Management Research End Assessment 2010-2011
You are required to write a research proposal. This should be the intended proposal for your dissertation. This can be on a topic of your choice but must be related to Business and must be relevant to the award you are studying for.
Although there is no prescribed format for a research proposal, for this assignment you are to structure your proposal as follows:
1. Title
2. Research aims and research objectives
3. Rationale
4. Theoretical underpinning
5. Methodology
Sample
Methods
Analysis
Anticipated limitations
6. Timetable
7. Resources
8. Ethical considerations
9. References
Your proposal should be presented clearly and concisely under the headings listed above and must be appropriately referenced throughout using the Harvard style. A full list references (in correct format) should be presented at the end of your work. A Bibliography is not required.
Your work should be approximately 3,000 words in length.
Assignment Submission
The hand-in date for this assignment is 26th February 2011.
You are required to submit your assignment electronically via ‘Turnitin’ on Blackboard. This method will be available to you from Tuesday 1st February 2011.
One hard copy of your proposal should be handed in to the Assignments Office which will be forwarded to your dissertation supervisor. You must also hand in a completed Ethics Form with this copy of your proposal.
Note that the passing of this assignment is a pre-requisite to the completion of the Dissertation Stage of your programme.
Assignment Guide
1 Title
This should be brief and to the point, encapsulating the essence of the dissertation.
2 Research aims and objectives
The research question should be clearly stated. There should be an overall aim and a number of specific, realistic objectives
3 Rationale
Present a brief justification for carrying out this research. You may wish to discuss who would be interested in such a study and/or what has been done to date in this area. A literature review may enable you to identify a gap in the research.
4 Theoretical underpinning
You should provide a brief overview of the key themes and concepts which you consider relevant to this area of study and the theoretical framework which you are planning to employ in your dissertation. Where appropriate, this should be referenced.
5 Methodology
What? How? Why?
You should identify the research approach you are intending to follow and clearly outline your research strategy. You should provide a rationale for this. An evaluation of your chosen methods should be presented, stating strengths and weaknesses and discussing possible alternatives. Your methodology should be linked to your objectives.
Each of the following should be considered:
(a) Sample – Population of interest, sample size, selection strategy
(b) Methods – Techniques and procedures to be used, triangulation, reliability, validity.
(c) Data analysis – You will not have any data to analyse at this stage but should give some thought as to what you intend to do with your data. Your proposed analytical techniques may influence your methodology.
(d) Anticipated limitations – No research is perfect! Highlight any limitations which you can foresee and suggest how these might be overcome.
6 Timetable
A detailed action plan of work to be completed throughout the duration of your dissertation should be prepared. A Gantt chart is the preferred method for presenting your timetable.
7 Resources
Itemise the human, physical and financial resources required for you to complete your research. Include any sources which have not already been mentioned.
8 Ethical considerations
Address issues such as health and safety, consent, confidentiality, competence.
9 Presentation
The proposal should be within the set word limit and presented clearly and concisely. It should be referenced throughout with a list of full references, in correct format, at the end of the proposal. NOTE: All headings listed in the stated format should be addressed.
Marking Scheme
When marking this assignment it will be weighted as follows:
I Title 10%
Research aims & objectives
II Rationale 15%
III Theoretical underpinning 20%
IV Methodology 35%
V Timetable
Resources 10%
Ethical considerations
VI Presentation 10%
Assessment Criteria
70%+
Well researched topic appropriate to the activities
Clear demonstration that this topic is worthy of research
All aspects itemised in the assignment guide addressed completely and competently.
Presented in a logical and coherent manner
Fully referenced throughout in correct format.
Scholarly piece of work
Professional presentation
60%-69%
Research / and topic appropriate to the activities
Clear rationale for topic selection
All aspects itemised in the assignment guide addressed
Presented in a logical and coherent manner
Referenced throughout in correct format.
Sound academic piece of work
Competent presentation
50%-59%
Some evidence of research appropriate to topic
Clear aim and objectives
Rationale provided for topic selection
Key aspects addressed
Referenced throughout.
An academic piece of work
Presented in appropriate format
Less than 50%
Inadequate research
Topic selected not totally appropriate
Research aim and objectives requiring further work
Little or no rationale for topic selection indicated
Some key areas missing
Incomplete referencing.
Overall presentation less than satisfactory