Chapter 6 Project Write up
6.1 Project Type and Templates
Students will perform one of five research project options; an experimental study [randomised or non-randomised], a review [meta-analysis, systematic or extended], an observational study [survey, interview, focus groups etc], a case study or an identified need (not depicted below because it takes a very individualised approach), each of which will have been introduced to the student at level 4 and/or 5.
For each of these options a research project template, that adheres to Staffordshire University guidelines and good reporting practices, has been made available to students via the virtual learning environment. Students are strongly encouraged to utilise this resource.
6.2 Project Workflow
There is no right, or wrong, order in which a student should complete their project and it will likely differ from student to student. The introduction and discussion sections are considered, by many, to be the most challenging sections of writing and many students may choose to leave these sections for last and start by writing the methodology and results sections. However, the natural workflow of the project requires students to explore the literature before designing the trial methodology, it may therefore be more efficient to write these sections in this order. It is, however, strongly advised that the abstract is the last section of writing, since it relies on the information of other sections.
Writing is a difficult task and students are likely to produce multiple iterations of their project throughout the year. It is advised that the student develops a logical workflow and saves multiple versions of this document throughout the project process (i.e “Project Title_V1”, “Project Title_V2” “Project Title_[K]”). Staffordshire University School of Health, Science and Wellbeing strongly advise students to utilise the Microsoft Office 365 OneDrive Package available to them and to provide their supervisor with viewing/editing permissions.
6.3 Project Word Count
The research project has a word count of 7,500 words, with projects being accepted that are within ± 10% (maximum 8,250 words) without penalty. Penalties will apply to projects that exceed this limit in accordance with Staffordshire University Guidelines. The word limit applies to everything in the main body of the dissertation [background, methodology, results and discussion]. The ONLY exclusions are the title page, contents page, acknowledgements, abstract, references and appendices.
| Section | Percentage | Approx. word count |
|---|---|---|
| Background | 30-35% | 2250 |
| Methodology | 20-25% | 1500 |
| Results | 10% | 750 |
| Discussion | 30-35% | 2250 |
6.4 Project Content
Each project template includes a specific project checklist that will assist students with the content that is required for each section, in accordance with good reporting guidelines which can be found on the student virtual learning environment.
6.4.2 Background
The purpose of this section is to contextualise the project. A well written introduction will allow the reader to understand the rationale for undertaking the project. This section should summarise the available body of evidence (literature review) and demonstrate any inconsistencies or gaps in the literature. An introduction should begin by providing a broad overview of the topic area, before critically reviewing the literature that is available on the specific topic of interest. The introduction should end by establishing the study rationale – based on findings from literature – and the subsequent aims and objectives. Specific guidance is offered in each of the project templates. This section will typically consist of 30-35% of the total word count.
6.4.3 Methodology
A well written methodology will enable and independent researcher to reproduce the study without any additional guidance. This section enables the reader to judge the internal and external validity of the project and should therefore be clear, concise, honest and transparent. Whilst first-person writing has become more accepted in scientific writing, we wish to give a clear and consistent message to students, and therefore request that this section is written in past tense. Specific guidance is offered in each of the project templates. This section will typically consist of 20-25% of the total word count.
6.4.4 Results
This section should provide a clear, concise, and objective description of the findings from the study and is typically written in the past tense. The student, at this stage, should make no attempt to interpret the findings - this should be reserved for the discussion section. The section may report data using both text and data visualisation [tables, figures]; the most important data will be presented using both. Where data visualisations are used, it should be meaningful and reported in accordance to APA guidelines (APA data visualisation guidelines)
“Findings in the results section should match and answer the research questions from the introduction, using the procedures explained in the methods section. Retaining this focus will help you to be more concise, that is, to decide which findings to present and which to leave out." (Kotz & Cals, 2013c).
Specific guidance is offered in each of the project templates.
This section will typically consist of 10% of the total word count.
6.4.5 Discussion
The purpose of this section is to provide the reader with a summary of the main trial findings, offer an interpretation for their meaning, and contextualise them in relation to previously published work. It is also good practice to identify the limitations of the study – students should see this critical reflection as good practice and be aware that identifying limitations in the project will not be penalised – and offer areas for future research. While the background of the project begins broadly and narrows to become more specific, the discussion works inversely to this; starting relatively narrow and broadening to generalise the findings to the wider population. “A typical discussion section consists of main findings, comparison of findings with those reported in the literature, strengths and limitations, and implications for clinical practice and/or research.” (Cals & Kotz, 2013c). Specific guidance is offered in each of the project templates.
This section will typically consist of 30-35% of the total word count.
6.5 Project Layout
The project templates provided have already been formatted according to the Staffordshire University School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences research project guidelines. Students are not obliged to use these templates, but projects should adhere to the following:
- Projects should be word processed
- Projects should use the Staffordshire University School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences title page (Appendix IV)
- Text formatted in accordance with Staffordshire University guidelines [Heading 1 Arial 22 Right Aligned, Heading 2 Arial 14 Left Aligned, Heading 3 Arial 12 Left Aligned, Normal Times New Roman 12 Justified 1.5 Lined Spaced]
- Contents Page included with clear headings, correct page numbering, adjoining dots and numbers aligned
- Data visualisations (tables & Figures) formatted in accordance with Staffordshire University guidelines
- Tables:https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/tables
- Figures:https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/tables-figures/figures
- Use chapter and section numbering (chapter 1 includes section 1.1, 1.2, 1.[K]) section 1.1 may include subsections 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.[K]. However, you should avoid going beyond three levels (e.g. 1.1.1.1 should not be used)
- Diagrams and tables can be numbered in chronological order e.g. Figure 1, 2, 3…[K] and figure 1, 2, 3…[K]
- References in text and at the end of text should be presented in accordance with the [Staffordshire University Referencing Guidelines]((http://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/sportexercise/referencing). [Students are advised to use a referencing management software to organise their referenced (Mendeley, Zotero, etc)]
- Supplementary material should be included as separate appendices. If the research includes the study of human participants students must include approved ethics documentation (approval email, blank participant information sheet, blank consent form, health and safety questionnaires and risk assessments)