TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
2.
3. Page
4.
5.
6. 7. 8.
9.
10. Introduction
11. 12. 2 13.
14.
15. Additional guidance
16. 17. 2 18.
19.
20. The Research Proposal
21. 22. 3 23.
24.
25. Aims of the Research Proposal
26. 27. 3 28.
29.
30. Selecting the topic
31. 32. 3 33.
34.
35. Is it researchable?
36. 37. 5 38.
39.
40. Initial outline proposal
41. 42. 5 43.
44.
45. What happens if someone else chooses the same topic?
46. 47. 5 48.
49.
50. Who will supervise the Research Proposal and Dissertation?
51. 52. 5 53.
54.
55. The content of the Research Proposal
56. 57. 6 58.
59.
60. Structure of the proposal
61. 62. 10 63.
64.
65. Length of the proposal
66. 67. 11 68.
69.
70. Before you submit the proposal
71. 72. 11 73.
74.
75. JISC Plagiarism Detection Service
76. 77. 12 78.
79.
80. Student Project Ethical Review (SPER)
81. 82. 13 83.
84.
85. Submission
86. 87. 13 88.
89.
90. Assessment
91. 92. 13 93.
94.
95. Link with the Master’s Degree Dissertation
96. 97. 13 98.
99.
100. Writing the research proposal: recommended reading
101. 102. 14 103.
104.
105.
106. 107. 108.
109.
110. APPENDICES 111. 112. 113.
114.
115. Appendix 1: Outline of the Research Proposal and
116. Dissertation process
117. 118. 15 119.
120.
121. Appendix 2: Sample title page
122. 123. 17 124.
125.
126. Appendix 3: Coursework feedback form
127. 128. 18 129.
130.
131. Appendix 4: Guidelines for assessment
132. 133. 19 134.
135.
136. Appendix 5: Grade Definitions and Descriptors
137. 138. 20 139.
140.
141.
142. 143. 144.
INTRODUCTION
The preparation of a Research Proposal is a requirement for both the award of a Postgraduate Diploma and for the approval of the topic for the Dissertation leading to the award of a Master’s Degree. It is an area within the teaching programme where students are able to identify a special and personal interest in an issue of relevance to the course and investigate the ways in which it might systematically be researched.
Topics selected must be compatible with academic and professional concerns and norms in the field(s) relevant to the award for which the student is registered. They must be feasible in terms of available resources and supervision.
The research is an important element in the assessment of the course as well as useful preparation for the Dissertation.
This document describes the assessment for the BSM577 Research Methods module which will consist of a fully developed research proposal.
ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
These notes should be read together with the “Guide to report and essay writing”, “Using the JISC system to avoid penalties for plagiarism – guidelines for students,” and the Library’s guide to referencing sources of information.
THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The Research Proposal is a document that describes and discusses the essential features of a study to be conducted in the future, actual or hypothetical.
These features include:
· general characteristics of the research area
· specific aspects of the topic to be investigated
· the aims and objectives of the research
· the methodology/approach to be used.
An effectively constructed Research Proposal will identify and make clear the exact nature of the assumptions, content, and approaches which need to be managed and mastered for the successful completion of the research programme. It is also intended to indicate whether you are able to take the research further towards a Master’s Degree Dissertation.
AIMS
The aims of the Research Proposal are:
To identify and examine the main areas of investigation and an appropriate research methodology for a specific research topic within an area of relevance to your course of study.
To apply knowledge and techniques acquired and identified in the Research Methods Module to the preparation of a Research Proposal.
SELECTING THE RESEARCH TOPIC
The first task in the Dissertation process is for students to choose an appropriate topic and decide on a provisional title. This can be the most difficult part of the process since, if you choose unwisely, there may be unforeseen consequences later. The more effort you put into the Research Proposal, the greater the potential for reducing the number of problems you may encounter later in your study. If in doubt about a topic, seek the advice of your module tutor, your Dissertation Module co-ordinator, or seek out staff who have an interest in your potential topic and listen carefully to the suggestions put forward. Should you have difficulty in identifying a suitable research topic, the School’s staff are always willing to offer guidance.
Do start as early as possible, especially on thinking what project you would like to do, what interests you and begin background reading as early as possible.
The topic must also be one which can be adequately researched with the resources available to you. Because supervision will necessarily come from within the staff of the Aberdeen Business School at The Robert Gordon University, the topic must also be one which a member of the staff is willing and capable of supervising. Each member of staff is limited in terms of how many students they can supervise so if you are keen to work with a particular member of staff, you should approach them early to get their agreement to act as your supervisor.
With this in mind, try to be realistic about the topic and choose one in which you have a strong and genuine interest and indeed, a topic where there are a number of relevant information sources in the printed and electronic media. You are going to spend much time investigating the topic you choose, and it is essential that you are enthusiastic about it. If it is not of real interest to you then it will be an uphill struggle.
Think of several different topics and consider these before committing yourself. Develop these suggestions and talk them over with others – fellow students, tutors, etc. Too much reliance on parents or friends to provide information is unwise since, with the best will in the world, they are unlikely to have sufficient knowledge of the requirements for a Master’s dissertation or they may not be able to provide you with the right type, level or depth of information required to satisfy the main aim of the study. Hence, it is generally wise to choose a topic neither too narrow nor too broad in scope.
Ideas for your research may come from previous study and experience. They may be stimulated by the topics covered in the taught parts of the course, introduced by staff in discussions and tutorials, or suggested by reading. Previous study may also have stimulated your interest. Perhaps you feel that you do not have time to explore a particular topic in the depth you want to – the Masters Dissertation could be your opportunity to rectify that, and the Research Proposal is your starting point. Your choice of topic may even be influenced by your own career aspirations or personal interests as long as the research issues relate to the themes of the course.
If you are undertaking the course on a part-time basis while in employment, you should be very careful about choosing a topic ‘for’ your employer. The most important thing about your research topic should be that it is something which will be sustainable as well as keep your interest for the next few months!
You should also bear in mind that, while you have substantial freedom in the choice of topic, your final decision should be made in conjunction with the Module Tutor and your prospective Research Proposal Supervisor. The primary constraints on the selection of the topic are:
· it must be relevant to the broad area of your course;
· it will sustain a Masters-level investigation and be capable of treatment at a breadth and depth which will enable you meet the aims and objectives of both the Research Proposal and the Dissertation;
· it can be adequately researched with the resources available to you;
· there must be a member of staff from the Aberdeen Business School who is both willing and able to supervise the research;
· it should not have been covered previously.
IS IT RESEARCHABLE?
The Research Methods Module will present ideas on appropriate methods to use. Regardless of whether or not students continue to the Masters Dissertation, the Research Methods Module presents a range of transferable skills and knowledge which are considered important in professional life. It is regarded as a core part of the course, and you are expected to undertake the Module.
INITIAL OUTLINE PROPOSAL
You should submit an outline research topic (100 words max) by Friday 22 February. Group discussion sessions at the beginning of the Semester will be helpful to clarify your initial thoughts, but the main opportunity for clarification and refinement of the ideas will take place once the basic topic has been approved and a specific Supervisor assigned to work with you on an individual basis. Do make sure that your initial proposal is done as early as possible and to the deadline specified.
The Research Methods Module offers you the opportunity to discuss possible topics with a Module Tutor from your subject area. Research works from the general to a more specific topic and a common problem is to take too broad a topic which tries to cover too much. However you should take care to ensure your topic does not go to the other extreme and cover a topic that is so narrow that there is difficulty in providing any context to justify why the investigation may be worthwhile. This is part of the reason for asking you to submit an initial proposal which should be an outline of the area in which you are interested. On the basis of this proposal you will be allocated a prospective Supervisor who will advise you of the suitability of your proposal in more detail.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMEONE CHOOSES THE SAME OR A SIMILAR TOPIC?
It is understandable that there may be a repetition of topics from year to year and within the same year. However, it is unlikely that your primary research would follow a similar methodology and exactly the same objectives even though the topic may be in a similar area to that of another student. For example it may be from a different point of view or in a different context. Collaboration via discussion is perfectly acceptable but must be acknowledged.
WHO WILL SUPERVISE THE PROPOSAL AND DISSERTATION RESEARCH?
The Supervisor’s principal responsibility is to assist you to develop and apply appropriate research techniques. Every effort is made to match a student’s topics with a Supervisor in an area of mutual interest. You must appreciate that it may be difficult to combine current topics with particular staff interests in every case. You may approach a member of staff and, if they agree, note their name on your proposal form. Remember, staff will have a range of commitments, and it may not be possible to match everyone.
It is your work. The supervisor is there to give advice, and not to do it for you, re-write it, translate it into readable English, or undertake other ‘doing’ tasks. You can expect your supervisor to:
· Be experienced in project supervision;
· Suggest appropriate reading and whether more or less literature is required;
· Advise on methodologies and time schedules;
· Comment generally on structure and content;
· Act as a consultant.
Your supervisor is not expected to:
· Provide reading material
· Write anything for you
· Force you to do the work
· Read and correct on a page-by-page basis.
At the first meeting with your supervisor, your supervisor will explain the particular arrangements which will apply to your supervision. You should keep appointments agreed with your supervisor and be prepared to submit work electronically for review if requested.
Please be aware that supervisors will have numerous other responsibilities and obligations which make demands on their time. Thus, you must not expect immediate responses to your queries nor can you expect your supervisor to be available for consultation without a prior appointment. Consequently it is important that you plan your work schedule accordingly.
Members of staff can be expected to have periods of absence due to other commitments e.g. conferences and annual leave. Your supervisor will indicate the periods of his/her availability during the summer vacation and each department will make arrangements for a member of staff to be ‘on call’ to cover general queries during these periods.
Please note that once you have selected and submitted your topic and a supervisor has been allocated, you will remain with this supervisor until you have completed your dissertation. It will not normally be possible for you to choose another topic area and be allocated another supervisor after the allocation of supervisors has been completed.
Finally, don’t keep quiet if things start to go wrong, discuss it with your Supervisor or Course Leader.
CONTENT OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Developing a tightly focused topic and thinking about the approach towards addressing the main aim of your proposed study is extremely important and can therefore be seen as one of the most critical stages in the Dissertation process. Hence, there is a need to plan the Research Proposal very carefully, by concentrating on some key aspects/issues, which are outlined, below. If you approach these with care and attention, you will find that the production of the final dissertation can be easier than first anticipated. However, this is not in itself easy to accomplish and much effort will be required in completing the dissertation successfully.
The Research Proposal forms the foundation for this final stage of your Master’s degree. Consequently, you must: – review relevant literature; identify a problem to investigate; set the scope of the study – in terms of a main aim; define appropriate research objectives; explain their rationale; select and justify your proposed methodological approach; demonstrate an understanding of methods of analysis; and outline an appropriate structure for your particular study. In addition, you must set out a schedule/plan for the execution and completion of the eventual Dissertation.
Two points to note at this time: -
· Poor planning generally produces poor results.
· Follow the advice of your Supervisor.
The Research Proposal should include the following features:-
· Provisional Title – representing the research as it stands (although it might not be the exact title of the Dissertation when completed)
· Statement of Research Problem – general subject area and background of the research and specific aspects of the topic investigated (this may include selective evidence of work which you have already undertaken in the area).
Generally, students specify too broad a scope for the dissertation, and this is often on the mistaken assumption that, if they make it too narrow, there will not be enough to say. Whilst it is important to have sufficient breadth of context as to justify why the investigation is worthwhile, the narrower the scope of a Dissertation the more manageable it tends to become and the more likely it is that a specific theory, or model, etc., can be applied. Hence, it is important to have a clear aim in mind when first considering the Proposal, i.e. what is it that you wish to achieve and will therefore attempt to demonstrate. For example, if you have in mind to study a problem in the area of strategic management, then – what specific issue(s) are you seeking to tackle?
As well as an overall aim, you are therefore advised to generate a set of research objectives. These research objectives will allow you to focus more clearly on the research aim by breaking the aim of the study down into a set of more manageable objectives. More specifically still, the establishment of an appropriate set of research objectives may lead to the stating of several hypotheses relating to the problem area, or indeed, the generation of subsequent study propositions. With this in mind, any hypotheses or study propositions need to be stated very clearly, and these should be discussed with a member of staff either during or following the taught element of the dissertation programme. Consequently, the purpose of a dissertation should never be simply to describe a situation, the objective must always be to analyse and critically evaluate a problem and, in appropriate areas, to design an appropriate solution.
It is almost inevitable that you will have to revise the aim and objectives of the Dissertation as it unfolds. This is a natural part of its development and hence, some of the original objectives may prove to be unachievable or unattainable – because, for example: some may have to be altered in the light of your examination of the relevant literature; some may no longer be relevant; some may be difficult to address – particularly as access to empirical sources may be problematic; etc., etc.
· Rationale/Literature Review – justifying and explaining the background to the proposed research; relating the proposed research to relevant research, theory and practice already existing in the field, reviewed critically, identifying key ideas and sources – this can be combined in one section or you may prefer to present the literature review separately.
Having chosen the topic of your respective study, you should begin to read literature, which is both relevant and related to the main study aim. An initial literature search should be undertaken at an early stage to ensure that the proposed topic has not been previously covered or, if similar research has been done, that there remains scope for further work.
Use the library facilities to search for information on your particular topic and produce preliminary reference and bibliographical lists as you review materials. Having read a book or article summarise the key points which are germane to your topic, and in the process of reviewing relevant literature, you must begin to synthesise the ideas and issues that are important to your particular study. The ability to sift through a large amount of literature is an important skill, which you should have already developed through your previous studies. It is vital therefore to evaluate what you read and furthermore, to assess whether it is relevant/important for your chosen area.
The literature review in the Research Proposal should include key items which have helped shape the underlying ideas for the research but need not be as extensive as the full literature review which will appear in any subsequent Masters Dissertation. Although there will be an intensive period of literature review, the process of reviewing extant theory and relevant works is essentially an on-going one, which lasts throughout the duration of the dissertation process – until completion. With this in mind, there will always be new articles and theories coming to the fore, which will be of use in developing your ideas.
· Methodology and Action Plan – the plan, procedures, and methods to be developed and followed during the research, incorporating discussion of reasons for choice of methods, description of information and data gathering approaches, and a work schedule identifying the stages and timescales of the research.
This term is much abused by many students conducting research. It actually means “the study of method” and in practice, it has come to mean the set of methods, ways or procedures used to explore and analyse a particular problem. This might involve taking an extant theory, a specific model, etc., with which you have become acquainted (in a lecture or from your readings) and using it as the vehicle for examination and analysis – and applying it to a specific problem. Sometimes students confuse methodology with information search. Methodology does not consist solely of an explanation of the source of your information nor an indication that you carried out a library search. Essentially, it involves documenting the “how” and “what” was involved in:-
o generating the content of the research – in as scientific a manner as possible;
o assessing and selecting types of data and data collection methods for your particular study;
o examining, assessing and selecting from the various forms of research strategies; and
o preparing for the collection and analysis of an appropriate data set.
Here, it is important to identify the process and any associated reasoning behind the decisions in examining, analysing and selecting the most appropriate techniques for addressing the main aim of the study and any associated research objectives. In addressing your research objectives, this may involve the examination and analysis of a specific issue, problem area or theory and therefore employing a methodological approach towards its examination. Here, you must give consideration to – for example – quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methodological approaches. It is possible to develop your own methodological approach. However, this can be an ambitious undertaking. Realistically you would not be expected to do more than take an existing approach and appropriately apply/modify it. Methodology is therefore critical to a successful outcome since it deals – to a large extent – with the “I can’t see the wood for the trees” problem. If you have considered the methods of approach to a specific problem area, it will begin to become apparent what information and data is and is not relevant. This will help in selecting relevant information from the sources that you find, and in deciding on the nature and form of data to be collected.
· Techniques for Data Collection – specific information on techniques, quantitative and/or qualitative, to be used in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data.
You would not be expected at this stage to have a fully developed and finalised data collection instrument but you would be expected to be able to describe in some detail the principles and structure of the kind of data collection instrument(s) you would propose to use, the kinds of themes/questions which would be covered, how you would administer the data collection and the kinds of data analysis approaches you might take. You may include draft data collection instruments in appendices.
· Resource Requirements – identification and discussion of essential and likely resource requirements, e.g. visits to information services, research interviews, computer facilities, and the sources of funds, if necessary.
If you plan to undertake Master’s Degree research which depends on cooperation from one or more key organisations (e.g. a case study of a small number of specific named organisations) you will also find it useful to seek permission from those organisations at the proposal stage.
The Research Proposal may finish with a brief final statement summarising the above points and/or adding any extra relevant information.
It should be provided with a formal title page, which follows the layout of the specimen included at the end of this Guide. After the title page, you should provide an abstract (about 150-200 words) and, after that, a list of contents.
The completed Research Proposal must be word-processed on A4 paper, with text on one side of each sheet. It should have covers and appropriate bindings.
Two copies must be submitted on the date announced in the Lecture outline: one copy will be used for the assessment and returned to you after the Assessment Board has confirmed the grade; the other will be retained by the Supervisor to aid tutorial discussion at the Masters stage.
STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSAL
The Research Proposal should be carefully structured before any writing is undertaken. You could begin by considering the following approach.
The introductory section is probably the most difficult section to write and may have to be re-written more than once before it proves satisfactory. It should be a brief review of the area, which should culminate in an identification of the evolving main aim of the study. It should also introduce the particular problem area, and explain why it is worthwhile examining this particular topic.
The next section should examine the literature relating to the problem area; discuss why a specific theory, model or issue has been chosen; and demonstrate the theory(ies) and associated key issues emerging from the literature. This review of extant knowledge should culminate in the outlining of the main study aim and any associated research objectives.
The methodology section will determine and outline the nature and scope of the information that will be need to employed. Sound reasoning should be clearly evident in indicating how empirical evidence will be gathered and used to achieve the overall aim and objectives of the study. Additionally, students should consider the varying analytical techniques for examining and analysing data and demonstrate the reason for their selection.
The following section would outline the important expectations from the study.
The penultimate section should give a detailed plan of work for the study and clearly identify key events and dates of progression of the proposed study, and any resources required.
Finally, there should be an appropriate list of References included in the Proposal.
LENGTH OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
On submission the Research Proposal should be approximately 4,000 words in length (excluding diagrams, references and appendices). Some of the content of the proposal may ultimately be incorporated into the dissertation chapters..
BEFORE SUBMISSION OF THE PROPOSAL
Before submitting your Research Proposal, review it to ensure that you:
· Have a working title that identifies your topic is all that is required at this stage. You can amend the title later if necessary, following discussion with your supervisor.
· Give appropriate information on the nature of the topic area that you are researching.
· Clearly explain why you chose your topic. You may refer to your special knowledge or interest in the topic or the industry/organisation(s) that you intend to study. You may also have identified a gap in knowledge that your research will fill.
· Explain what new information you are going to contribute with your research. It may be the application of existing ideas in a different study environment. Perhaps you may be examining existing concepts in a new light or different relationships between variables. In a small number of Masters’ projects you may actually be investigating completely new topics.
· Provide a brief discussion of the key literature that is likely to be the basis of your literature review.
· Provide a statement about what you intend to find out in your research. Try to be as specific and focused about your objectives
· Define the type of data that is likely to be required to address the research question. This should take into consideration the issue of quantitative/ qualitative/mixed approaches, etc.
· Define what population you are going to study and how you are going to sample this population. If you undertaking case research, you should define your cases. You should define if you are undertaking random or purposive sampling. If you are using purposive sampling, you should indicate how you are going to obtain key respondents.
· Outline how you are going to access organisations for interviews or case research. It is your job to make these arrangements, not your supervisor. Some preliminary informal enquiries prior to submission of your proposal are useful – you can then follow up with a more formal request once your requirements become more focused. You must think clearly about the practicality of your proposed data collection method.
· Define whether you are using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, telephone/email surveys, etc. If you are undertaking interviews you must consider how you are going to record your data. There are benefits of using recording devices, but beware – they create a lot of data which requires to be carefully transcribed. You must justify the practicality of your methods relative to your own resources, abilities and time-scales.
· Define whether you are undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis, or in some cases a combination of both. If qualitative analysis you should confirm how you will analyse the data (simple tables, Access Database, etc). You must also clearly define the ‘audit trail’ of where your data is coming from (this may involve verbatim quotes from your respondents and the coding of your respondent data). You must also demonstrate triangulation of your data. If you are undertaking quantitative analysis, you must first decide whether you are using descriptive statistics only OR if you are going to undertake statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics are used in small scale surveys, the data is usually analysed using Excel and the data presented in tables, graphs etc. You may require other data to supplement descriptive statistics, e.g. some follow-up interviews. If you are undertaking statistical analysis, you must confirm that you will use SPSS and you must consider carefully the statistical tests that you will use.
· Outline any possible problems such as: access, confidentiality, time, costs, information retrieval, etc., and a plan for overcoming any problems should be suggested.
JISC Plagiarism Detection Service
Before submitting your proposal, you should check through it to ensure that:
- all material that has been identified as originally from a previously published source has been properly attributed by the inclusion of an appropriate reference in the text;
- direct quotations are marked as such (using “quotation marks” at the beginning and end of the selected text), and
- a citation has been included in the list of references.
You will be expected to test your own work in the JISC Service before submission.
You may be required to submit, with the printed copy of your work, a copy of the printout of the JISC originality report indicating the extent to which material from other sources has been used, so far as the JISC Service is able to assess. Confirmation of whether this will be required will be given during the semester. For full details of the using the JISC Service, you should refer to the guidelines for students.
Students will not normally be granted an extension to the deadline for submission simply to permit them to test and amend their work, unless there are mitigating circumstances.
Work submitted late or without the SPER form (see below) and the JISC Originality Report (if required) and an electronic copy of the text will be regarded as a Non-Submission and Fail.
STUDENT PROJECT ETHICAL REVIEW (SPER)
Each student is responsible for ensuring that a completed SPER form is attached to their proposal. Details can be found at:
http://www.rgu.ac.uk/files/SPER_April05.pdf
SUBMISSION
When submitting your Research Proposal, be sure to check you have included:
· a completed cover sheet,
· a completed SPER form,
· the JISC Originality Report
The deadline for the submission of the Dissertation is stated in the Academic Calendar. The coursework (Research proposal) should be submitted by 1p.m. Friday 25thApril. Two paper copies should be deposited in the postgraduate dropbox on the fourth floor along with an electronic copy on cd.
ASSESSMENT
The Research Proposal is a compulsory element in the assessment for the Research Methods Module that is an integral part of the Postgraduate Diploma stage of the course. In assessing Research Proposals, supervisors are primarily looking for evidence of a student’s ability to work independently on the dissertation research with the minimum of supervision.
The following aspects of the Proposal are considered in the assessment:
145.
146. Research problem – aims and objectives
147. 20
148.
149. Literature search and review
150. 30
151.
152. Research methodology
153. 30
154.
155. Progress and contribution
156. 10
157.
158. Presentation (written)
159. 10
160.
161.
162.
163.
164. Total
165. 100%
Detailed information on the criteria for assessment of the Research Proposal is appended to these guidelines.
LINK WITH THE MASTER’S DEGREE DISSERTATION
The Dissertation is part of a creative, holistic process, an outline of which is appended. In addition to being formally assessed for completion of the Research Methods Module, completed Research Proposals are considered by the School for approval as a Dissertation topic. Research projects will only be supervised and allowed to go forward if a Research Proposal has been submitted and approved. Proposals approved by the School will be passed to External Examiners for information.
It is likely that the topics of most Research Proposals will be those which students subsequently investigate for their Master’s Degree Dissertation. This is not, however, a formal requirement, and you are free to undertake research for the Dissertation in a different area. If you elect to do this, another short Research Proposal for the new topic must be submitted for approval.
WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL: SOME RECOMMENDED READING
BELL, J. Doing your research project. Open University Press, 4th edition, 2005.
CRESSWELL, J. Research design: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Sage, 1994.
CRESSWELL, J. Research design: qualitative inquiry and research design. Choosing among five approaches. 2nd edition, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2007. (also available in RGU library as an e-book)
EASTERBY-SMITH, M. and others. Management research: an introduction. Sage, 2001 (There is also an earlier edition).
MILLER, D. Handbook of research design and social measurement. 5th ed. Sage, 1991
MOORE, N. How to do research. 2nd revised ed. Library Association, 1987.
NACHMIAS, C. and NACHMIAS, D. Research methods in the social sciences. Hodder & Stoughton, 1996
PREECE, R. Starting research: an introduction to academic research and dissertation writing. Pinter, 1994.
Saunders, M., Research Methods for Business Students, 4th edition, Financial times Prentice Hall: London, 2007,
YIN, R.K. Case study research: design and methods. 3rd edition, Sage, 2003,
Further ideas for readings related to research methods will be given during the Research Methods Module.
Appendix 1
OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND DISSERTATION PROCESS
166. Research Methods Module
167.
168. This provides you with guidance for the study necessary to obtain the knowledge and skills to choose and justify your research methodology and be able to submit a coherent Research Proposal.
169.
â
170. Initial proposal
171.
172. This provides a brief outline of your proposed research topic. Once this initial proposal is submitted your prospective supervisor can be allocated.
173.
â
174. Research Proposal
175.
176. This provides a coherent outline of your proposed research and your chosen methodology. A Research Proposal must be submitted and a pass grade achieved in the Research Methods Module before you may undertake the preparation of the Dissertation leading to the award of the Masters Degree.
177.
â
178. Feedback on Research Proposal
179.
180. A mark will be awarded for this assessed piece of work, and students will receive written feedback on their submitted research proposal.
181.
â
182. Research Project
183.
184. Students will undertake the research that they have planned. The Supervisor will guide students towards completion.
185.
â
186. Dissertation Submitted
187.
188. 2 soft bound copies and a CD-ROM of each dissertation are required to be submitted for assessment by the submission deadline.
189.
â
190. Assessment Board and Graduation
191.
192. Your assessment shall be confirmed by the relevant Assessment Board and if successful you shall graduate at the following ceremony. If you fail the dissertation, you will have only one further opportunity to submit (this may be an amended or a completely new project). Additionally, the electronic version of the Dissertation of those students who successfully complete and achieve Grade 6 in the Dissertation will be placed in the Library and (subject to any restrictions on confidentiality) placed on the University’s Open Access Repository and become available on the Web.
193.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace the requirements of the University’s Academic Regulations, which are available for consultation on the University Website.
Appendix 2 specimen title-page
VALUE-ADDED MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
IN BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES
A Research Proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/MSc Degree in Information Analysis
Appendix 3 COURSEWORK ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK Postgraduate Cert./Dip./MSc. (Campus/Distance) … MODULE: Research Methods LECTURER:
ASSIGNMENT: Research Proposal
Criteria and weighting A B C D E F 70%+ 60-69% 50-59% 40-49% 35-39% <35%
Provisional Title (not assessed)
Statement of Research Problem, aims and objectives (20%)
Literature Search and Review (30%)
Research Methodology (30%)
Progress and contribution (10%)
Presentation (written) (10%)
194. Overall grade ….
195.
Comments
196. Provisional Title (not assessed)
197.
198. Statement of Research Problem, aims and objectives
199.
200. Literature Search and Review
201.
202. Research Methodology
203.
204. Progress and contribution
205.
206. Presentation (written)
207.
208. Does the student wish to undertake the Masters dissertation? YES/NO
209.
210. Comments on the feasibility of the research to be undertaken as presented (e.g. timescales, methods, resources):
211.
212.
213. Signed ……………………………………………………………………………..1st Marker
214.
215.
216. Signed …………………………………………………………………………….2nd Marker
[For verbal equivalents of Grades 0 to 6 see overleaf]
NB The overall mark is subject to ratification by the Assessment Board.
217. Grade
218. Definition Of Grade
219. Description of Grade The characteristics of performance at each Grade are given below. It is not expected that all items will be assessed in each individual assessment task but some exposure to each is expected at each level of the course/programme as stated in the level learning outcomes contained in the Definitive Course Document.
220. A
221. Excellent: Outstanding Performance
222. Outstanding performance and achievement overall. The work of the candidate has much exceeded the threshold standard. The characteristics of work at this standard are*
223. a thorough grasp of the subject matter
224. a very high ability and originality in applying key process skills
225. a very high ability in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving (higher cognitive skills)
226. very high order ability over the specified range of subject specific/professional practice skills
227. B
228. Commendable/
229. Very Good: Meritorious Performance
230. A very high standard performance and achievement overall. The work of the candidate is well above the threshold standard. The characteristics of work at this standard are*
231. a very good grasp of the subject matter
232. a high ability and originality in applying key process skills
233. a high ability in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving (higher cognitive skills)
234. high order ability over the specified range of subject specific/professional practice skills
235. C
236. Good:
237. Highly Competent
238. Performance
239. A highly competent performance and achievement overall. The work of the candidate has exceeded the threshold standard. The characteristics of work at this standard are*
240. a good level of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter
241. highly competent and displaying some originality in applying key process skills
242. highly competent in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving (higher cognitive skills)
243. a highly competent performance over the specified range of subject specific/professional practice skills
244. D
245. Satisfactory: Competent Performance
246. A satisfactory performance overall (as specified in the detailed marking/grading schemes for each assessment).
247. The work of the candidate overall is at the threshold standard. The characteristics of work at this standard are*
248. a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the subject matter
249. competence in applying key process skills
250. adequacy in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving (higher cognitive skills)
251. competence over the specified range of subject specific/professional practice skills
252. E
253. Borderline Fail:
254. Failure Open to Compensation
255. A standard of performance overall which marginally fails to achieve competence
256. The work of the candidate overall is just below the threshold standard. Work just below the threshold standard is characterised by the candidate demonstrating
257. marginally unsatisfactory knowledge and understanding of the subject matter
258. near competence in applying key process skills
259. some evidence of ability in analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving (higher cognitive skills)
260. competence over most of the specified range of subject specific/professional practice skills
261. N.B. Safe working practice as appropriate to the discipline must be demonstrated for a student to be awarded this Grade or higher Grades
262. F
263. Unsatisfactory, Fail
264. The standard of performance demonstrated by the candidate overall is well below the threshold standard. Work in this Grade is characterised by achievement of some of :
265. very limited knowledge and/or understanding of the subject matter, exhibited in a very patchy manner
266. limited/ occasional success in the application of key process skills
267. occasional evidence of some of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and problem solving (higher cognitive skills)
268. limited competence over the specified range of subject specific/professional practice skills
Subject matter: assessed under headings knowledge, understanding ( comprehension), application, content
Key process skills: assessed under headings communication and presentation skills, numeracy, IT and computing skills, interactive and group skills, research skills.
Higher cognitive skills: assessed under headings analysis, synthesis, evaluation, problem solving.
Subject specific/professional practice skills: assessed under headings appropriate to the discipline.
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