MSIN0100 Business Research

These limits must not be exceeded. You may use fewer words if you wish but be aware that the demands of this assignment are such that by using fewer words you could be limiting your opportunity to cover the scope of the assignment.

Footnotes, appendices, tables, figures, diagrams, charts included in/excluded from word count For these assignments, tables should not be added as images and their content does count as words with the exception for tables which bring numerical data only, which can be added as images and do not count as words. The marking sheet, the cover page, the table of contents, the executive summary/abstract, diagrams, graphics, charts, foot notes with references only, lists of references and bibliography do not count as words.

Appendices do not count as part of the word count and will not be marked. They should not contain matters of substance relevant to the main body of work, unless it is specified in the assignments descriptions, when then the content in appendices may be used to define the quality of the work to be marked. Everything else including in-text references and captions should be included in the word count.

i.Attend classes, read the material, prepare for exercises. The content of this course cannot be absorbed quickly. Do not make assumptions about what you will need in term 3. You do not know. All parts of the taught classes are relevant independent of your chosen report type (business research or business plan), if not for your module result, at least for your career in management.

ii. Start thinking about your project as soon as possible. Check whether the project is relevant and viable. Do not underestimate the amount of work to produce a high quality report. Choose projects which are relevant for your career plans. There is no reason to waste your time with irrelevant projects.

iii. Obtain high quality data for your report. It does not matter how much analysis you add, low quality data results in a poor report. Garbage-in-garbage-out.

iv. Focus on the integrity and logic of your report and ensure that it has a clear and persuasive line of argument with each part making a contribution to the whole.

v. Study good examples of similar work. This will help to provide you with a road map of a good structure.

Business Research Project Proposal

i. Introduction: Introduce the topic and explain the context in which the research is relevant. Introduce the objectives of the research. Introduce the structure of the proposal. [Number of words: around 15% of the proposal]

ii. Literature review: Demonstrate critical understanding of the current state of knowledge on the domain, through reviewing the literature on the topic. The literature review should support the argument that the topic is relevant, and should point out areas for discussion of the findings in the project report (2nd assignment). [Number of words: around 45% of the proposal]

iii. Theoretical framework: Present the chosen theoretical framework (or conceptual framework), which is going to be used in the research design (in this proposal) and later for the analysis of the findings in the project report (2nd assignment). In exploratory studies (when nobody has researched a similar topic before), you may not have a theoretical framework.

iv. Research design & methodology: Present the research question, and how you plan to answer the question. Explain the methods you are going to use to answer the question. Be sure your research question is well integrated with the theoretical framework. [Number of words: around 25% of the proposal]

• Identify different research designs and business plan frameworks that are appropriate for diverse contexts.

o Both report types require the student to identify the nature of the problem addressed and apply concepts of research design and business plan frameworks to address the proposed problem.

• Apply appropriate techniques to carry out research into business and management issues.

o Both report types require the student to assess different techniques to collect primary and/or secondary data. The chosen techniques should be appropriate to the project’s aims.

• Collect and analyse data, including the evaluation, relevance, and validity of acquired and published research and industry and consultancy reports.

o Both report types require students to collect and analyse data, and to critically assess the quality and relevance of the collected material.

• Understand the relevance of theory and how to apply theory in business research and business plans.

o Both report types require students to have an understanding of the role of theory in business research. All reports should express a clear and distinct perspective on the relevant theories and conceptual frameworks that are suitable to frame and understand the studied phenomenon.

• Synthesise a range of information for the development and interpretation of knowledge in business and management.

o Both report types require students to process a significant amount of information and knowledge, and to bring in to focus a knowledge contribution that can help in understanding a specific problem in the domain of business and management.

• Communicate effectively by a writing report.

o Both report types require students to write with clarity, structure and concision, and to use graphical resources to better communicate. In all cases the report must be tailored to a relevant audience. For example, to academic researchers, policy makers and regulators, consultants, senior managers or venture capitalists depending of the specific project undertaken.

• Make informed recommendations based on critical analysis.

o Both report types require students to spell out recommendations relevant to business situations. These recommendations should be firmly rooted in the the whole report, in the data used, the analysis applied and in the specialised knowledge drawn upon.