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Bolton Business School Assessment Brief
Course / Programme: BSc (Hons) Business Management
Module Code / Title: BAM5006 2016-17/2/L Research Methods in Business
Module Leader: Dr Martin W Smith
Assignment Number: 2 of 2 (50%)
Assignment Title: Research Proposal and Plan (incl. accepted RE1 Form)
Assignment Type / Length: Individual Report / minimum 2500 Words
Issue Date: 30/09/16
Submission Date: 12/05/17 (11:59pm through Turnitin)
This assessment satisfies the learning outcomes as specified in your module guide as follows:
Learning Outcomes LO3: Analyse primary research data effectively LO4: Demonstrate understanding through the production of a research plan and a practical research project
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Assignment Outline: Within this assessment you are expected to produce a report (minimum 2500 words) outlining your Research Proposal and Plan. This report should present a critical discussion of research methodology and methods theory (research philosophies, approaches, strategies, choices, time horizons and techniques/procedures) relevant to your proposed aim and objectives outlined in the previous assessment.
Through this discussion you are also expected to outline and justify a suitable research design framework and then submit a fully completed Research Ethics (RE1) form which is available on the module Moodle site or from:
http://www.bolton.ac.uk/Students/PoliciesProceduresRegulations/AllStudents/ResearchEthics /Home.aspx
This form should be completed and signed-off by the module leader BEFORE you then finally undertake an initial ‘pilot study’ (exploration) to test the validity of your selected research tools by capturing and analysing a small sample of primary data as well as providing an indication of your plan (in the form of a Gantt chart) for completing your honours dissertation project.
In essence, your report should look to include the following indicative content: Introduction:
o Concise insights into overall research including outline of research aim and objectives (provide information into any changes made from Assessment 1 based on tutor feedback);
o Brief outline of report structure
Research Methodology through an explanation (demonstrate your knowledge) and justification (why? advantages and disadvantage?) of:
o Research Philosophy (Ontology, Epistemology and Axiology)
Research Methods through an explanation (demonstrate your knowledge) and justification (why? advantages and disadvantage?) of:
o Research Approaches (Deductive / Inductive / Abductive);
o Research Strategies (Experiment / Survey / Case Study / Action Research / Grounded Theory / Ethnography / Archival Research);
o Research Choices (Mono Method / Mixed Method / Multi-Methods);
o Research Time Horizons (Cross-Sectional / Longitudinal)
Research Design:
o Data Collection Techniques (Interview / Questionnaire / Observation / etc.)
o Outline of Participant Sampling Strategy (Population, Frame, Size, Method)
o Interview and/or Questionnaire Design/Protocol;
o Data Analysis Method, Technique, Procedure (Which qualitative analysis method? Which statistic test? Why?)
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o Explain and justify research design, including a fully rationalised research design diagram;
o Identify any issues relevant to Research Ethics (include approved research ethics form RE1 in appendix) with explanation of how they can be avoided
Results from Pilot Study:
o Report the results from pilot study (with appropriate figures, tables and diagrams);
o Basic analysis and discussion of these results;
Conclusion and Dissertation Plan:
o Outline any changes based on pilot study (Research design; interview or questionnaire design, etc.);
o Explain possible research limitations;
o Provide a draft dissertation plan (Gantt Chart with explanation)
This report should also include appropriate title, content and reference pages. A consistent Harvard referencing style should be used throughout.
Marking Criteria Mark
Introduction
Concise research overview including aim and objectives; Outline of any changes made due to Assessment 1 feedback; Indication of report structure
5
Research Methodology Explanation and justification of research philosophy including ontology, epistemology and axiology
15
Research Methods
Explanation and justification of research approaches, strategies, choices and time horizons
20
Research Design
Outline of data collection techniques, participant sampling strategy, interview and/or questionnaire design/protocol, data analysis method / technique / procedure, research design (include diagram), identify issues relevant to research ethics (include approved RE1 form in appendix)
20
Results from Pilot Study
Brief analysis and discussion of results including the appropriate use of figures, tables and diagrams
10
Conclusion
Outline of any changes based on pilot study, explain possible research limitations, provide a draft dissertation plan including an appropriate Gantt Chart
10
Report Structure
Appropriate title page, contents page and reference page; Clear introduction and conclusion sections; Appropriate use of Appendices
5
Report Format / Presentation
Consistent headings, font style, font size, etc.; Appropriate paragraph spacing (no blank pages); Effective use of figures, tables and diagrams
5
Referencing Style
Harvard style for both in-text citations and reference list; Quotations with page numbers; Appropriate academic sources
5
Academic Writing Style / Grammar
Avoid the use of 1st /2nd person; Use reporting words / phrases; Accurate use of tense; Appropriate word choice, punctuation, phrases and sentence structure, etc.
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The pass mark for this module is 40%. You must achieve an overall mark of 40%, with no item of assessment having a mark below 35%.
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Submission Instructions: Soft (electronic) copies of assignments should be submitted through the Turnitin link which appears on the module Moodle page. DO NOT submit a hardcopy of this assessment.
Note: You will be able to upload drafts of your written work into Turnitin as many times as you wish before the deadline. You will not be able to overwrite the final submission after the deadline. You can only submit a single file.
Further details regarding submission can also be found in Section 11 of the Module Guide.
Specific Assessment Criteria: First Class: This piece of work shows evidence of wider research with reference to a number of differing academic viewpoints. The report has recognised relevantly and discussed in detail, all the required underpinning research philosophy and research strategy for the research project. The overall research plan contains a critical review of appropriate methods to include some secondary data and a mini-survey including a consideration of key research design process issues. Several reasoned and logical arguments have been developed well and supported by a wide range of appropriately researched and relevant literature. Presentation is of a high standard, and in the appropriate style. The high number of appropriate sources has been referenced accurately and to a high standard
Second Class: A clear and informative piece of work with evidence of wider research and discussion. The report has correctly recognised and discussed all the required underpinning research philosophy and research strategy for the research project. The research plan reviews appropriate methods to include some secondary data and a mini-survey. It attempts to consider key research design process issues and some reasoned arguments have been developed and supported by a good number of sources. Presentation is of a good standard, in the appropriate style. A good number of appropriate sources have been referenced well, with most complying with the Harvard style.
Third Class: A reasonable attempt has been made at research but greater in depth discussion and academic debate is required. The work has recognised the underpinning research philosophy and research strategy for the research project, however the discussion is mostly superficial and lacking in any depth. There are references to some academic source as part of the review of appropriate methods to include some secondary data and a minisurvey. Presentation of the report is limited.
Fail: Students who do not meet the requirements of a third class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.
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General Assessment Criteria Level HE5