Othm Level 4 Action Research (R/618/2820) Assignment Brief 2026

Unit Aims

The unit aims to enable learners to carry out action research in an area of professional practice. It includes understanding the nature and purpose of action research, conducting action research and presenting the outcomes. It also involves evaluating own practice in relation to action research.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Scenario

This assignment will require you to propose and carry out an independent, small scale action research project by using appropriate research approach, strategy, methodology and techniques that make up formal research. In order to achieve module learning outcomes and assessment criteria, you need to select a topic area for an investigative action research project. You are given freedom to select an area that interests you, but you are advised to check with your tutor that your choice is appropriate.

The research itself is dependent on you, the context of your area of learning, your focus of interest and the anticipated outcomes.

You may draw together a range of other areas of content within the programme of study to form a holistic piece of work that makes a positive contribution to your area of interest. However, it is expected that your project will be work focused and you will demonstrate your knowledge, understanding and application of aspects of project management, while addressing a “live” issue.

Task 1 – Research Project Proposal (All LO and AC under 1 to 6)

Instructions

In this task, you will need to produce an action research project proposal.

You are asked to complete:

1. An introduction to:

• Explain the purpose of action research
• Analyse key features of the action research process  Analyse the implications of a model of action research.
• Justify own choice of an area of practice for action research
• Plan a clear intervention strategy
• Justify the choice and timescales of an intervention strategy
• Explain how ethical and political considerations and issues of confidentiality will be observed in practice
• Implement a clear intervention strategy.

2. Research Completion

• Evaluate methods for action research
• Evaluate methods of collecting qualitative and quantitative data  Review ways in which collected data may be analysed.
• Draw on selected literature relating to an area of practice for action research
• Justify own choice of methods selected for action research
• Collect data relating to an area of practice for action research  Analyse data collected from action research
• Present data collected from action research
• Draw conclusions based on findings from action research.

3. Reporting on Findings

• Report own findings and conclusions from action research
• Justify own recommendations for action to be taken based on conclusions from action research
• Analyse the effectiveness of own practice in relation to action research  Identify own strengths and areas for improvement in relation to action research
• Plan opportunities to improve own skills in action research.

Delivery and Submission

1x Research Project Proposal Word file – 3500 words excluding TOC, diagrams, references and appendices

Referencing

A completed action research project with an extended reference list of academic, journals and industry sources to be included at the end of the work.