Proposal for a Business Research Project

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

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;

Please do not put your name anywhere in the Assignment – ID number only

Description of the assignment:

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

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  

A clear indication of aims and objectives to be achieved, plus either your dissertation

·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

oIf its primary research, 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.

·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.

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.