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1BSc (Hons) Business ManagementAssignment Brief Module TitleResearch ProjectModule CreditValue40Module Level6Module CodeLSME605AcademicYear2020-2021 / Term 3Lecturer Dr Samta Rai Dr Dolly Jackson SillahLearningOutcomesOn successful completion of this module students will be able to:1. Explain and justify different methodological approaches to a research project.2. Evaluate theories, models and concepts relevant to the chosen research topic.3. Identify and justify appropriate research objectives for the project.4. Apply and evaluate an appropriate research methodology to achieve projectobjectives.5. Understand and apply ethical standards to the design and research of a project.6. Understand and apply relevant data analysis techniques when carrying out theresearch.7. Evaluate outcomes and, where appropriate, make defensible recommendations.8. Reflect findings within an academic context.Issue Date15/3/2021SubmissionDeadline31-05-2021 4PMSignature ofAssessor Dr Samta Rai Dr Dolly Jackson Sillah Module DescriptionThe independent research project provides students with an opportunity to integrate and applyknowledge and understanding from the three years of the degree programme to a typicalworkplace environment, and to develop research skills and study current management literaturein a specialised area. The project is an original, detailed research analysis on a topic selected inconsultation with, and supervised by, a member of LSME’s academic staff. The project includes acritical literature review and primary and/or secondary empirical work to address a specificresearch question (or questions).2Teaching and Learning StrategiesThis module is completed largely through independent self-managed learning, though this will besupported by supervisory tutorials. Workshops will convene at key times throughout thedissertation to support the students. These will be delivered via a series of one-hour workshopsfocussed on the different chapters and stages of the Dissertation.Completing the research projectIn order to complete your research project, you will need to:Identify a problem, hypothesis or research question that you can investigate. You need to findsomething that has not yet been fully researched, or ask a new question of a well-researched fieldor area and identify a knowledge gap which your research can address.Find out about work which has already been done in your field, related to this problem, questionor hypothesis. Evaluate theories, models and concepts relevant to your chosen topic. Yourresearch will involve both extensive and intensive reading of the literature. This will help youclarify your own version of what the arguments are, what your contribution can be and whereyour work fits in.Identify the research design – the methodology and the methods by which you can gather yourinformation. If your research project involves data from the field you should be able to explainhow you can analyse this data and interpret it. Your research design should able to produce a clearjustification of different methodological approaches to complete the research project.Clearly and accurately present the data in an appropriate format. Understand and apply relevantdata analysis techniques to analyse qualitative and/or quantitative data when carrying out theresearch. Primary data research findings should be synthesised with secondary data findings. Youshould be able to establish a transparent link between the data and the findings.Review your own research concerning the wider academic context in which it is located. Referringback to the rationale and objectives of your project, evaluate the outcomes of your research andmake defensible recommendations. It is important to show that you appreciate the limitations ofyour research, and how these may affect the validity or usefulness of your findings. Given theacknowledged limitations you may explain how your work can be extended in future.Understand and apply ethical standards to the design and research of your project. Discuss anyethical issues raised by your project and how you handled them.Deliverable Research Project Report 8000 -10,000 wordsThe word count excludes references, bibliography, images, diagrams, table andappendices.3Submission GuidelinesYou are required to hand in TWO word-processed copies of your report by the time and date given on thefront sheet of this assignment brief. When submitting your assignment, you must also include: An Assignment Submission Sheet/ Cover Sheet Research Ethics Approval Form Consent Form (if applicable) Other documents required by your supervisor as evidence of achievement. Turnitin originality reportTurnitin Instruction You must upload your written assignments into Turnitin set up by your lecturer/supervisor. Thismust be done before the assignment deadline. Once uploaded into Turnitin, an Originality Report will be generated, highlighting unoriginalcontent. This is useful for you to check that you have referenced everything correctly. Generation of the Originality Report usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes but can take longer atbusy times. If you choose to edit and resubmit an assignment (before the due date), the Originality Report maynot be available on the same day. When you submit to Turnitin, please print off your receipt and originality report and attach to yourhard copy assignment.Plagiarism and cheatingYou are required to work independently when preparing this assignment. Presenting anotherlearner’s work as yours or taking information from any sources without acknowledging the sourceconstitutes plagiarism. You are expected to submit your work using the Turnitin software that isprovided by the school. Please note that your work may be cancelled if you plagiarized and theTurnitin similarity report suggests inappropriate academic sources. Make sure you read over yourwork carefully and ensure that all sources of information have been acknowledged to avoid anyuntoward investigations that would result in a delay in your achievement of the module. Furtherinformation on plagiarism and potential consequences are available in your student handbooks.4Research Project Report Structure Report StructureIndicative wordcount Front or Title Page(Title, name, ID number, year and the following: Submitted inpartial fulfilment of the requirements of the BSc (Hons) BusinessManagement). Acknowledgements Abstract300 Index/Contents page List of tables Introduction1000 Literature Review2500 */3500** Methodology1000+/2000++ Data Analysis, Results and Discussion2000 Conclusion, Recommendations and Areas for Further Studies1200 References  *++ For mixed research methodology using both primary and secondary data **+ For research using only secondary dataMarking Criteria Research ProjectA* 80%+High First An excellent understanding of the question, the issue under consideration andof the complexity of the issue involved. Excellent use of theoretical considerations to underpin the overall design andthe relevance of factual information. A fully justified research design and research methods Clear evidence of original and creative thinking. Excellent application of relevant data analysis techniques leading tomeaningful findings Excellent level of analysis and interpretation of findings leading to soundrecommendations Clear evidence of wide reading with a critical focus Exceptionally well structured and well-presented arguments Correct use of English language Referencing incorrect Harvard StyleA 70 – 79%First ClassThis range will cover a submission that has some original insights and also providescomprehensive and accurate coverage of the question and issues under considerationwith a high level of consistency throughout the dissertation. All components will havebeen submitted, and the remaining criteria will be as noted for the 80%+ markingband. However, in one or two areas, the submission will be open to minor criticism.B 60 – 69 %Upper Second A very good understanding of the question, and the issue underconsideration 5  Very good use of theoretical considerations to underpin the overall designand the relevance of factual information. A well-justified research design and research methods Clear evidence of original and creative thinking. A very good application of relevant data analysis techniques leading tomeaningful findings Very good level of analysis and interpretation of findings leading to goodrecommendations Evidence of ability to maintain a personal position in original terms and showa command of the accepted critical positions with some attempts atinnovation Clear and logical structure showing the progression of ideas andargument There may be some minor mistakes in a presentation or referencing.C 50 – 59%Lower SecondA reasonable ability to defend a position based on the use of evidence. Itshows evidence of evaluation of the ability to use information and synthesis ofgeneralisations from it. There is clear evidence of selection of appropriatematerial, research design, logical structure and argument.All components will have been submitted, and the remaining criteria will be asnoted for the 60-69% marking band. However, there will be some gaps inknowledge and lapses of integration. An overall structure is evident but it doesnot show a strong or coherent flow of ideas. Presentation style and grammarmay show limitationsD 40 – 49%Third Class The work shows sufficient knowledge and understanding of thequestion and the issue under consideration Limited use of theories and models to underpin the overall design andthe relevance of factual information. Some important and currentwritings not explored. A limited but satisfactory attempt to justify research design and researchmethods Satisfactory or but limited evidence of original and creative thinking. Limited application of relevant data analysis techniques leading to somemeaningful findings Limited level of analysis and interpretation of findings leading to somerelevant recommendations Some critical appraisal and evaluation but with limited analysis andawareness of limitations/contradictions that emerge from the findings Structure of work is weak or inconsistent. Presentation details may bebasic and show limitations, for example, sentence structure andgrammar require development.F 30 – 39%Fail There is little or no evidence of understanding the basic issues. Significant factual errors and contradictions. There is little or no evidence of reading or research of relevantliterature. The work is poorly planned and integrated with little evidence of a cleartrain of thought or development of argument. Some evidence of the ability to collate information and constructgeneralisations but with little discretion. 6 F 0 – 29%Poor Fail The work does not specify a basic question and shows little logicaldevelopment or structure. There is no evidence of criticism, synthesis or evaluation. The work shows no evidence of reading or research of relevantliterature. Work is badly constructed using poor English and/or an inappropriatestyle. References may be presented inaccurately or missing. The work may be incomplete or too brief. Helpful informationCore Texts• Saunders, M., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (2016), Research Methods for Business Students.Harlow, Pearson• Fisher, C. (2010), Researching and Writing a Dissertation: An Essential Guide for BusinessStudents. Harlow, PearsonAdditional Texts Blumberg, B., Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business research methods.Maidenhead, McGraw-Hill Education. Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business research methods. Oxford: Open University Press. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosingamong five approaches. Los Angeles, SAGE Publications. Creswell, J. W. (2013). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodapproaches. 3rd ed. London, Sage. Oliver, P. (2012) Succeeding with Your Literature Review: A Handbook for Students.Maidenhead: Open University Press. Quinlan, C. (2011). Business Research Methods. Andover, England, Cengage. Quinlan, C., Babin, B. J., Carr, J., Griffin, M., & Zikmund, W. G. (2015). Business researchmethods. Andover, England, Cengage Swift, L. Piff, S. (2005). Quantitative Methods for Business, Management & Finance, [2ndedn]. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.Referencing your workReferences to relevant academic theory and research findings should be provided and citedappropriately using the Harvard system of referencing. Example of this referencing style is asfollows:Sillah, D. (2007) ‘Screening of TB in the Gambia’ Journal of Epidemiology, 1 (2), pp.34-56Author/s name and initials are listed first, followed by the year of publication in brackets. Thenthere is the title of the article and the journal where the article appears, which is in italics. Finally,state the volume and issue number (in brackets) along with the pages where the article can belocated. Include at least two in-text citations and references in each assessment criterion. Furtherinformation on the Harvard System of referencing is on your Moodle Platform.Note: Do not use Wikipedia as a source of reference.7Presentation• You will need to submit TWO hard copies of your Project Report with TWO completedCover Sheets.• These can be bound either in a spiral or thermal binding.• Use double spacing throughout and number each page.• Use Times Roman 12 font• Singled-sided is preferred.• Present your report with a word count of 8000-10,000 words. This excludes references,bibliography, images, diagrams, table and appendices. Work must be submitted in a folder,word-processed in a suitable format of 12-point font, 1.5-line spacing and pagesnumbered.End of Assignment Brief