MBA7018 - Research Methods Assessment Brief 1 Assessment Title Research Proposal (Introduction) – Part 1 Assessment Number 1 of 2 Assessment Type (Weighting) Research Proposal (Report format)

MBA7018 – Research Methods Assessment Brief 1

*Assessment Title*	Research Proposal (Introduction) – Part 1
*Assessment Number*	1 of 2
*Assessment Type (Weighting)*	Research Proposal (Report format) – 1,000 words (20%)
*Submission Deadline*	– 11^th April 2025 via Turnitin @23:59hrs
*Tutor/s*	Dr Palto Datta- Module Lead

Learning Outcome Assessed

LO1	Produce feasible objectives (congruent with master’s level study) and an understanding.of the significance of the research context.

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Applications in this Assessment

AI Status

Application

Notes

Category A

No GAI tool is permitted.

While grammar and/or spell checkers may be used to correct individual words and sentences, the use of GAI is not allowed. This is because the learning outcomes require you to produce original assessment work without any GAI assistance

Any GAI generated content which is presented as your own original work and is not acknowledged will be assessed for academic misconduct.

Brief:

You are expected to produce the first part of your research proposal. The length of the research proposal is 1,000 words. Introduction to research proposal should explain what you plan to explore, why it is significant to the discipline, and how you intend to conduct your research. Simply said, it is a plan for the research you intend to perform. All research proposals are intended to persuade others about how and why your proposed project is valuable.

Your research proposal must include the following elements, and you are expected to produce a brief outline of the following

Identify a topic relevant to the field of study from which a suitable research project can be developed (Craft a suitable title for the study. The title should be succinct and provide relevant information. Emphasise the significance of crafting a comprehensive title that encompasses all the variables you are examining in your study. Title – derives from the aim of your research and contains key concepts)

2.An introduction to the research background and the study context

3.Statement of the problem (make a concise statement of the problem)

4.Research Question (A research question is critical for defining the scope of your research. If appropriately set, it will help you in determining what it is that you wish to answer).

5.Research aim (s) and Objectives (Aim of your research-In one sentence explain what you intend to find out. ideally you will have one aim only. Objectives should have a strong logical connection with the aim, and they should point to the data you need).

6.Rationale of the Research (explain why you have chosen this topic and briefly summarise the existing literature on the topic, what motivates to do this research?)

7.Summary of Literature/ Key studies (identify key sources of literature and review briefly)

8.References: A Reference List in the Harvard convention, further details are available from

http://www.bolton.ac.uk/bissto/Finding-Information/Referencing/Harvard-Referencing.aspx

9.You also need to include a fully completed Research Ethics (RE1) form available from

http://www.bolton.ac.uk/Students/PoliciesProceduresRegulations/AllStudents/ResearchEthics/Forms/RE1.doc

This assessment will form the basis of the first chapter of your dissertation in advanced yet skeletal form, consequently the standard of work must consistently represent Masters’ level standard and be as advanced as the time constraints allow.

This work is at Level HE7 and this assessment forms 20% of a 20-credit module.

The pass mark is 50%.

Minimum References Requirement:

Minimum References Requirement at Level HE7 – It is expected that the Reference List will contain between ten to fifteen sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include two academic books and seven refereed academic journals.

KEY POINTS

Please read this carefully and comply fully:

Follow the module guidelines regarding submitting work.
Pages should be numbered.
Written assessments should be word-processed in Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri Light font size 12. There should be 1.5 line spacing and each page should be numbered.
Word limit: Where a word limit is specified, the following penalty systems applies:

Up to 10% over the specified word length = no penalty
10 – 20% over the specified indicative word length = 5 marks subtracted (but if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assessment).
More than 20% over the indicative word length = if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark or more, then the final mark will be capped at the pass mark for the assessment.

A standard cover page must be included (The module name and code, student name and ID, name of the Tutor and the title of the research proposal must be clearly marked on the front cover.
Work you submit for assessment must be properly referenced.
Ensure that the work is original and refrain from utilising AI-generated content, as it will be identified by Turnitin.

There is no excuse for failing to submit your work in accordance with the guidance, work that does not meet the necessary standards in that respect will be marked accordingly.

At the end of assignment:

Declaration: At the end of the assessment you should also include a declaration of any software tools including Generative AI (GAI) applications that you used in developing and completing the assessment.

Marking Scheme AS1

DEFINITION	Work of Exceptional Quality Above 85%	Work of Excellent Quality above 70%	Work of Very Good Quality 60-69%	Work of Good Quality 50-59%	Work of un-satisfactory Quality 40-49%	Fail
Weighting (Sources of assessment criteria)		In all cases appropriate within the limits appropriate to M level.
Introduction to research Context 25%	Exceptionally clear and concise research background and research context, Key sources of literature are identified and reviewed, study rationale is convincing, concise problem statement	Very clear and concise background and context, rationale and literature review, problem statement included	Clear and concise background and the context, rationale and LR, problem statement included	Clear background and the context, rationale and LR, problem statement included	Research context but would benefit from further clarification, rationale is not convincing and lack of literature sources, no problem statement	Research context is underdeveloped, unclear or absent
Clear statement of research question(s) 20%	Exceptionally clear and concise research questions to define the scope of the research	Very clear and concise research questions to define the scope of the research	Clear and concise research questions to define the scope of the research	Clear research questions to define the scope of the research	Research question requires further clarification.	Research question is unclear, unfeasible, or absent
Communication and Presentation (including Referencing) 20%	Exceptionally clear communication of near/publishable standard, Academic conventions are fully adhered (such as Harvard referencing style)	Clarity of expression excellent, consistently accurate use of grammar and spelling with fluent professional/academic writing /speaking style.	Thoughts and ideas clearly expressed. Grammar and spelling accurate and language fluent.	Language mainly fluent. Grammar and spelling mainly accurate. Communication of thoughts and ideas beginning to be affected	Language not always fluent, grammar and spelling poor/moderate.	Often poor or ambiguous, leading to meaning being barely apparent. Language, grammar and spelling poor.
Research Aim & Objectives 30%	Exceptionally clear, explicit, feasible research aim & objectives and well connected to the problem (s). very concise problem statement	Very clear, explicit, feasible research objectives and well connected to the problem (s)	Clear, explicit, feasible research objectives and well connected to the problem (s)	Explicit and feasible research objectives and well connected to the problem (s)	Research objectives that require further clarification.	Research philosophy is not understood/not related to objectives. Other relevant considerations are omitted or superficial.
REF1 (Ethics Form) 5%	Exceptionally clear and complete	Very clear and complete.	Submitted, signed, complete. Very good level of detail included	Submitted, signed, complete. Sufficient detail included	Submitted and signed but lacking essential details	Not submitted Or unsigned

Submission Arrangements:

Please upload your work into CANVAS – Turnitin to help guard against plagiarism.
Please upload your completed Research Ethics (RE1) as well, apart from Assessment 1. There will be a separate submission link in Moodle for the Ethics Form.
Research Ethics (RE1) Forms that are not submitted by the deadline will be marked as a non-submission – i.e., 0 from 5%.
Remember to keep your own separate electronic/hard copies (this is your responsibility).

Mitigating Circumstances:

If submission of your work is delayed because of extenuating/mitigating circumstances, please look at the Student Handbook for advice on how to proceed and discuss the matter with your tutor and/or Programme Leader. All mitigating circumstance claims should be accompanied by evidence.

Fit to Submit:Assignment Checklist

Please use the provided checklist below to make sure you are ‘fit to submit’ your work.

We recommend you use this checklist as soon as you get this assignment brief to help you plan your work. The purpose of this assignment checklist is to assist you in avoiding prevalent errors/mistakes that students often make in their assignments. Students frequently lose marks because they forget some of the more basic aspects of their assignments.

CHECKLIST BEFORE FINAL SUBMISSION

No	Checklist
1	I have read and understood the assessment brief and the assessment criteria?
2	I have understood the learning outcomes and the assignment has MET the Learning outcome.
3	My assignment has covered the key areas of assessment criteria (most of the students lose marks because they did not cover the key areas of assessment).
4	I have used relevant academic sources to support various argument and discussion points.
5	My list of references is well aligned with the in-text citations
6	The assignment is maintained academic tone and fully edited and proofread.
7	Harvard referencing style guide is used throughout.
8	Assignment is within the stipulated word count.
9	I have read and understood the assignment submission guidelines
10	I have received the feedback from the Tutor and revised accordingly.
11	The work submitted is my own and not plagiarised.
12	*I have avoided to use AI generated contents.*

END FOR AS1

MBA7018 – Research Methods Assessment Brief 2

*Assessment Title*	Research Proposal -Part 2
*Assessment Number*	2 of 2
*Assessment Type (Weighting)*	Research Proposal (Report format) – 4,000 words (80%)
*Submission Deadline*	23^rd May 2025 via Turnitin @23:59hrs
*Tutor/s*	Dr Palto Datta- Module Lead

Learning Outcome/s Assessed

LO2	Produce a critical appraisal of relevant literature synthesised into an appropriate conceptual framework
LO3	Demonstrate a firm grasp of differences between research philosophies and the justification of that one selected
LO4	Produce a critically informed research design with the appropriate combination of methods, sample sizes and selection criteria

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Applications in this Assessment

AI Status

Application

Notes

Category A

No GAI tool is permitted.

Any GAI generated content which is presented as your own original work and is not acknowledged will be assessed for academic misconduct.

Brief:

You are expected to produce a research proposal for the dissertation stage in no more than 4,000 words. This proposal will build on your first assessment in which you forwarded the research title, research context, research problem, research question(s), research aim and objectives, research rationale and a very brief literature review. Together, these 2 assessments will form the first three chapters of your dissertation in advanced yet skeletal form. Consequently, the standard of work must consistently represent Masters’ level standard and be as advanced as the time constraints allow.

Research Proposal Part 2 will consist of the following:

1.The research title, research question(s), aim, and objectives only – from assessment#1. These will not be included in the word count and assessment criteria.

2.Research Rationale – explain why you have chosen this topic and who will benefit from the research outcomes (You can revise your previous rationale and extend this section).

3.A critical discussion of the literature (i.e., Critical Literature Review) and a Conceptual Framework drawn from the literature and an explanatory rationale for the Conceptual Framework.

4.A Methodology (i.e., critical discussion of research methods to use and the justification of the research design. This should include the underpinning research philosophy; Research approach research strategy, a critical review of appropriate methods to include an explanation of how triangulation will be achieved, if applicable; sampling; data collection and data analysis; considerations of the issues of validity and reliability in the research design process).

5.A critical evaluation of the overall research design including any Limitations in the approaches chosen and the possible impact these may have on the research objectives. This should reflect any constraints in the specific context of your research. Issues on sampling/sampling criteria, sizes and representativeness should be clearly dealt with. Finally, Ethical Considerations should also be included in the last section of the Research Proposal Part 2

6.Expected Research Outcomes

7.A Time frame to carry out the final research (13 weeks period)

8.A Reference List/Bibliography in the Harvard convention, further details are available from

http://www.bolton.ac.uk/bissto/Finding-Information/Referencing/Harvard-Referencing.aspx

Indicative structure of the research proposal:

Executive Summary
Table of Contents
Introduction

Background/Context of the Research
Statement of the problem
Research Question/s
Research Aim and Objectives
Research rationale

4.Critical Literature Review

Critical literature review
Conceptual Framework

5.Methodology

Research philosophy
Research Approach
Research Strategy
Research methods
Sampling Framework (sample population, sample type and sample size. For qualitative research explain what criteria you will be using to select your participants).
Data collection and analysis methods (explain briefly how you intend to collect primary data and analyse your data)
Ethical Considerations
Reliability and Validity (explain what measures you will be taking to enhance the validity and reliability of your research. (If a qualitative approach is employed you need to explain what measures you will be taking to ensure the credibility and trustworthiness of your research including a short explanation on reflexivity

6.ritical evaluation (critical insight into both methods and literature/concepts)
7.Limitations (Mainly methodological limitations)

8.Expected Research Outcome/s (The purpose of the Expected Outcome section is to clearly state the predicted results and findings of the planned research project. It provides a clear preview of what the research expects to achieve after conducting the research).

9. Time plan for the final project (Gantt Chart)
10. References (Not included in word count) (List using Harvard standard the sources used to support your proposal.
11. Appendices (If applicable; Not included in word count)

This work is at Level HE7 and this assessment forms 80% of a 20-credit module.

The Pass mark is 50%.

Minimum References Requirement:

Level HE7 – It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include Four academic books and Ten refereed academic journals.

KEY POINTS

Please read this carefully and comply fully:

Follow the module guidelines regarding submitting work.
Pages should be numbered.
Written assessments should be word-processed in Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri Light font size 12. There should be 1.5 line spacing and each page should be numbered.
Word limit: Where a word limit is specified, the following penalty systems applies:

Up to 10% over the specified word length = no penalty
10 – 20% over the specified indicative word length = 5 marks subtracted (but if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark, then the final mark to be no lower than the pass mark for the assessment).
More than 20% over the indicative word length = if the assessment would normally gain a pass mark or more, then the final mark will be capped at the pass mark for the assessment.

A standard cover page must be included (The module name and code, student name and ID, name of the Tutor and the title of the research proposal must be clearly marked on the front cover.
Work you submit for assessment must be properly referenced.
Ensure that the work is original and refrain from utilising AI-generated content, as it will be identified by Turnitin.

There is no excuse for failing to submit your work in accordance with the guidance, work that does not meet the necessary standards in that respect will be marked accordingly.

At the end of assignment:

MBA7018 – Research Methods Assessment Brief 1 Assessment Title Research Proposal (Introduction) – Part 1 Assessment Number 1 of 2 Assessment Type (Weighting) Research Proposal (Report format)