THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHAMPTON Faculty of Business and Law MODULE: DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS RESEARCH Module Code Level Credit Value Module Leader GRA8001 8 20 Dr. Easwaramoorthy Rangaswamy Assignment Brief Assignment title: Evidence Implementation Plan (4000 word equivalent*) Deadline: Please see NILE Feedback and Grades due: Please see NILE Resit Date Please see NILE * Word Limits These will be in line with Assessment and Feedback policy which states that where the submission exceeds the stipulated word limit by more than 10%, the submission will only be marked up to and including the additional 10%. Anything over this will not be included in the final grade for the assessment item. Abstracts, bibliographies, reference lists, appendices and footnotes are excluded from any word limit requirements. Where a submission is notably under the word limit, the full submission will be marked on the extent to which the requirements of the assessment brief have been met.Purpose of the Assessment The purpose of this assignment is to provide a vehicle to exhibit an advanced understanding of applied business research and the use of evaluation tools to measure its contribution to improving business practice. Associated with this is the need to demonstrate the capacity to plan research projects and lead /manage research teams to deliver and disseminate actionable results that are valued. Assessment Task • Identify within your own area of business, management or operations an area of activity that would benefit from evidence-based management. Provide a clear rationale for this that includes the need and potential benefits of change. • Identify and evaluate what evidence already exists in this area and what gaps remain in the information required to make a change. • Identify the purpose and scope of additional research - together with the research approach /methodology - required to support the existing evidence. • Prepare a timed research plan. • Devise a strategy for the dissemination and effective implementation of the project findings. This should take into account the results of the research culture audit. • Determine an approach to the measurement and evaluation of change based on the research Assessment Grading Criteria This is a pass/fail assignment. Whether or not the standard of a pass at level 8 has been achieved will be determined by: 1. The clarity with which the need for an evidence based approach is argued. 2. The critical analysis of existing evidence including academic research. 3. The appropriateness of the research element to address its purpose within the overall plan 4. The use of the research culture audit to inform the strategy for gaining support for the initiative 5. The extent to which the whole plan is internally consistent. Assessment Learning Outcomes The learning outcomes being addressed through this assignment are: Knowledge and Understanding a) Critically assess and explore the scope of research-informed practice within a business and organisational context; b) Critically examine approaches to leadership and management in the context of the planning and implementation of research-informed practice. Subject specific skills d) Develop an action plan to implement research, taking into consideration a variety of leadership, organisational and political drivers; e) Critically explore issues surrounding leadership and management strategies in the context of the planning and implementation of research-informed practice; Key Skillsf) Utilize project management software and models effectively in the development of an implementation plan; g) Identify appropriate sources for potential research funding; h) Learn to develop and express tangible and intangible Key Performance Indicators i) Communicate the results of audit and implementation plan effectively to professional colleagues. Assessment Submission To submit your work, please go to the ‘Submit your work’ area on the NILE site and use the AS1 submission point to upload your report. The deadline for this is 11.59pm (UK local time) on the date of submission. Assessment Support Comments will be provided on one draft report only. Please see NILE for the arrangements around submitting and receiving feedback. Academic Practice This is an individual assignment. The University of Northampton policy will apply in all cases of copying, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtained (or attempted to obtain) an unfair advantage. Support and guidance on assessments and academic integrity can be found on: SkillsHub: http://skillshub.northampton.ac.uk