Research Project: Students must identify a specific issue to conduct research in that demonstrates their competence in conducting formal research. The research project must be substantial and comply with research conventions.
» Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2012) Research Methods for Business Students, 6th Ed., Pearson.
» SPSS Grad Pack: http://www.hearne.com.au/Software/SPSS-Grad-Packs-for-Students-by-IBM/Editions#version_Statistics%20Premium%20Grad%20Pack%20v22
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ASSESSMENT TASK 1 Project proposal or Draft (30%)
| Aligned subject learning outcomes | · SLO 1- Apply discipline-specific learning outcomes to the world of work
· CLO K1-Critically analyse complex business-related knowledge and practice from both historical and recent perspectives |
| No of Words | 2500 – 3500 words (single line spacing, font = Times new Roman 12 or Arial 10). |
| Due date | 12 Dec but let me know your ideal soon |
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» ASSESSMENT TASK 1: DESCRIPTION
» Analyzing the Business Decision or Problem
» In this section you should write in your own words a brief description of the business and the decision or problem that needs to be addressed. You should then describe your analysis of the decision or problem (you may use a diagram to assist in this explanation) and identify and describe the information that you would need to address it. You should finish with a set of three general research questions that you would need to answer to get this information.
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» What is Already Known about the Decision or the Problem
» Here you should report on the steps you have taken to search for existing information about the decision or problem. These should include a formal academic literature review of academic papers and reports available through internet search engines. For each step, summarize the type of information found and any key conclusions that you can draw relevant to the decision or problem. At the end you should have a section summarizing the gaps and limitations in the information found and a few sentences describing your overall conclusions and what these mean for conducting further research to answer the questions listed in the previous section. Clear and logical links between the summarized information and three overall research questions should also be provided.
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» The Overall Research Design – Evaluating Options
» In this section you should assess some major research designs in terms of how well they fit your research questions. At the end of the section you should use this assessment to decide on the design that you would use to address your research questions and why you think this is the best option.
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» What are the Key Variables and How Will you Measure Them?
» Here you will use the information and conclusions from all previous sections to identify and describe the main variables that you need to include or consider in the proposed research. Then take each of these variables and describe how you will measure them and explain their interrelationships.
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» References & Appendices
» You must list here any references in APA style that you have used in the body of the proposal to support your statements. References are not included in the word count. Attach appendices as separate documents.
ASSESSMENT TASK 2: Final Project (70%)
| Aligned subject learning outcomes | · SLO 2 Apply high level of personal skill, autonomy and accountability in research planning, execution, communication of results
· CLO S1 Research and apply established concepts to solve business and professional practice problems · CLO S4 Present complex business analyses and information appropriately to differing audiences using clear and fluent written communication |
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| No of words | 8,000 words, (single line spacing, font Arial 10 point) or Times new Roman 12 point. |
| Due date | 6 Jan |
Lecturer gives some suggestions:
1/ChenBourg –a specific area where people are living in poverty-> do research to help economic growth
2/G.I.B.S looking for opportunity in USA market -> research
However, you can choose topic that is your strength provided that matching with above requirements.
Topic should finish with fully references and appendix
Typical Framework for Research Report Content (8,000 words)
(this is an automatic flow-on from the project proposal – not a new project)
Title – Does it accurately describe the report?
Abstract – Include an abstract if required
Introduction – What is this report about?
Statement – Is the problem or idea or concept properly introduced?
Research question(s) – Is/are research question(s) clearly defined and if not, should they be?
Theoretical framework – Is the theoretical framework described? If no framework, should there be?
Literature review – If this is a pure research project – but not necessary if it’s a practical project
Method – Is the design appropriate for the study? Does the sample fit with the research design? Is the size sufficient? How was data collected?
Analysis – Is the analytical approach consistent with the study questions and research design?
Results – Are the results presented & explained clearly?
Limitations – Are the limitations presented and their implications discussed?
Execution – What steps are necessary to operationalise the project/plan etc, with estimated costs & times
Conclusion – Are there recommendations for practice, future research, and policymakers?
References – use APA format
