Below is a link to a level 3 blog which is useful for guidance when producing your own research and planning;
http://laurasell.blogspot.co.uk/
You should be referring to example work while completing research and planning to give yourselves an idea of what tasks to include and the quality of analysis needed to achieve that level. As always you should strive to do better than the work you are looking at!
Your deadlines for G321 are as follows;
18th December for initial research and planning, this should cover you analysis of the cover, contents and double page spread, as well as your preliminary task.
12th February for all research and planning. This should include any improvements made to analytical work, audience and product research and mock ups of your proposed magazines.
24th March magazines final deadline. Any improvements to prior work and your own cover, contents and double page spread.
15th April final submission date for any revisions/improvements and evaluations.
Please note that all deadlines are non-negotiable.