Understand how to formulate a research specification

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

Learning Outcome	Learning outcome	Assessment Criteria	In this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to:	Task no.
LO 1	Understand how to formulate a research specification	1.1	Formulate  and  record  possible  research project outline specifications	1
		1.2	Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection	1
		1.3	Undertake          a              critical                review  of            key references	2
		1.4	Produce a research project specification	1
		1.5	Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification	1

 

LO 2	Be able to implement the research project within   agreed procedures and to specification	2.1	Match   resources            efficiently                to            the research question or hypothesis			2
		2.2	Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification and procedures			2
		2.3	Record  and  collate  relevant  data  where appropriate			2
LO 3	Be able to evaluate the research outcomes	3.1	Use                appropriate techniques	research	evaluation	2
		3.2	Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification			2
		3.3	Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration			2
LO 4	Be  able  to  present  the research outcomes	4.1	Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an audience.			2

 

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
Grade Descriptor	Indicative characteristic/s	Contextualisation
M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions	Effective judgements have been made.	You must use an effective strategy and judgment to produce the posters.
M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques	A range of sources of information has been used	At least 12 references must be used.
M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings	Coherent,           logical    development                of principles/concepts for the intended audience	You must use technical language and a logical approach in the report and posters.
D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions	Conclusions        have      been     arrived                at through synthesis of ideas and have been justified	You must use synthesis to generate ideas to evaluate the research conducted.
D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities	Autonomy/independence has been demonstrated	You must demonstrate independence in planning and managing the completion work.
D3 Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking	Effective thinking has taken place in unfamiliar contexts.	You must demonstrate a level of independence in proposing new solutions for the chosen business that may help to increase the sales.

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)