XGBCYP4142 Research Methods – Essay
Assessment Pack contents:
Short introduction to the task.
Key terms
Key resources
Template to outline structure and content
Rubric to understand marking criteria
Video to explain it.
Short introduction to the task:
Choosing from either ‘risk factors for depression in women’ or ‘risk factors for depression in men’, complete a 2000 word literature review which highlights 5 of the main risk factors for your chosen gender.
Key terms:
Literature review a summary which highlights the main findings in current published work. It identifies the similarities and differences between sources and indicates solutions to a problem
Key Resources:
This sources gives terms that can be used to start sentences that help to link studies together and indicate similarities/differences between findings – click on ‘compare and contrast’ tab
Academic Phrasebank | The University of Manchester
Ethics
Ethics in Psychiatric Research: Issues and Recommendations (nih.gov)
Identifying Ethical Issues in Mental Health Research with Minors Adolescents: Results of a Delphi Study (nih.gov)
NIHR_MHRN_Involving_Mental_Health_Problems_Research2013.pdf
Template:
Focus upon:
1. Risk factors for depression in women
2. Risk factors for depression in men
Introduction (LO1)
15%
1.This should provide a background to the key concepts of the topic: such as diagnosis and symptoms.
2.Outline the key ideas that you will then go further into discussing in the literature review: detail the key risk factors you have chosen to focus upon
3.You are required to introduce the purpose of research on this topic: what will be the benefit to identifying risk factors
Literature Review (LO1)
45%
You need to conduct a thorough literature review of the area to appraise the current related work in terms of findings and methods used. Successful literature reviews will compare and contrast previously published work and use multiple peer reviewed academic sources to support your work.
Remember:
6* Systematic review/Meta-analysis: Review of studies
“A systematic review by Donelly et al., (2016) found that………………………
Solutions: 5* Interventions studies – practical solutions
5* Randomised control trial (Clinical setting)
4* Longitudinal study – report results over a longer period of time
3* cross-section study – one point in time
Identify 5 risk factors and for each, the following structure can be used:
Under each subheading:
1. What did a systematic review say was the reason the risk factor causes depression.
2. Find another study that agrees and says something similar
3. Find a study that indicates different reasons why it is a risk factor
4. Report an intervention study that gives a solution for this risk factor.
Example paragraph
Ethical Considerations (LO2)
30%
You must present a written description of the ethical considerations associated with the topic. You should make use of relevant policy and also the work of previous researchers.
Refer to the two papers and policy document in the resources section and outline the importance of 3 to 4 ethical principles that are key when doing research with individuals who have mental illness
Rubric used to mark:
Marking Feedback 62,65,68
Introduction (15%)
You have demonstrated an outstanding/excellent background to introduce key concepts on the topic (risk factors for depression in women or risk factors for depression in men), for example
You have provided an excellent/outstanding discussion regarding the justification of research on the topic for example
Literature review (45%)
In this essay you demonstrated excellent/outstanding ability to appraise current related work on the 5 key risk factors. For example
You have provided excellent evidence of engagement with relevant literature with good references to empirical literature (e.g., journal articles should include engagement with systematic reviews, randomised control trials, cohort studies and cross-sectional studies provided. For example …
In this essay you have demonstrated outstanding/excellent appraisal of intervention for each risk factor
Ethical considerations (30%)
An excellent/outstanding discussion of research ethics is provided with specific reference made to the topic in question. For example
A strong/robust attempt is made to propose strategies to ensure ethically sound research with reference to appropriate literature. For example
Professional written communication and accurate referencing style (10%)
You have shown high quality /wide range of supporting literatures with references provided with background reading. Inappropriate sources are not used i.e., websites. For example
Harvard referencing style used but with mainly few errors. Academic writing is excellent. The essay is easy to follow and well structured.
Marking Feedback 52,55,58
Introduction (15%)
A good background to introduce key concepts on the topic.
Good discussion provided regarding the justification of research on the topic (risk factors for depression in women or risk factors for depression in men), for example
Literature Review (45%)
You have demonstrated a good ability to appraise current related work for example
You have demonstrated good evidence of engagement with relevant literature but references to empirical literature (e.g. journal articles should include engagement with systematic reviews, randomised control trials, cohort studies and cross sectional studies provided), if/but some of these are lacking. For example
In this essay you have demonstrated a good appraisal of intervention for each risk factor. For example
Ethical considerations (30%)
A good discussion of research ethics is provided with references made to the topic in question. For example
A good attempt is made to propose strategies to ensure ethically sound research with reference to appropriate literature. For example
Professional written communication and accurate referencing style (10%)
You have provided some supporting literature. A reference list is provided with some background reading. Inappropriate sources used occasionally. For example
Harvard referencing style used but with mainly minor errors. Academic writing is satisfactory with some structure. The essay is easy to follow
In future
Marking Feedback 42,45,48
Introduction (15%)
A brief background to introduce some key concepts on the topic.
Brief discussion provided regarding the justification of research on the topic, for example
Literature Review (45%)
Brief demonstration of ability to appraise current related work
Brief evidence of engagement with relevant literature (e.g., journal articles should include engagement with systematic reviews, randomised control trials, cohort studies and cross-sectional studies provided) most of these are lacking. For example
in this essay you have demonstrated a general understanding of intervention for each risk factor
Ethical considerations (30%)
A brief discussion of research ethics is provided.
A demonstration of a general understanding of research ethics is evident. For example
You have made no attempt to suggest how these are considered within research practices
Professional written communication and accurate referencing style (10%)
Little supporting literature. Lack of reference list. Lack of background reading, some inappropriate sources used.
Harvard referencing style used but with major errors. Academic writing is poor with little structure at some points the essay may be hard to follow.
Marking Feedback 32,35,38
Introduction
A limited background to introduce some key concepts on the topic.
Brief discussion provided regarding the justification of research on the topic
Literature Review (45%)
Limited demonstration of ability to appraise current related work.
Limited evidence of engagement with relevant literature.
in this essay you have provided no/irrelevant intervention for each risk factor
Ethical consideration (30%)
No awareness/no ethical considerations are demonstrated
Professional written communication and accurate referencing style (10%)
Little /no referencing. Lack of/or incomplete reference list. Lack of background reading, inappropriate sources used. Harvard referencing style not used. Academic writing is poor with little or no structure at times the essay may be hard to follow.
In future
Video link that explains the task:
