NOTE: ( 4000 word (assigment) 300 word (FORMATIVE SUBBMISSION) Words count 4000 +or- 10% excluding the summary, and the reference list Title: Qualified nurses’ experiences with online learning when undertaking a continuing professional development programme Assignment Template Writing a research proposal Essential components and approximate word count per section 1. Title page: Title of research and your name 2. Word count 4000 (excluding summary and reference list) 3. 300-word summary (Based on your submission. Not included in word count) 4. Background: Substantive literature review on your chosen topic, using online databases: What has already been written on the topic and why do you regard it necessary to conduct your research project? What databases and search terms did you include? (~1000 words) 5. Research design: Rationale for qualitative research design in addressing your chosen research question (~50 words) 6. Plan of investigation: Research Setting; Sampling and Recruitment; Data Collection and Data Analysis. (~2000 words) 7. Ethical considerations: identify potential ethical problems and explain how these can be avoided (~500 words) 8. Research timeline and project milestones (can be a Gantt chart or ~50 words) 9. Resources required to conduct research (~50 words) 10. Plans for dissemination (~50 words) 11. References. (Not included in word count) Please use the above template (list of headings) to write your proposal for the assignment. You can use additional headings if you wish, but we will expect the headings above, in the same order as listed above. Please insert a word count on the title page. Remember, the word count does not include the summary or reference list. formative submission: Your title, aim, objectives and a brief summary This should be presented as Title, Aim and Objectives followed by a summary of your proposed work consisting of Background, Methods, Analysis and Expected Outcomes. Please note that it is important to reference your assignment correctly. You are required to use the Harvard Referencing system It is expected that assignments should be word processed in double spacing using at least Arial font 11. The proposal for a piece of research is a document which deals with • What the proposed research is about • What it is trying to achieve • How it will go about it • What we will learn from it and why that is worth learning WHAT ASSESSORS LOOK FOR… 1. An appropriate research question The research question must be one which can be appropriately addressed though qualitative research – i.e. explores/deepens understandings, as opposed to measuring outcomes/views. 2. An important research question The research question must be justified with reference to extant literature and practice. 3. An appropriate research methodology Justify why you are using a qualitative approach (for example, in relation to a gap in the literature and/or the suitability of a qualitative approach for addressing the question). 4. Methodological rigour This builds on the previous point but is about working out the precise details of the research design. The research design should show awareness of the strengths and limitations of research methods in relation to answering the question(s) posed in the research. In particular, can the assessor be convinced that this is a feasible research project and that the analysis will be credible and reliable? Assessors are looking for flaws here so try and find them first. 5. A well-presented proposal Clarity of presentation demonstrates clarity of thought. Error-free proposals suggest articulacy. The arguments must be clearly and consistently referenced. Write clearly • Use headings and subheadings in a consistent and clear manner • Avoid long sentences and sub-clauses • Use simple English • Explain technical terms • Use spell and grammar checks (wisely) • Read it again. Sample Student Summaries A study to explore health care professionals’ experience, understanding and perception of the needs of advanced cancer patients with cachexia and their families. SUMMARY Background Cachexia is a complex, multi-factorial syndrome which is a common feature in more than 80% of patients with advanced cancer. It is associated with decreased survival, poor quality of life and reduced performance status. At present there is a dearth of evidence exploring health care professionals’ perception of cachexia yet research suggests it is not well understood or managed in clinical practice. Aim The aim of this study is to explore health care professionals’ experience, understanding and perception of need of advanced cancer patients with cachexia and their families. Method Qualitative methodology based on interpretive philosophy will be used in this study. A purposive sample of 10 nurses, 4 dieticians and 4 medical officers will be recruited from the Regional Cancer Centre in Northern Ireland. Data collection will be a two stage process using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. All interviews will be recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis will be carried out using the framework of qualitative analysis developed by Miles and Huberman (1994). Expected Outcomes This study will inform the development of healthcare practice in relation to nutrition in the care of cancer patients.