Identify underpinning principles and concepts of construction
project management.
Analyse and evaluate topical issues in construction project
management.
Undertake some creative analysis and thinking.
Individual assignment
? You are required to identify and critically examine a construction project
management topical issue.
? Provide evidence taken from both classical and contemporary literature
which you both agree with and contradict your arguments.
? Structure of the report:
? Title page
? Abstract
? List of contents
? Introduction
? Literature review
? Methodology
? Discussion of findings
? Conclusions and recommendations
? References
? Appendices
? Word limit 5000-5500 words
? Associated weight for the assignment 50%
Mapping your assignment
Mapping your assignment
Include background in your introduction-this should be
aligned to your topical issue you have identified.
Develop research questions (2-3)
Address the research questions in your literature review
chapter.
For instance
Which contemporary techniques are the most appropriate for the
construction sector?
Which techniques do construction organisations use to make
project sustainability decisions and how are they used in the project
sustainability decision-making process?
Literature review
? What makes writing “academic? is that it:
Demonstrates understanding.
Is informed by the academic literature and debates in the subject
matter (the literature will inform your interpretation of the
concept, your perception, your description, the explanations, as
well as the broader context.).
Has a clear interpretation of the key concepts used.
Gives an accurate description of the issue.
Investigates the underlying assumptions and the historical
development of the issue.
Explains the issue by tracing the reciprocal relationship between
the issue and its broader context.
? I expect to see an integration of classical and contemporary
literature.
Methodology
? Description of how you went about to map-out your
secondary data.
? Highlight the process
Discussion
The purpose of the discussion is to interpret and describe the
significance of your findings in light of what was already known
about the research problem being investigated and to explain any
new understanding or insights that emerged as a result of your
study of the problem.
The discussion will always connect to the introduction by way of
the research questions you posed and the literature you reviewed,
but the discussion does not simply repeat or rearrange the first
parts of your paper.
The discussion clearly explain how your study advanced the
reader’s understanding of the research problem from where you left
them at the end of your review of prior research.
Critical analysis
? “Be more critical! More analysis needed! That’s what my tutors
say about my essays. I’m not really sure what they mean.”
? “I thought I had written a really good assignment this time. I did
so much reading and preparation for it, but my tutor’s feedback
is ‘not enough argument.’ I’m not sure what to do now. I mean,
I’m not an argumentative person – and I don’t really want to be.”
? One of the most important skills you will need to learn as a
student, whatever your discipline is the ability to think critically
and objectively about an issue and to present a well-constructed
argument.
What do I mean by critically examine….?
? Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a
piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them.
Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both
agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final
conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most
important factors and justify how you have made your choice.
The first rule: start early
The second rule is: Identify the focus of the assignment
The third rule is: Identify your own point of view
The fourth rule is: Consider how you’ll persuade other people of
your point of view
The fifth rule? Find the proof
The sixth rule is: Engage in debate
The seventh rule is: Structure your argument
Any questions?