Indicative Content

Students will extend and deepen their knowledge of an aspect of a business-related subject area appropriate to their award. They will apply a range of secondary research skills covered in the Research Methods subject.

Learning Outcomes

1. Develop knowledge of, analyse and critically assess the literature in a given business - related subject area.

2. In conjunction with a supervisor, formulate research questions or objectives in the given subject area.

3. Construct an argument employing relevant and valid evidence in support of a conclusion that directly addresses the problem posed by the research questions or objectives.

4. Demonstrate competence in independent learning.

5. Demonstrate competence in the communication skills needed to generate the required format of written presentation.

Assignment Steps

When choosing a research topic:
- What you are interested in
- Your award
- The discipline you would like to work in
- The size of the topic
- The time you have available
- The resources you have available
- Access issues

Topic generation techniques:

- Brainstorming
- Mind maps
- Relevance trees
- Reading relevant publications
- Communication with module leader/supervisor

Step one: Choose a topic

The topic should be SMART which means:
1. Specific
2. Measurable
3. Achievable
4. Realistic
5. Timed

Step Two: Introduction:

The introduction must include:
a) Brief information about your topic
b) Write your question
c) Tie between your question & the information.

Step Three: Write a question, or objective

The question should be;
1. One only
2. SMART
3. Clear
4. simple

Step Four: Examples of secondary data sources:

1. Secondary data such as:
- Textbooks
- Articles in academic publications
- Conference papers
- Reports
- Published statistics
- Annual reports and accounts
- Popular media e.g. newspapers, broadcasts
- Electronic databases
- Internet

2. You need at least 20 sufficient references
3. You must use Harvard Referencing system within the assignment text and at the end of the assignment.
4. Arrange them Alphabetically
5. Start with:

- Books.
- Articles
- Websites

First: Conducting a literature review:
- Start as soon as possible
- Decide on the scope e.g. timescales or geography
- Key word identification
- Identify quality research articles i.e. discuss the methodology, results and conclusions
- Use the references to guide to other sources

Second: When writing up:

- Define terms
- Select only relevant material
- Group material into categories
- Draw out important features
- Make comparisons of results
- Be critical

Third: Writing the literature review

The literature review should:

- Summarise the main ideas, issues & debates
- Link these to your assignment question.
- Link these to your findings.

Fourth: Writing style

- Use a consistent style of writing throughout your project.
- Tie the ideas you are reviewing to your own work.
- Discuss how your research extends ideas that you are reviewing.
- Compare your work to that of others.

Fifth: Ask yourself:

- Have I critically analysed the literature - comparing and assessing not just describing and summarizing?
- Have I cited and discussed studies contrary to my perspective?
- Will the reader find my literature review informative, relevant, appropriate and useful?

Step Five: Start Reading the literature review: First: Critical Reading:
1. Keep your purpose in mind when you read
2. Don't let the arguments in the book distract you from your reading agenda.
3. Skim the headings and the abstract of the piece; perhaps look at the first line of each paragraph and the conclusion
4. You don't need to read everything with equal attention.

A. For the Articles focus on the abstracts.
B. For the books, check the index & the contents, introduction & conclusion.

Second: Check Your Skills

- Research
- Analysis
- Prioritisation
- Concise writing
- Organisation
- Time management
- Consistency
- Spelling

Step Six: Conclusion

Should include:

1. Findings
2. Results
3. Recommendations

Step Seven: Avoid Common Mistakes

1. Never write comma after that
2. (At) always after aim
3. Poor subject choice - not enough research
4. Un-SMART objectives
5. Poor presentation
6. Little theoretical foundation
7. Descriptive and repetitive
8. Little effort

Characteristics of successful Project:

- Evidence of depth and breadth of relevant and contemporary research
- Ability to analyse, evaluate and argue
- Clear and logical structure
- Appropriate application of theoretical concepts and models
- Professional presentation