SOLUTION: Research Methodology | My Assignment Tutor

1BSc (Hons) Business ManagementAssignment Brief Module TitleResearch MethodologyModule Credit Value20Module Level5Module CodeLSME506Academic Year2020-2021/ Term 3; Sep 2019 G1LecturerDr Minakshi KishoreLearning OutcomesOn successful completion of this module students will be able to:1. Analyse and explain different philosophical approaches to research and howdifferent epistemological perspectives may lead to the use of differentmethodologies.2. Formulate, justify and plan a research proposal based on a preliminaryinvestigation of a suitable topic.3. Explain how to select and use appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods toanalyse research findings and evaluate the advantages and limitations of each.4. Produce a structured pro forma to report the outcomes of a research project withan explanation of the content of each section.Issue Date24.3.2021SubmissionDeadlineResearch Proposal : 04.05.2021 at 4:00 PMPresentation: 18, 25.05.2021 at 4:00 PMSignature of AssessorMinakshi Module AimThe module lays the groundwork for undertaking a research project in the final year of the programme. Inparticular, it examines different research philosophies. The basic elements of research design and researchprocess will also be examined. Core skills that will be developed include selecting an appropriate method ofdata collection and analysis, identifying relevant information sources, preparing and collecting data, analysingdata using different approaches for qualitative and quantitative research projects, and writing the report oncethe research is completed.2Assessment TasksThere are TWO assignments to be completed in this module: Assignment 1 – (Essay) 2500 words +/- 10% Total Weighting: 70%Intended Learning Outcomes: 1, 2 and 3 Assignment 2 – (Individual Presentation of 15 Minutes) equivalent to 1500wordsTotal Weighting: 30% Intended Learning Outcomes: 4Assignment 1: EssayIn this assignment, you are required to develop a research proposal based on a suitable topic in the BusinessManagement field. Since this module prepares you to undertake a Research Project in the final year of theprogramme, it is recommended that you choose a topic that you intend to work on in your final year.The research proposal should include the following:Research Objectives and Research QuestionsYou are required to identify and formulate a suitable research topic. You should place the proposed study in acontext explaining why you have chosen a particular topic. You should develop research questions andresearch objectives. The research objectives should be clear, precise statements indicating what the researchis going to accomplish.15 MarksLiterature Review and Rationale.You should undertake a background literature review identifying and analysing the most significant literaturerelevant to your topic. The literature review should contextualise and justify your research questions. Theliterature review should be critical, considering and discussing literature that supports and opposes your ideas.10 MarksResearch MethodologyYou should analyse and explain different philosophical approaches to research. You should justify the rationalebehind choosing a particular philosophical approach for your research. Your report should explain differenttypes of data (qualitative and quantitative) and the methods of data collection (primary and secondary). Youshould also explain the rationale behind choosing appropriate data type and data collection methods for yourproject reflecting on whether the chosen research method is the most effective way to address the researchquestions and meet the research objectives.35 Marks3Data Collection and AnalysisWhere quantitative techniques are proposed, you should provide a detailed account of how specifically datawill be collected. You should indicate the population and sample size and how you will select your sample. Youshould explain the data analysis methods applied to quantitative data such as examining the trends usingstatistics or examining the interdependence between two variables. Where qualitative techniques areproposed, you should also explain data analysis approaches of qualitative data such as inductive and deductivetechniques.15 MarksResearch project outcomeThe report should briefly outline the intended research outcome indicating the achievement of researchobjectives through the application of a rigorous research process and use of valid and reliable data.15 MarksOverall Structure and OrganisationThe report should follow a logical structure and should be consistent in format, presentation, and style.Harvard referencing should be used both in citation and in the bibliography.10 Marks[100 Marks]4Assignment 1 – Indicative Marking Criteria EssayA* 80%+High FirstAn excellent answer will have the following attributes:• Exceptionally well-formulated topic with precise, clear and achievableobjectives and well-formulated research questions which can be fullyaddressed by the research process.• Most significant literature is reviewed critically with an excellentcontextualisation and justification of research questions and researchobjectives.• A clear rationale for choosing a particular research philosophy with anexcellent explanation of types of data and the methods of collection. A clearand sound rationale behind choosing data types and methods of collection isprovided.• The Process of data collection is specifically described. Excellent explanationof the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data indicating how researchobjectives will be achieved.• Intended research outcomes are clearly identified indicating excellentconfidence in the research methods, data, and the overall research process.• Exceptionally well structured and well-presented proposal written in correctEnglish language.• Referencing using the correct Harvard StyleA 70 – 79%First ClassAll components will have been submitted, and the remaining criteria will be as notedfor the 80%+ marking band. However, in one or two areas, the submission will beopen to minor criticism.B 60 – 69 %Upper SecondA very good answer will have the following attributes:• A very good selection of topic with clear and achievable objectives. Theresearch process may present some minor limitations to address all theresearch questions.• Relevant literature is reviewed critically with a good contextualisation andjustification of research questions and research objectives• A clear rationale for choosing a particular research philosophy with a verygood explanation of types of data and the methods of collection. A very goodrationale behind choosing data types and methods of collection is provided.• The Process of data collection is specifically described. A good explanation ofthe analysis of quantitative and qualitative data indicating how researchobjectives will be achieved.• Intended research outcomes are mostly identified indicating good confidencein the research methods, data, and the overall research process. 5 • A well structured and well-presented proposal written in correct Englishlanguage with some minor errors.• Referencing in correct Harvard Style with some minor omissionsC 50 – 59%Lower SecondAll components will have been submitted, and the remaining criteria will be as notedfor the 60-69% marking band. However, there will be some gaps in knowledge andanalysis.D 40 – 49%Third ClassA basic level of an answer will have the following attributes:• Research topic too widely defined with broad objectives. The researchprocess may not satisfactorily address all the research questions.• Some relevant literature reviewed but with a limited critical analysisproviding loose contextualisation and justification of research questions andresearch objectives.• The research rationale for choosing a particular research philosophy is notwell grounded. Types of data and the methods of collection are partiallydescribed. A rationale behind choosing data types and methods of collectionlacks insight.• The Process of data collection is adequately described but not clearlyarticulated. A basic explanation of the analysis of quantitative and qualitativedata is provided with limited insight into how research objectives will beachieved.• Intended research outcomes are adequately identified indicating satisfactoryconfidence in the research methods, data, and the overall research process.• The structure and presentation of the proposal have some inconsistencieswith noticeable spelling and grammatical mistakes• Referencing and citation generally using the correct Harvard Style with somenoticeable inconsistencies 6 F 30 – 39%FailAn insufficient level of work will have the following attributes:• Research topic too widely defined with poorly articulated research objectivesand research questions.• The Literature reviewed is not primarily scholarly and relates to the researchfocus only on tangentially. The literature review provides a minimal connectionto the research topic and research objectives.• The rationale for choosing a particular research philosophy is confusing oraltogether absent. The explanation of types of data and the methods of thecollection is not sufficiently provided.• The process of data collection is not clear. A very limited explanation of theanalysis of quantitative and qualitative data is presented with no sufficientdetails on how research objectives will be achieved.• Intended research outcomes are not sufficiently identified indicating a verylow or no confidence in the research methods, data and the overall researchprocess.• The structure and presentation of the proposal have major inconsistencieswith excessive spelling and grammatical mistakes• Sources are not correctly citedF 0 – 29%Poor FailA very insufficient level of work will have the following attributes:• The research topic is too broad with no relevant objectives or researchquestions• The literature review is not scholarly and most or all of it does not relate tothe research topic.• The rationale for choosing a particular research philosophy is either absent ordoes not make any sense. Explanation of types of data and the methods ofthe collection is not provided.• The process of data collection is absent or irrelevant. No explanation of theanalysis of quantitative and qualitative data is presented with no details onhow research objectives will be achieved.• Intended research outcomes are not identified indicating major flaws in theresearch methods, data and the overall research process.• The structure and presentation of the proposal have severe inconsistencieswith excessive spelling and grammatical mistakes• Sources are not correctly cited 7Assignment 2:In this assignment, you are required to communicate in the form of an individual presentation of theoutcomes of your research project with an explanation of the content of each section. Each student willpresent their proposal for 13-15 minutes.The presentation will be graded as per the following criteria: PresentationA* 80%+High FirstAn excellent presentation will have the following attributes:• Broad and excellent explanation of the topic, objectives and researchquestions providing a clear context• The most significant literature is described with an excellent connection tothe topic.• An excellent description of research philosophy and a rationale for choosinga particular research philosophy. The rationale behind choosing data typesand methods of the collection is clearly described.• Data collection methods, participants and data collection process are clearlydescribed. An excellent explanation of the analysis of quantitative andqualitative data is provided.• Intended research outcomes are identified.• Information is presented in logical and sequential order to maintain theinterest of the audience for full presentation time.• Appropriate use of vocabulary and voice control• PowerPoint slides are visually creative, informative and easy to follow bythe audience• Referencing using the correct Harvard Style of all the sources used in thepresentation• Time management using no less than 13 minutes or more than 15 minutes.A 70 – 79%First ClassAll components will have been presented, and the remaining criteria will be as notedfor the 80%+ marking band. However, in one or two areas, the presentation will beopen to minor criticism. 8 B 60 – 69 %Upper SecondA very good presentation will have the following attributes:• Broad and very good explanation of the topic, objectives and researchquestions with a good context but could be made clearer.• Most relevant literature is described with a good connection to the topic.• A very good explanation of research philosophy and a rationale for choosinga particular research philosophy but could be clearer. The rationale behindchoosing data types and methods of the collection could be betterarticulated.• Data collection methods, participants and data collection process isdescribed but could be explained slightly better. Explanation of analysis ofquantitative and qualitative data is provided but could be improved.• Intended research outcomes are identified.• Information is generally presented in logical and sequential order but couldbe improved to maintain the interest of the audience for full presentationtime.• Appropriate use of vocabulary and voice control• Mostly PowerPoint slides are visually creative, informative and easy tofollow by the audience but could be improved to 100% slides• Referencing using the correct Harvard Style of all the sources used in thepresentation with some minor errors• A slight deviation from the allotted time of 13-15 minutesC 50 – 59%Lower SecondAll components will have been presented, and the remaining criteria will be as notedfor the 60-69% marking band. However, there will be some gaps in knowledge andanalysis.D 40 – 49%Third ClassA basic level of work will have the following attributes:• Topic, objectives and research questions are hastily presented with alimited context.• Some relevant literature is described but a clear connection to the topicmay be lacking• Research philosophy and a rationale for choosing a particular researchphilosophy is described but is not well articulated. The rationale behindchoosing data types and methods of collection not made sufficiently clear tothe audience. 9 • Data collection methods, participants and data collection process lack details.Techniques of analysis of quantitative and qualitative data may not besufficiently explained.• Intended research outcomes will be identified but not in an insightful way.• Information presented may lack logical and sequential order resulting in lossof interest of the audience for full presentation time.• Vocabulary may not be adequately technical and there might be voice controlmay not be improved• PowerPoint slides may lack visual creativity and information. They may alsobe not easy to follow by the audience• Harvard Style of all the sources used in the presentation with some noticeableomissions and errors• Noticeable deviation from the allotted time of 13-15 minutesF 30 – 39%Fail• The presentation does not properly introduce the topic, objectives orresearch questions.• Literature is described in an unclear manner with no connection to the topic• Research philosophy and a rationale for choosing a particular researchphilosophy are not well-presented creating confusion in the audience. Therationale behind choosing data types and methods of collection not discussedor not made clear.• Data collection methods, participants and data collection process are notsufficiently described. Techniques of analysis of quantitative and qualitativedata may not be sufficiently explained or may not be explained at all.• Intended research outcomes may be vaguely identified with not clear insighton how they will be achieved.• Information presented may not be in logical and sequential order making itdifficult for the audience to understand the content• Vocabulary will mostly be drawn from everyday usage with very limitedtechnical words or phrases.• The majority of the PowerPoint slides will have too much text with limitedvisuals.• All the sources may not be listed in the presentation. Harvard style ofreferencing may have major errors.• The presentation may be well below or well above the allotted time of 1315minutes 10 F 0 – 29%Poor FailA very insufficient level of work will have the following attributes:• The presentation does not introduce the research topic, objectives orresearch questions.• Irrelevant literature is presented with no connection to the topic• Research philosophy and a rationale for choosing a particular researchphilosophy are not adequately described.• Data collection methods, participants and data collection process are notdescribed. Techniques of analysis of quantitative and qualitative data are notdiscussed.•Intended research outcomes are not identified.•Information is not presented in logical and sequential order•Vocabulary will mostly be drawn from everyday usage with very limitedtechnical words or phrases.•The majority of the PowerPoint slides will have too much text with limitedvisuals.•Sources may not be listed at all in the presentation. Harvard style if used mayhave major errors.•The presentation may be well short of the allotted time or may hugelyexceed 15 minutes. Completing the tasksTo complete Assignments 1 and 2, you will need to research different information sources such as textbooks,journals, articles and the internet. You are also required to develop skills in the analysis and presentation ofinformation. Analysis requires you to critically examine different aspects of a topic and identify importantissues. Presentation requires you to present the information in a logical and sequential order maintainingconsistency of style and coherence of ideas. Make use of information on assignment preparation andcommand verb usage in your Moodle Platform.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, Pearson11Additional 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 cited appropriatelyusing the Harvard system of referencing. An example of this referencing style is as follows: 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. Then there is thetitle of the article and the journal where the article appears, which is in italics. Finally, state the volume andissue number (in brackets) along with the pages where the article can be located. Include at least two in-textcitations and references in each assessment criterion. Further information on the Harvard System ofreferencing is on your Moodle Platform.Note: Do not use Wikipedia as a source of reference.Academic MalpracticeYou are required to work independently when preparing this assignment and you are reminded of the needto avoid the risk (intentionally or unintentionally) of committing academic malpractice. In particular,presenting another learner’s work as yours or taking information from any sources without acknowledgingthe source correctly can constitute academic malpractice. You are expected to submit your work using theTurnitin software that is provided by the school. Please note that your work may be subject to penaltiesand/or cancellation if academic malpractice has taken place. The Turnitin similarity report can highlightwhere academic sources have not been referenced appropriately/effectively and this could result in aconcern being highlighted around possible plagiarism (one form of academic malpractice where sources havebeen used without proper acknowledgement). Make sure you read over your work carefully and ensure thatall sources of information have been acknowledged to avoid any untoward investigations that would resultin a delay in your achievement of the module. Further information on academic malpractice (includingplagiarism) and potential consequences are available in your student handbooks.12PresentationProject proposal with a word count of 2500 words (+/- 10%) excluding references, bibliography, images,diagrams, table and appendices and an individual presentation for 13-15 minutes explaining each section ofthe proposal. The word count should be stated in the assignment cover sheet and please note you will bepenalized for exceeding the word limit. Similarly, your grades may be affected if you do not adhere to theallotted time for the presentation. Work must be word-processed in a suitable format of 12-point font, 1.5linespacing and pages numbered. The presentation must be developed using MS PowerPoint or any other similarsoftware.SubmissionYou must• Submit assignments via Turnitin• Include an assignment submission sheet/ assignment cover sheet• Submit other documents required by your lecturer as evidence of achievement.•Submission deadlines must be strictly observed. Therefore, disciplined time management is very importantwhen producing this assignment. Failure to meet deadlines will be considered as a failure by non-submission.You will only have the opportunity for one resubmission of a different assignment. Refer to the StudentHandbook for more information.End of Assignment Brief