Assignment Brief Academic Year 2023-24

Module code BM631 Research Methods Module leader: Festus Louis

and title:

Assignment CW1; Written Assignment: Initial Assessment 70%

No. and type: proposal including methodology weighting:
design and justification of
research approach, 1,500 words.

Submission Thursday 11th January 2024 Target feedback 3 weeks after submission
time and date: before 2 pm. time and date: deadline.

Assignment task

Business research methods are an essential component of the graduate skill set and advances in
technology require the graduate to comprehend the design, application, analysis and evaluation of
appropriate research methodologies.
This assessment will test the student’s ability to meet the following module learning outcomes which
require the student to:
 Engage in identifying a relevant topic appropriate to the student’s area of study from which a
suitable research project can be developed.
 Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct a literature review including searching for, and
critically engaging with, the ideas of contributing authors to the particular topic.
 Critically evaluate and design a range of research methods and appropriate research techniques
for the collection and analysis of data using quantitative, qualitative or joint methods in order to
address the research aim, question and objectives.
 Demonstrate transferable skills including time management, project management, listening,
negotiation, written communication skills, independent learning and advanced research skills.
You will need to:
Identify a suitable topic within your degree area that has the potential to be turned into a full dissertation
topic. You should aim to use this topic as a self-promotion tool that adds value to your profile and allow
graduate recruiters to see how your knowledge and skills adds value to their firm.
Required:
 Identify a clear problem that is impacting the organisation, industry or sector, where you will outline
the impact, the problem is having, justify the need for the research outlining the originality of your
work in providing a solution. You will present a title for your work, an aim statement and research
objective(s).
 Conduct a critical literature review and present a theoretical or conceptual framework to use as the
basis for the design of the primary and secondary research methodology. The literature review will
be submitted as a draft in the appendix and will be between 3,500 and 4,000 words +/-10%.

Internal approval: Name, Date

1
  Using the theoretical or conceptual framework presented above you will identify two-three primary
research techniques that will assist you in answering your research aim and objectives outlined.
You will:
 Argue and justify the research techniques selected; e-survey, interviews, focus groups,
observation, archival, e-observation, survey etc.
 Justify and explain how the research data will be analysed; quantitative, qualitative or mixed.
 Explain how the primary research will be conducted/distributed.
 Identify who the research participants will be, the sample sizes proposed/required and how you
propose to recruit participants/organisations.
Required Appendices:
 Gantt chart for entire research project; October to May.
 Draft literature review. Note you will require 50-60 references for this part of the work.
 A realistic Plan B for each of the different research techniques proposed.

This assignment has been designed to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate your
achievement of the following module learning outcomes:

1. Engage in identifying a relevant topic appropriate to the student’s area of study from which a suitable
research project can be developed.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct a literature review including searching for, and
critically engaging with, the ideas of contributing authors to the particular topic.
3. Critically evaluate and design a range of research methods and appropriate research techniques for the
collection and analysis of data using quantitative, qualitative or joint methods in order to address the
research aim, question and objectives.
5. Demonstrate transferable skills including time management, project management, listening, negotiation,
written communication skills, independent learning and advanced research skills.

Practicalities: Referencing, presenting and submitting your work

Please see your programme handbook for information on the standard referencing style, presentational
requirements and process for submitting your work.
Please reference your work using the Harvard style as defined in Cite Them Right Online
(http://www.citethemrightonline.com).
 Follow the course guidelines regarding submitting work, as below (e.g. electronic or paper copies).
 Pages should be numbered.
 All work to be submitted as Arial 11 font with line and a half spacing.
 All writing should be in the third person passive.
 Front cover, executive summaries, if used, contents pages, reference lists, all words in tables charts
and diagrams are not included in the word count.
 Written work must be word-processed.
 The module title and code number must be clearly marked on the front cover.

2
  There should be a minimum of 10 references from reputable sources and referenced using the
Harvard system used to support your argument.
 The work should be professionally formatted and presentable to a business manager.
 Work you submit for assessment must be properly referenced – a guide to the Harvard system of
referencing can be found on the Bucks website at bucks.ac.uk/referencing.
 You may seek clarification from the module tutor at any time.
 There is no excuse for failing to submit your work in accordance with the guidance, work that does
not meet the necessary standards in that respect will be marked accordingly.
 No collaboration is allowed.
 You are required to submit your work electronically. Please use the relevant submission point in the
Upload My Assignment area in the relevant module folder on LSST Connect before the time and
date specified.
 Please ensure that your work has been saved in an appropriate file format. Turnitin will only accept
the following file types: Microsoft Word or PDF. Your file must also contain at least 20 words of text,
consist of fewer than 400 pages and be less than 40MB in size.
 You can submit your file as many times as you like before the submission date. If you do submit your
file more than once, your earlier submission will be replaced by the most recent version.

Once you have submitted your file, you will receive a digital receipt as proof of submission, which will be sent
to your LSST e-mail address. Please keep this receipt for future reference, along with the original electronic
copy of the file.

Confidentiality

You are expected to take responsibility for maintaining and managing confidentiality issues in your work.
You should maintain and respect confidentiality in relation to the protection of personal, technical and/or
commercial information of a sensitive nature in your assessed work, whatever the format.
For further information and guidance, please see the relevant section in your programme handbook.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity means taking responsibility for your own work.

When you submit an assignment, you are making a declaration that it is your own work and that you have
acknowledged the contribution of others and their ideas in its development (for example, by referencing
them appropriately).
For further information and guidance, please see the University website: https://www.bnu.ac.uk/current-
students/registry-helpdesk-and-academic-advice/academic-integrity-and-misconduct
You are also expected to take responsibility for maintaining and managing confidentiality issues in your
work. You should maintain and respect confidentiality in relation to the protection of personal, technical
and/or commercial information of a sensitive nature in their assessed work, whatever the format.
Confidentiality issues will vary from subject to subject and you are encouraged to seek advice from your
course team if you are unclear about requirements in your context. For further information and guidance,
please see the University website: https://www.bucks.ac.uk/academic-confidentiality

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Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2023-24

0-34 (F) – 35-39 E – 40-49 (D) 50-59 (C) 60-69 (B) 70-79 (A) 80-100 (A+)
Fail Marginal fail Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Not successful Below required Satisfactory Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
standard
Criterion 1 (LO1) The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates
Engage in identifying a a limited and/or insufficient a basic yet systematic a sound breadth and a sophisticated and a highly accomplished an exceptional
relevant topic substantially inaccurate understanding of key understanding of key depth of systematic critical systematic systematic systematic
appropriate to the or no understanding of aspects of the subject, aspects of the subject, understanding of key understanding of key understanding of key understanding of key
student’s area of study key aspects of the including some including some aspects of the subject, aspects of the subject, aspects of the subject aspects of the subject,
from which a suitable subject, with few if any coherent and detailed coherent and detailed including some including coherent and beyond what has been including coherent and
research project can be examples of coherent knowledge, little of knowledge, at least coherent and detailed detailed knowledge, taught, including detailed knowledge well
developed. and detailed which is at, or informed some of which is at, or knowledge, some of much of which is at, or coherent and detailed beyond what has been
This should include knowledge, which is by, the forefront of informed by, the which is at, or informed informed by, the knowledge, most of taught, all of which is at,
evidence of: unlikely to be at, or defined aspects of the forefront of defined by, the forefront of forefront of defined which is at, or informed or informed by, the
informed by, the discipline e.g., recent aspects of the discipline defined aspects of the aspects of the discipline by, the forefront of forefront of defined
Knowledge and forefront of defined research, latest e.g., recent research, discipline e.g., recent e.g., recent research, defined aspects of the aspects of the discipline
understanding aspects of the discipline techniques, including: latest techniques, research, latest latest techniques, discipline e.g., recent e.g., recent research,
e.g., recent research, including: techniques, including: including: research, latest latest techniques,
25% latest techniques, techniques, including: including:
including: What business What business What business What business
• Depth of knowledge research is: quantitative research is: quantitative research is: quantitative research is: quantitative What business What business
and understanding to What business and qualitative research and qualitative research and qualitative research and qualitative research research is: quantitative research is: quantitative
identify a suitable and research is: quantitative methods and analysis; methods and analysis; methods and analysis; methods and analysis; and qualitative research and qualitative research
realistic research topic. and qualitative research structuring research structuring research structuring research structuring research methods and analysis; methods and analysis;
methods and analysis; questions, aims and questions, aims and questions, aims and questions, aims and structuring research structuring research
• Engagement with structuring research objectives; presenting a objectives; presenting a objectives; presenting a objectives; presenting a questions, aims and questions, aims and
subject-specific questions, aims and business case for a business case for a business case for a business case for a objectives; presenting a objectives; presenting a
theories, paradigms, objectives; presenting a research topic. research topic. research topic. research topic. business case for a business case for a
concepts, and business case for a research topic. research topic.
principles. research topic.

• Background
investigation, analysis,
research, enquiry
and/or study.

4
Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2023-24

Criterion 2 (LO2) The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates The work demonstrates
Demonstrate an a limited or no ability to an insufficient ability to a sufficient ability to a sound ability to work a sophisticated ability to a highly accomplished a highly accomplished
understanding of how to work independently and work independently, work independently, independently, work independently, ability to work ability to work
conduct a literature deploy relevant deploying accurately deploying accurately deploying accurately deploying accurately independently, independently,
review including techniques of analysis established techniques established techniques established techniques established techniques deploying accurately deploying accurately
searching for, and and enquiry accurately; of analysis and enquiry of analysis and enquiry of analysis and enquiry of analysis and enquiry established techniques established techniques
critically engaging with, within the discipline; within the discipline; within the discipline; within the discipline. of analysis and enquiry of analysis and enquiry
the ideas of contributing A poor/inappropriate within the discipline; within the discipline;
authors to the particular research title and topic A poorly constructed An appropriate An appropriate An appropriate
topic. selection: An unclear /inappropriate research research title and topic research title and topic research title and topic An appropriate An appropriate
and logical argument title and topic selection: selection: A clear and selection: A clear and selection: A clear and research title and topic research title and topic
Analysis and for the research, not A vague/unclear logical logical argument for the logical argument for the logical argument for the selection: A clear and selection: A clear and
criticality supported by up to date argument for the research supported by research supported by research supported by logical argument for the logical argument for the
and reputable sources research not supported up to date and up to date and up to date and research supported by research supported by
25% of data and information; by up to date and reputable sources of reputable sources of reputable sources of up to date and up to date and
the selection and reputable sources of data and information; data and information; data and information; reputable sources of reputable sources of
This should include justification for a range data and information; the selection and the selection and the selection and data and information; data and information;
evidence of: of data collection the selection and justification for a range justification for a range justification for a range the selection and the selection and
methodologies and justification for a range of data collection of data collection of data collection justification for a range justification for a range
• Logic and argument. analysis; an incoherent of data collection methodologies and methodologies and methodologies and of data collection of data collection
• Use and range of and poorly organised methodologies and analysis; a coherent analysis; a coherent analysis; a coherent methodologies and methodologies and
independently selected communication of ideas analysis; an incoherent and organised and organised and organised analysis; a coherent analysis; a coherent
sources. and evidence presented and organised communication of ideas communication of ideas communication of ideas and organised and organised
• Analysis and in a non- professional communication of ideas and evidence presented and evidence presented and evidence presented communication of ideas communication of ideas
synthesis of literature to format. and evidence presented in a professional format. in a professional format. in a professional format. and evidence presented and evidence presented
produce either a in a non- professional in a professional format. in a professional format.
conceptual or An unsuccessful format. A satisfactory A good conceptual or A very good and
theoretical framework to attempt at producing conceptual or theoretical framework sophisticated An excellent and highly An outstanding and
base the primary conceptual or A below standard theoretical framework has been produced that conceptual or sophisticated highly sophisticated
research tools on. theoretical framework conceptual or has been produced that provides confidence theoretical framework conceptual or conceptual or
• Organisation and has been provided that theoretical framework provides some that the research will has been produced that theoretical framework theoretical framework
communication of ideas provides no confidence has been produced that confidence that the accomplish the provides confidence has been produced that has been produced that
and evidence that the research will provides limited research will research aim and that the research will provides confidence provides confidence
accomplish the confidence that the accomplish the objectives. accomplish the that the research will that the research will
research aim and research will research aim and research aim and accomplish the accomplish the
objectives. accomplish the objectives. Draft literature review objectives. research aim and research aim and
research aim and has been completed to objectives. objectives.
Draft literature review objectives. Draft literature review a good standard. Draft literature review
has not been produced has been completed to has been completed to Draft literature review Draft literature review
and/or is at an Draft literature review a satisfactory standard. a very good standard. has been completed to has been completed to
unsuccessful standard. has been completed to an excellent standard. an outstanding
a below standard. standard.

5
Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2023-24

0-34 (F) – 35-39 E – 40-49 (D) 50-59 (C) 60-69 (B) 70-79 (A) 80-100 (A+)
Fail Marginal fail Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Not successful Below required Satisfactory Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
standard

6
Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2023-24

Criterion 3 (LO3) Work demonstrates a Work demonstrates an Work demonstrates a Work demonstrates an Work demonstrates an Work demonstrates an Work demonstrates an
Critically evaluate and limited or no ability to insufficient ability to sufficient ability to ability to select and ability to select and ability to select and ability to select and
design a range of select and apply select and apply select and apply apply in a consistent apply in a capable and apply in a highly apply in a highly
research methods and appropriate, discipline- appropriate, discipline appropriate, discipline and informed manner effective manner accomplished manner accomplished and
appropriate research specific methods and specific methods and specific methods and appropriate, discipline appropriate, discipline appropriate, discipline innovative manner
techniques for the techniques to develop techniques to develop techniques to develop specific methods and specific methods and specific methods and appropriate, discipline
collection and analysis and apply knowledge and apply knowledge and apply knowledge techniques to develop techniques to develop techniques to develop specific methods and
of data using and understanding and and understanding and and understanding and and apply knowledge and apply knowledge and apply knowledge techniques to develop
quantitative, qualitative to initiate, and in turn: to initiate, and in turn: to initiate, and in turn: and understanding and and understanding and and understanding and and apply knowledge
or joint methods in to initiate, and in turn: to initiate, and in turn: to initiate, and in turn: and understanding and
order to address the The development and The development and The development and to initiate, and in turn:
research aim, question application of application of application of The development and The development and The development and
and objectives. secondary research secondary research secondary research application of application of application of The development and
skills, analysis, skills, analysis, skills, analysis, secondary research secondary research secondary research application of
Application and evaluation and evaluation and evaluation and skills, analysis, skills, analysis, skills, analysis, secondary research
practice synthesis of data and synthesis of data and synthesis of data and evaluation and evaluation and evaluation and skills, analysis,
information is not information is weak information is synthesis of data and synthesis of data and synthesis of data and evaluation and
25% evident within the work. within the work. acceptable within the information is good. information is very information is excellent. synthesis of data and
work. good. information is
This should include The ability to draw The ability to draw The ability to draw The ability to draw outstanding.
evidence of: conclusions for the conclusions for the The ability to draw conclusions for the The ability to draw conclusions for the
reader is clearly reader is clearly conclusions for the reader is evident and conclusions for the reader is evident and The ability to draw
• Development and/or missing and/or missing and/or reader is evident but what is presented is to reader is evident and what is presented is to conclusions for the
application discipline- inappropriate for the inappropriate for the this is acceptable and a good standard and what is presented is to an excellent standard reader is evident and
specific specialist skills standard required as a standard required as a mostly appropriate for appropriate for the a very good standard and appropriate for the what is presented is to
manager. manager. the standard required standard required as a and appropriate for the standard required as a an outstanding
• Accuracy, as a manager. manager. standard required as a middle manager. standard and
coordination, and The ability to read and The ability to read and manager. appropriate for the
proficiency in follow instructions is follow instructions is The ability to read and The ability to read and The ability to read and standard required as a
completion of practical clearly absent with no clearly absent with no follow instructions is follow instructions is The ability to read and follow instructions is senior manager.
tasks/processes. evidence of conceptual evidence of conceptual acceptable with some good with some follow instructions is excellent with clear
awareness of the wider awareness of the wider evidence of conceptual evidence of conceptual very good with clear evidence of conceptual The ability to read and
business contexts business contexts awareness of the wider awareness of the wider evidence of conceptual awareness of the wider follow instructions is
involved that could be involved that could be business contexts business contexts awareness of the wider business contexts outstanding with clear
researched and/or researched and/or involved that could be involved that could be business contexts involved that could be evidence of conceptual
integrated into the work. integrated into the work. researched and/or researched and/or involved that could be researched and/or awareness of the wider
integrated into the work. integrated into the work. researched and/or integrated into the work. business contexts
The work fails to The work fails to integrated into the work. involved that could be
address all the required address all the required The work mostly The work meets all the The work meets all the researched and
elements set out in the elements set out in the addresses the required required elements set The work meets all the required elements set integrated into the work.
briefing. briefing. elements set out in the out in the briefing. required elements set out in the briefing.
briefing. out in the briefing.

7
Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2023-24

0-34 (F) – 35-39 E – 40-49 (D) 50-59 (C) 60-69 (B) 70-79 (A) 80-100 (A+)
Fail Marginal fail Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Not successful Below required Satisfactory Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
standard
The work meets all the
required elements set
out in the briefing.

Criterion 4: (LO5) Work demonstrates Work demonstrates Work demonstrates a Work demonstrates a Work demonstrates Work demonstrates Work demonstrates an
Demonstrate limited or no ability to: insufficient ability to: sufficient ability to: good ability to: very good ability to: excellent and highly outstanding ability to:
transferable skills accomplished ability to:
including time -communicate -communicate -communicate -communicate -communicate -communicate
management, project information, ideas, information, ideas, information, ideas, information, ideas, information, ideas, -communicate information, ideas,
management, listening, problems and solutions problems and solutions problems and solutions problems and solutions problems and solutions information, ideas, problems and solutions
negotiation, written accurately and reliably accurately and reliably accurately and reliably accurately and reliably accurately and reliably problems and solutions accurately and reliably
communication skills, utilising relevant utilising relevant utilising relevant utilising relevant utilising relevant accurately and reliably utilising relevant
independent learning numeracy, digital numeracy, digital numeracy, digital numeracy, digital numeracy, digital utilising relevant numeracy, digital
and advanced research literacy, oral and written literacy, oral and written literacy, oral and written literacy, oral and written literacy, oral and written numeracy, digital literacy, oral and written
skills. communication skills in communication skills in communication skills in communication skills in communication skills in literacy, oral and written communication skills in
a manner fit for a manner fit for a manner fit for a manner fit for a manner fit for communication skills in a manner fit for
Transferable skills purpose. purpose. purpose. purpose. purpose. a manner fit for purpose.
purpose.
15% - an ability to manage -an ability to manage -an ability to manage -an ability to manage -an ability to manage -an ability to manage
their learning and work their learning and work their learning and work their learning and work their learning and work -an ability to manage their learning and work
This should include with minimal or no with minimal or no with minimal or no with minimal or no with minimal or no their learning and work with minimal or no
evidence of: supervision. supervision. supervision. supervision. supervision. with minimal or no supervision.
-use initiative to take -use initiative to take supervision. -use initiative to take
• Written, verbal and responsibility for responsibility for -use initiative to take -use initiative to take -use initiative to take responsibility for
electronic determining and determining and responsibility for responsibility for responsibility for -use initiative to take determining and
communication achieving personal achieving personal determining and determining and determining and responsibility for achieving personal
• Numeracy and digital outcomes and/or outcomes and/or achieving personal achieving personal achieving personal determining and outcomes and/or
literacy outputs. outputs. outcomes and/or outcomes and/or outcomes and/or achieving personal outputs.
• Personal motivation, outputs. outputs outputs. outcomes and/or
organisation, and time- outputs. - consideration of
management sustainability
(environmental,
economic, and
personal) and social
and ethical matters in
their work/solutions.

8
Assessment Criteria Academic Year 2023-24

0-34 (F) – 35-39 E – 40-49 (D) 50-59 (C) 60-69 (B) 70-79 (A) 80-100 (A+)
Fail Marginal fail Pass Pass Pass Pass Pass
Not successful Below required Satisfactory Good Very Good Excellent Outstanding
standard
Criterion 5 An unacceptable range A below standard range A satisfactory range of Good range of Very good range of Excellent range of Outstanding range of
Assignment of academic, of academic, academic, professional academic, professional academic, professional academic, professional academic, professional
Parameters professional and peer professional and peer and peer reviewed and peer reviewed and peer reviewed and peer reviewed and peer reviewed
reviewed sources reviewed sources sources applied within sources applied within sources applied within sources applied within sources applied within
10% applied within the work. applied within the work. the work. the work. the work. the work. the work.
Incorrect Harvard Incorrect Harvard Harvard referencing in Noticeable issues with Correct Harvard Correct Harvard Correct Harvard
This should include referencing in text and referencing in text and text and in reference list the Harvard referencing referencing in text and referencing in text and referencing in text and
evidence of: in reference list pages. in reference list pages. pages. in text and in reference in reference list pages. in reference list pages. in reference list pages.
 Harvard Major spelling, Major spelling, Significant spelling, list pages. Minor spelling, Very minor spelling, No spelling, grammar or
referencing. grammar or punctuation grammar or punctuation grammar or punctuation Noticeable spelling, grammar or punctuation grammar or punctuation punctuation errors.
 Use of English. errors. errors. errors. grammar or punctuation errors. errors. Presentation of work is
 Spelling, Presentation of work is Presentation of work is Presentation of work is errors. Presentation of work is Presentation of work is outstanding and
punctuation and unacceptable and below the standard satisfactory but not Presentation of work is very good and capable excellent and capable capable of being
grammar. incapable of being required and incapable suitable for being good and capable of of being presented to a of being presented to a presented to a board of
 Presentation of presented to a board of of being presented to a presented to a board of being presented to a board of directors with board of directors as is. directors as is. Work is
work directors. Work is board of directors. directors. Work is board of directors only some corrections. Work is within +/-10% within +/-10% word
 Use of reputable outside of the +/-10% Work is outside of the outside of the +/-10% with significant Work is within +/-10% word count. count.
academic and word count. +/-10% word count. word count. corrections and word count.
professional improvement. Work is
sources. only just outside the +/-
10% word count.