevant population, gatekeepers, participant engagement etc.

Timetable (100 words)

Given the expected constraints of Master’s study one /two semesters (Full/Part time) you should propose a timetable that fits with your programme and acknowledge its limitations.

Budget and likely funding sources (100 words)

Describe the costs associated with your study and how will you meet these.

Dissemination of results (100 words) (5%*)

Explain where and how you intend to publicise the results of your study.

* for timetable, budget & dissemination

It is essential that this work is underpinned by relevant theory and evidence throughout.

NB. The title, reference list and any data collection tools in the appendix are excluded from the word count.

Structured Literature Review Protocol

Title (25-50 words)

Provide a short title of approximately 25-50 words. This should reflect your key research question or aim.

Abstract (200 words) (5%)

This should summarise your protocol including your topic, question/aims, search methodology and methods. It is much easier to write this after you have completed the rest of your assessment.

Introduction: (200 words) (5%)

Critically describe the background to your review topic area.

Background: (600 words) (15%)

Provide a detailed justification for conducting your SLR. Through a critical analysis of relevant research and, if appropriate, other literature, identify the limitations of previous research and how this supports the need for your proposed SLR. You should explain how you have consulted the relevant databases (e.g. DARE / PROSPERO and Google Scholar) to ensure that no review on this topic already exists.

Research question and aims (200 words) (5%)

You will have a focused review question or specific aim. You may wish to include a maximum of four objectives which outline the how you will achieve the review aim.

Perspective and Methodology (1000 words) (25%)

This section should provide a critical discussion of your selected type of review (qualitative or quantitative). Include a critical discussion of your chosen approach and why this will best answer your study question. Critically describe the methodologies (i.e. the quantitative designs/ qualitative approaches) that are best placed to answer your question, for example thematic, phenomenological, randomised controlled trial, cross-sectional survey etc.).

Methods: Literature Search Strategy (750 words) (20%)

This section should detail your search strategy by explaining how you intend to conduct your search. Include a critical discussion of the processes associated with searching and selecting primary research studies. Critically discuss your proposed databases, search terms (subject headings and keywords), and delimiters (including dates). Describe and provide a rationale for any limitations of the review (e.g. restricting your search to English language papers only, or not conducting a comprehensive search of grey literature resources). Briefly discuss how searches will be combined using appropriate Boolean operators (e.g. AND, OR, NOT) and if appropriate, indicate whether your search strategy will be guided by any framework (e.g. PICO/SPIO). In this section, you should also justify your study inclusion/exclusion criteria (your inclusion/exclusion criteria may be presented in a table; do not include the table in your word count) and describe the screening processes for selecting the papers to include in the review. Critically evaluate the main differences between quantitative (inductive) and qualitative (deductive) approaches.

Methods: Quality Assessment (400 words) (10%)

Identify a quality assessment tool (provide the reference to the source). Critically discuss your chosen tool and explain how you plan to conduct the methodological quality assessment of primary research studies using this tool. Discuss whether papers will be included/excluded on the grounds of quality – and provide your rationale for this decision.

Please include an example of the quality appraisal tool that you intend to use in your review as an appendix.

Data Extraction Tool (350 words) (10%)

Identify and adapt or develop an appropriate data extraction tool (reference the source, if appropriate). Critically discuss your tool and any adaptations to it and explain how you plan to conduct data extraction using this tool. Discuss why particular data items have been chosen for extraction. Attach a template of your proposed data extraction tool as an appendix (this may be a draft of your final tool).

Timetable (100 words)

Given the normal and expected constraints of completing this review (i.e. one semester for full time students / 2 semesters for part time students), you should propose a timetable to conduct this study that fits with your programme and acknowledge its limitations.

Budget and likely funding sources (100 words)

You should describe the costs associated with your study and how will you meet these.

Dissemination of results (100 words) (5%*)

Explain where and how you intend to disseminate the results of your review.

* for timetable, budget & dissemination

• is essential that this work is underpinned by relevant theory and evidence throughout.
• The title, reference list and any data collection tools in the appendix are excluded from the word count.

Glasgow Caledonian University School of Health & Life Sciences Assessment Matrix – SHEM/SCQF 11

Summative Assessment Presentation

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• The title of the module, including the academic level
• The title of your programme
• The title of your assessment
• Student’s full name
• Matriculation number
• Name of Module Leader
• Date of submission
• Word count

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