Summer Research 2023
Dear Student,
LGS Defence - School of Education envisions to empower all students to develop research skills,
gather and analyse information, build knowledge, think critically, and exercise their mind. In line
with this, all students are expected to undertake academic research as part of the Summer Project.
The project entails writing an academic paper on a topic of your choice from the list of topics
provided. Choose the topic which finds your interest. The suggested word count is 2000 words +/-
10%. This includes everything except the abstract, the list of references and appendices.
To execute your research efficiently, ensure you begin on time, explore the relevant literature,
and incorporate your personal responses and creative hypothesis to contribute to these dynamic
global conversations successfully.
This research handbook gives you guidance at every step of your research journey. You should
read it thoroughly and refer to it in the first instance to clarify issues before seeking further help.
The Date of Submission is 30th August 2023.
Good luck with your research journey!
Topics for Summer Research Project, 2023
1. Animal rights 21. Industrial pollution
2. Artificial Intelligence 22. International aid
3. Arts in an international context 23. International law
4. Changing identities 24. Media and communication
5. Climate change 25. Medical ethics and priorities
6. Crime 26. Migration and work
7. Cultural heritage 27. Political power and resistance
8. Demographic changes 28. Quality of life
9. Distribution of wealth 29. Scientific innovation
10. Economics of food 30. Social change and development
11. Endangered cultures 31. Social inequality
12. Energy 32. Sport in an international context
13. Environmental priorities 33. Sustainable futures
14. Ethical foreign policies 34. Tourism
15. Ethics of food 35. Transport
16. Global inequality 36. Urbanization
17. Globalization
18. Health issues
19. Human rights
20. Impact of technology
Choose Your Research Topic
You can choose any topic from the themes as long as it interests you and you are able to investigate,
detail, and argue a particular position. It is important that you ‘play to your strengths’. Each subject
area has a selection of broader themes that you must choose your broader research topic from. You
will then need to select your more specific, focused topic and research questions.
Research Questions
You should state one or two research questions, which are as focused as is possible from your
initial readings.
Literature Review
After you have decided on a topic, you should indicate what is your key literature and key
theory(ies). Focus on a few really relevant pieces of literature rather than a large number of
references. Provide a review of the literature you have explored (include in-text citations- refer to
the referencing guide at the end).
Sources for Literature Review
Google Scholar can be your first choice of finding information relevant to your research topic.
You may use your key terms to search journal articles, books and other data sources.
Research databases do not behave like Google Scholar and have their own ways to help you refine
your search. A list of databases and open access journals is provided at the end of the handbook
for your reference. These databases have Advanced Search options where you can search for
specific phrases and limit your search by year, topic, author or keywords. And then search within
these results. Your findings become more and more directed at your question this way.
Top Tip: The references at the end of articles and books will offer additional sources for you to look
at.
Research Methods
Indicate if you expect to use quantitative, qualitative, a combination of both, or a desk-based study.
It is recommended at this stage to use desk-based study to review and present findings from your
analysis of the chosen topic. The final choice however lies with you, the researcher.
Present Your Findings and Ideas
Through literature review, you have actually been synthesizing your research in some shape or
form because you have been reading and formulating strategies to present your ideas. The big
question is, “how does it all fit together?” Stay focused on your research question and look to the
information in the articles (or books or websites that you have used) for support, supporting and
opposing arguments. Ask yourself the following questions:
Questions
• Is there a straightforward answer to my question? If there is a Yes or No answer, your
Research Question is not acceptable.
• Can I “read between the lines” and piece together information from various sources to
construct an answer?
• Can I develop a strategy of support from the materials I have decided to use?
• Can I summarize general ideas and statements, which shows I understand each author’s
contribution to the conversation?
• Can I outline my approach in an organized and logical way?
Write
This step in the research process is when you combine your original thoughts on a topic with the
research you have done. If you've recorded your sources and kept good note cards, then the writing
is much easier. As you combine your theories and ideas with your research, think, "Is this the best
evidence for my argument?" If the answer is no, then you may need to return to previous steps to
find more materials.
Typical Structure of Research Paper
Following is a guide to structure your paper, however you may choose to structure in a different
way which is acceptable as far as it entails all needed details.
Introduction/ Background to the Study
Literature Review
Research Methods
Analysis of Data and Presentation of Findings
Conclusions
Reference List
References
Your list of references should appear in alphabetical order (by author last name) at the end of the
paper but before the appendices, using the Harvard Referencing Standards. All sources that have
been referred to in the text should be listed in the references. To receive guidance on how to
reference, use the Harvard Referencing Style.
Plagiarism
The material you submit for your paper must be your own original work. Where other materials
are used, you must state the source(s) from which the information is derived and show the extent
to which you have made use of the work of others. You must use appropriate and sufficient
referencing to avoid unintentional plagiarism.
Presentation and Writing Style
The paper should be word-processed. Typing should be double-spaced or 1.5 spaced in an A4
format, with margins of at least 25mms. Use Times New Roman or another legible font, 12-point
for the main body of the text. Your word count must be declared on the title page. Number the
main body of your paper at the bottom of the page.
Selecting Global Topics and Themes (Examples)
Example 3
Topic Rise of global superpowers
Themes Politics Economics Culture Technology
The relationship
Issues between regulationof
the internet and the
rise of a global
superpower
Perspectives Unregulated control is essentialfor A global superpower can only
the emergence of a global emerge if it controls the internetin its
superpower. region.
Learners are encouraged to develop research, reasoning and communication skills systematically,
using an approach called the Critical Path. This approach helps them to interrogate information,
explore different perspectives and communicate personal reflections.
The Critical Path
The Critical Path offers a systematic approach to learning where learners develop the ability to
deconstruct and reconstruct arguments about global issues through personal research and
interrogation of evidence. By reflecting on the implications of their research and the personal
judgements it leads them to make, students learn to communicate their findings and ideas
through a range of appropriate formats.
The Critical Path
Deconstruction Reconstruction Reflection
Communication and collaboration
Developing skills using the Critical Path
The Critical Path is an approach to teaching and learning that provides a systematic way for
learners to develop the skills of research, reasoning and communication. These valuable thinking
and reasoning skills are useful for a range of subjects and can also be used in higher education
and a wide range of careers.
As a learning tool, the Critical Path provides an effective approach to interrogating information,
exploring different perspectives and communicating personal reflections. For students, the
Critical Path is best seen as a sequence of repeated steps, which need to be practiced.
The Critical Path as a learning process
Path
Deconstruction: Which different perspectives are represented? Identify and compare different
conduct a detailed analysis perspectives on an issue made up of arguments, claims, views, beliefs and
and evaluation of a point evidence.
of view What are the key components of the argument or claim? Differentiate
between fact, argument, opinion, rant, speculation, prediction, explanation,
hypothesis, account and belief. Identify conclusions, reasons (premises),
assumptions (stated and unstated), assertions (and counter-assertions) and
supporting evidence.
What are the implications of the conclusions, arguments, reasoning or claims?
Suggest the consequences of the conclusions, arguments, reasoning or claims.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of arguments, reasoning or claims?
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in the arguments, reasoning or claims.
Assess the use of analogy and identify any errors in the reasoning.
How strong is the evidence? Identify whether evidence gives strong or weak
support to the conclusion or claim. Consider the reliability of the evidence
and suggest other evidence required to substantiate or refute claims or
counterclaims.
Recommended Open Access Databases
Some of the databases to use for open access journals and books are listed below. Ctrl + Click on
each to go to the source.
Google Scholar
Oxford University Research Archive
UCL Press
Open Access Books on JSTORE
Queen Mary Research Online
Statistica
EthOS
Association for Learning Technology Open Access Repository
Open Research Online
BioMedCentral
PUBMED
ePubs (Science and Technology Facilities Council)
Gutenberg
