Research Methodologies

Following on from this initial stage of the assessment process you will be expected to perform an aspect of peer-review. 20% of the total mark you will be allocated for this coursework will be based upon the critical and constructive quality you show in the peer review process. Details concerning this aspect of the work will be provided after your submission has been completed.

The latest on-line submission date/time for your work is:
Monday 21st April, 2014 at 5pm. As this coursework has another stage then late submission and capping at 40% will not be available.

Coursework Outline
Undertake an investigation into a possible MSc Research Project and produce a case for support. This will include a project plan, an initial literature review and a reference list.

Your submission will comprise of FIVE sections
Title – (MAXIMUM OF 200 CHARACTERS)

Introduction and Description of the Subject Area of your selected research topic (this is up to you – however would suggest that linking it to your award being studied may help with regard to background material/knowledge) – (MAXIMUM OF 1,000 CHARACTERS)

Explanation of your project plan: including research methodology selection, proposed methods of data collection (primary and secondary – fully explained), approximate time plan for the various stages based on a total expected number of hours effort (600 hours) – based on 10 weeks work – (MAXIMUM OF 3,000 CHARACTERS)

An initial fully cited literature review that will form the basis of secondary data collection – (MAXIMUM OF 5,000 CHARACTERS)

Reference Section – Suggest between 15-25 References – Remember a REFERENCE WILL BE CITED (MAXIMUM OF 3,500 CHARACTERS)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
There are two parts to the assignment which are related but separately assessed. Firstly, you are required to prepare a business Research Evidence Review and Literature Review aimed at a business-related problem or opportunity. Secondly, you need to create a research proposal, both fully referenced.
You must ensure that the research title and research objectives/questions are included in both Assignment 1 and assignment 2.
THE TOPIC SHOULD BE SPECIFIC, NOT TOO WIDE

As explained above there are two integrated parts to this assessment:
• Assignment 1 (2000 words)

? Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources)
• Assignment 2 (2000 words )

? Research Design Proposal
010 Assignment 1: Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources)
As explained above, this should be an analysis and synthesis of the literature pertaining to your topic. You should ensure that you read up-to-date sources and assess current academic concepts and models relating to that topic and the research question and objectives developed.
Structure:
1 ResearchTitle
2 Develop 3 research questions
3 Develop 3 research objectives
4 Introduction
• Is the domain explained?
• Is there a rationale for the chosen topic?
• Is there a wider point of reference?
5 The Main Body
• Is there a clear structure?
• Does the review flow into a logical progression?
• Does the review convey the thinking of the writer?
• Use of secondary sources, citation, references, synthesis, critique, chronology, seminal works, models?
• Is the current position conveyed?
• Is there a set of emergent conclusions?

6 Conclusion
• Is there a clear concluding statement?
• Is there a clear implication for further research?
• Are research questions specified?
• Are there emergent themes?
• Is the literature review conclusive?

011 Assignment 2: Research Design Proposal
• Research Title developed in Assignment 1

• Introduction
Background of research
Statement of the problem
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Rationale of the research

• Research Methodology
• Design the research proposal (philosophy, approach, reasoning, research strategy)
• Is the scope of Literature outlined relevant to the research objectives to address the research questions?
• Is the relevance of the literature, models, theories and frameworks for thinking justified?
• Data collection methods
• Sampling

• Data Analysis procedure
• Is the proposal for analysis linked back to the literature and the research questions?
• Have analysis methods been specified?
• Is there an adequate time plan for the research?

• Ethics, Validity and Reliability
• Are validity and reliability issues discussed?
• Are the ethical issues in the project understood and dealt with?
• Are the intended outcomes for the research made known and is there a clear understanding of the value added?

• Timescale(schedule)

• Gantt chart

NOTE (for both Assignment 1 and Assignment 2 )
• Discussion and debate on the above mentioned topics should be seen.
• It is expected that you use current peer-reviewed journals and articles in recent 4 years,NOT from website.
• There must be sufficient linkage between theory and practice.
• Harvard style of references should be used, each assignment requires 15 references.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES
There are two parts to the assignment which are related but separately assessed. Firstly, you are required to prepare a business Research Evidence Review and Literature Review aimed at a business-related problem or opportunity. Secondly, you need to create a research proposal, both fully referenced.
You must ensure that the research title and research objectives/questions are included in both Assignment 1 and assignment 2.
THE TOPIC SHOULD BE SPECIFIC, NOT TOO WIDE

As explained above there are two integrated parts to this assessment:
• Assignment 1 (2000 words)

? Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources)
• Assignment 2 (2000 words )

? Research Design Proposal
010 Assignment 1: Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources)
As explained above, this should be an analysis and synthesis of the literature pertaining to your topic. You should ensure that you read up-to-date sources and assess current academic concepts and models relating to that topic and the research question and objectives developed.
Structure:
1 ResearchTitle
2 Develop 3 research questions
3 Develop 3 research objectives
4 Introduction
• Is the domain explained?
• Is there a rationale for the chosen topic?
• Is there a wider point of reference?
5 The Main Body
• Is there a clear structure?
• Does the review flow into a logical progression?
• Does the review convey the thinking of the writer?
• Use of secondary sources, citation, references, synthesis, critique, chronology, seminal works, models?
• Is the current position conveyed?
• Is there a set of emergent conclusions?

6 Conclusion
• Is there a clear concluding statement?
• Is there a clear implication for further research?
• Are research questions specified?
• Are there emergent themes?
• Is the literature review conclusive?

011 Assignment 2: Research Design Proposal
• Research Title developed in Assignment 1

• Introduction
Background of research
Statement of the problem
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Rationale of the research

• Research Methodology
• Design the research proposal (philosophy, approach, reasoning, research strategy)
• Is the scope of Literature outlined relevant to the research objectives to address the research questions?
• Is the relevance of the literature, models, theories and frameworks for thinking justified?
• Data collection methods
• Sampling

• Data Analysis procedure
• Is the proposal for analysis linked back to the literature and the research questions?
• Have analysis methods been specified?
• Is there an adequate time plan for the research?

• Ethics, Validity and Reliability
• Are validity and reliability issues discussed?
• Are the ethical issues in the project understood and dealt with?
• Are the intended outcomes for the research made known and is there a clear understanding of the value added?

• Timescale(schedule)

• Gantt chart

NOTE (for both Assignment 1 and Assignment 2 )
• Discussion and debate on the above mentioned topics should be seen.
• It is expected that you use current peer-reviewed journals and articles in recent 4 years,NOT from website.
• There must be sufficient linkage between theory and practice.
• Harvard style of references should be used, each assignment requires 15 references.