Type of
Assessment: Assessment 3 – Final Research Proposal and Literature Review
Unit Learning Outcomes addressed: (a) Demonstrate an advanced ability to initiate and prepare an original research proposal.
(b) Demonstrate an advanced ability to prepare a literature review based on the support of an original research proposal.
(c) Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the ethical issues associated with an original research proposal and their implications for the research and for the acceptability of the research by an ethics review committee.
(d) Critically evaluate the coherence, relevance and methodological merits of a given body of literature.
(e) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical, practical and professional contexts and significance of the research.
(f) Prepare a literature review that identifies and discriminates between concepts, issues, key findings and relevant theories most pertinent to the research proposal which the review supports.
Criteria for
Assessment:
• Knowledge and Understanding
• Content and exploration of theories and ideas
• Analysis, synthesis and critical engagement
• Technical skills and referencing
Assessment Task: In this task, you will develop a research proposal for a research project addressing Leadership and Management issues that is aligned to one of the Research Clusters in the School of Business.
This research proposal will be used to allocate your Research
Supervisors who will be appointed to supervisor your Master of
Business Research thesis and will also be reviewed by the
Research Committee to complete your Confirmation of Candidature requirements.
Drawing on your synthesis of the existing research literature in business and allied fields, you will identify a research question based on the theoretical, professional, or organizational ‘gap’ for a business problem that your proposed research will address. You will analyze the implications of various theoretical approaches in order to choose and develop an appropriate theoretical framework for your research. You will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological approaches before choosing and justifying a preferred methodology for your research.
You research proposal and literature review should comprise the following sections:
Research Project Title: A working title for the Master of Business Research thesis that is no more than 12 words
Research Cluster: Identify the Research Cluster aligned to your research project
• Cluster 1: Leadership and Management of Large
Corporations
• Cluster 2: Leadership and Management of Not-for Profit Organisations
• Cluster 3: Leadership and Management of Start-ups, SMEs and Family Business
• Cluster 4: Leadership and Management of Technological and Digital Transformation Cluster 5: Leadership and Management of Sustainable Business Operations
• Cluster 6: Leadership and Management of Government and Multilateral Organisations
• Cluster 7: Leadership and Management of Tourism and Hospitality Organisations
Executive Summary of the Research Project: In one paragraph state the purpose of the research, the research approach and the conclusion from the project.
Introduction: The introduction should provide an overview of the research project and issues addressed by the research. Place your project in conversation with other projects on similar topics.
Justification for the Research: Provide justifications for your project by explaining the need for the research, why your proposed research is important and what is the expected contribution of your research to the field of study.
Review of literature: The literature review should address and synthesise the relevant literature and prior research in the parent disciplines and relevant sub-disciplines.
Identification and definition of key terms: All key terms used need to be identified and definitions justified.
Evaluation of current theory and practice: Critically evaluate the current theories relevant to the research and identify gaps and related issues that the research project will address.
Research Objectives: State the general purpose of the project and outline the specific objectives you want to achieve by undertaking the research project.
Research Questions: Specify the key research questions you want to address in your research project. These questions should be consistent with your objectives.
Statement of the Research Problem: Clearly define your research problem. This section must address the following questions: “What is the gap that needs to be filled?” and/or “What is the problem that needs to be solved.
Statement of proposed research methodology: Outline the proposed research methodology such as quantitative methods, qualitative methods, or mixed methods. Also outline your research paradigm, research design, research strategy, sampling design, data collection method, and data analysis method. You must provide justifications for all your methodological decisions.
Statement of data sources and data collection methods: Outline how you propose to collect data for your research. Ensure this is a practical proposition and that you have taken account of the time required to collect data and any costs associated with data collection.
Evaluation of all ethical considerations: Identify the ethical concerns you anticipate and demonstrate how you will address them.
Statement of Expected Research Contribution: Prepare a statement outlining what is the expected contribution of your research project to the filed of research in the areas of theoretical development, methodological practice, leadership and / or management practice, policy or regulatory development or other areas of contribution.
Research timetable: Develop a timetable that will enable you to complete your proposed research thesis within the two semesters of study for the Master of Business Research thesis. This timetable must be realistic and you will be held accountable to meeting this timetable by your supervisors.
Bibliography: The research proposal should be supported by an extensive bibliography comprising at a minimum 30 references.
Submission Date: Week 12 (online submission).
Total Mark & Weighting: 40 marks | 40%
Students are advised that any submissions past the due date without an approved extension or approved extenuating circumstances incur a 5% penalty per calendar day,
calculated from the total mark e.g. a task marked out of 15 will incur a 1.75 mark penalty per calendar day.
Marking Rubrics
Criteria HD (High Distinction) 85%-100% DN (Distinction)
75%-84% CR (Credit) 74%-65% P (Pass)
50%-64% F (Fail)
0%-49%
Knowledge and understanding
5 marks Command of the topic, unusual creativity, perception and insight, all suggesting that work should be published in an academic forum. Demonstrates command of the topic by showing creativity, perception and insight — a serious contribution to the academic debate. Demonstrates a well- informed understanding of the topic by showing
creativity and insight — a serious contribution to the academic debate. Understanding of contemporary academic debate, with some
creative input and insight, with a tendency toward description. Limited/poor understanding demonstrated. Any creative input is somewhat off the point.
Content and exploration of theories and ideas 15 marks Outstanding selection that makes a substantial contribution to academic debate. Outstanding selection from a wide relevant and innovative range of perspectives and sources. Selection from a wide and relevant range of perspectives and sources that draws upon contemporary academic debate. Relevant selection from a range of perspectives and sources. Sources are mostly integrated into the overall argument. Narrow selection, minimal use of sources, to support the argument.
Analysis, synthesis and critical engagement
15 marks Outstanding use of source material.
Excellent argument that is Sources very well integrated into the overall argument. Clear well Sources wellintegrated into the overall argument. Clear, cogent Mostly clear, cogent and wellstructured argument.
Demonstrates Sources are not properly integrated into the argument. Absence of clear and cogent
of the highest academic quality. Critical distance and outstanding analysis of the question, to a high degree of excellence. structured argument that is well crafted and cogent. Critical distance and outstanding analysis of the question. and wellstructured argument.
Critical
distance and sound analysis of the question. criticality and generally good analysis. argument.
Incomplete analysis with a tendency to accept the source material at face value.
Technical skills and referencing
5marks Referencing impeccable using appropriate conventions.
No errors in grammar or spelling. Referencing clear and accurate using appropriate conventions.
Virtually no errors in grammar or spelling. Referencing clear and accurate using appropriate conventions. Good grammar and spelling. Referencing sufficiently clear and using an appropriate convention. Adequate grammar and spelling. References limited/inappropriate. Many errors in grammar and
spelling, making it difficult or impossible to read.
