UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Human Sciences
⋄
HMEMS80: ASSIGNMENT 01
Semester 1 — 2026
⋄
Module Code: HMEMS80
Module Name: Research Methodology
Student Name: [Insert Student Name]
Student Number: [Insert Student Number]
Assignment No.: 01
Due Date: 30 March 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Unique Number: [Insert Unique Number]
,UNISA | HMEMS80 Academic Integrity and AI
Section A: Short Questions
Question 1
Answer: a) True.
The HMEMS80 module has a dedicated email address through which students are ex-
pected to direct all communication to the lecturing team. This is a standard practice
in the Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) model at UNISA, where structured communi-
cation channels are essential given the large student population and the absence of
face-to-face interaction.
Question 2
Answer: c) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, concepts
and methodology of scientific research.
This is the specific outcome for HMEMS80. The other options, such as explaining
the purpose of scientific research (option a) or conducting literature searches (option
b), relate to broader research literacy skills. Option d, which deals with differentiating
between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, is a more advanced outcome
typically associated with postgraduate research methodology modules.
Question 3
Answer: d) Directly quoting information from an article and appropriately citing the
source.
Proper acknowledgement of sources through in-text citations and a reference list is
the accepted academic practice. Options a, b, and c all constitute academic dishon-
esty. Copy-pasting without attribution is plagiarism; using AI to write one’s assign-
ments misrepresents the work as the student’s own; and sharing assignments ex-
poses both parties to disciplinary action under UNISA’s Student Disciplinary Code.
Page 1 of 18
, UNISA | HMEMS80 Academic Integrity and AI
Question 4
Answer: d) According to Sadiki and Ungerer (2023), . . .
Under APA 7th edition in-text citation guidelines, when two authors are cited narra-
tively (as part of a sentence), the word “and” is used between their names – not an
ampersand (&). The ampersand is reserved for citations placed in parentheses. Op-
tions a and b reflect common errors: option a incorrectly places a comma before the
year after the second author’s name, and option b uses a page number format that
belongs to the older Harvard system rather than APA 7th edition.
Key Distinction
APA 7th Edition Referencing Rule: When citing two authors narratively (in the
sentence), write “Sadiki and Ungerer (2023)”. When citing parenthetically, write
“(Sadiki & Ungerer, 2023)”. The ampersand only appears inside brackets.
Question 5
Answer: b) Student support.
In this study, student support is the variable that is manipulated or is presumed to
cause a change. Academic performance is the outcome being measured – it de-
pends on the level of student support received. The independent variable is therefore
student support, and academic performance is the dependent variable.
Question 6
Answer: b) There is no limit to the use of direct quotations, it is encouraged as di-
rect quotations add weight to your arguments.
This statement is incorrect. APA 7th edition and most academic writing guidelines
caution against over-reliance on direct quotations. Examiners expect students to
demonstrate understanding by paraphrasing and synthesising information rather
than reproducing long passages verbatim. The other three options (a, c, and d) are
all accurate statements about plagiarism avoidance.
Page 2 of 18
College of Human Sciences
⋄
HMEMS80: ASSIGNMENT 01
Semester 1 — 2026
⋄
Module Code: HMEMS80
Module Name: Research Methodology
Student Name: [Insert Student Name]
Student Number: [Insert Student Number]
Assignment No.: 01
Due Date: 30 March 2026
Semester: Semester 1, 2026
Unique Number: [Insert Unique Number]
,UNISA | HMEMS80 Academic Integrity and AI
Section A: Short Questions
Question 1
Answer: a) True.
The HMEMS80 module has a dedicated email address through which students are ex-
pected to direct all communication to the lecturing team. This is a standard practice
in the Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) model at UNISA, where structured communi-
cation channels are essential given the large student population and the absence of
face-to-face interaction.
Question 2
Answer: c) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles, concepts
and methodology of scientific research.
This is the specific outcome for HMEMS80. The other options, such as explaining
the purpose of scientific research (option a) or conducting literature searches (option
b), relate to broader research literacy skills. Option d, which deals with differentiating
between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods, is a more advanced outcome
typically associated with postgraduate research methodology modules.
Question 3
Answer: d) Directly quoting information from an article and appropriately citing the
source.
Proper acknowledgement of sources through in-text citations and a reference list is
the accepted academic practice. Options a, b, and c all constitute academic dishon-
esty. Copy-pasting without attribution is plagiarism; using AI to write one’s assign-
ments misrepresents the work as the student’s own; and sharing assignments ex-
poses both parties to disciplinary action under UNISA’s Student Disciplinary Code.
Page 1 of 18
, UNISA | HMEMS80 Academic Integrity and AI
Question 4
Answer: d) According to Sadiki and Ungerer (2023), . . .
Under APA 7th edition in-text citation guidelines, when two authors are cited narra-
tively (as part of a sentence), the word “and” is used between their names – not an
ampersand (&). The ampersand is reserved for citations placed in parentheses. Op-
tions a and b reflect common errors: option a incorrectly places a comma before the
year after the second author’s name, and option b uses a page number format that
belongs to the older Harvard system rather than APA 7th edition.
Key Distinction
APA 7th Edition Referencing Rule: When citing two authors narratively (in the
sentence), write “Sadiki and Ungerer (2023)”. When citing parenthetically, write
“(Sadiki & Ungerer, 2023)”. The ampersand only appears inside brackets.
Question 5
Answer: b) Student support.
In this study, student support is the variable that is manipulated or is presumed to
cause a change. Academic performance is the outcome being measured – it de-
pends on the level of student support received. The independent variable is therefore
student support, and academic performance is the dependent variable.
Question 6
Answer: b) There is no limit to the use of direct quotations, it is encouraged as di-
rect quotations add weight to your arguments.
This statement is incorrect. APA 7th edition and most academic writing guidelines
caution against over-reliance on direct quotations. Examiners expect students to
demonstrate understanding by paraphrasing and synthesising information rather
than reproducing long passages verbatim. The other three options (a, c, and d) are
all accurate statements about plagiarism avoidance.
Page 2 of 18
