H4011 Research Methods Repeat Continuous Assessment 2026 | TU Dublin

H4011 Repeat Continuous Assessment

Level : 8
weight : 50%
Tittle :  Critical Analysis of the Literature-to-Research Development Process

Overview

The original literature review summaries continuous assessment was designed to support students in progressively developing, refining and justifying a research project through engagement with research literature and regular supervision discussions. As these supervision discussions cannot be replicated during the repeat assessment period, students will instead complete an individual written assignment that demonstrates achievement of the same learning outcomes.

The purpose of this assessment is to demonstrate your ability to critically engage with social care research literature, explain how research questions emerge from existing knowledge, evaluate research methodologies, and reflect upon the process of developing a research project.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

This assessment addresses the following module learning outcomes:

MLO1: Critically analyse the role and function of research in the social care milieu.

MLO2: Search a body of literature using a variety of systems.

MLO4: Discuss their understanding of qualitative and quantitative methods and justify their preferred method for their chosen research project.

Assessment Task

Prepare an individual report of 2,000–2,500 words entitled:

“A Critical Analysis of my Literature-to-Research Development Process”

Drawing upon a research topic that you previously proposed, investigated, or would have wished to investigate, critically analyse how engagement with academic literature informed the development of a research project.

Students should draw upon a minimum of 10 academic sources, including at least 5 peer-reviewed empirical journal articles.

Suggested Structure

1. Research in the Social Care Context (300–400 words)

Provide a brief overview of your chosen topic and critically discuss the role and value of research within the social care sector in relation to this topic.

You should consider:

• Why research is important within social care practice.
• How research can contribute to evidence-based practice.
• Ethical, professional, or societal implications of research in this area.
• How research can improve outcomes for service users and practitioners.

2. Literature Search and Critical Review (900–1,100 words)

Describe how you searched for relevant literature and critically evaluate the key sources identified.

Your discussion should include:

• Databases, search engines, or other systems used to locate literature.
• Search terms and inclusion/exclusion decisions.
• Challenges encountered during the literature search process.
• Critical discussion of at least five key sources.

For each source, consider:

• Key findings and arguments.
• Strengths and limitations.
• Relevance to your chosen topic.
• Contribution to your understanding of the research problem.

Students should demonstrate synthesis across sources rather than discussing each source in isolation.

3. Development of Research Questions and Methodological Justification (500–600 words)

Explain how engagement with the literature informed the development of your research question(s).

You should discuss:

• The process through which the research question(s) emerged.
• Alternative questions or approaches that might reasonably have been considered.
• Gaps or unresolved issues identified in the literature.
• Why the final research question(s) were selected.
• How ongoing discussion, feedback and critical reflection can strengthen the development of research questions.

You should then critically discuss both qualitative and quantitative research approaches and justify which approach would be most appropriate for investigating your chosen research question.

Your discussion should consider:

• The strengths and limitations of qualitative methods.
• The strengths and limitations of quantitative methods.
• The suitability of each approach for the research question.
• A clear justification for your preferred methodological approach.

4. Critical Reflection on my Research Development Process (500–700 words)

The original continuous assessment was designed around a process of repeated literature review summaries and supervision discussions. Although you may not have (fully) participated in this process during the repeat period, this section requires you to critically reflect upon the role such an iterative process plays in developing high-quality research.

You should critically discuss:

• How a researcher’s understanding of a topic can evolve through repeated engagement with literature.
• The value of receiving feedback on developing ideas.
• The importance of drafting and re-drafting literature reviews and research questions in response to critical discussion about the pros and cons of various possible interpretations of the literature with your supervisor.
• How supervision conversations can help identify weaknesses, assumptions, preconceived biases, or gaps in understanding.
• How engagement with feedback can improve the quality, feasibility and academic rigour of a proposed research project.
• What aspects of your own proposed or completed project might have benefited from additional supervision, feedback, or revision.

Students should draw upon examples from their own experiences with research supervision where appropriate.

This section should demonstrate critical reflection and analysis rather than simple description.

5. Conclusion (150–250 words)

Summarise the key insights gained from the literature review, research question development process, and methodological considerations.

H4011 Marking Criteria