BTEC HIGHER NATIONAL IN BUSINESS

Unit-8: Research Project

Centre Name:

East end Computing &

Business

Centre No:

10562

Credit :

20

College

Level :

Learners Name:
Assessors Name:

Dr Rajini Chandrashekar

Assessors
Signature:
Date Issued:

Date:
13/04/2015

Feedback Dates:

First
Submission
Date:
01/06/2015

Final Submission
Date:
06/06/2015

Learner Declaration
I declare that all the work submitted for this assignment is my own work
or, in the case of group work, the work myself and other members of the
group in which I worked, and that no part of it has been copied from any
source.
I understand that if any part of the work submitted for this assignment is
found to be plagiarised, none of the work submitted will be allowed to
count towards the assessment of the assignment.

Signature______________________________ Date_____________________

Internal verification:
IV Name:

Signatur
e:

Date:

Assessor
Name:

Signatur
e:

Assessment Feedback Sheet

Assessment Criteria

Achieve
d
Y/N

1.1 Formulate and record

possible research project
outline specifications
1.2 Identify the factors that
contribute to the process of
research project selection
1.3 Undertake a critical
review of key references
1.4 Produce a research
project specification

1.5 Provide an appropriate

plan and procedures for the
agreed research specification
2.1 Match resources
efficiently to the research
question or
Hypothesis

2.2 Undertake the proposed

research investigation in
accordance with the agreed
specification and
procedures

Comments

Date:

2.3 Record and collate

relevant data where
appropriate
3.1 Use appropriate research
evaluation techniques

3.2 Interpret and analyse the

results in terms of the
original
research specification

3.3 Make recommendations

and justify areas for further
Consideration

4.1 Use an agreed format

and appropriate media to
present
the outcomes of the research
to an audience.

M1 Evidence of effective
approach to study and
research has been done.
D1 Critical evaluation of
action plan for monitoring
and updating research
progress
M2 Provide appropriate
justification for research
evaluation technique

D2 Critically evaluate your

research methodology

M3 Complex information
(eg: Cross tabulation,
Regression, correlation etc
etc ) has been synthesized
and processed when
analysing the research data

D3 Critical evaluation of the

findings and
recommendations in research
project
General comments

Overall Grade

Pass/Merit/Distinction/Referral

Assessors
Signature

Date

Candidate
Signature

Date

Assignment Brief:
INTRODUCTION
This unit provides the learner with an understanding of the methods and
techniques used and required when carrying out formal research. The unit
addresses a variety of research methodologies and offers the learner the
opportunity to develop research skills.

SPECIFICATION OF ASSESSMENT
Learners will be required to propose a unique research question related to an
area of professional business practice that interests them and will add to their
professional development. They will carry out a literature review on the topic,
critically evaluating its relevance to their research question. Learners will
understand the techniques, both quantitative and qualitative, used in research to
analyse data. They will select an appropriate research methodology for their
question, and record and present their findings. This assignment should be
written in a project format. As discussed and clarified in the class that this report
must be written in the following format:

1.10 Abstract
TITLE PAGE, DECLARATION, ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, TABLE OF CONTENT

Chapter 1: Introduction

Introduction on the topic, Title of the study, Research Background of the study,
Research problem/Limitations, Aim of the study, Objectives of the study,
Research questions

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Introduction, supportive subject theories and each review on Literature at least 7

reviews (small intro on the author, reviewing the author and conclusion to say
how your study is different or better)

Chapter 3: Research Methodology

Introduction, research Philosophy/theories, research approach and design (what

types of data collection, How to be collected, source of collection, (e.g. qualitative or
quantitative; case study, focus group), sample size, sample profile, how to collect the
samples, these discussions are needed.)

Chapter 4: Findings, Analysis and Discussion

Introduction, giving heading for each and giving charts, tables and some
calculations used in unit 6 and describing about it. (Detail)

Chapter 5: Summary and Future Research

Summary of conclusion (detail), scope of the study and recommendations by the

author and others
References
Appendices (list of tables, charts, diagrams, 1 questionnaire filled in sample

1.11 Chapter 1
This part of assignment will deal with selecting a research question for your report and justifying your
choice. This chapter must have answers to the following questions:
1.1 Select a research question for your project. Also select a specific title from business management
topics on which research can be conducted
1.2 Explain the factors that contribute to the process of successful research selection
2.1 Justify your choice of research question.
Chapter 2
This chapter of assignment deals with conducting a literature review on the concepts under research
with a critical analysis. The literature (definitions, explanations, arguments) should have references
from prominent authors in the field. Hence, this chapter must have answers to the following
questions:
1.3 Conduct research to find literature relevant to the research question and undertake a critical
review of the key literature for inclusion in this research project.

Chapter 3
This chapter of assignment deals with giving a framework of your research methodology. This is
where you will mention the research design (e.g. qualitative or quantitative; case study), data
collection methods, sample size, data analysis methods to be used, and case companys historical
background. Hence, it must cover the following questions:
1.4 And 1.5
Evaluate techniques for use with quantitative data in a research project (if you are using
quantitative research design) or evaluate techniques for use with qualitative data in a research
project (if you are using qualitative research design).
After completing this chapter you will actually go and collect some primary data using primary
research methods (interviews or questionnaires). As discussed in the class after collecting your data
you will now go on and write down your findings (results) of the research
Chapter 4
This chapter of assignment will cover the data findings of the research. Moreover, these findings will
be used to discuss and analyse the research questions or concepts under study by comparing it with
information in Literature Review (Chapter 2). Therefore, this chapter must cover the following
questions:
2.2 Evaluate appropriate research methodologies in terms of the research question and choose an
appropriate methodology in terms of the research question and justify the methodology selected in
terms of the research question.
2.3 Record findings on a research question, literature review and methodology in an agreed format.
3.1 Summarize the findings using suitable methods and Present the findings using suitable methods
3.2 Critically analyse the findings.
Chapter 5
This chapter will conclude the research project by providing a brief summary.
3.3 Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration
4.1 Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an
audience.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
#Notes

Use a standard business report structure.

Word process the report.

Use 12 point Arial or Times New Roman script.
Use the Harvard referencing system.
Draft reports (students are encouraged to show their draft copies of the
reports to the tutors before the final submission)
Complete the title page and sign the statement of authenticity.
Use a butterfly or treasury tag to keep the pages of your work together.

1. During clinical support I wish to see the draft submission.

#Achievement of a pass grade

A pass grade is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment
criteria for each individual unit.
Merit criterion will be awarded if the learner shows good referencing skills in
the assignment using Harvard Referencing system.
Distinction criterion will be awarded on oral presentation of your work
(schedule to be announced)

Student Instructions:
Need to submit all assignments on time.
Need to have a turn it in report attached to the assignment
Its advisable that students get feedback for each section of the assignment
in the class itself (formative feedback)
Presentation skills though not assessed are very important for the delivery of
section-1, a poor presentation may lead to re-submission.
Plagiarism and Collusion will not be tolerated

Any act of plagiarism or collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the
regulations.
In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below:
Plagiarism is presenting somebody elses work as your own, It includes copying
information directly from the Web or books without referencing the material; submitting
joint coursework as an individual effort; copying another students coursework; stealing

coursework from another student and submitting it as your own work.

Collusion is working collaboratively with another learner to produce work that is
submitted as the individual learners work.
Suspected acts of plagiarism or collusion will be investigated and if found to have
occurred will be dealt with according to the college procedure.

Guideline

Ensure that all work had been proof-read and checked prior to
submission.
Ensure that the layout of your documents is in a professional format.
Ensure that all references are quoted at the end of any
question/document submitted (preferred: Harvard referencing).
Ensure that you back-up your work regularly and apply version control to
your documents.

Ensure that there is an accompanying front cover sheet with your details,
the unit details and your lecturers name.
The college will retain your assessment copy so it is advisable for you to
keep a copy for your own record.

Academic Malpractice:
Plagiarism and Collusion are treated as a serious academic offence and college has zero
tolerance policy. You will find details of this policy in programme hand book or in student
hand book. East End Computing and Business College will follow Buckinghamshire New
University policy as and where applicable.
Referencing and Citation:

Harvard Referencing is compulsory for all the assignments/course works at level-4/5

Acknowledgements:

Cass Business School Module Hand Book sample

Middlesex University Module Hand Book sample
Pearson Edexcel Unit specifications
Image on the cover sheet: http://www.md-infotech.com/product.html