In your mid-module summative assessment, you should address the following brief:
With reference to academic literature, discuss the issues to be considered when collecting data in an academic research project.
In your response, you must draw on and cite at least two methodological journal articles and one empirical journal article on a topic relevant for your programme of study:
▪ Methodological journals include Organizational Research Methods, Journal of Mixed Methods Research and Qualitative Research (see the module’s ‘Library Reading list’, ‘Journals – Methodology and Methods’ section for more journal titles)

▪ Articles that report academic research projects are to be considered as empirical; examples of journals that include such articles are vast, but include The International Journal of Human Resource Management; Journal of
International Business Studies; Work, Employment and Society; Organization Studies; and Academy of Management Journal. For more journal titles that relate to your programme of study see the ‘Module Handbook’ or draw on empirical journal articles used in other modules on the programme

▪ As a reminder of key terms and guidance provided in the module, the Library have produced this blog -> ‘Finding empirical and methodological articles’
In completing your Assessment, you must engage with recent research – that is:
▪ methodological articles that have been published in the past 10 years
▪ empirical articles that have a publication date in the last 7 years

Approaching the Assessment:
You choose how to address the Assessment brief and we do not wish to be
prescriptive, but you might start by considering the approach to data collection that
most interests you (this could be the approach that you are likely to use in your
future studies).
Then, search methodological journals to source articles that discuss your chosen
approach. Read the articles to acquire knowledge of the data collection approach;
for example, what are its strengths, weaknesses, when is it useful, what are the
potential problems etc. Note: you would not simply describe the strengths and
weaknesses etc. of the approach to data collection in your response; rather, this
broad knowledge gives you a foundation to build on.
Next, search for empirical articles that use your chosen approach to data collection
and consider what issues (things) the author(s) took into account when collecting
their data. When you have read a number of empirical studies and understood the research project – its aims, processes and claims – then you can apply and integrate
your knowledge from the methodological journal articles with the lessons from the
empirical article(s) to address the Assessment brief.
Formative feedback:
▪ Drop-in sessions 1 and 2 in Teaching Weeks 8 and 9 are dedicated to the
providing formative feedback for this mid-module assessment
▪ These Drop-in sessions will provide a valuable opportunity for you to discuss
your ideas with peers and ask questions of faculty to help you identify the
key ‘issues’ of data collection, prior to submitting your assessment
▪ During Teaching Weeks 8 and 9, you will also be able to post any additional
questions about the assessment on the dedicated Canvas ‘Discussions’ board.
▪ Please note: The Drop-in sessions and ‘Discussions’ board are your only
opportunity to ask questions about the assessment. Please do not email
faculty on the assessment; the module team cannot answer any questions on
the assessment via email, unless specified in a Student Support Plan
Deadline:
▪ The deadline to submit your Assessment is Monday 14 November 2022 at
10am (UK, Greenwich Mean Time)
Format:
▪ The word count is 600 words (+ / – 10%)
▪ Your Assessment must be word processed and submitted as a Word or PDF
file
▪ There is no template cover sheet – instead, on the first page of your
assessment enter 1) the word count and 2) your student number
▪ The Assessment will be marked anonymously; please do not put your name
anywhere on the document
▪ Please use Harvard at Newcastle as your referencing style
▪ Please use Times New Roman or Arial as your font in size 12
▪ Further formatting guidelines are in the ‘Module Handbook’ on Canvas