Leicester Business School Community Based Project and Portfolio/Reflective Live Case study CORP5065 Module Guide Module Leader & Tutor: Dr. Robert Bradshaw (Semester 1) Module Tutor: Dr. Zom Musiyiwa (Semester 2) 2016 - 2017 COMMUNITY BASED PROJECT & PORTFOLIO CORP 5065 MODULE GUIDE 1.00 Module Information Module Title: Community Based Reflective Live Case Study Module Code: CORP5065 (15 credit module) Module Leader: Dr. Robert Bradshaw ([email protected]) Module Tutor: Dr. Zom Musiyiwa Email [email protected] Room: Hugh Aston 5.77 Tel 0116 2577838 2.00 Module Characteristics This module introduces you to the acquisition of practical skills of research practice, which are particularly appropriate to working on projects set within a community or work based context. In particular it will encourage you to integrate aspects of your experience gained on working on an organisational or community based project with knowledge gained through learning at the university. The module will facilitate your learning through own research. You are expected to critically analyse, evaluate and reflect on a significant work or community-based project that you would have carried out whilst studying at DMU. It is particularly concerned with acquisition of practical skills for research practice which are specifically appropriate to projects within a work or community based context. Research skills enable choices to be made regarding the purpose and execution of community based project work and understanding of the role or research in delivering a successful project and promoting change is key. Emphasis will be placed on facilitating participation by relevant stakeholders in all stages of enquiry. It is important that you concentrate, from an early stage, on research methodology which has a strong evident link to practice. 3.0 Learning Outcomes On completion of the module, you will be able to: confidently and successfully undertake a sustained piece of work and explain essential features of action research principles and methods. Overall, the aims of this module are to: 1) Enable you to acquire some practical skills for research practice that are specifically appropriate for projects within an organisational or community based context. 2) Enable you to successfully integrate aspects of your experience of working on an organisational or community based project with learning and knowledge gained at university 3) Facilitate your learning through own research, analysis, evaluation, and reflection, in formulating and refining a topic for a community based project, and successfully delivering within the identified scope and constraints On completion of the module, students will be able to: 4) Undertake a sustained piece of work and demonstrate a critical understanding of the essential features of action research principles and methods. 5) Demonstrate the appropriate research skills required to formulate an appropriate project plan for a significant organisational or community based project, and be able to reflect on and evaluate interventions required during lifecycle of the project. 6) Apply analytical and critical techniques at an appropriate level 7) Synthesise and integrate knowledge and experience in the form of a presentation and written report 4.0 Module Content You will be given the opportunity to participate as a group member in a real project. The projects will be sourced by DMU, and potentially from outside organisations. Groups will consist of 5 or 6 members. You will be given support in the following areas: • Developing an appropriate project – objectives, scope, constraints, resources • Developing a project plan – the main stages and timeline for the project • Identifying and summarising key challenges in successfully delivering and completing the project • Identifying any significant ethical or environmental aspects involved in participating in the project 5.0 Module Reading Weiss, Antonio (2011) Key Business Solutions. Prentice Hall (FT) ISBN 987-0-273-76805-0 Maylor, H (2010) Project Management, FT Prentice Hall, McNiff, J, Action Research: Principles and Practice, (1992), Routledge, London All students MUST be familiar with the Market Research Society Code of Practice to be found at: https://www.mrs.org.uk/pdf/mrs%20code%20of%20conduct%202014.pdf Assessment The submission date for Presentation is Friday 5th and 12th May (depending on your group), and the Individual Portfolio is to be submitted by the 19th May 2017 The module assessment will consist of two parts 6.1 Assignment 1:.Group Presentation (20%) Each group will be expected to make a 20 minute presentation at the conclusion of the project, demonstrating their ability to critically evaluate and practically engage with client brief, applying relevant concepts and issues relating to the project. As a minimum, the presentation is expected to include the following: • A brief outline of the origins/development/aims of the community project. • A brief outline of the project brief • A brief examination of the main stages and timeline of the project • A summary of the key challenges involved in completing the community project. • A summary of the groups’ creative response to the brief • Identification of any significant ethical or environmental aspects involved in participating in the project • Conclusion / Recommendations 6.2 Assignment 2: Individual Report/Portfolio (80%) The portfolio must be in report format as follows: • Front / Title Page • Abstract (a summary of the whole report, about 200 words) • Contents Page • Introduction (Include in this a brief reference to each members job title, and role in the project) • Main Body (see below for structure; DO NOT use ‘Main Body’ as a heading in the report) • Conclusions • Recommendations (numbered and clearly worded) • Bibliography (listing your main sources) • Appendices (if any) The portfolio must be up to 2400 words in length and the actual number of words must be marked clearly on the front cover page. Only the ‘main body’ of the report constitutes the word count. The cover page, table of contents, abstract, bibliography and appendices are excluded from the word count. Marks will be deducted for any portfolio which is over or below this range. It is to be double spaced in Arial 12 point and justified on the left and right hand sides. The portfolio is to be in A4 format, word processed and with the DMU assignment cover sheet attached. Headings and sub-headings should be numbered. You are required to produce a report in which there is a balance of description, analysis and evaluation. You are advised to avoid long sequences of descriptive text. The text must be referenced correctly in the accepted Harvard format (see Appendix 2, Citation Guide). For more detailed guidance on report format see Section 8.00 References. Individual Portfolio Content (i) Critically reflect on the project (25%) You are to consider how effective were the outcomes of the project overall, the approach adopted by the group, and tools and theories used. What were the major strengths of the work in your opinion, and what were the weaknesses? (i) Each Student and the Community Project (25%) You are required to: • Critically describe your own role within the Project team • Critically evaluate your own contribution to the Project • Critically assess the working relationships with other individuals involved within the project • Critically explain and reflect on how you were able to apply some of the learning, knowledge and skills gained at university to aspects of managing and completing the project. (ii) The Reflective Decision-Making Process (25%) You are required to select some important decisions that took place during the project. It is preferable that you select a decision in which you were involved in some way in the actual decision-making process and/or its outcome. Other individuals involved, should not be identified by name With respect to the decisions which are chosen for consideration, the student should: • Critically describe the decision-making process (include procedures and the interpersonal dynamics) • Critically analyse the stages in the process and identify the strengths and weaknesses in the process • Critically comment on the effectiveness (or otherwise) of the outcome Within the sections (i), (ii), (iii) above, you are required to illustrate your understanding of the culture/management/leadership style and communications both within the project team and with the local community involved in the project. In order to do this you must include references to academic material (books, journals, newspapers) which deal with these subjects in conceptual and practical ways. Initial reading is provided in the references list. However, you are also encouraged to refer to any material in this subject area which you have read in connection with your programme of study at DMU. 7.0 Assessment Criteria The assessment of the portfolio requires there to be evidence of: • The requirements for content as set out in paragraph 6.02 have been met • Originality in the work submitted, with a particular emphasis on your experiences and perspective • Adequate reading and literature search • Evidence of Action Research and Reflection – you are encouraged to reflect on your learning from the project experience, and to consider the limitations of that experience, in order to plan your future actions as a result of that learning • Critical and analytical approach – you are encouraged to critically evaluate your personal performance, the observed managerial practice from the project, and relevant management theory. 8.0 Community Based Projects for this Cohort Students will be provided with an indicative outline of 8 projects selected for this semester by teaching week 3. More details will then be presented to the cohort by the project sponsors, and students will be asked to nominate their own preference. Final team allocations will be made by the module team based on a combination of factors, including: the students own preference; the students skills and previous experience; and the mix of skills required for each project. It is anticipated that everyone will be allocated either their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice where possible.