[SOLVED] Ethics and Research Protocol for a Study

The provided document outlines a comprehensive ethics protocol for a student research project. It includes sections on participant details, such as age groups and recruitment methods, as well as procedures for obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality. The protocol also addresses data storage and security, both during and after the research, to protect participants' personal information. The researcher has demonstrated awareness of potential ethical concerns and outlined steps to address them, ensuring that the project is conducted in an ethical manner. This protocol serves as a template for students conducting research projects and emphasizes the importance of adhering to ethical standards in academic research.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Aim
To identify the importance of Mobile technology in connecting people at global scale” A case study on
Quantum technology.
Background of research
The purpose of conducting this research is to evaluate importance of Mobile technology in
Quantum technology so that business can be enhanced. Quantum Technology is a marketing
consultancy firm and mobile technology will assist company in connecting with its valuable customers
across the globe with any issue or complication. With the help of this research company will get to
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know the effective ways through which loyal customers can be retained.
Research objectives
 To determine the concept of Mobile technology
 To evaluate the importance of Mobile technology for business growth.
 To analyse implication of Mobile technology in retaining loyal customers.
Research question
 How to determine the concept of Mobile technology?
 What is the importance of Mobile technology for business growth?
 How mobile technology can help in retaining loyal customers?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
1. Mobile technology is beneficial for achieving satisfied and loyal customers
2. Digital tools help in expanding business operations around the globe.
3. Mobile is basically being used by people in urban areas where a company could expand itself.
4. Business could directly improve itself or promote its products with the help of social media
tools.
5. One of the easiest way to promote different items or services in modern world.
6. Mobile marketing is a growing area that small businesses are taking advantage of.
7. Mobile social networking applications that target a user's location can be a big boost for local
businesses when it comes to sending out sales information or coupons, and spreading the word.
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8. Time taking processes like door to door marketing reduced to minimal through online
marketing.
9. Target a large number of customers in all over the world.
10. Information can easily be spread among targeted customers.
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest,
future, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
The main reason behind chosen this topic is that analyse the concept of mobile technology which help
company in reaching with desired customers and also satisfy their needs and wants in proper manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Concept of Mobile technology
According to Duncan (2018), Mobile technology refers to technology which is used for communication.
It can be said that with the help of mobile technology organisations often increases its productivity as
well as profitability of organisation. Mobile technology allows users to perform their work on laptops,
PDA, cell phones, etc. As all of them avails different services to the users such as instant messaging,
navigation system, browser and many more. In context to Quantum technology, mobile technology is
helpful for the organisation as the company is dealing in marketing sector. It is generally referred to as a
form of technology that is mostly present in cellular communication channels as well as its other
relative aspects as well. Mobile technology involves use of online platforms which many transmitters
can use in one go and send data and information. As with the help of the technology, its employees can
easily communicates to its colleagues as well as clients in order to persuade them for the same.
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Platforms which provide this facility are known as code division multiple access or CDMA platforms.
This is most used from of technology which is innovating itself by great extents in recent times. Mobile
technology in today's era has developed itself by great extents and converted from a simple device
(mobile phone) to a more complex multitasking device. This form of technology was a mystery for
most individuals two decades ago but now has become a necessity for people. No individual in today's
fast growing and moving world can imagine spending a day without using cellphones. Nowadays all
sorts of facilities are provided in a single cellphones such as internet browsing, ordering food, chatting
with friends, booking hotels etc. Employees of Quantum technology are using mobile technology for
achieving effectiveness in their business operations and profits enhancement as well.
Importance of Mobile Technology for business growth
According to the point of view of John smith (2016), it can be said that mobile technology is
considered as an important tool which contributes in business growth. It has been said by the author that
uses of Mobile technology impacts positively on the growth of business performance. As the discussed
technology is helpful in making overall work swift and more effective with the usage of automated
tools. Mobile technology has not only converted communication simpler but it has also contributed in
connectivity of people for their personal as well as professional purpose. It has been observed that usage
of mobile technology have improved performance of business which is helpful for its future growth. On
the other hand, Today’s workforce has become mobile. The mobile technology has also enabled
companies to expand their workforce to a global network. Mobile devices allow colleagues to
collaborate from anywhere in the world, thus removing any hindrance to clear communication. Mobile
technology is defined as the technology that is utilised in cellular communications. This technology
works on the aspect of sending and receiving of data by transmitters. Mobile technology is evolving
rapidly over the years. There are different mobile applications and technology that are used to know
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about customer preferences and customer behaviour. Communication with staff members is improved
by the use of mobile technology as devices like laptops, tablet computers, phones are used to deliver
message to staff people. Mobile technologies have given various new ways and trends to work and
perform. It enhances good connectivity among employees, customers and vendors of the company.
Workers uses social networking sites to connect with other people. Real-time communication is
necessary in delivering business benefits, including effective use of staff time, improvement in
customer service and a good range of services and products delivered.
Implication of Mobile Technology in retaining loyal customers
As the per the thoughts of Michele McGovern (2017), it can be said that Mobile technology
helpful for organisation in retaining loyal customers. As customers gets an opportunity to easily
compare their product which is going to be purchased by them. This is only possible for customers
because they can collect information of the product with mobile technology as many of the companies
are updating their information on their own online application. Along with this, when it comes to retain
loyal customers for a longer period of time frame, than mobile technology is something that is
specifically offering customers with a range of things that could effectively aid a business organisation
in expanding business at international level. With customers increasingly doing business online and on
mobile sites, businesses should not merely have online platforms but should optimize them for fast and
user-friendly use on mobile devices. Mobile technology provides the privilege to people in accessing
the company data and resources across the world. New technology gives companies a new trend to
think and work in the organisation. Modern and emerging technologies are providing businesses with
many opportunities to improve customer retention rates. A CRM Magazine showed that 45% of
businesses that provided online or mobile platforms reported an increase in site visits, increasing the
likelihood of revenue generation. However, 83% of customers need some support when making online
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purchases, according to eConsultancy. It is therefore critical to customer acquisition and retention that
immediate support is provided to online customers. On the other hand, using mobile technology,
effective programs could be developed that are specifically used by business organisations to retain
customers that are already performing well at marketplace and here this could enhance or improve
overall revenues of the company.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
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Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g. research, development and
analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings,
production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
 Research proposal
 Determining research aims and objectives
 Prepare research questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaire
 Data analysis
 Conclusion
 Recommendations
 Final submission
How long this will
take:
7 days
4 days
5 days
7 days
8 days
6 days
4 days
5 days
4 days
5 days
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Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
Qualitative research: Qualitative research is considered as the method in which researcher usually builds up
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understanding over human behavior in order to understand their capacity and pattern of thinking.
Quantitative research: In this type of research method, researcher basically evaluates the problem on the basis
of numeric data or statistical information.
Primary method: In this method of data collection, researcher usually gathers information personally from
respondents as it helps finding out true conclusion on research finding. Primary data is collected from interviews,
questionnaire, observations etc.
Secondary method: In secondary method, researcher of projects collects information from books, journals,
magazines, online sites, newspapers, articles and many more. It can be said that, the collected data is based on views
and thoughts of another person.
Approach & Philosophy:
Basically in an investigation, there are two different philosophies are present for conducting a research with an
ease and these are: positivism and interpretivism. Under present research the philosophy which has been chosen i.e.
interpretivism which will aid in collecting the data considering a prime motive of this developing a large sample.
Purpose:
Deductive and inductive are two different purposes that can help a researcher in starting the investigation. With
the help of this, researcher could easily develop the research with ease and in specific time frame as well. Under this
research, deductive approach has been used for identifying valid hypothesis and reasons that are linked with the topic.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
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I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is
appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date
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Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected form human participants are required to
gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good
time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
“To identify the importance of Mobile technology in connecting people at global scale” A case study on
Quantum technology.
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Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
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Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to
participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not
wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent
to be observed.
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Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the
study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary
of your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
I will be keeping data myself.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be carried on my laptop.
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Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be uploaded on the portal
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please outline
how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
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 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise
in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to your supervisor only
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