MAEL111 Assignment Brief

Module code MAEL 111
Module title Methods of Research for the Educational Leader
MQF level 7
ECTS 5

Task 1

Task type Essay
Task description

 

 Choose between Questions 1 and 2

In the essay, apart from the recommended readings, you are expected to refer to relevant literary sources to substantiate your arguments and claims. The essay should be written in British English.

Important Note: The assignment is assessing the level of your academic research and writing skills. Your work is expected to be original and authentic. The inclusion of AI-generated text in the essay is prohibited.

For Question 1: TWO research projects must be described. (50 marks for each essay)

For Question 2: ONE research project must be described.

Either

Question 1

This question is divided into two parts: a and b. Both parts are compulsory. Question 1a is about a quantitative research project. Question 1b is about a qualitative research project.

1a. Design a questionnaire to address a research question or a set of research questions. The research question/s must be one/s that can be answered through quantitative data.

Describe and critically evaluate the questionnaire you have designed and explain how it will be used to answer the research question/s.

Your essay should include the following:

1. The research question/s

2. Justifications for using a questionnaire, as a research tool, to address the research question/s.

3. The objectives of the questionnaire
4. The questionnaire

Include a brief description of the demographics of the intended participants N.B. The questionnaire does NOT contribute to the word count.

5. The key principles in the design and content of the proposed questionnaire

A discussion on the key principles that were taken into consideration when planning the questionnaire; this should include: the layout of the questionnaire, the language used, the age of the intended participants, the content of the questions, the type of questions that have been set, and any other considerations that have guided the design of the questionnaire.

6. The sampling technique

7. A description of how the collected data will be analysed and presented.

8.  Reliability, validity, and generalisability

A discussion on the reliability, validity, and generalisability of the questionnaire

9. Limitations of the proposed questionnaire:

i.  as a research tool (in general)

ii.  as a research tool designed to address the research question/s that has/have been set.

10.   Conclusion.

1b. Design a research project that comprises a qualitative study.

The description of the proposed research project should be detailed and well-structured; it should include the following:

1. A concise and well-defined title

2. Statement of Problem

3. Purpose of the research

4. Research questions

5.The research paradigm

6. The methodological approach

7. Sampling framework

8. Data analysis strategy

9. Reliability, validity and generalisability

10. Ethical considerations

11. Researcher reflexivity

12. Conclusion.

OR

Question 2

Design a Mixed Methods Research project.

The description of the proposed research project should be   detailed and well-structured; it should include the following:
1. A concise and well-defined title

2. Statement of Problem

3. The purpose of the research

4. A set of Research questions

5. The research paradigm

6. The methodological approach

7. Sampling frameworks

8. Data analysis strategies

9. Strategies for Integration

10. Reliability, validity and generalisability

11.   Ethical considerations

12. Researcher reflexivity

13. Limitations of the study

14. Conclusion  
Task weighting 100%
Task length Question 1a: 2500-2600 words

N.B. The questionnaire does NOT contribute to the word count. Question 1b: 2500-2600 words.

  Question 2: 5000-5200 words.

Assessment Criteria

Important Note: The assignment is assessing the level of your academic research and writing skills. Your work is expected to be original and authentic. The inclusion of AI-generated text in the essay is prohibited.

Rubric Question 1a

Section of Assignment Assessment Criteria Range of marks based on level of satisfying assessment criteria
Research question/s ●

●

●

●

 Well-defined

Clear focus

Not over-ambitious, nor under-ambitious Can be addressed through quantitative data

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Justifications for using a questionnaire, as a research tool, to address the research question/s. ●

●

●

 Well-articulated

Convincingly argued

The match between the research question/s and the questionnaire, as a research tool, is clearly delineated

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
The objectives of the questionnaire ●

●

●

 Clearly defined

Well written

Address the research question/s

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
The questionnaire ●

●

●

●

 Instructions for participants are clear

The layout of the questionnaire is participantfriendly and age- appropriate

The questionnaire collects data that can be used to address, in a comprehensive and effective way, the research question/s Different types of questions are set in the questionnaire

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
Discussion on the key principles in the design and content of the proposed questionnaire ●

●

●

 The key principles that guided the planning of the questionnaire are examined and discussed The design of the questionnaire is analysed The content of the questionnaire is critically evaluated Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
The sampling technique ●

●

 The sampling technique is explained in a logical way

The sampling technique is justified

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
A description of how the collected data will be analysed and presented ●

●

 Efficient ways on how to analyse the data are presented

Effective ways of presenting the data are proposed

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Reliability, Validity and

Generalisability

● Reliability, validity and generalisability of the questionnaire are explained and evaluated Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1-2 3-4 5-6
Limitations of the proposed questionnaire:

i.as         a research tool (in

general)

ii.                      as a research tool designed to address the research question which has been set.

 

 

●

●

 i. The limitations of the questionnaire as a research tool are discussed. ii. The limitations of the proposed questionnaire, as a tailor-made tool to address the research question/s, are examined and critically evaluated Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
 

0

 

0

  

1

 

1

  

2

 

2-3

  

3

 

4-5
Conclusion ●

●

 The conclusion summarises the salient points in the discussion.

The conclusion presents an effective closure to the essay

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Overall presentation ●

●

●

 The essay is structured in a systematic way

The language is free from grammatical errors

The essay is written in a proficient manner

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Referencing style ● Referencing is consistent and in adherence with APA 7th edition. Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3

Assessment Criteria Rubric Question 1b

Section of Assignment Assessment Criteria Range of marks based on the level of satisfying assessment criteria
Title of research project ● Title is well-defined and concise Adequate Outstanding
1 2
Statement of Problem ●

●

●

●

 Well-articulated problem

Well-defined background

Existing gap in knowledge is accurately described

Contribution to new knowledge is clear

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2 3 4
Purpose of the research ●

●

 Purpose is well-defined

Purpose is focused

 Adequate Outstanding
1 2
Research Questions ●

●

 Research questions are clearly stated Research questions are not over- ambitious, nor under-ambitious Adequate Outstanding
1 2
The Research

Paradigm

●

●

●

 Theoretical basis is well presented

Theoretical rationale is convincingly argued

Research paradigm is clearly presented

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2 3-4 5
Research methodology ●                    Methodology approach is well explained

●                    Proposed research tools are critically evaluated

●                    Description of how research approach and research tools will be used to address the research questions is clear

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2-3 5 6
Sampling framework ●  Sampling framework is well justified and described

●  Selection bias in the research design is explained: is it being avoided? Or is it intentional?

●  Practical ways of how participants will be recruited are presented

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Data Analysis Strategy ●                    Data analysis strategy is well- presented

●                    Adopted data analysis strategy is justified

●                    Ways of presenting analysed data are proposed

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2-3 4-5
Reliability, Validity and Generalisability ● Reliability, validity and generalisability in the proposed research project are explained and evaluated Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2-3 4-5
Ethical considerations ●

●

 Evidence of a fair and balanced approach throughout the proposed research is wellpresented

Evidence of how the welfare of participants will be prioritised during the research is presented and discussed clearly

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Researcher reflexivity ●

●

 Researcher bias is rigorously explored within

the context of the proposed research Self-reflection on how to mitigate researcher bias is presented

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2 3-4 5
Conclusion ● An accurate summative description of the proposed research is presented Adequate Outstanding
1 2

 
Overall presentation ●

●

●

 Assignment is well-structured The language is free from grammatical errors

The language style befits an academic piece of writing

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Referencing style ● Referencing is consistent and in adherence with APA 7th edition. Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3

Assessment Criteria Rubric Question 2

Section of Assignment Assessment Criteria Range of marks based on the level of satisfying assessment criteria
Title of research project ● Title is well-defined and concise Adequate Good/Outstanding
1 2
Statement of Problem ●  Well-articulated problem

●  Well-defined background

●  Existing gap in knowledge is accurately described

●  Contribution to new knowledge is clear

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-2 3 4-5 6-7
Purpose of the research ●  Purpose is well-defined

●  Purpose is focused

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Research Questions ●  Research questions are clearly stated

●  Research questions are not overambitious, nor under-ambitious

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
The Research

Paradigm

●  Theoretical basis is well presented

●   Theoretical rationale is convincingly argued

●  Research paradigm is clearly presented

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8
Methodological approach ●   The methodological approach is well explained. It describes and justifies the approach for the quantitative component and for the qualitative component.

●  Proposed research tools are critically evaluated

●   Description of how the research approach and research tools will be used to address the research questions is clear

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-3 4-7 8-11 12-14
Sampling frameworks and Recruitment of participants ●  The sampling framework for each tool is well justified and described

●  Selection bias in the research design is explained: is it being avoided? Or is it

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2-3 4 5
intentional?

● Practical ways of how participants will be recruited are presented
Data Analysis

Strategies

●    Data analysis strategies for each tool/type of tool is/are well- presented

●  Adopted data analysis strategies for the quantitative and qualitative data are justified

●  Ways of presenting analysed data are proposed

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-2 3-5 6-8 9-10
Strategies for

Integration

●   Strategies for combining qualitative and quantitative components in the research design are delineated

●  Examples of how the integrated analysed data can be presented are included

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-2 3-5 6-8 9
Reliability, Validity and Generalisability ●  For the quantitative component:

Reliability, validity and generalisability in the proposed research project are explained and evaluated

●  For the qualitative component: Reliability, validity and generalisability in the proposed research project are explained and evaluated

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-2 3-5 6-8 9-10
Ethical considerations ●  Evidence of a fair and balanced approach throughout the proposed research is wellpresented

●   Evidence of how the welfare of participants will be prioritised during the research is presented and discussed clearly

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2-3 4 5
Researcher reflexivity ●   Researcher bias is rigorously explored within the context of the proposed research project

●   Self-reflection on how to mitigate researcher bias is presented

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1-2 3 4-5 6
Limitations of the

Study

● Critical evaluation of the extent to which the proposed research design addresses the research questions Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2-3 4 5
● Limitations of the theoretical and practical approach adopted
Conclusion ● An accurate summative description of the proposed research is presented Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
0 1 2 3
Overall presentation ●

●

●

 Assignment is well-structured The language is free from grammatical errors

The language style befits an academic piece of writing

 Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2 3-4 5-6
Referencing style ● Referencing is consistent and in adherence with APA 7th edition. Poor Adequate Good Outstanding
1 2 3 4

Hire Expert Help

Many students face difficulty while working on the MAEL111 Methods of Research for the Educational Leader assignment—some don’t understand how to design research projects, while others don’t have enough time for proper academic writing. But there’s no need to worry now, because Malta Assignment Help provides education research assignment help according to your university requirements. To build trust, you can also check our malta assignment examples and understand the quality we deliver. So, choose our essay writing service today and get a custom, human-written, 100% plagiarism-free solution prepared exclusively for you.