choose a topic that is related to the early years field and conduct a non-empirical research by reviewing the existing empirical literature for evidence

choose a topic that is related to the early years field and conduct a non-empirical research by reviewing the existing empirical literature for evidence. They need to review primary and secondary sources and produce a critical review of the literature that is relevant to their topic. The review needs to include empirical studies relevant to their selected topic. Students should produce a critical discussion presenting the existing empirical arguments and critical evaluate them considering their research methodology and design, ethics and findings. It is expected that students will compare and contrast the findings of the existing empirical studies and take a stand. As part of the critical review of the literature, students need to submit a research timetable, which demonstrates their engagement with their non-empirical research project throughout the academic year.

Guidance for Assessment

Suggested word count and content
Title page N/A
  • Cover page: Project title, module code and title, student number, degree programme and institution, final word count.
  • Table of contents (with relevant page numbers)
  • Acknowledgements: Thank those who have helped you in your research. You can refer to tutors, friends and relatives by name. Dedications are permitted.
Abstract 170 Brief overview of the aims/research questions and a brief account of findings and conclusion.

Key words: Identify the words or phrases that give a clear indication of the research focus.
Introduction 480
  • What do you want to find out (referenced to academic literature), with whom and where?
  • Why did you choose this area for research (referenced to literature)?
  • How/why is your proposed academic enquiry important? Briefly identify key issues and debates (referenced to literature).
  • Briefly define specific terminology in relation to your research field (referenced to literature).
  • Who might be a potential user of this research?
  • What are the specific research questions?

Briefly, how will you try and ensure that your research is as objective as possible?
Method for the literature review 500
  • Introduce and explain the approach you have taken to review the literature (key words, key authors, journals you have searched)
  • Explore the limitations encountered
Literature Review 4,900
  • Present the literature reviewed as a body rather than itemised individual pieces, incorporating a thematic approach (possibly determined by your research questions).
  • Interrogate literature drawn from a range of theoretical and research sources e.g. books, chapters in edited books, journal articles, policy documents, conference papers.
  • Elaborate on specific terminology/definitions in relation to your research (referenced to literature).
  • Engage critically with the literature by identifying and exploring, for example, (any) gaps, weaknesses, strengths, contradictions, agreements and disagreements.
  • End with a paragraph that states how your research will build upon/develop/extend what is already known.

At all times, demonstrate an awareness of how the literature identified with/engages with/responds to/influences the research questions and findings.
Ethical considerations 550 This section needs to demonstrate your understanding of ethical procedures.  Your discussion in this section must be supported with relevant literature on ethics.

In this section you should cover the following points.

Ethical issues

Possible ethical issues encountered in the literature you have reviewed

  • What are ethics and why are they important? What were the key ethical issues in the literature?
  • You may want to consider terms such as informed consent and the right to withdraw if you have encountered them in any of the literature that you have used. Please note: In the ethics section you may describe terms that are relevant to field research such as right to withdraw etc but you need to make it clear that you understand that these concepts are not applicable to a desk top study.
  • What do you perceive to be the possible benefits and risks of your research?
  • What power relations could have been present in the research you reviewed?
  • Reflexivity – how would your identity as a researcher influenced the research process?
Conclusions 400 In this section you should cover the following:

  • Summary of research
  • Key findings, key points from your discussion/argument
  • What is the contribution of your research?
  • What would you change/do differently?
References N/A  Use Harvard Referencing system
Research timetable N/A Show your engagement with your non-empirical research project throughout the academic year.  Use a monthly format