Based on the topic chosen in week 2 and the one-page motivation, questions and aims, you have to write a critical literature review of studies that have dealt with this topic in the past. This is a library research task which means that you have to plan the literature review in such a way that you:

Show that the research problem is relevant.

Define the terms and concepts relevant to the topic.

Critically engage with studies that have dealt with the topic, including a summary of the main points, a critical discussion of the positive aspects and the limitations of these studies.

Indicate how your study will contribute to addressing the research problem.

Conclude with the main research questions of your proposed study.

Scope:

This literature review should be between 1000 and 1500 words.

A minimum of 5 to 10 references are required, and 75-80% of the references must have been published within the last 10 years. Credit will be given for reading outside of the provided articles and chapters.

Assessment criteria:

a. Idea introduced clearly with a problem statement (20%)

b. Report flows well (20%)

c. Adequate coverage of range of relevant literature (30%)

d. Clear and cohesive academic writing style (5%)

e. Synthesis of ideas concluding with a research question (20%)

f. Appropriate use of APA style for citations and referencing (5%)  

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

1. Select, apply and integrate principles, techniques and theoretical approaches within translation and interpreting studies in applications of theory to quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research practice

2. Demonstrate a comprehensive, informed and systematic understanding of key historical and contemporary developments in translation and interpreting research methods.

3. Identify unfamiliar concrete and abstract translation and interpreting research problems by means of sophisticated theoretical reflection, and assess previous research.

4. Apply linguistic skills and knowledge to investigate, analyse and synthesize complex information, problems, concepts and theories within the fields of T&I.

Research methodology

Due: Week 10, 15 May Weighting: 20% In this assignment you have to provide a detailed research methodology for your proposed study. Your methodology should contain the following:

An introduction of no more than 400 words in which you indicate how you will go about finding the answers to your research questions. This should be a summary of your approach (i.e. comparative text analysis, survey-based research, experimental research, etc.) as well as an explanation of why this is the appropriate methodology (25%)

A description of the material you will use in the study (i.e. translated works, recorded interpreting of a specific event) (10%)

A description of your sample (what is the population for your study, how will you select participants or texts, ethics, etc.) (25%)

A description of the type of data you will collect (questionnaires, performance measurements, think-aloud protocols, etc., annotations) (20%)

Timeline for conducting the research. (20%)  

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

Select, apply and integrate principles, techniques and theoretical approaches within translation and interpreting studies in applications of theory to quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research practice

Identify unfamiliar concrete and abstract translation and interpreting research problems by means of sophisticated theoretical reflection, and assess previous research.

Oral presentation of research

Due: Week 12 to 13 Weighting: 10% This will be the final opportunity to receive feedback on your research proposal.

Your oral presentation has to be prepared and delivered as a slide show. It will be assessed according to the following criteria:

Focused nature of the research questions

Clarity of contextualisation

Fluency and composition of your argument

Appropriateness of methodology

Delivery of presentation

Appearance of presentation

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

Select, apply and integrate principles, techniques and theoretical approaches within translation and interpreting studies in applications of theory to quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research practice

Communicate theoretical concepts relevant to translating and interpreting theory for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public.

Research proposal

Due: 12 June Weighting: 50% The research proposal is the framework of your research. The research proposal should be between 2000 and 2500 words and should include the literature review and methodology as revised. You should cover the following elements in your proposal:

Topic

Literature review

Research questions

Research objectives

Methodology/research design

Bibliography

Schedule

Assessment criteria:

Well-written and easily understood (20%)

Provides brief summary of problem and how proposed research would contribute to solving the problem (20%)

Plan is feasible and clear (20%)

Review of related/complementary research (20%)

Realistic projected schedule (20%)

This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:

Select, apply and integrate principles, techniques and theoretical approaches within translation and interpreting studies in applications of theory to quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods research practice

Demonstrate a comprehensive, informed and systematic understanding of key historical and contemporary developments in translation and interpreting research methods.

Identify unfamiliar concrete and abstract translation and interpreting research problems by means of sophisticated theoretical reflection, and assess previous research.

Apply linguistic skills and knowledge to investigate, analyse and synthesize complex information, problems, concepts and theories within the fields of T&I.

Communicate theoretical concepts relevant to translating and interpreting theory for the benefit of peers, clients and the general public.