Literature Review on a topic related to Project Management. Using 9-15 references (Harvard). C
ritical evaluation of the research methodologies.MSc in Project Management Session 2022-23 Semester: SEM1 – Cohorts 8/9 Module number 7500BEQR Module title Research Methods Type of coursework Activity Search Plan, Notes, and Literature Review Report Submitted on CANVAS Module Leader Dr. Sana Chakroun ASSIGNMENT BRIEF Your aim is to research published peer-reviewed literature on your topic of interest and summarise the current knowledge on this topic in the form of a literature review. This can be any topic area, which is of interest to you, including any topic relevant to your final MSc dissertation, if you wish to use this coursework as preliminary work towards the dissertation. As a part of this assignment (Table 1) you will need to submit: 1. Search Plan and Notes – please refer to the LJMU Library Research Skills webpage (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/library/subject-resources/searching) and watch the online “Introduction to Search Skills”, ”Evaluating your search results”, “Searching for your Literature Review” tutorials and/or read the “Searching for your Literature Review” PDF guide. 2. Your notes – this can be a scan of handwritten notes taken during your research process, demonstrating e.g. your search priorities, categorization of references, and/or identification of knowledge gaps. 3. Literature Review Report – this report will address two main areas: it will review the current knowledge on your selected topic and it will also focus on a critical evaluation of the research methodologies used within the reviewed studies. Your report must demonstrate an understanding of appropriate research knowledge and techniques. You are expected to critically appraise the literature covered in the reviewed articles, considering whether you would have used the same methodological approach. Then you will critically evaluate how data was analyzed and whether the conclusions the authors have made are valid based on their chosen methodology and results. The report word count will be 2500 (+/- 250) words. The word count excludes acknowledgments, executive summary, list of contents, the contents of figures and tables, references and appendices (but it includes in-text citations). You can browse journal articles within the LJMU Library online databases (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/library/resources/electronic-library) and access them using your LJMU login credentials. Table 1. Assessment details. Assessment Submission date Words Weighting Learning outcomes Search Plan, Notes, and Literature Review Report Cohort 8: 22nd October 2022. Cohort 9: 29th October 2022. 2500 (+/-10%) 100% 1-3 Marking Criteria The marking criteria (Table 2) for this assignment are based on the 3 Learning Outcomes detailed in the Module Proforma and Module Handbook. Table 2. Assignment objectives and marking criteria. Assignment objectives and marking criteria Mark % 1. Search Plan Your literature search plan, based on the “Searching for your Literature Review” tutorial/guide available at the LJMU Library webpage: (https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/library/subject-resources/searching) 10% 2. Notes Your notes should provide evidence of your research processes, the prioritized subtopics and/or categories as well as identified knowledge gaps. 5% Report 3. Introduction A clear introduction to the report; the aim of the literature review report; and identification and a brief collective overview of the research articles being reviewed. 10% 4. 4. Critical Review A critical review of the literature on your chosen topic. 20% 5. 5. Critical Evaluation of the Methodology Clear identification and critical evaluation of the research methods, data collection, and analysis that have been used in the research articles and a critical evaluation of whether the methodology was appropriate for answering the research questions posed by these articles and why, or why not. 35% 6. 6. Conclusions A final evaluation of the selected topic area based on the overall key finding from the literature review report. 10% 7. 8. Referencing Accurate use of Harvard System (See https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/library/subject-resources/referencing) 5% 9. 10. Presentation A fluently written: concise and accurate report. Demonstrating that attention has been paid to grammar and spelling; No unnecessary use of quotations; if required, graphical material should be well presented and cited and/or, where possible, created for the research. Word count. 5% I) STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT All reports should contain: Title page: giving the following information: · 7500BEQR Research Methods Report · Your OUC student ID number · Your LJMU student ID number · MSc in Project Management · 20xx-20xx Sem x · The word count (excluding acknowledgments, executive summary, list of contents, figures, tables, references, and appendices) Confidentiality statement: If there are genuine reasons why your work could be considered confidential then you should discuss this matter with your Module Leader. (Optional) Executive summary: a brief summary of the aim, methodology, contents, and conclusions of the team project. Acknowledgments: a list of people who provided help to the author during the research and writing of the project. (Optional) List of contents: showing the breakdown of the project into its constituent parts and locating them by page number. It is good practice to also include a list of figures, tables, and appendices. Introduction: presenting and justifying the research and/or consultancy problem/issue and introducing the approach taken to investigating and presenting the problem. The six selected articles need to be clearly introduced in this section. Glossary: a list of abbreviations and technical terms used and their definitions. (Optional) Body of the report: should be arranged in a way appropriate to the topic, ideally by methodology type and article, presenting a review of relevant literature, results and discussions and a synthesis of findings, critical analysis of facts and/or ideas, using chapter headings, with paragraphs and spacing for ease of reading and cross-references. Conclusions: an assessment of the findings along with any recommendations; this section should, explicitly or implicitly, establish the validity of the work in relation to its field. References: should be Harvard format for all in-text citations and end list of references (See https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/microsites/library/subject-resources/referencing). Appendices: optional; useful for relevant but supplementary information; should not be used for key material that should be placed in the main body of the report. II) Report Presentation Format · The report itself should demonstrate analytical and evaluation skills in the discussion of the topic and a clear understanding of strategic project management issues. Please do not merely submit a list of bullet points to address the criterion identified – this will ensure a failure. All references should be clearly cited within the text and summarised in the end Reference list. The work should be submitted electronically through the link under Assignments on the module within Canvas. The work should be submitted anonymously and should just contain your student ID number. PLAGIARISM Plagiarism is the practice of presenting thoughts, writings, or other output of another or others as original, without acknowledgment of their source(s). All material used to support a piece of work, whether a printed publication or from electronic media, should be appropriately identified and referenced and should not normally be copied directly unless as an acknowledged quote. Text translated into the words of the individual student should in all cases acknowledge the source. Before submitting the work, you should check through it to ensure that: · All material that has been identified as originating from a previously published source has been properly attributed by the inclusion of an appropriate in-text citation. · Direct quotations are marked as such (using “double quotation marks” at the beginning and end of the selected text). · Each citation has been included in the list of references. COLLUSION This report is an individual assessment and not group work. If you decide to study with another student, you must ensure that the final submission from each student is unique. If the work shows significant signs of similarity it will be picked up in Turnitin and you may be cited for plagiarism. NOTE Academic regulations for Post Graduate programs PG.C2.3 state: “Coursework, which is submitted late (except where there is an agreed extension) will be recorded as a non-submission. There is also a penalty for deviating substantially from the word length. If you, for genuine reasons, are unable to meet the hand-in date, please complete an extension request form, seek verification from your Personal Tutor and inform the Module Leader.” Table 3. Grade descriptors for Level 7 written work. Grade descriptors for Level 7 written work Mark range Characteristic Criteria 90-100 Exceptional Pass Exemplary attainment of all learning outcomes Demonstrates an outstanding synthesis of varied theoretical positions in the analysis of key issues in the subject area Wide-ranging emphasis on knowledge and ideas that are at the forefront of the discipline Offers an exhaustive exploration of the literature and evidence-base The material covered is accurate and relevant The argument is highly sophisticated The standard of writing is refined No errors in the use of the specified referencing system Well-presented and organised in an appropriate academic style. 80-89 Outstanding Pass Excellent attainment of all learning outcomes, with some, met to an exemplary standard Demonstrates a comprehensive synthesis of varied theoretical positions in the analysis of key issues in the subject area. Wide-ranging emphasis on knowledge and ideas that are at the forefront of the discipline Extends far beyond expected levels of engagement with the literature and evidence-base The material covered is accurate and relevant The argument is generally very astute The standard of writing is refined No errors in the use of the specified referencing system Well-presented and organised in an appropriate academic style. 70-79 Excellent Pass Excellent attainment of all learning outcomes Demonstrates a thorough synthesis of varied theoretical positions in the analysis of key issues in the subject area Strong emphasis on knowledge and ideas that are at the forefront of the discipline Thorough use of the literature and evidence-base The material covered is accurate and relevant The argument is persuasive and there are very perceptive elements The standard of writing is refined No errors in the use of the specified referencing system Well-presented and organised in an appropriate academic style. 60-69 Good Pass Good attainment of all learning outcomes Demonstrates detailed synthesis of varied theoretical positions in the analysis of key issues in the subject area Good emphasis on knowledge and ideas that are at the forefront of the discipline Good consideration of the literature and evidence-base that develops from recommended readings The material covered is accurate and relevant The argument is persuasive The standard of writing is refined No errors in the use of the specified referencing system Well-presented and organised in an appropriate academic style. 50-59 Pass Adequate attainment of all learning outcomes Demonstrates a limited, but sufficient, synthesis of varied theoretical positions in the analysis of key issues in the subject area Some emphasis on knowledge and ideas that are at the forefront of the discipline Sufficient consideration of the literature and evidence-based, but little consideration beyond recommended readings The material covered is mostly accurate and relevant The argument is straightforward and relatively clear The standard of writing is well clear and readable, with some sophisticated phrasing No errors in the use of the specified referencing system Well-presented and organised in an appropriate academic style. 40-49 Needs Some Improvement Meets most, but not all learning outcomes Demonstrates limited synthesis of varied theoretical positions in the analysis of key issues in the subject area Less than expected emphasis