Reference no: EM133700495 , Length: word count:2000

Assignment overview

In this assignment, students will explore and analyse scholarly articles related to 10 different research themes. Please note that the research themes provided are distinct from those given in the previous assignment. Each theme will encompass a unique area of study, ensuring a diverse range of topics for investigation. The primary aim of this assignment is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of research methods and their significance in academic inquiry. By exploring a diverse array of research themes, students will gain practical experience in analysing and evaluating research methodologies across different categories.

The submission consists of two components including i) a table detailing the key information relevant to the selected articles (15%), and ii) a reflective analysis of selected literature. The details for these components are outlined below.

1) Analysis of research approaches:

• Students are required to identify six papers related to three research categories including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-mode approaches (collectively, 18 papers). All these papers must be directly linked to one of the given research themes.

• Students will critically examine the methodologies employed in each paper, detailing and analysing constituents of methods applied. For instance, consider an article that would have used simulation approach to evaluate a building case study's energy performance. The key constituents of its methodology could be i) type of simulation software used, ii) data source, iii) performing validity/reliability checkLinks to an external site. (e.g., running sensitivity analysis), iv) sample size, etc. These elements of the research method must be singled out and analysed.

2) Evaluation of Methodological Suitability:

• Students are required to provide recommendations on how each method could be enhanced or refined to improve the rigor and validity of the research findings. For instance, consider an article that utilised interviews to explore experts' perspectives on the implementation of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in construction projects. In this scenario, students should thoroughly analyse the methodology outlined in the article, paying close attention to the key research protocols followed in the paper (e.g., sampling method, sampling size etc.). They should then compare these aspects to standard procedures for conducting interviews and pinpoint any oversights in the methodology of the analysed article (e.g., it may be discovered that pilotLinks to an external site. study was not done by the analysed article) and propose recommendations for refining the approach.

• Students will assess the effectiveness of the methodologies used in each paper in addressing the research aim, objectives, and questions and stated research gap. The judgement should be made based on the applicability of utilised research approach with respect to the nature of the research. For instance, consider an article that used a quantitative survey approach to gather data on factors contributing to construction project delays. Although the survey method provides quantitative data, the study could be enhanced by incorporating qualitative interviews with project stakeholders to explore nuanced issues and gather in-depth insights into the root causes of delays. Additionally, conducting site observations or case studies could offer complementary perspectives and enrich the analysis of factors causing delays in real-world construction contexts. This was only a simple illustration of how students can/should approach assessing the selected studies and providing viable feedback/recommendations on the adopted method.

Please note that students are encouraged to identify studies using a variety of research methods within each category: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-mode approaches. However, at least two different methods are required in each category. For example, students cannot select all six quantitative studies as simulations or all as questionnaire surveys.

Peer review
Students must complete a 'peer review assessment' form and submit it along with the required assignment documents. This process ensures that grades accurately reflect the collective efforts of all students involved in the group assignment. Students are encouraged to evaluate their peers based on (i) their level of effort, engagement, and participation in completing the assignment, and (ii) the quality of their contributions.

Deliverables
1. Reflective analysis report.
2. A Table containing summarised information on the selected articles.