Research Proposal Writing: Guidelines and Marking Criteria

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding tested in this assignment:

• understand relevant methodological concepts and challenges associated with business research.
• critically examine the range of research methods and justify their potential relevance to a chosen research topic.
• analyse ethical aspects of research design and propose responsible research.

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes tested in this assignment:

• identify relevant literature, providing critical analysis of the theories, concepts, paradigms, principles and views.
• formulate an appropriate ethical research strategy to plan the gathering and analysis of appropriate data.
• propose a complex research activity in a systematic and creative manner.

Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment

Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria and Mark scheme.

Guidance for improvement will be given in writing on the Assessment Feedback Form or on the StudyNet Feedback Form within 4 weeks of submission.

For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches 40 for levels 4, 5 and 6 or 50 for level 7 (PG).  If a submission is more than 5 days after the published deadline, a grade of zero will be awarded.

Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than 40, no lateness penalty will be applied;

You are required to produce research proposal, written in report format and appropriate academic style (use of headings and sub-headings, including a Title Page and Table of Content).  

The research proposal should cover various points highlighted below – you may use the below points as your headings and sub-headings too:

-Cover Title Page stating the research title, the module information, your ID number ONLY (no name please), the word count and submission date of the proposal.

-Table of Content highlighting the key sections (headings and sub-heading) included in the research proposal and the corresponding page number.

1.Proposed title of your final research project, in the format of e.g. An investigation into the...

2.Brief Introduction to the proposed subject area, including:

• explain the key theoretical concepts of the research
• provide relevant background/ (business) context in which the research is situated e.g. industry/sector/organisation/target market that your research focus on
• provide a clear rationale (your reasons for choosing this topic), or the significance/impact of the research  

3.A clear indication of aims and objectives to be achieved, plus either your Research question(s) or specific research hypotheses if these are appropriate.

• The Aim and Objectives should be stated in the format of “to + verb” with 1 x Aim and 3-5 x Objectives.

4.A brief literature review. This is a review of the relevant literature that has informed what you intend to do in your research, including:

• discuss relevant conceptual theories, concepts, paradigm, principles or views in the research area
• provide a detailed evaluation of key literature rather than just description
• justify how your research fit with the existing literature/research, e.g. a potential gap in the literature, or a problem to be resolved, or a significate issues to be addressed
• use at least 10 sources in this section and accurately referenced
• you may organise the Literature Review using your Objectives as the structure

5.A discussion of the research design. This section includes a detailed account of HOW you intend to undertake the research. For example, when, where and how you intend to collect the data and analyse the data for your research; who will be involved in your research and how many; as well as any key ethical issues related to the research. It may include the below sections:

• Research philosophy/methodology: positivist (objective truth), interpretivist (people’s interpretations) or pragmatic (mixed methods)
• Research strategy: quantitative, qualitative or a mixed methodology, in response to the research methodology.
• Data collection method(s): secondary data sources; primary research tools, like questionnaire, interview etc, and justification why you are choosing these with reference to their advantages and disadvantages

Target population for the research, sampling methods, and ethical considerations

• Data analysis method(s): excel charts for quantitative data; thematic analysis for qualitative data
• Potential research limitations, e.g. time, budget, limitations of method, possible unrepresentative sample etc.
• Potential Ethical Issues that can arise.
• NOTE: You are NOT required to undertake any primary research or analyse any data at this stage. This is a PROPOSAL for future research.

6.A brief summary of the proposal  

• NOTE: There will be NO results or conclusion because this is only a research proposal.

7.List of References corresponding to the in-text citations and in Harvard referencing format following CASE Harvard Referencing guidelines

8.A Gantt chart showing the main tasks should be carried out to complete the work, the key points for deliverables / milestones are expected according to your own study route.

Any specific instructions:

A high-quality research proposal is the most effective form of ‘Road Map’ to guide you for your final research project, the most significant piece of work during your studies.  

Please engage with the module content under 7BUS2002 Business Research Methods, and follow the materials under ‘Units’ to grasp the concepts related to a research proposal.

Beyond the module resources, please utilise additional resources and guidance on CASE website to support your writing. The 2 particular resources are shown below:

• Report Writing guidance (how to write the research proposal in report format): https://www.studynet2.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/asu.nsf/Teaching+Documents?

The research proposal will be marked against the below criteria. Detailed marking criteria is attached below. However, the mark will be awarded holistically based on the overall merit of the research proposal.

Appropriate research title, aim and objectives within a suitable context

Critical literature review re. the range, relevance of literature & evidence of critical evaluation

Identification of appropriate theoretical and conceptual framework

Research approach and methods re. understanding, application and justification

Structure and academic writing style, including references and Gannt Chart

Student Support and Guidance

• For further help, contact your module leader in their drop-in hours or by email.
• Use the Grading Criteria and Mark Scheme to help improve your work.
• Go to CASE workshops, use the CASE website and drop-in hours www.studynet.herts.ac.uk/go/CASE/
• Academic English for Business support is available through daily drop-ins from the CASE office.  See the CASE workshop timetable on the CASE main website page for details.