7IR007 Research Proposal and Annotated Bibliography Assignments

7IR007 Assignment 1

Assignment requirements

We are asking you to write a research proposal towards your capstone project. Therefor the topic is open within the field of International Relations. We do recommend that you think about the discipline your project is likely to contribute to as it will strengthen your assignment.

A research proposal is a comprehensive document that outlines the planned research study, providing a detailed and structured overview of the research project. Typically written before the actual research is conducted, the proposal serves as a blueprint, guiding researchers through the design, objectives, methods, and anticipated outcomes of their investigation.

Puzzle:

In a research proposal, key elements include a clear and concise statement of the research question or problem the study aims to address. The proposal outlines the rationale for the research, highlighting its significance and contribution to existing knowledge within the chosen field.

Research Design & Methods:

A research proposal delineates research methods, detailing how data will be collected, analysed, and interpreted.

Contribution:

A research proposal is able to outline the nuanced and/or original addition to the field. This might be through the research design, methodology, nuanced conclusions, filling a gap in the literature, or many other approaches that add to the rigorous body of knowledge in the field.

Literature review:

A research proposal includes a review of relevant literature, demonstrating the researcher’s understanding of existing scholarship and identifying gaps that the proposed study aims to fill.

Limitations and challenges:

The proposal also addresses ethical considerations, potential challenges, and the feasibility of the research. These are analysed as they are met within the relevant sections. For example, if your research design proposes interviews, you must assess the risks and limitations in the research design section.

Learning outcomes

MLO1, MLO2

Assessment criteria

(see rubric below for performance criteria) 60% weighting.

Please see Rubric below for assessment criteria and performance details.

Characteristics of a good submission

1. A good submission will assess existing knowledge and not solely demonstrate knowledge or describe it.
2. A good submission will substantiate claims with evidence.
3. A good submission will not only recognise the gap or contribution being made, but will demonstrate how it exists with evidence.
4. A very good submission will critique existing knowledge and provide consistent links towards the authors main argument. It will also assess the limitations and challenges throughout each section of the proposal.
5. A good submission will be referenced accurately and include a full bibliography.

Additional instructions

A guiding template is attached. This is not prescriptive but there as an approximate guide. Each project is different and will require an individual approach most relevant to that project.

Professional Body requirements

Not Applicable

University regulations

University’s Academic Regulations
Academic Integrity Policy
Level and Mark Descriptors

Support

Student Support and Wellbeing
Study Guides
Skills for Learning – Introduction to Academic Study Skills
Academic English Language Skills
You should also refer to your Course and Module Guides

Date by which feedback will be provided

Feedback will be provided 4 weeks after submission (20 working days).

Feedback format

Written feedback with the option of a 10minute discussion with the module leader. Discussion to be arranged via email.

Resit details

Scores below 50 and required to resubmit due to academic misconduct will be required to submit work at the Second opportunity.

The Second Opportunity submission date is available on Canvas.

Students are expected to use the feedback provided on their first opportunity submission to improve the original work. You do not need to start again, only improve your original work.

Unless you have extenuating circumstances your second opportunity score will be capped at 50.

7IR007 Assignment 2

Assignment requirements

For this assignment we are asking you to read a minimum of eight related pieces of academic or policy work relevant to your proposed research topic. You are to read, demonstrate your understanding of the arguments, why they are relevant to your project, how they relate to one another around a theme, and recognise how rigorous or reliable each piece is in the form of an annotated bibliography.

The annotated bibliography serves as a valuable resource, offering a succinct overview of the existing literature and aiding the researcher in building a solid foundation for their study. For the annotated bibliography, a compilation of at least 8 sources is required

Introduction

The short introduction (200-250 words) contextualises the significance of the annotated bibliography in the research process, emphasizing its role in informing the study, guiding the researcher’s approach, and contributing to the overall scholarly dialogue in the chosen field. It should answer these three key questions:

• What is the overarching theme or focus of your selected sources?
• How do these sources inform and guide your research approach?
• How does your annotated bibliography contribute to the scholarly dialogue in your chosen field?

Annotations

The annotations (ranging from approximately 150-200 words) should concisely summarize the main points of each source, highlight its relevance to the research, and briefly evaluate its credibility.

Here are some tips for writing effective annotations:

• Read each source carefully to identify the main arguments, methodologies, and conclusions.
• Prioritize the most relevant information for your research question or topic.
• Use concise, clear language to summarize the key points.
• Evaluate the credibility of each source based on the author’s expertise, publication venue, and quality of evidence.
• Reflect on how each source relates to your research and fits within the broader context of your annotated bibliography.

Conclusion

The short conclusion (200-250 words) provides a summary of the key themes and critical analysis that emphasise the relevance of the sources to the proposed research.

Referencing

Remember, the full reference for each source is crucial for your readers to be able to locate and engage with the material you have cited. It also demonstrates your commitment to academic integrity and rigorous scholarship.

A full reference includes all the necessary information for a reader to identify and retrieve the original source. The specific format and details included in a full reference vary depending on the citation style you are using (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago) and the type of source (e.g., book, journal article, website). However, there are common elements that are typically included in a full reference across different styles and source types:

• Author(s): The surname and initials of the author(s) or editor(s) of the work.
• Year of publication: The year the work was published, or the most recent revision date for online sources.
• Title: The full title of the work, including subtitles if applicable. For books and reports, this is usually italicized. For articles, chapters, and web pages, the title is typically not italicized.
• Publication information: This varies depending on the source type:
  • For books: Include the place of publication and the publisher.
  • For journal articles: Include the journal title (italicized), volume number, issue number, and page range.
  • For chapters in edited books: Include the book title (italicized), editor(s), place of publication, publisher, and page range of the chapter.
  • For websites: Include the URL and the date you accessed the site.
  • DOI (Digital Object Identifier): If available, include the unique DOI for electronic sources.

We recommend that you become familiar with the website Cite them Right. The university of Wolverhampton has a subscription to the service. Cite them Right will support you in building a reference for anything your require under your chosen or disciplinary expected style.

To access Cite them Right please visit the University Library referencing support URL at: Referencing – University of Wolverhampton. Here you will also find additional support including workshops, drop-ins, and documents to support the development of your referencing.

Learning outcomes

MLO3

Assessment criteria

(see rubric below for performance criteria) 40% weighting.

Please see Rubric below for assessment criteria and performance details.

Characteristics of a good submission

1. A good submission will assess existing knowledge and not solely demonstrate knowledge or describe it.
2. A good submission will substantiate claims with evidence.
3. A good submission will not only recognise the gap or contribution being made, but will demonstrate how it exists with evidence.
4. A very good submission will critique existing knowledge and provide consistent links towards the authors main argument.
5. A good submission will build focus and synthesis between the entries to create a unified assignment.
6. A good submission will be referenced accurately and include a full bibliography.

Additional instructions

Remember that at a minimum, for each entry you must concisely summarize the main points of each source, highlight its relevance to the research, and briefly evaluate its credibility. Focus, synthesis, and cohesion in your work will make your work stronger.

Professional Body requirements

Not Applicable

University regulations

University’s Academic Regulations
Academic Integrity Policy
Level and Mark Descriptors

Support

Student Support and Wellbeing
Study Guides
Skills for Learning – Introduction to Academic Study Skills
Academic English Language Skills
You should also refer to your Course and Module Guides

Date by which feedback will be provided

Feedback will be provided 4 weeks after submission (20 working days).

Feedback format

Written feedback with the option of a 10minute discussion with the module leader. Discussion to be arranged via email.

Resit details

Scores below 50 and those required to resubmit due to academic misconduct will be required to submit work at the Second Opportunity.

The Second Opportunity submission date is available on Canvas.

Students are expected to use the feedback provided on their first opportunity submission to improve the original work. You do not need to start again, only improve your original work.

Unless you have extenuating circumstances your second opportunity score will be capped at 50.

Answer

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