Report on Research Design and Methodology
Words limit: 2500 words
Assignment 3 - the Research Design and Methodology - is to ensure each student is able to contribute to the construction of a written report demonstrating their understanding of the business research paradigm, appropriate methodology, data collection, analysis and interpretation.
This assessment builds upon your Literature Review (assessment 2) in that you are now aware of what additional data is needed to lead you to the answer to your research question(s) (as defined in Topic Approval (assessment 1). Rather than search for additional secondary data, this methodology report requires you to specify what primary data you would hope to collect, by applying qualitative or quantitative methods. [Note that you are NOT required to actually go out and collect primary data].
In this assessment you will document what your team has decided as the most appropriate methodology. If you choose a quantitative approach, you will go ahead and state your hypothesis, how you intend to verify it, what data you need, how it can be collected and analysed. If you choose a qualitative approach, you will go ahead and decide which method is appropriate, how you would design the questionnaire (including a few example questions), and state how you would collate and interpret your data. [Note that you are NOT required to actually obtain primary data].
Assignment Structure should be as the following:
1. Introduction (an edited and adjusted version of your topic approval) including a justification for your research question(s).
2. A detailed research methodology addressing the qualitative-quantitative debate, hypothesis (if appropriate), additional secondary data, proposed primary data sample size and sampling approach, questionnaire design factors (include some sample questions), data collection method, envisaged analysis and interpretation.
3. A summary of your findings OR what you would expect to find
4. A conclusion (relating back to your original research problem and question(s))
5. List of references in Harvard style (only for sources mentioned in this submission)
Note: Approval may be requested (via your tutor to be approved by the Unit Coordinator) to undertake this assignment with variation, such as a Business Plan or Business Development Case. If that is approved the Assignment Structure and Marking Criteria may differ accordingly.
Research Design and Methodology - Marking Rubric
Excellent
[5 marks] Very Good
[4 marks] Good
[3 Marks] Satisfactory
[2 marks] Unsatisfactory
[0-1 mark]
Report Layout and Flow
(max 5) Report creates an excellent overall impression Report creates a very good overall impression Report creates a good overall impression Report creates a satisfactory overall impression Unprofessional or confusing
Research Design
(max 5) Ample evidence of advanced understanding regarding research design Evidence of very good understanding regarding research design Evidence of good understanding regarding research design Satisfactory understanding regarding research design Missing or confusing
Sample of Questions (max 5) Example questions are excellent, with an indicative range of purposeful questions Example questions are very good, with a range of purposeful questions Example questions are good, with purposeful questions Example questions are satisfactory, Missing or confusing
Data
(max 5) Excellent understanding of sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation relevant to this research Very good understanding of sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation Good understanding of sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation Satisfactory understanding of sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation Missing or confusing
Expected Findings and Conclusion
(max 5) Excellent indication of how expected findings link to literature review and research problem and research question(s) Very good indication of how expected findings link to literature review and research problem and research question(s) Good indication of how expected findings link to literature review and research problem and research question(s) Satisfactory indication of how expected findings link to literature review and research problem and research question(s) Missing or confusing
Reference List and Appendix
(max 5)
Up to 5 marks if Reference List is Accurate and follows Harvard style and Statement of Who Wrote What is precise.
No marks if either is missing
Total Marks (30)
/30
Note: In the event that your project report was approved to be based on a business project, company-specific consultation, or business planning project, such projects may need to be marked using different criteria.