Certificate in Research Project
(Level 6 – 15 Credits)
 

The Certificate in Research Project is a 15-credit Ofqual regulated qualification and is the equivalent level to a 15- credit level 6 course. This course helps learners to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to produce a research question and carry out independent research using appropriate research techniques. The learner will analyse and present their research findings, evaluate the research methodology and their personal learning. To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for the certificate. In order to achieve this certificate, learners must carry out a comprehensive piece of research on a chosen area.

Total Qualification Time: 120 Hours

Total Guided Learning Hours: 60

Total Credit Value: 15

Research project

The aim of this unit is to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to produce a research question and carry out independent research using appropriate research techniques. The learner will analyse and present their research findings, evaluate the research methodology and their personal learning. The learners will:

• Be able to consider appropriate research methodologies in preparation for conducting research
• Be able to conduct research based on the research question or hypothesis and analyse the findings
• Be able to present findings from research investigations
• Be able to review own personal learning

Indicative Content

1. Be able to consider appropriate research methodologies in preparation for conducting research

• Possible questions or hypothesis; proposal identifies the purpose of the research and the objectives; the desired outcomes and scope.
• Research methods e.g. survey, questionnaire, observations; literature review. Application of Saunders’ Research Onion; ways to test reliability and validity; definitions of data e.g. primary and secondary sources, qualitative and quantitative; ways to reference sources. Research methods chosen are appropriate. They will enable purpose, objectives and outcomes of the research to be met.

2. Be able to conduct research based on the research question or hypothesis and analyse the findings

• Conduct research, for example; primary sources, secondary sources, sampling.
• Methods of collating information including electronic and paper-based for example; note taking, photographs, video recordings, mind mapping.
• Legal aspects of data collection including confidentiality, data protection, ethics.
• Analysis of data including trend analysis, coding or grouping of types.

3. Be able to present findings from research investigations

• Appropriate report format so research findings are presented logically to aid understanding, for example; title, acknowledgements, contents page, introduction, summary of literature review, research methods used, findings, recommendations, references, bibliography, appendices including questionnaires, surveys, etc.
• Methods for statistical data for example graphs and charts.
• Research leads to realistic recommendations and evaluative conclusions linked to stated objectives of the research.
• Potential audience for example colleagues, external stakeholders and tutors.
• Oral responses need to be detailed, clear, logical and show understanding.

4. Be able to review own personal learning

• Reflection on methods used, challenges faced, new learning, skills and knowledge used to enable progress, skills and knowledge gap, personal learning and development.
• Use of feedback from others for example colleagues, audience for presentation, those who took part in primary research.
• Actions for improvement should be linked to personal reflection and feedback. They need to be specific, challenging but achievable with timescales and incorporated into future planning.