Assignment 2: PROPOSAL AND LITERATURE REVIEW A research proposal is a short, coordinated document which summarises what you are going to research, why the research is of relevance, what is currently...

Assignment 2: PROPOSAL AND LITERATURE REVIEW

STUDENT NAME AND NUMBER:

SUPERVISOR:

1. POTENTIAL TITLE:

2. AIM OF THE INVESTIGATION AND RELATED OBJECTIVES

In this section, state the location, aim of your research (ie This research aims to…..) and the related objectives as bullet points (no more than 5).

Suggested limit 50 words

3. RATIONALE FOR CHOOSING THE RESEARCH TOPIC

In this section you justify your choice of topic, including your personal reasons as well as the impact on the wider field. Highlight the contributions to be expected.

Suggested limit 50 words

4. BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH TOPIC/ LITERATURE REVIEW

In this section define your topic, and discuss the relevant literature that is published which relates to it. The literature needs to include relevant data on the industry your study will be located in and the theoretical framework on the management issue involved. You must show evidence of wide, up-to-date literature source coverage, e.g. textbooks, journal articles, conference papers, relevant academic or practitioners’ web sources, company reports. This section provides the conceptual framework which informs the choice of your research questions, your methodology and data collection methods and data analysis

Maximum 1500 words

5. RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND RELATED METHODOLOGY

In this section you need to identify your research questions (as bullet points) and indicate the overarching approach to the research (methodology). Additional you need to indicate the philosophical approach used, for example, your research will be positivist, interpretivist or else, and why the chosen approach is relevant to finding answers to the research questions. You will need to justify your choices with reference to research textbooks.

Suggested limit 150 words

6. RELEVANT DATA REQUIRED AND DATA COLLECTION METHODS

In this section you need to identify the data needed to find answers to your research questions and how you intend to collect and analyse it (methods, target population, sampling method, instruments and analysis). You need to indicate why these methods are suitable for this type of research. You will need to justify your choices with reference to research textbooks

Suggested limit 150 words

7. ACCESSIBILITY, RELIABILITY, VALIDITY AND ETHICS

In this space summarise the main ethical considerations in relation to your proposed topic, how you propose to make your research valid and reliable (with reference to research textbooks). You will refer to your research design and indicate how you will gain permission from research subjects and maintain anonymity and confidentiality.

Also indicate your plan to gain access to the proposed subjects by considering the timeframe for the project, the timeframe for the fieldwork, their location, language, culture, and the relation with the proposed data collection method(s). What problems with access do you foresee and how do you intend to tackle these?

Suggested limit 100 words

8. REFERENCE LIST (Not included in wordcount)

You need to include an accurate list of all references used within the proposal. These will include all of those used within the literature review (section 4) and any used in the remaining sections, (eg from research texts). The reference list must be in alphabetical order and use a Harvard Referencing style (Guidance may be obtained at https://metranet.londonmet.ac.uk/services/sas/library-services/referencing/#whatIsHarvardReferencing)

APPENDICES (not included in wordcount)

● Updated Research plan (Gantt chart)

● Data collection tools (eg questionnaire, interview questions etc)

Marking criteria:

Extent to which you have updated the proposal

Extent to which you have shown academic and industry literature reading

Extent to which you have structured and reasoned your theoretical argument

Extent to which you have produced a professional document (spelling, referencing, layout, etc) + submission of required appendices.

1. Are any of the people involved in collecting or analysing data for the proposed activity not employed (on formal or honorary contracts) or enroled as (undergraduate, postgraduate or short-course) ?

2. Does the proposed activity involve any foreseeable legal risks or risk of physical, psychological or social distress to staff, students or participants? Yes/No

3. Does the proposed activity only involve library-based work or work based only on the analysis and scrutiny of publicly available documents? Yes/No

4. Does the proposed activity involve the collection or use of body tissues or body fluids (including excreta) from humans or animals? Yes/No

5. Does the proposed activity involve the collection of data from human or animal participants? Yes/No

6. Does the proposed activity involve the collection of data through the direct or indirect observation of human subjects? Yes/No

7. Does the proposed activity involve the administration of any drug, food substance or placebos to human or animal subjects? Yes/No

8. Does the proposed activity involve exposing human or animal participants to any abnormal or painful physical or sensory stimuli (including auditory, visual and olfactory stimuli)? Yes/No

9. Does the proposed activity require human or animal participants undergoing abnormal physical, psychological or emotional stress (including dehydration, exercise, sensory deprivation, confinement or sleeplessness)? Yes/No

10. Does the proposed activity involve exposure to topics or issues that might cause offence (including exposure to controversial, offensive or illegal material or ideologies)? Yes/No

11. Does the proposed activity involve deceiving participants? Yes/No

12. Does the proposed activity require the disclosure of private or confidential information without the informed consent of participants? Yes/No

13. Is the proposed activity likely to lead to the potential disclosure of illegal activity or incriminating information from participants? Yes/No

14. Does the proposed activity involve staff, clients, premises, facilities, material or data derived from NHS, Social Care or Local Authority Education Services? Yes/No

15. Does the proposed activity involve participants who are potentially vulnerable or unable to give informed consent (including children under the age of 16, people with learning difficulties, people with cognitive disorders and people with debilitating illnesses)? Yes/No

16. Does the proposed activity require the staff and/or students involved to have undergone a Criminal Records Bureau check? Yes/No

B+

67%

· Good in meeting the brief of the assessment task, addressing the specific criteria and meeting all of the Learning Outcomes

· Refers to experience and reading to advance the line of argument, using argument well, but not always with distinction

· Shows overall good evidence of significant knowledge and understanding of what has been learned in the course so far, linking theory and practice

· Provides overall good evidence of wide reading from appropriate academic sources

· Includes accurate references in text, all sources accurately recorded in reference section

· Logically structured, and effectively written and / or presented orally, but perhaps not always with distinction

· Good discussion & analysis