Management Research Individual Assignment
Learning Outcomes - To examine key methodological issues and approaches to research in management studies, and to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of data gathered from interviews, case studies, focus groups, surveys and experiments.
Individual assignment question
Each student must write and submit a Qualitative Research Methodology Essay.
The essay should focus on an important/critical issue related to your academic or a research project. The area(s) of discussion and analysis can be any of the following key issues:
- epistemology, ontology and methodology;
- conceptual framework;
- sampling methods;
- research design issues;
- data analysis planning and anticipation;
You should focus on one or two critical issues only and not try to cover many issues at a superficial level. Your essay is about demonstrating your knowledge of a specific issue related to qualitative research methodology.
The methodology essay will follow the usual structure of an essay e.g.: The title page will be followed by the essay which will contain a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Following the conclusion, a reference list will be presented. Please make sure you must reference all factual statements and sources to an established convention and standard such as the Harvard System or APA.
While there is room for being innovative, the essay will be marked on your ability to analyse and synthesise the literature e.g.: the adequacy of application, strengths and weaknesses, whether they provide a strong enough foundation on which to base rigorous research. Therefore, do not write a descriptive essay.
This is a research essay requiring you to search academic journals primarily - not textbooks or non-academic internet sources. You should therefore search the academic journals from online library. If you feel it is appropriate, you may use other journals if you consider the journal article to be a relevant and quality source for your assignment.
A minimum of eight (8) journal reference sources will help you write a more complete paper, if all the sources are relevant. It is preferable that your journal sources be no older than 10 years and, definitely, no earlier than 2000.
Note: you are discouraged from including excessive numbers of citations in your essay that do not add critical significance to your discussion, as there is NO reward in the marking process for quantity over quality.
The assignment writing process should involve the followings:
Introduction
- Explain what is research methodologies
- What issue(s)/problem(s) chosen?
- Justify the choice
- Scope of research e.g. examine xx, followed by yyy, then ending with recommendations ...
Literature Reviews
- What are the key issues/problems/arguments in the areas chosen?
- Critically review these issues
- Try to focus into some convergent or agreements
- Limit your literatures to same arguments or some 'solutions' that can solve issues highlighted.
Contextual Supports
- Chose and discuss some concepts that can explain or support the findings from literature
- Try to integrate theory/concept with literature findings to resolve issues
Recommendations
- Solutions based on literatures
- Critically evaluate the advantages/disadvantages or maybe the feasibilities??
Conclusions
- Summarise the problems chosen
- Arguments/ critical evaluations
- Solutions/recommendations
References
- Not bibliography
- i.e. all in reference list has been used in essay
- Harvard style (including in text citations)
- Not more than 10% direct quotes