Portfolio of Tasks Template (between 5,000 - 6,000 words max)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Remove this page and all wording in blue before submitting your
Portfolio of Tasks Template. These instructions will help your portfolio
look organized, well thought out and orderly. Your work will not be
accepted in any other format.
2. Tasks
A. Produce a research proposal of 2,500 words in which, plausible
research questions are developed based on a critical literature
review. A thorough review of the research methodology and an
outline of individual research methods to be employed and
adapted with justifications should also be included in the
proposal.
B. Draw up an action plan identifying the study skills and actions
that you need to take to be successful on your masters
programme (approx. 1,250 words table format with explanation;
see template provided below.
C. Your personal reflections regarding how the module content will
inform and assist you in producing a masters dissertation (approx.
1,250 words essay style).
3. Remember the key rules about presentation:
o All fonts must be 12 (either Arial or Times New Roman)
o All references are to be in Harvard citation format (use the UWLV
web site as your primary resource for determining proper form)
o References are never indented or right-justified
o Line spacing should be set at 1.5

4. Do not add or change categories in this template. Your proposal must

match this template precisely. Proposal not using this template will be
returned.

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Template

This template is to be used to outline your proposed research project

study: no other formats will be accepted. This form is due to be
completed, saved and uploaded to WOLF by the due date for your cohort.
(See WOLF page for details).

This proposal should not exceed 2,500 words in length, excluding

references; and project schedule table. Note: extensive background
information is not required.

Wording in blue is included either for purely illustrative purposes (i.e.

to help you think about your own choice of words) or offering guidance.
You should delete or overwrite these guidelines with your own words,
and change the font from red to black.
A. RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Student Name:
Student ID:
Provisional Topic Title:

Proposal
structurally
approved
by
workshop
tutor:
Yes/No
(Your workshop tutor may wish to check that you had done sufficient work on the
proposal and that it is of fit state to be forwarded to your supervisor)
1.

Aims/objectives/Research Questions:
Provide a brief introduction/context to your topic; state your aims, objectives
and plausible research questions (500 words)

2.

Methodology:
Explain how you are going to answer your research questions i.e. explain
your methodology and methods, justify the methods to be employed and
critically review the methodology/approaches you are intending to take (700
words)

3.

Brief Literature Review:

Explain how your research fits into existing published work. Do this by
locating and debating using a minimum of 10 of journal articles relating to the
work you propose to do and show how your research aim, objectives and

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questions intend to fill any gap or extend current knowledge. Refer to your
research methods module and compare and contrast this information with
what you intend to do and with your research approach. References must be
academic publications, from refereed journals which will be found in our
online databases such as Ebsco. Do not use books in this section. Refer to
examples on WOLF. (1000 words)
4.

Resources you need/Access to primary and secondary data:

Explain what resources you will need, what resources you have access to,
and what access to organisations have you secured for the primary data (300
words)

5.

Project Schedule
Use the template below and fill in the due dates so that you and your
supervisor can map out your journey. Allocate 4-6 weeks each for stages 1
and 3. It is recommended that you prepare the final draft one month prior to
the submission date as your supervisor may wish to review it. You are
encouraged to meet with your supervisor regularly to gain feedback at stages
1 to 3, each supervisor will advise you on their preferred supervision pattern.

Step
s
1

4
5
6
6.

Description

Due
date

Preparation Stage
Week -1-2: Area of interest identified
Weeks 3-4: Topic selected/form submitted
Weeks 4-5: Topic refined to develop dissertation proposal
Weeks 5-8: Proposal written and submitted
Chapters 1-3 completed
Chapter 1 Draft Introduction completed
Chapter 2 Draft Literature Review completed
Chapter 3 Draft Research Methodology completed
Collection of data and information
Data analysis and Interpretation of data
Chap 4 Draft Results, Analysis and Discussion completed
Chapter
5
Draft
Conclusions,
Implications
&
recommendations
Final Writing up
Structure, presentation and proof reading
Final Stage
Final proof reading, printing and binding
Submission of Project (WOLF and hard copy submission)
References

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Please make sure you only include sources you have cited above and
that each source fully complies with Harvard referencing requirements.
The references should include at least 10 journal sources.

RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

EVALUATION GRID/FEEDBACK SHEET
Student to fill in personal details below and having read the ethical guidelines, confirm
project is category A (below) and upload along with the proposal form.
Student last name:
Student first name(s):
Student no:
Supervisor:
First submission

Evaluation
(As per ticked Box)

Excellent:
Approved to proceed
Very Good:
Approved to proceed
Good:
Approved to proceed
Competent:
Approved to proceed
Borderline:
Improvement required;
resubmit to supervisor;
Not yet approved.

Resubmission

Summary Feedback
(Check overleaf for possible further comment)

Compelling proposal, persuasively outlining a well thought

through, feasible and relevant research study.
Clear and specific about research question, project design and
research methods. These three elements are shown to be well
co-ordinated.
Well-defined research question. Sensible project design and
clear plans for conducting the research.
Clear research question. Explicit ideas on design and methods
but there are some issues about the fit between question,
design and methods.
Identifies an interesting topic, but the research question is
very broad and the details of the project are hazy.
Arrange meeting with Supervisor a.s.a.p.

Unsatisfactory:
The focus, purpose and method of the project are not made
Major
improvement
clear to the reader.
required; resubmit to
supervisor;
not
yet
Arrange meeting with Supervisor a.s.a.p.
Application
approved
to proceed.for Ethical Approval:
Is this a proposal for Category A or Category B project?
(To completed by student)
If it is Category A, do you recommend that approval is given?
(To be completed by the supervisor)

If No, please give reason(s)

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Supervisor Feedback
In addition to the standardised feedback given on page one, and to comment and advice that
will be given in supervision meetings, Supervisors may choose to use the space below to offer
more detailed comments on the overall proposal and/or to suggest specific ways in which the
proposal should/could be improved to strengthen the foundations for the intended study.

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Supervisor Signature:

___________________________________

Name (Please print)

___________________________________

Date:

______________________

B. ACTION PLAN
Draw up an action plan identifying the study skills and actions that you need
to take to be successful on your masters programme (approx. 1,250 words)
Use table format and additional explanation if required. You should assess
your current skills and briefly describe them in the appropriate column.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Audit your current skills in the areas below

Identify specific aims that you wish to attain to improve your skills
What action do you need to take to achieve your aim
What date should you do this by

SKILLS

MY CURRENT
SKILLS

MY AIM

HOW WILL I
ACHIEVE THIS

TARGET
DATE

Academic writing
and literature
reviews:
Critical thinking
and writing:

Data Collection
Methods:

Data analysis
Methods:

Reading:

Planning and
Mind mapping:

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Referencing:

Using data
analysis
software:
Using WOLF:

Using Microsoft
Office:

Finding
academic
articles:

C. PERSONAL REFLECTION
Your personal reflections regarding how the module content will inform and assist you in
producing a masters dissertation, include references regarding learning and completing
research projects (approx. 1,250 words essay style)

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