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MMAPP17 Human Information Behaviour 

Description:

For this individual assignment you are required to develop a research proposal specifying how you would undertake an empirical investigation into the information needs and behaviours of a particular population group (self-selected).

Learning outcomes

After completing this assignment you should be able to:

• identify appropriate research approaches and methodologies to investigate human information behaviour
• undertake studies to identify the information needs and information behaviours of specific population groups
• contribute to the development of tailored communication campaigns and/or information services for specific groups

Brief

For this individual assignment you are required to develop a research proposal specifying how you would undertake an empirical investigation into the information needs and behaviours of a particular population group (self-selected). You will be expected to make a case for the investigation of your chosen group and demonstrate understanding of the research context (i.e. topic and environment) including associated design implications.  You should include critical appraisal of research methods available to you and provide a rational for your chosen (and clearly specified) research approach and selected research method(s), including rationale for method(s) selection in relation to other methods.

Note.  Example groups to investigate can be defined by one or more characteristics including: age, gender, ethnicity, occupation, education, socioeconomic status, health condition.

Marking criteria

The following criteria will be used when marking your assignment:

1. Case for investigation of chosen group
2. Research context and design implications
3. Critical appraisal of research methods
4. Recommend methodological approach including rationale for chosen approach.

Word count and presentation

• This is an individual assignment of 2500 words (with a maximum allowance of +/- 10% deviation).  Please provide a word count that excludes coversheet, footnotes and bibliography.
• Ensure that you use Harvard Stirling University referencing style correctly (see: https://libguides.stir.ac.uk/Referencing).  Grammar and spelling should also be carefully checked. British spelling should be used, not American (your computer setting can be altered).   You should use a readable typeface such as Arial, with pages numbered. Long quotes (over one sentence) should be indented and single-spaced.