ECN6009 Researching for Business
Assignment One
Deadline: Thursday 11th December at 3pm
_____________________________________________________
This assignment is worth 30% of the module mark.
The deadline time for the submission of the first assignment is Thursday 11th
December at 3pm.
Work may be submitted on any date prior to the deadline. All assignments must
be submitted electronically via the module site on Moodle. The file format for
questions 1, 3 and 4 must be either a single MS Word or pdf file. The file format
for question 2 must be either a single MS PowerPoint or pdf file. You can
submit only two files.
Instructions
This is an individual piece of work.
The assignment consists of four questions. All questions are to be
answered.
Word Limit: 1,500 words plus the content of four PowerPoint
overheads.
Include one reference / bibliography section at the end of your
assessment and reference using the Harvard system throughout your
submission.
The word count must be stated clearly on the cover page of your submission.
If you exceed or fall short of the stipulated word limit by more than 10%, you
should expect to be penalised. For this coursework, you will find below what
is/is not included in the word count.
Included: Quotations
Excluded:
Cover page, list of contents, list of tables and figures.
List of references / bibliography (in-text Harvard style references are
also excluded).
Appendices (be careful on their use)
All table row and column titles, labels on diagrams / graphs etc.
In-text table content that exhibits numerical, primary or secondary data.
2
Assignment Task
1. Read the three research papers below that relate to your degree /
programme title. Critically evaluate the collective contribution of these
papers to their research area.
(1000 words, 50%)
2. Using the data set that relates to your degree / programme title provide
four PowerPoint slides of data analysis, visualisation and interpretation
of the data using Excel to manipulate data, generate graphs, run
regressions etc.
(4 PowerPoint overheads, 25%)
3. Complete the LinkedIn Learning courses below and pass the
assessment for each course. Evidence this with a screenshot of the
certificate. Display the certificate on your LinkedIn page and invite
Andrew Hunt to join your network (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajhunt0/)
Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365) by Dennis Taylor
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/excel-essential-training microsoft-365-25302368/exploring-data-entry-editing-and autofill u=26140778
Excel for Business Analysts
https://www.linkedin.com/learning/excel-for-business analysts/what-is-business-analytics u=26140778
(5%)
4. Drawing on the research topic your group presented in the seminar titled
‘Creating Project Proposals and Research Questions’ state research
question within that area. Outline the method / methodology that could
be used to answer your research question.
(500 words, 20%)
Initial reading
Financial Economics students
Li, Y., Ma, F., Zhang, Y., & Xiao, Z. (2019). Economic policy
uncertainty and the Chinese stock market volatility: new evidence.
Applied Economics, 51(49), 5398–5410.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2019.1613507
Liang, C., Zhang, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2021). Forecasting the volatility of
the German stock market: New evidence. Applied Economics, 54(9),
1055–1070. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2021.1975027
3
Pu, W., Chen, Y., & Ma, F. (2016). Forecasting the realized volatility in
the Chinese stock market: further evidence. Applied Economics,
48(33), 3116–3130. https://doi.org/10.1080/00036846.2015.1136394
Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management students
Fortin, K.E., Hurst, C.E. and Grimwood, B.S.R. (2021). Land, Settler
identity, and tourism memories. Annals of Tourism Research, 91,
p.103299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021.103299
Johnson, A.-G. and Buhalis, D. (2022). Solidarity during times of crisis
through co-creation. Annals of Tourism Research, 97, p.103503.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2022.103503
Scarpi, D. (2024). Strangers or friends Examining chatbot adoption in
tourism through psychological ownership. Tourism Management, 102,
p.104873-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2023.104873
Human Resource Management students
Nawaz, N., Arunachalam, H., Pathi, B., Gajenderan, V. (2024) The
adoption of artificial intelligence in human resources management
practices. International Journal of Information Management Data
Insights, 4(1) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2023.100208
Rigotti, C., & Fosch-Villaronga, E. (2024) Fairness, AI & recruitment.
Computer Law & Security Review, 53(7)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2024.105966
Tambe, P., Cappelli, P., & Yakubovich, V. (2019). Artificial Intelligence
in Human Resources Management: Challenges and a Path Forward.
California Management Review, 61(4), 15-42.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125619867910
International Supply Chain and Shipping Management students
Roh, S., Thai, V. V., Jang, H., & Yeo, G. T. (2021). The best practices
of port sustainable development: a case study in Korea. Maritime
Policy & Management, 50(2), 254–280.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2021.1979266
Jang, H., Haddoud, M. Y., Roh, S., Onjewu, A. K. E., & Choi, T. (2023).
Implementing smart factory: A fuzzy-set analysis to uncover successful
paths. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 195, 122751.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122751
Mangla, S.K., Luthra, S., Rich, N., et al (2018) Enablers to implement
sustainable initiatives in agri-food supply chains. International Journal
of Production Economics 203:379–393.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2018.07.012
4
The initial reading for these questions 2 and 4 is contained in the core text for
the module ‘Research methods for Business Students’ by Saunders, Lewis
and Thornhill.
Datasets for Question 2
Financial Economics students. Your dataset relates to explaining CEO pay
and is called “CEO Pay”
Hospitality, Tourism and Events Management students. Your dataset relates
to explaining expenditure levels of UK tourists and is called “Tourism Spend”
Human Resource Management students. Your dataset relates to explaining
employee engagement and is called “Employee Engagement”
International Supply Chain and Shipping Management students. Your dataset
relates to explaining merchandise trade and is called “Merchandise Trade”
Assessment criteria
Marks will be awarded according to the following main criteria:
Achievement of the objectives of each of the three questions.
Accurate explanation and appropriate use of relevant business research
theories, concepts, analysis and methods including a critical assessment.
Logical structure of the arguments within both text and PowerPoint
overheads.
Clarity of explanation – fluency and conciseness of written exposition, use
of visual aids, correct grammar and correct spelling.
Demonstration of knowledge of the relevant literature and proper citation of
sources.
Keeping to the word limit, inclusion of word count.
Grades and degree classifications
Each assessment will have its own set of assessment criteria. The following
briefly describe what is required to for work to be awarded a grade within each
classification.
First class (70%+). Work considered excellent. The submission will be
critical and analytical throughout. Any question will be answered directly, using
a coherent set of arguments that are informed by an appropriate range of
literature. The presentation will be highly fluent and articulate throughout.
Upper second-class (60%-69%). Work considered very good. The
submission will contain a full understanding of the issues and be well reasoned.
5
Any answer will have a good appreciation of the required tasks, and
demonstrate a highly competent set of arguments that are built on a good
selection of appropriate literature. The presentation will be fluent and
articulate.
Lower second-class (50%-59%). Work considered good. The
submission will understand the required tasks and address them with
competence. However, some aspects of the way material is used will be
lacking. For example, explanations of relevance or application may be partly
unclear or ineffective. The presentation of material may lack fluency and clarity
in places.
Third class (40%-49%). Work considered satisfactory. The submission
will address the required task in a basic manner. The submission will
understand the required task and show some appreciation of what is required.
The submission may be flawed and not address all aspects fully or clearly. The
presentation of material may have problems with fluency and clarity.
Fail (<40%). Work that does not pass the assessment. The submission may not have addressed the required task or addressed it in an inadequate manner. It will fail to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theory and / or principles underpinning a satisfactory submission. The presentation may contain serious problems. Once provisional assessment marks are released they will have gone through the University’s moderation process. This process ensures that the marks are fair, reliable and consistent with marking criteria. At this point marks can only be changed for two reasons (1) there has been a procedural error (e.g. there has been an error in data entry) (2) an external examiner chooses to systematically adjust marks at the subject examination board. Further Information Coursework including feedback will normally be returned within 20 working days of the due date. See the ‘PBS Key Module Details Document’ for statements on academic offences, extenuating circumstance etc.