Project Implementation Index (PI2)

greekpisymbol3 When teaching research methods in undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, very quickly becomes apparent that one of the major challenges students face is to prepare a research proposal which is feasible and realistic. This is crucial step as, in many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes around the world, students are required to deliver a final project (dissertation) based on a research proposal.

The Project Implementation Project (PI2) helps students towards this direction. It is a way for student to assess the feasibility of their research proposal. It works as a self reflective tool used during the development of the research proposal and attempts to help students identify the weak parts of their proposals.

The PI2 is produced with the assistance of a software application for both Windows and Mac machines. The application asks the student to assess different areas of their research proposal and produces an overall index. The application produces a report.

The PI2 can be used as formative assessment tool or as summative. I, personally, have used it as part of the final assessment incorporated in the marking guide for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The first groups of students which used PI2 seem to demonstrate better understanding of how to prepare a research proposal and achieved higher marks. I am, now, at the stage where I collect data from different exam periods and cohorts in order to perform a more solid and scientific evaluation of the contribution of PI2 to students’ performance.

Note: I am, currently, looking for opportunities to test the effectiveness of PI2 in different programmes, groups of students and requirements. If you are interested to try PI2 please get in touch. I will be happy to collaborate.