BTEC HND in BUSINESS
Unit 8: Research Project
Assignment front sheet
Qualification: Pearson BTEC HND in Business
Unit 8: Research Project
Assignment Title: Research in Business
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Learning Outcome
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Learning outcome
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Assessment Criteria
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In this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to:
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Task no.
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LO 1
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Understand how to formulate a research specification
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1.1
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Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications
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1
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1.2
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Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
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1
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1.3
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Undertake a critical review of key references
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2
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1.4
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Produce a research project specification
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1
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1.5
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Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification
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1
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LO 2
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Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification
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2.1
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Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis
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2
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2.2
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Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification and procedures
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2
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2.3
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Record and collate relevant data where appropriate
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2
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LO 3
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Be able to evaluate the research outcomes
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3.1
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Use appropriate techniques
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research
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evaluation
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2
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3.2
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Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification
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2
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3.3
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Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration
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2
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LO 4
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Be able to present the research outcomes
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4.1
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Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an audience.
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2
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In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades
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Grade Descriptor
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Indicative characteristic/s
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Contextualisation
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M1
Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions
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Effective judgements have been made.
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You must use an effective strategy and judgment to produce the posters.
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M2
Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques
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A range of sources of information has been used
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At least 12 references must be used.
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M3
Present and communicate appropriate findings
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Coherent, logical development of principles/concepts for the
intended audience
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You must use technical language and a logical approach in the report and posters.
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D1
Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions
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Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified
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You must use synthesis to generate ideas to evaluate the research conducted.
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D2
Take responsibility for managing and organising activities
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Autonomy/independence has been demonstrated
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You must demonstrate independence in planning and managing the completion work.
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D3
Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking
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Effective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar contexts.
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You must demonstrate a level of independence in proposing new solutions for the chosen business that may help to increase the sales.
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AIM
To develop learners’ skills of independent enquiry and critical analysis by undertaking a sustained research investigation of direct relevance to their Higher Education programme and professional development.
SCENARIO
Your Research Project tutor has asked you to conduct a research on one of the companies listed below. The research must be conducted using primary and secondary data in marketing or human resource area. The research must lead to valuable recommendations to improve Sales in your chosen company.
Choose any one company for your research.
1. Boots
2. Subway
3. Primark
4. Next
5. Lidl
6. Marks and Spencer
7. MacDonald’s
8. Argos (Home Retail Group)
9. Marriot Hotels
Task 1 – Creative Posters
Produce creative posters relevant to your research that indicate the following
a) Research title
b) Background of the research
c) Factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
d) Rationale of the research
e) Research aim, question and objectives
f) Research method: Data collection method and instrument, sampling frame and size
g) Data analysis method
h) Gantt chart for the chosen research project (AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5 and M1)
Task 2 –Report
In relation to your research project specification
a) Conduct a critical literature review relevant to your research. (AC 1.3)
b) Select an appropriate research methodology to match resources to the research question. (AC 2.1)
c) Collect primary and secondary data in relation to the research question. (AC 2.2)
d) Analyse data and present your findings in relation to the research question. (AC 2.3, 3.2)
e) Undertake a critical evaluation of the research techniques that you have used. (3.1)
f) In relation to your significant findings, put forward possible recommendations to the management or for further research in the area of research that you have done. (3.3)
g) Produce a report to present the outcomes of the research. (4.1)
Hint: The Report must be structured according to the following sections
1. Introduction – In this section details regarding project research topic, aims, research objectives, rationale, scope and limitations must be presented.
2. Literature review – In this section relevant theories and other literature related to the topic must be reviewed and presented.
3. Research methodology – In this section the research method for collecting and analysing data must be presented. The strengths and limitations of the research method must be discussed.
4. Data analysis and findings – In this section, data analysed using various techniques such as graphs and charts must be presented. The research results must be interpreted.
5. Conclusion and recommendations – In this section:
Findings of the research must be discussed to reach a conclusion
The conclusions must be linked to the research objectives
Recommendations presented should provide a guideline which may help managers to improve their business.
6. Reference list - Use the Harvard Style.
Also, use in text referencing in you work (Harvard Style)
7. Appendix – In this section the questionnaire used for the survey or interview must be presented.
(AC 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, M2, M3, D1, D2 and D3)
