• ‘Empirically based professional enquiry’: This is a ‘traditional’ research project in which students
are expected to design a research study to investigate or solve a specific research problem(s). Although the
scope of such a project is wide and could feasibly encompass several types of research, a project falling
into this category would typically involve answering a specific research question or testing a hypothesis
using appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative research instruments.

• ‘Applied research project’: A research project falling into this category will typically entail the
investigation of a relevant issue within a real-life practitioner environment. Students will be expected to
deploy appropriate research tools within their investigation with a view to proposing solutions and
recommendations. Projects within this category should aim to note the wider implications of project findings
within the discipline of study. This project category would only apply to those students that are engaging
in part-time work within a relevant organisation whilst simultaneously studying the programme.

• ‘Desk based professional enquiry’: This form of research project is more theoretical and is concerned
with the structured, methodological and critical analysis of literature or data sets, with a view to
critiquing existing assumptions or theories, improving understanding of complex areas of study, and proposing
improved or alternative theories or hypotheses, analytical/conceptual models, recommendations, etc.

• Present a structured and advanced level of academic work in the discipline of study, including the
demonstration of students’ skills in analysis, research design, writing and other research skills where
appropriate;

• Engage in autonomous study to solve research problems in a systematic and original manner, and
demonstrate self-directed project management;

• Critically review, interpret and evaluate research and other examples of advanced scholarship within
the discipline of study;

• Critically analyse methodologies, theories, hypotheses or models and, where appropriate, propose
academically sound alternatives;

• Synthesize information from disparate sources to arrive at informed and coherent conclusions and/or
recommendations, noting their implications in professional practice;

• Contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the discipline of study, whilst noting the
limitations of the work undertaken;

• Critically reflect on his/her development and understanding of the knowledge, skills, techniques and
methodological techniques adopted throughout the study process and their relevance to professional practice.
Areas in which the group sessions and supervisors can provide assistance include:
• The identification, and refining of a subject area to achieve an achievable topic;
• Approaches to conducting a literature review;
• Methodology, with respect to an appropriate match between the research question and paradigm or
model;
• Methods (where applicable) to include data gathering techniques such as interview schedules,
questionnaires, and focus groups (most relevant to those pursuing an ‘empirically based professional enquiry’
or ‘applied research project’);
• Analysis of findings (where applicable);
• Providing a sounding board for the proposal of new theories, hypotheses, conceptual models, etc.
(most relevant to those students pursuing a ‘desk based professional enquiry’);
• Project structure, layout and presentation.
Many of the above issues will be treated in the group supervision sessions.
Students can aid or improve the supervision they receive by:
• Discussing with the supervisor the type of guidance they find most useful
• Agreeing a project plan, research milestones, schedule of meetings, etc.
• Taking initiative in raising problems or difficulties
• Maintaining the progress of work in accordance with the stages set out in the group sessions, or
agreed with the supervisor
• Maintaining an adequate record of meetings and advice provided

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