London School of Business & Finance (LSBF)

Masters in Business Administration MSc in Marketing MSc in Finance

Module
Assignment Title Type of Assignment Word Limit Weighting Student Cohort Issue Date Submission Date Feedback Date Issued by (Assessor) Internal Verifier Plagiarism

Business Research Methods Assignment Briefing Sheet 2011

Harvard Referencing Learning Outcomes

The Harvard Referencing System must be used. The Wikipedia website must not be referenced in your work. On successful completion of this assignment you will be able to: Analyse critical components of research methods, from design, techniques, values and methods; Identify research methods for producing empirical data analysis, qualitative research outputs; Demonstrate critical evaluation of a research proposal and appreciate the limitations of research; Evaluate the quality of research designs when commissioning research; Work towards and complete a successful Master level research project. Before you start your research you need to have at least some idea of what you want to do. Without being clear about what you are going to research it is difficult to plan how you are going to research it (Saunders et al, 2003). The quote below illustrates the above points: This is part of Alices conversation with the Cheshire Cat. In this Alice asks the cat (Carroll, 1989:63-4): Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here? That depends a good deal on where you want to get to, said the Cat. I dont much care where, said Alice. Then it doesnt matter which way you walk, said the Cat. (Saunders et al, 2003) Formulating and clarifying the research topic is the starting point of your research project (Ghauri & Gronhaug, 2002; Smith and Dainty, 1991). Once you are clear about this you will be able to choose the most appropriate research strategy and data collection and analysis techniques. The formulating and clarifying process is time consuming and will probably take you up blind alleys (Saunders and Lewis, 1997). However, without spending time on this stage you are far less likely to achieve a successful project (Raimond, 1993)

Introduction

Tasks

Your research proposal must be written and presented in the format outlined below: Title Background Industry Background Research aim, research questions or hypotheses and objectives Research Methodology Timescale Resources References

Guidelines

Please read carefully or you could end up penalising yourself. Below are some points to consider for your research proposal. Background section: Review of Literature (no more than 2000 words) - Why is research that you are planning worth the effort? - Use of academic journals - Identify your area of research - Demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant literature - Clarify where your proposal fits into the debate in the literature - Identify gaps in existing literature - Show a clear link between the previous work that has been done in your field of research interest and the content of your proposal etc - Identify relevant academic theory, models, frameworks and concepts Industry Background (no more than 250 words) - Place the research into context. - This should clarify further why the research is being done, under what conditions it is being done and what its impact is hoped to be. Research aim, research questions or hypotheses and objectives - What does this research aim to explore/find out?) - Research questions (no more than two) - Hypotheses (no more than two) - Objectives (Minimum 3 & Maximum 4) Research Methodology (no more than 1500 words) - This section will detail how you intend to go about achieving your research objectives - It will explain your choice of research philosophy - It will also justify your choice of method in the light of these objectives - It will also clarify where you intend to carry out the research - It will also detail which sectors of the market you have chosen to research and why you chose these sectors - It will explain how your research will ensure validity and reliability - Justify the relationship between your research aim, research questions, research objectives and research methods - Discuss the appropriateness of triangulation to your research Timescale - This section needs to be very detailed and realistic - You must produce a detailed schedule that illustrates weekly activities and allows time for unexpected delays

Resources - What resources do you need - Will you be able to access the data that you need to conduct your research References - Must be written carefully using the Harvard Referencing System

Your word count must not exceed 4000 words otherwise you will lose 10% from your final grade. NB: Marks will be awarded for proper referencing and originality of work. Also note that plagiarism is a serious offence and your submission will be electronically checked. Your research proposal must be handed in electronically no later than the date stated on this assignment brief. Please note that lecturers and students are not allowed to negotiate individual extensions. Formatting Your assignment should be submitted in the format of a research proposal Use 12pt font size Arial, with 2.5cm margins all around and double-spacing. References, table of contents, and tables/figures/graphs may be single-spaced with a font size 10. Deviations from the set formatting guidelines will severely affect your grade, regardless of report content. This is to ensure optimal length consistency and fairness for all submitted student reports.

London School of Business & Finance (LSBF)

Masters in Business Administration MSc in Marketing MSc in Finance Business Research Methods Assignment Research Proposal Description of Achievement Learning outcomes have been met to a very high standard and all the submission guidelines have been followed, resulting in an excellent research proposal. There is also evidence of thorough and relevant research. The work has demonstrated both a high level of intellectual thought and clear understanding of the research area. The information in the Background Section is critically analysed, synthesised and evaluated to a high standard. The recommended methodology is justified and the student has clearly demonstrated its appropriateness to the research objectives. The Harvard Referencing System has been both used and applied correctly. A comprehensive list of valid academic books, articles and academic journals has been used. Finally, the work contains neither incorrect spelling nor grammatical errors. The learning outcomes have been met, most of the guidelines have been followed and the work, in all parts, has demonstrated a high level of understanding of the research area. The research proposal has been logically structured and evidence has also been provided of careful academic research. The information in the Background Section is critically analysed and to a lesser extent synthesised. The recommended methodology is almost fully justified and the student has very nearly demonstrated its appropriateness to the research objectives. Although being worthy of commendation, the work is not exceptional in its analysis. The Harvard Referencing System has been used and applied, but with minor errors. An extensive range of valid academic resources has been used, including a few academic journals. The research proposal may contain some spelling and grammatical errors. The learning outcomes have been met and many of the guidelines followed. On the whole a good piece of work has been produced. The student has demonstrated a good understanding of the research area, but has not provided detailed analysis. The information in the Background Section has been analysed and some synthesis of the information has been demonstrated. The recommended methodology is justified, in parts, but there is very little discussion of its appropriateness to the research objectives. Although learning outcomes have been met and the ability to research from a variety of academic sources has been demonstrated, there is very little evidence of either original thought or any real development of the research area. The research proposal could be clearer and more detailed. The Harvard Referencing System has been used but mistakes have been made. A wide range of valid academic sources has been used but the majority of sources are cited as textbooks and not academic journals. The research proposal contains spelling and grammatical errors. The learning outcomes have been met and the student has demonstrated some understanding of the research area. The student has demonstrated an adequate ability in conducting independent research, both in the preparation of the research proposal and in the ability to apply what has been learned. Some of the information in the Background Section has been analysed but there is very little synthesis. The recommended methodology has not been justified and the student has not demonstrated its appropriateness to the research objectives. Few of the guidelines have been followed and there is little evidence of original thought, understanding or

60%-69%

50%-59%

40%-49%

30%-39%

analysis, of the research area. The Harvard Referencing System has been used but applied incorrectly. In addition the number of valid academic sources is limited. The work has not been proof-read and contains many spelling and grammatical errors. The student has attempted to meet the learning outcomes but has failed to achieve all elements. The student does not demonstrate an adequate understanding of the research area. There is very little evidence of conducting independent research, both in the preparation of the research proposal and in the ability to apply what has been learned. The student has attempted to analyse the information in the Background Section but there is no synthesis of the information. No appropriate methodology has been recommended. The structure of the research proposal does not meet all of the guidelines and the research proposal is very difficult to follow due to the lack of structure. The Harvard Referencing System has been used but there are many mistakes in the application of it and the number of academic sources used is limited. The work has not been proof-read and contains many spelling and grammatical errors. Resubmission is required and the feedback should be discussed with the relevant dissertation supervisor. The learning outcomes have not been met. Work does not reach the required standards due to the following: non-participation or non-attendance at lectures and seminar sessions; non-submission of work; incompleteness; inadequate work; failure to follow the research proposal guidelines or failure to answer the brief. The student demonstrates a lack of understanding of the research area and the reader cannot clearly understand the work, due to poor use of the English Language. There is little evidence of academic research. The Harvard Referencing System has not been used and the Reference Section contains very few valid academic sources. No care has been taken to avoid or rectify spelling and grammatical errors. Resubmission is required. Work achieving less than a 40% grade should be discussed with the relevant dissertation supervisor.

Below 0-29%