0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
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MAPS Associate’s Degree in BM/HRM / Accounting / Marketing
BTEC HND in Business (Management / HR / Accounting / Marketing)
Assignment Brief
Unit Number and Title
Unit 08 – Research Project
Qualification
MAPS Associate’s Degree in BM/HRM/Accounting/Marketing Management
BTEC HND in Business (Management/HR/Accounting/Marketing)
Date Issued
02 May 2017 Date Due
Research Specification (P1.1, P1.2, P1.3, P1.4, P1.5
due on 10 June 2017
Research Report due on 07 October 2017.
Assessor Ms Aminath Rushma
Assignment title
Research Project
Purpose of the assignment is to check learners’:
1. Understanding of how to formulate a research specification
2. Ability to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification
3. Ability to evaluate the research outcomes
4. Ability to present the research outcomes
Instructions to Learners:
Please read the assignment brief carefully and follow the assessment criteria.
This is an individual assignment, collaboration is not allowed.
An electronic copy of your assessment must be fully uploaded to Google classroom by the deadline date and time.
The assignment must be typewritten with 1.15 spacing of justified alignment using Times New Roman font, font
size 11.
Use the APA referencing system and provide references [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] within the text and an entry in the
reference list. Otherwise it will be considered as plagiarized work.
Your work must be original with the appropriate referencing.
0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
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Additional Instructions
1. The research specification should be between 1500 and 2000 words
2. The Research Project Report should be maximum of 5000 words
3. Your tutor must agree your research specification before you continue to the next task.
4. Merit and Distinction Criteria apply as follows:
a. Task 1:
i. Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions. (M1)
ii. Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques. (M2)
iii. Present and communicate appropriate findings. (M3)
iv. Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking. (D3)
b. Task 2 and 3 :
i. Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions. (M1)
ii. Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques. (M2)
iii. Present and communicate appropriate findings. (M3)
iv. Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions. (D1)
v. Take responsibility for managing and organizing activities. (D2)
vi. Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking. (D3)
Context
To complete this Unit, you are required to formulate a research specification, produce a plan and carry out a research
project. You will then evaluate the research outcomes and present the findings. The subject of the research should be
agreed by your assessor.
Task 1
You are required to produce a research specification and implementation plan which includes;
A working title, which clearly represents the research subject matter
Introduction of the organization/industry and area of research : an explanation as to why you have selected
this topic and what you hope that your research will achieve
A statement of the research question and objectives
Some reference to the academic literature and authorities you will read in the course of your research, and
an indication of how your specification will fit into the existing debate.
An indication of the methods you will use for both data collection and data analysis
A discussion of any potential problems you may face
A reference list must be attached.
In order to complete this task, you must;
.
1. Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications (P1.1)
2. Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection (P1.2)
3. Undertake a critical review of key references (P1.3)
4. Produce a research project specification (P1.4)
5. Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification. ( P1.5)
(This provides evidence for Learning outcome LO1 - assessment criteria P1.1,P1.2,P1.3, P1.4 and P1.5, Merit
criteria M1, M2, M3 and Distinction criteria D3) 0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
MAPS College Page 3 of 7
Task 2
Implement the research project plan in accordance with the agreed specification and procedures. In order to complete
this task, you must;
1. Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis. (P2.1)
2. Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification and procedures
(P2.2)
3. Record and collate relevant data throughout the research (P2.3)
4. Using appropriate research evaluation techniques, interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original
specification (P3.1, P 3.2)
5. Draw conclusions and make recommendations, justifying areas for further consideration. (P3.3)
(This provides evidence for Learning outcome LO2 and LO3 - assessment criteria P2.1, P2.2, P2.3, P3.1, P3.2 and
P3.3. Merit criteria M1, M2 and M3, Distinction criteria D1, D2 and D3)
Task 3
1. You are required to write a report, summarizing the findings, analyzing the data, presenting the conclusions and
appropriate recommendations (P4.1)
2. In addition to the written report, you are also required to give an oral examination of the research project that
does not exceed 15 minutes. (P4.1)
(This provides evidence for Learning outcome LO4 - assessment criteria P4.1. Merit criteria M1, M2, and M3.
Distinction criteria D1, D2 and D3)
Sources of information:
0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
MAPS College Page 4 of 7
Evidence Criteria
Learning Outcome Pass Criteria Evidence for the criteria
Describes the Learning
Outcome as can be seen on
Syllabus
Describes the Pass
Criteria as can be seen
on Syllabus
Describes the evidence that learner needs to
show in order to achieve the criteria
Task
No.
LO1 Understand how to
formulate a research
specification
P1.1 Formulate and
record possible research
project outline
specifications
The research project specification outlines a
research project that is business-related, feasible
and significant.
Task 1
P1.2 Identify the factors
that contribute to the
process of research
project selection
Reasons for selecting the organisation and area of
research have been described in terms of a
research problem and the significance of the
research.
Task 1
P1.3 undertake a critical
review of key references
A critical review of key references related to the
research topic has been undertaken and
referenced appropriately, and includes an
indication of how your specification will fit into
the existing academic debate.
Additional readings which will be included in the
final project have been identified.
Task 1
P1.4 produce a research
project specification
A research project specification has been produced
according to the following guideline:
A working title, which clearly represents
the research subject matter and is
consistent with the rest of the research
project specification.
Introduction of the organization/ industry
highlighting the area which research will be
focused on.
Explanation of why you have selected this
topic, what you hope that the research will
achieve and the significance of the topic.
A statement of the research question(s) and
/or hypothesis.
An indication of the methods and sources
you will use for both data collection and
data analysis.
A discussion of any potential problems you
may face.
Task 1
P 1.5 Provide an
appropriate plan and
procedures for the
agreed research
specification
An appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed
research specification has been provided. The plan
should include:
specific tasks to be completed
proper sequence of tasks
feasible timings
Task 1 0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
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LO2 Be able to implement the
research project within agreed
procedures and to specification
P2.1 Match resources
efficiently to the research
question or hypothesis
Relevant data has been collected to allow you to
answer the proposed research question(s) /
hypothesis.
Task 2
P2.2 Undertake the
proposed research
investigation in
accordance with the
agreed specification and
procedures
Research investigation has been undertaken in
accordance with the agreed project specification.
Task 2
P2.3 Record and collate
relevant data where
appropriate
Collected Information has been organized and
recorded in the most appropriate chapter(s).
Task 2
LO3 Be able to evaluate the
research outcomes
P3.1 Use appropriate
research evaluation
techniques
The research evaluation techniques agreed in the
original research specification have been used to
collect and analyse data.
Task 2
P3.2 Interpret and
analyse the results in
terms of the original
research specification
The research results have been analysed and
interpreted in relation to the original research
specification, including:
Answering the research question(s) /
Hypothesis.
Achieving the research purpose.
Providing evidence to support a relevant
conclusion.
Task 2
P3.3 Make
recommendations and
justify areas for further
consideration
Recommendations for the organization have been
suggested based on the analysis of data.
Recommendations of areas for future research
have been identified and justified.
Limitations of the investigation have been
included and justified.
Task 2 0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
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LO4 Be able to present the
research outcomes
P4.1 Use an agreed
format and appropriate
media to present the
outcomes of the research
to an audience.
Outcomes of the research has been presented in the
form of:
a written report which includes;
o Title page
o Contents page
o List of tables, figures and illustrations (if
appropriate)
o Abstract
o Introduction
o Literature Review
o Methodology
o Findings
o Analysis
o Recommendations
o Reference List
o Appendices
An oral examination of the research project that
does not exceed 15 minutes.
Task 3
M1
Identify and apply
strategies to find
appropriate solutions
A justification of why the research strategy has
been selected has been clearly communicated.
Identified limitations and analysis of data are
appropriate to the selected research strategy.
Note: ‘Research Strategy’ refers to the plan of how a
researcher will go about answering their research
question, such as through case study, action research,
experiment, ethnographic research, surveys, or
archival research.
Task 1, 2 & 3
M2
Select/design and
apply appropriate
methods/ techniques
A justification of why the research methods /
techniques have been selected has been clearly
communicated.
Appropriate sources of information have been
used throughout the research
Complex information/data have been synthesized
and processed
Task 1, 2 & 3
M3
Present and
Communicate
appropriate findings
Appropriate structures for the specification and
report have been used.
Logical and coherent arguments have been
presented to support your findings and
conclusions.
Technical language has been accurately used.
Academic standards have been generally met in
terms of referencing, language and formatting.
Task 1, 2 & 3
D1
Use critical reflection
to evaluate own work
and justify valid
conclusions
The validity of results has been judged.
A comparison of the findings with existing
academic literature has been undertaken.
Task 2 & 3 0005-BTEC: Assignment Brief
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D2
Take responsibility for
managing and
organising activities
Project plan has been followed, subject to
mitigating circumstances.
Unforeseen events, if occurred, have been
accommodated where possible.
Task 2 & 3
D3
Demonstrate convergent
/ lateral / creative
thinking.
Conclusions are discussed in relation to the wider
organisational context.
Data analysis demonstrates a clear understanding
of the existing academic literature and research
context.
Innovation and creative thought have been
applied.
Task 1, 2 & 3