Research objectives indicate in more detail the specific research topics or issues the project plans to investigate, building on the main theme stated in the research goals. Normally at least two

Assignment Task

1. Research objectives and/or questions

Research Objectives

Research objectives indicate in more detail the specific research topics or issues the project plans to investigate, building on the main theme stated in the research goals. Normally at least two or three research objectives will be stated. It is good practice to put these in a numbered list so they can be clearly identified later in a proposal or report. Here is an example of a set of research objectives:

Objective 1: To examine whether alcohol consumption is associated with increased partner violence.

Objective 2: To examine whether labor force status (employment, unemployment, not in the labor force) is associated with variations in the incidence of partner violence.

Objective 3: To explore differences between couples with an extended history of partner violence and couples with only a brief, recent history of partner violence.

Research questions

In some situations, rather than stating research objectives, researchers will prefer to use research questions. In the example below, the objectives stated in the previous example are reframed as research questions:

Question1: Is alcohol consumption associated with increased partner violence?

Question 2: Is labor force status (employment, unemployment, not in the labor force associated with variations in the incidence of partner violence?

Question 3: Are there differences between couples with an extended history of partner violence and couples with only a brief, recent history of partner violence?

2. Review of Related Literature 

In this section, you are required to produce a logical and meaningful combination of DESCRIPTIVE, ANALYTICAL, PERSUASIVE, and CRITICAL rendition (writing) of related past research FINDINGS in the context of the investigation carried out by the researcher.

Descriptive writing: providing facts or information. An example would be a summary of an article or a report of the results of an experiment.

Analytical writing: includes descriptive writing, but also requires you to reorganize the facts and information you describe into categories, groups, parts, types or relationships. Sometimes, these categories or relationships are already part of the discipline, while in other cases you will create them specifically for your text. If you’re comparing two theories, you might break your comparison into several parts, for example: how each theory deals with social context, how each theory deals with language learning, and how each theory can be used in practice.

Persuasive writing: persuasive writing has all the features of analytical writing (that is, information plus reorganizing the information), with the addition of your own point of view. Most essays are persuasive, and there is a persuasive element in at least the discussion and conclusion of a research article. Points of view in academic writing can include an argument, recommendation, interpretation of findings or evaluation of the work of others. In persuasive writing, each claim you make needs to be supported by some evidence, for example a reference to research findings or published sources.

To help reach your own point of view on the facts or ideas: 

• read some other researchers' points of view on the topic. Who do you feel is the most convincing? ◦ look for patterns in the data or references. Where is the evidence strongest?
• list several different interpretations. What are the real-life implications of each one? Which ones are likely to be most useful or beneficial? Which ones have some problems?
• discuss the facts and ideas with someone else. Do you agree with their point of view?

To develop your argument:

• list the different reasons for your point of view
• think about the different types and sources of evidence which you can use to support your point of view
• consider different ways that your point of view is similar to, and different from, the points of view of other researchers
• look for various ways to break your point of view into parts. For example, cost effectiveness, environmental sustainability, scope of real-world application.

To present your argument, make sure:

• your text develops a coherent argument where all the individual claims work together to support your overall point of view
• your reasoning for each claim is clear to the reader
• your assumptions are valid
• you have evidence for every claim you make
• you use evidence that is convincing and directly relevant.

Critical writing: critical writing has all the features of persuasive writing, with the added feature of at least one other point of view. While persuasive writing requires you to have your own point of view on an issue or topic, critical writing requires you to consider at least two points of view, including your own. For example, you may explain a researcher's interpretation or argument and then evaluate the merits of the argument, or give your own alternative interpretation. Examples of critical writing assignments include a critique of a journal article, or a literature review that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of existing research. The kinds of instructions for critical writing include: 'critique', 'debate', 'disagree' and 'evaluate'

You need to:

•  accurately summarize all or part of the work. This could include identifying the main interpretations, assumptions or methodology. ◦
• have an opinion about the work. Appropriate types of opinion could include pointing out some problems with it, proposing an alternative approach that would be better, and/or defending the work against the critiques of others. 
• provide evidence for your point of view. Depending on the specific assignment and the discipline, different types of evidence may be appropriate, such as logical reasoning, reference to authoritative sources and/or research data

2. Description of research approach (Qualitative or Quantitative Research, or Mixed?) and indication of research design, i.e., What is the name of specific Research Design to be utilised for the investigation? For example, Case Study, Descriptive Survey, Correlation Study, Causal-Comparative Study, Experimental Study, Phenomenological Study, Historical Study, Documentation Study, etc

3.Description of the type of data to be collected to address the research objectives and/or answer research questions 

4.Indicate and describe from where and/or from whom will data be collected 

5.Describe how data collected will be analysed (Quantitative vs. Qualitative Method?)

6.List at least 20 references (in APA referencing format and ideally, of Scholarly Journal Articles), consisting of RELATED past research findings that would be used to build credibility for your own research investigation

7.The information supplied is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, accurate. I clearly understand my obligations and the rights of the participants. I agree to act at all times in accordance with University’s regulations for undertaking research.