Case Study: Applied Research Project at LCCA
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose and scope of the study
This case study examines the structure and delivery of the Applied Research Project (ARP) designed by London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA) for the 2022–23 academic year. The primary purpose is to evaluate how the ARP’s components—presentation and report phases—foster applied research skills in students. The scope encompasses assessment design, ethical considerations, and instructional guidance provided to learners (LCCA, 2022, p.1).
1.2 Research questions and objectives
The study addresses two main research questions: (1) How does the ARP framework support the development of applied research competencies? (2) What are the pedagogical implications of the ARP’s ethical and methodological guidelines? Objectives include mapping the ARP structure against applied research theory and identifying areas for enhancement.
2. Background
2.1 Context and historical overview
LCCA implemented the ARP as an alternative to a traditional dissertation, allocating 60 credits to individual consultancy-style projects (LCCA, 2022, p.1). The ARP spans three academic terms with a staged submission: a proposal presentation (30% weighting) and a final report (70%). This design reflects a shift towards experiential learning within higher education assessment frameworks.
2.2 Literature review and theoretical framework
The assignment brief does not include an explicit literature review or theoretical model. Consequently, this section outlines general research frameworks commonly applied in consultancy-based projects, such as action research and case study methodology.
Note: This section includes information based on general knowledge, as specific supporting data was not available.
3. Case Details
3.1 Description of the subject or organization
The case subject is LCCA’s Applied Research Unit, responsible for delivering professional-relevant research training. The unit guides students through topic selection, data collection, analysis, and ethical compliance, mirroring industry consultancy processes (LCCA, 2022, pp.1–4).
3.2 Key events and timelines
Key milestones include an initial proposal presentation due Term 1 (11th Dec 2023) and a full project report in subsequent terms (LCCA, 2022, p.1). Milestone requirements encompass slide decks, speaker notes, Q&A sessions, and ethical consent submissions, structured to promote incremental skill development.
4. Analysis
4.1 Identification of critical factors
Critical success factors include clearly defined objectives, robust methodological guidance, and ethical oversight. The brief emphasizes research ethics policies, including consent forms and AI usage guidelines, to ensure academic integrity (LCCA, 2022, p.21).
4.2 Discussion of findings and implications
Findings indicate that the ARP’s dual-component design enhances student engagement by aligning deliverables with real-world consultancy tasks. Ethical protocols and AI-use instructions address contemporary challenges in academic conduct. Implications suggest that integrating formative feedback at each stage could further improve learning outcomes.
5. Conclusion
5.1 Summary of insights
The ARP case reveals a comprehensive approach to applied research education, combining presentation skills, methodological rigor, and ethical practice. The staged assessment fosters progressive competency development.
5.2 Recommendations and future directions
Recommendations include the introduction of peer-review workshops for the proposal phase and expanded guidance on data analysis techniques. Future research might empirically assess student performance metrics to validate the framework’s effectiveness.
Note: This section includes information based on general knowledge, as specific supporting data was not available.
References
LCCA (2022) ‘Assignment Brief: Applied Research Project’, LCCA 2022–23, pp.1–22.