Overview of the assignments

There are two elements or parts to this assignment which are related but separately assessed:

- Firstly, you are required to create a business research proposal aimed at a business-related problem or opportunity
- Secondly, you must prepare a Literature Review and Evidence Review on that research proposal, fully referenced.

The research proposal must include a background which describes the basic situation underlying the project. It must include a statement of the problem or opportunity that is the aim of the project. It must describe the rationale for the project, why to carry out this research and the benefits that will accrue from its successful conclusion.

Also must create research objectives that, when successfully completed, will have the information that enables to solve the problem or capitalise on the opportunity that is the aim of the research.

It must also include a literature review that evaluates the context for the research, and sources academic research and models that are relevant to the project. It should include a critical evaluation of relevant theoretical and practical references and include breadth of understanding and depth of critical evaluation. Reviews will require analysis and evaluation of evidence and sources and be informed by theory and appropriate practice.

Also must evaluate and fully describe the research methods that will be necessary to successfully complete the research.

Data collection methods must be selected and described which are consistent with the research philosophy necessary for its completion: these can include secondary data sources. The methods by which the data collects will be analysed and need to be justified.

Finally, ethical, validity and reliability issues relevant to the research must be discussed and a time plan for its completion must be calculated and displayed as a Gantt chart.

Further points:
- Case Study, Business Development Plan and Dissertation topics can be used if required but it is not mandatory
- Discussion and debate on the above mentioned topics should be seen.
- It is expected that the use of current peer-reviewed journals and articles to ensure that it has an in-depth understanding of the topic particularly for the Literature Review.
- There must be sufficient linkage between theory and practice.
- Harvard style of references should be used.

Structure
Ensure that the assignment has the following structure and contains the details outlined:

Research Evidence Review (Literature and evidence sources)

As explained above, this should be an analysis and synthesis of the literature pertaining to the topic. Should ensure that up-to-date sources and assess current academic concepts and models relating to that topic and the research question and objectives developed.
- Introduction
- Is the domain explained?
- Is there a rationale for the chosen topic?
- Is there a wider point of reference?

- 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?

- 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?

Research Design Proposal

- Research Title

- Research Question

- Research Objectives

- A background to the research proposal:
- Is the overall context for the research well established?
- Is the research topic interesting from an academic and practical perspective?
- Is there a statement of the problem?
- Is there a rationale for the topic?
- Is it clear what aspects of the chosen topic will be researched?
- Do the boundaries of the research make sense?
- Is there a clear statement of the aim of the research?
- Are research objectives included which are specific?
- Are research questions matched to the research objectives?

- Research Methodology - philosophy, reasoning, design
- Is there a logical and cohesive structure to the proposal?
- Are all the relevant sections included?
- Is the approach adequately explained?
- 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?
- Are the proposed research methods appropriate to the research task?
- Have the data types been defined and classified?
- Have target populations and samples been defined and justified?

- Data Analysis
- 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?