BMS501 Research Project

Overview of BMS501 Research Project

Completion of this work will satisfy the following learning outcomes from module BMS501:

LO2 – Critically evaluate qualitative and quantitative research methods.

LO3 - Apply project management techniques to an identified problem.

You have to identify a problem or challenge on your course (Business Management) or within the workplace that will enable you to complete a suitable research project. Your project report should include a critical evaluation of qualitative and quantitative research methods and a justification of your chosen method(s) (LO2).  You are required to demonstrate and apply project management skills in the planning and completion of your research project (LO3).

Task 1

Your tutor should agree the scope of your research and the aims and objectives of your chosen project to ensure the suitability of the topic and your research strategy. Your chosen method(s) of research must be approved by your tutor and the College protocols associated with research must be adhered to by all students engaged in research activities. You should schedule time with your tutor to agree your project plan and to monitor progress against planned activities.

Task 2

The following should form the basis of your report format after the precise terms of reference have been clarified and approved by your tutor within a review:

• Introduction – background to the Project; Aim and Objectives
• Literature Review – consider the research findings on your chosen topic linked to your research objectives
• Research Methods - critically evaluate the research methods used within the findings presented.
• Main Findings

Other relevant assessment information:

• The completion of your work will satisfy 50% of the assessment for this module.
• You should draw upon relevant business and research methods theory; and provide specific evidence/data drawn from at least 10 academic sources including 7 books and 3 journals. Your report should be submitted online, through Turnitin, via Schoology. You must include both a reference list and bibliography.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

The skills development opportunities identified in this assignment are:

• Apply appropriate leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrate transferable skills in the planning and completion of a research project.
• Take a holistic approach to problem solving.
• Develop research skills and synthesis of ideas.
• Apply project management and research techniques to a problem.
• Evaluate, using a variety of techniques, a solution to a work based ‘problem’.

Assessment Marking Criteria

Task 1:

Your Project Plan

Your chosen research strategy Within your project plan you must demonstrate the application of project management skills.  Your plan should include:

• Description and objectives of your project
• Your chosen research method and the reasons behind your choice
• A schedule – clear plan of activities by date
• Deliverables – progress against your project objectives
• Risks – how has your anticipated risks impacted on your project schedule
• Issues - how has your anticipated issues impacted on your project schedule
• Detailed changes made to your plan because of external factors 15

Task2: Project Report

Awareness and justification for using a wide range of existing business theory, contextual secondary data and background documents relevant to the project (from books, journals and the internet). Documents should provide supporting evidence to back-up arguments and assertions made within the project and accurately define the project’s scope/parameters/boundaries.

Main Findings

Accurate research by the students to present a relevant collection of secondary evidence and data to answer the project aim and objectives. Data is presented in a logical fashion (e.g. in order of objectives) and presented in manageable sub-sections using visual presentation were appropriate. Student needs to analyse the data/evidence as they go and provide reasonable initial judgements between different sources (e.g. do different evidence sources support or contradict with each other?).

Conclusions/Evaluations/Recommendations Conclusion pulls together the whole project and focuses upon whether the project aim and objectives have been successfully achieved (objectives should be taken individually and evaluated against the data collected in the Main Findings). Conclusion may introduce more questions / recommendations, and may also have some partly completed objectives; as long as it is explained and justified, this will suffice. However the introduction of new source material within this section should be avoided.