The assessment for this module consists of two, integrated elements as shown below. Element Type of assessment Word or time limit % of Total Mark Submission method Final Submission Date 010 Assignment 1: Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources) 2000 50% Turnitin®UK Grademark 011 Assignment 2: Research Design Proposal ​ 2000 50% Turnitin®UK Grademark Ethics Completed Ethics Forms Paper copy to Registry All forms of assessment must be submitted by the published deadline which is detailed above. It is your responsibility to know when work is due to be submitted – ignorance of the deadline date will not be accepted as a reason for late or non-submission. Any late work will NOT be considered and a mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment task in question. You are requested to keep a copy of your work (excluding exams). The Topic: There are two parts to the assignment which are related but separately assessed. Firstly, you are required to create a business research proposal aimed at a business-related problem or opportunity. Secondly, you must prepare a Literature Review and Evidence Review on that research proposal, fully referenced. You must ensure that the research title and research objectives/questions are included in both Assignment 1 and assignment 2. As explained above there are two integrated parts to this assessment: • Assignment 1 ▪ Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources) ​ • Assignment 2 ▪ Research Design Proposal ​​​​​​ Guidelines for undertaking the Assignment / Marking criteria and marking allocation The research proposal must include a background which describes the basic situation underlying your project. It must include a statement of the problem or opportunity that is the aim of your project. It must describe the rationale for your project, why you wish to carry out this research and the benefits that will accrue from its successful conclusion. You must create research objectives that, when successfully completed, will have the information that enables you to solve the problem or capitalise on the opportunity that is the aim of your research. It must also include a literature review that evaluates the context for your research, and sources academic research and models that are relevant to the project. It should include a critical evaluation of relevant theoretical and practical references and include breadth of understanding and depth of critical evaluation. Reviews will require analysis and evaluation of evidence and sources and be informed by theory and appropriate practice. You must evaluate and fully describe the research methods that will be necessary to successfully complete the research. Data collection methods must be selected and described which are consistent with the research philosophy necessary for its completion: these can include secondary and/or primary data sources. The methods by which the data you collect will be analysed and need to be justified. Finally, ethical, validity and reliability issues relevant to the research must be discussed and a time plan for its completion must be calculated and displayed as a Gantt chart. Further points: • Case Study, Business Development Plan and Dissertation topics can be used if required but it is not mandatory • Discussion and debate on the above mentioned topics should be seen. • It is expected that you use current peer-reviewed journals and articles to ensure that you have an in-depth understanding of your topic particularly for the Literature Review. • There must be sufficient linkage between theory and practice. • Harvard style of references should be used. Structure Ensure that the assignment has the following structure and contains the details outlined: 010 Assignment 1: Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources) As explained above, this should be an analysis and synthesis of the literature pertaining to your topic. You should ensure that you read up-to-date sources and assess current academic concepts and models relating to that topic and the research question and objectives developed. • Introduction • Is the domain explained? • Is there a rationale for the chosen topic? • Is there a wider point of reference?  • The Main Body • Is there a clear structure? • Does the review flow into a logical progression? • Does the review convey the thinking of the writer? • Use of secondary sources, citation, references, synthesis, critique, chronology, seminal works, models? • Is the current position conveyed? • Is there a set of emergent conclusions? • Conclusion • Is there a clear concluding statement? • Is there a clear implication for further research? • Are research questions specified? • Are there emergent themes? • Is the literature review conclusive? 011 Assignment 2: Research Design Proposal​ • Research Title • Research Question • Research Objectives • A background to the research proposal:​​​​​ • Is the overall context for the research well established? • Is the research topic interesting from an academic and practical perspective? • Is there a statement of the problem? • Is there a rationale for the topic? • Is it clear what aspects of the chosen topic will be researched? • Do the boundaries of the research make sense? • Is there a clear statement of the aim of the research? • Are research objectives included which are specific? • Are research questions matched to the research objectives? • Research Methodology – philosophy, reasoning, design​​​​ • Is there a logical and cohesive structure to the proposal? • Are all the relevant sections included? • Is the approach adequately explained? • Is the scope of Literature outlined relevant to the research objectives to address the research questions? • Is the relevance of the literature, models, theories and frameworks for thinking justified? • Are the proposed research methods appropriate to the research task? • Have the data types been defined and classified? • Have target populations and samples been defined and justified? • Data Analysis​​​​​​​ ​​ • Is the proposal for analysis linked back to the literature and the research questions? • Have analysis methods been specified? • Is there an adequate time plan for the research? • Ethics, Validity and Reliability >>>>> SEE BELOW<<<<<​​​ ​ • Are validity and reliability issues discussed? • Are the ethical issues in the project understood and dealt with? • Are the intended outcomes for the research made known and is there a clear understanding of the value added? • Gantt chart Link to Learning Outcomes • The Research Design Proposal covers: LO1: Logically and systematically formulate research questions and describe and critically evaluate differing research methods, approaches, and use of evidence including the formation of hypotheses, or other research models, or paradigms, and justify and defend the selection and use of specific research methodologies as these relate to a proposed project • The Research Design Proposal covers: LO2: Integrate and plan key research activities and schedules including the setting of timetables and research objectives, and the acceptance of accountability for all aspects of the conduct of a research project • The Research Design Proposal and Literature Review cover: LO3: Critically identify and apply appropriate research methods to carry out a sustained and extended piece of research which will result in the write up of the work undertaken, the critical consideration of the evidence considered, and the formation of conclusions based on the research processes followed ( the Dissertation- Project) Link to Learning Outcomes • The Research Design Proposal covers: LO1: Logically and systematically formulate research questions and describe and critically evaluate differing research methods, approaches, and use of evidence including the formation of hypotheses, or other research models, or paradigms, and justify and defend the selection and use of specific research methodologies as these relate to a proposed project • The Research Design Proposal covers: LO2: Integrate and plan key research activities and schedules including the setting of timetables and research objectives, and the acceptance of accountability for all aspects of the conduct of a research project • The Research Design Proposal and Literature Review cover: LO3: Critically identify and apply appropriate research methods to carry out a sustained and extended piece of research which will result in the write up of the work undertaken, the critical consideration of the evidence considered, and the formation of conclusions based on the research processes followed ( the Dissertation- Project) Link to Learning Outcomes • The Research Design Proposal covers: LO1: Logically and systematically formulate research questions and describe and critically evaluate differing research methods, approaches, and use of evidence including the formation of hypotheses, or other research models, or paradigms, and justify and defend the selection and use of specific research methodologies as these relate to a proposed project • The Research Design Proposal covers: LO2: Integrate and plan key research activities and schedules including the setting of timetables and research objectives, and the acceptance of accountability for all aspects of the conduct of a research project • The Research Design Proposal and Literature Review cover: LO3: Critically identify and apply appropriate research methods to carry out a sustained and extended piece of research which will result in the write up of the work undertaken, the critical consideration of the evidence considered, and the formation of conclusions based on the research processes followed ( the Dissertation- Project)010 Assignment 1: Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources) Topic Weighting Literature Review – Introduction: • Is the domain explained? • Is there a rationale for the chosen topic? • Is there a wider point of reference 10% Literature Review – The Main Body • Is there a clear structure? • Does the review flow into a logical progression? • Does the review convey the thinking of the writer? • Use of secondary sources, citation, references, synthesis, critique, chronology, seminal works, models? 35% Literature Review – Conclusion • Is there a clear concluding statement? • Is there a clear implication for further research? • Are research questions re-examined? • Are there emergent themes? • Is the literature review conclusive? 35% Literature Review – sources utilised • Are up-to-date resources utilised? • Have an adequate number of academic journals been used? 20% 011 Assignment 2: Research Design Proposal Topic Weighting Research Proposal – design and scope • Is the overall context for the research well established? • Is the purpose adequately explained? • Is the research topic interesting from an academic and practical perspective? • Is it clear what aspects of the chosen topic will be researched? • Do the boundaries of the research make sense? 20% Research Proposal– Philosophy, Reasoning, Design and Data Collection • Are the research questions well-conceived? • Is there a logical and cohesive structure to the proposal? • Are all the relevant sections included? • Is the approach adequately explained? • Is the scope of Literature outlined relevant to the research objectives to address the research questions? • Is the relevance of the literature, models, theories and frameworks for thinking justified? • Are the proposed research methods appropriate to the research task? • Have the data types been defined and classified? • Have target populations and samples been defined and justified? 50% Research Proposal – Data Analysis, Ethics, Validity & Reliability • Is the proposal for analysis linked back to the literature and the research questions? • Have analysis methods been specified? • Are ethical issues considered? • Are reliability and validity issues covered? • Is there an adequate time plan for the research? • Have academic protocols for referencing been met? • Are the intended outcomes for the research made known, so there is a clear understanding of the value added? 30% Word Count The word count for each assignment is 2000 words. Please do not exceed this word count or you will be penalised. The following is an extract from the student academic guidelines which explain what happens if you exceed the word count (for full details, these guidelines are published on ARU’s website): “Exceeding Word Limits 6.65 A written assignment must not exceed the maximum word limit set for that assignment. Students are required to enter an accurate word count on the Assignment Cover Sheet. 6.66 When a written assignment is marked, the excessive use of words beyond the stated word limit is reflected in the academic judgement of the piece of work which results in a lower mark being awarded for the piece of work. 6.67 In determining the text to be included within the maximum word limit, the following items are excluded:  Abstracts  Indented quotations (of more than 50 words)  Tables  Figures  Diagrams  Footnotes/endnotes used for reference purposes and kept within reasonable limits  List of