Impact of Digital Marketing on Productivity of a Firm: A Study on ThirdWay Group

Study the impact of digital marketing on productivity of ThirdWay Group with a focus on the concept of digital marketing. The study will use a quantitative research method with a survey strategy and a sample of 30 employees. The data will be stored electronically and will comply with GDPR. Participation is voluntary and participants will be fully informed and their data will be kept confidential. No vulnerable groups or sensitive topics will be involved in the study.

University Research Ethics Committee (February 2018)
COMPLETE FOR PRIMARY RESEARCH
Proportionate Review Form
The Proportionate Review process may be used where the proposed research raises only
minimal ethical risk. This research must: focus on minimally sensitive topics; entail minimal intrusion or
disruption to others; and involve participants who would not be considered vulnerable in the context of the
research.
PART A: TO BE COMPLETED BY RESEARCHER
Name of Researcher:
School
Student/Course Details (If Applicable)
Student ID Number:
Name of Supervisor(s)/Module Tutor:
PhD/MPhil project:
Taught Postgraduate
Project/Project: Award Title:
Module
Title:
Undergraduate
Project/Project:
Project Title: Impact of digital marketing on productivity of a firm. A research project on
ThirdWay group.
Project Outline: The main aim of current study is, “To determine about the concept of digital
marketing along with reviewing its impact on overall productivity of a firm.” A
research project on ThirdWay group.
Give a brief description of
participants and
procedure (methods, tests
etc.)
use of the quantitative nature of the research method has been proposed as it
supports easy collection of data and its effective presentation to meet the review
and analysis set objectives in better manner.
Selection of 30 employees would be made from ThirdWay group as participants.
Expected Start Date: Expected End Date:
Relevant professional body ethical guidelines should be consulted when completing this form.
Please seek guidance from the School Ethics Coordinator if you are uncertain about any ethical issues arising
from this application.
There is an obligation on the researcher and supervisor (where applicable) to bring to the attention of the
School Ethics Coordinator any issues with ethical implications not identified by this form.
Researcher Declaration
I confirm that:
1. The research will NOT involve members of vulnerable groups.
I consider that this project has no significant ethical implications requiring full ethical review ✓
✓

University Research Ethics Committee (February 2018)
Vulnerable groups include but are not limited to: children and young people (under 18 years
of age), those with a learning disability or cognitive impairment, patients, people in custody,
people engaged in illegal activities (e.g. drug taking), or individuals in a dependent or
unequal relationship.
2. The research will NOT involve sensitive topics.
Sensitive topics include, but are not limited to: participants’ sexual behaviour, their illegal or
political behaviour, their experience of violence, their abuse or exploitation, their mental
health, their gender or ethnic status. The research must not involve groups where
permission of a gatekeeper is normally required for initial access to members, for example,
ethnic or cultural groups, native peoples or indigenous communities.
3. The research will NOT deliberately mislead participants in any way.
4. The research will NOT involve access to records of personal or confidential information,
including genetic or other biological information, concerning identifiable individuals.
5. The research will NOT induce psychological stress, anxiety or humiliation, cause more than
minimal pain, or involve intrusive interventions.
This includes, but is not limited to: the administration of drugs or other substances,
vigorous physical exercise, or techniques such as hypnotherapy which may cause
participants to reveal information which could cause concern, in the course of their
everyday life.
6. The research WILL be conducted with participants’ full and informed consent at
the time the study is carried out:
 The main procedure will be explained to participants in advance, so that
they are informed about what to expect.
 Participants will be told their involvement in the research is voluntary.
 Written consent will be obtained from participants. (This is not required for
self-completion questionnaires as submission of the completed
questionnaire implies consent to participate).
 Participants will be informed about how they may withdraw from the
research at any time and for any reason.
 For questionnaires and interviews: Participants will be given the option of
omitting questions they do not want to answer.
 Participants will be told that their data will be treated with full confidentiality
and that, if published, every effort will be made to ensure it will not be
identifiable as theirs.
 Participants will be given the opportunity to be debriefed i.e. to find out
more about the study and its results.
YES
N/A
7. A risk assessment has been completed for this research project YES
N/A
If you are unable to confirm any of the above statements, please complete a Full Ethical Review Form. If the
research will include participants that are patients, please complete the Independent Peer Review process.
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓

University Research Ethics Committee (February 2018)
8. Information and Data
Please provide answers to the following questions regarding the handling and storage of information and
data:
a) How will research data be stored (manually or electronically)?
Electrically in password set computer
b) How is protection given to the participants (e.g. by being made anonymous through coding and with a
participant identifier code being kept separately and securely)?
Through making use of coding and password.
c) What assurance will be given to the participant about the confidentiality of this data and the security
of its storage?
Use of all provisions of data protection act has been made to give assurance for the participants.
d) Is assurance given to the participant that they cannot be identified from any publication or
dissemination of the results of the project?
Yes
e) Who will have access to this data, and for what purposes?
Only researcher and tutor for completion of this project only.
f) How will the data be stored, for how long, and how will it be discarded?
Data will be stored in password set computer till the completion of current project.
Supporting Documentation
Signature of Researcher: Date:
NB: If the research departs from the protocol which provides the basis for this proportionate review, then
further review will be required and the applicant and supervisor(s) should consider whether or not the
proportionate review remains appropriate. If it is no longer appropriate a full ethical review form MUST be
submitted for consideration by the School Ethics Coordinator .
PART B: TO BE COMPLETED BY SUPERVISOR/MODULE TUTOR (If student) OR Head of Department/
All key documents e.g. consent form, information sheet, questionnaire/interview schedule are
appended to this application.
Next Step:
STUDENTS: Please submit this form (and supporting documentation) for consideration by your Supervisor/
Module Tutor.
STAFF: Please submit this form to your Head of Department or a Senior Researcher in your School. Once
they have reviewed the form, this should be forwarded to the Research Administrators in RIIS
([e-mail]) who will arrange for it to be considered by an independent member of the School’s
College of Reviewers .

University Research Ethics Committee (February 2018)
Senior Researcher (if staff)
I consider that this project has no significant ethical implications requiring full ethical review
by the Faculty Research Ethics Committee.
I have checked and approved the key documents required for this proposal (e.g. consent
form, information sheet, questionnaire, interview schedule).
Signature of Supervisor/
Head of Department/
Senior Researcher:
Date:
PART C: TO BE COMPLETED BY A MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL’S COLLEGE OF ETHICAL REVIEWERS
This research proposal has been considered using agreed University Procedures and is now
approved.
Or
This research proposal has not been approved due to the reasons given below.
Recommendation (delete as appropriate): Approve/ Amendments required/ Reject
Name of Reviewer:
Date:
Signature:
Signed (School
Ethical Coordinator)
Date:
Next Step: Please forward this form to the Research Administrators in RIIS ([e-mail]) who will
arrange for it to be considered by an independent member of the School’s College of Ethical Reviewers ,
having no direct connection with the researcher or his/her programme of study.
✓
✓

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INSERT DATE IN HEADER
COMPLETE FOR PRIMARY RESEARCH
INFORMATION SHEET FOR PARTICIPANTS
Title of study
Impact of digital marketing on productivity of a firm. A research project on ThirdWay group.
Invitation
I would like to invite you to participate in this research project which forms part
of my INSERT DEGREE TITLE HERE Knowledge Exchange Project. Before you
decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand
why the research is being done and what your participation will involve. Please
take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others
if you wish. Ask me if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like
more information.
What is the purpose of the study?
This research will
investigate
About the Impact of digital marketing on productivity of a firm. A research project on ThirdWay group.
The study aims to
identify…
The main aim of current study is, “To determine about the concept of digital marketing along with reviewing its
impact on overall productivity of a firm.” A research project on ThirdWay group.
The study will focus on…
 To determine about the concept and importance of digital marketing.
 To review about the overall impact of digital marketing on the productivity level of the ThirdWay group
 To investigate about some other effective ways of marketing and communication to ensure improved success for the
ThirdWay group.
Why have I been invited to take part?
You have been invited to take part in this research project, to determine
about the concept of digital marketing along with reviewing its impact on
overall productivity of a firm
See below for eligibility criteria for this study, if you do not fulfil the criteria,
please inform INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
 INSERT ELIGIBILITY HERE

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What will happen if I take part?
Use of the positivistic philosophy has been proposed for current study as it support a practical
and systematic way of investigation. Further, use of deductive approach has been also proposed
to have better scanning and testing of set objectives. Along with this, use of the quantitative
nature of the research method has been proposed as it supports easy collection of data and its
effective presentation to meet the review and analysis set objectives in better manner.
The participants needs to provide the answers about the questions set with the
questionnaire used with survey strategy for current project.
Once the data has been collected, all participant information will be coded
and therefore anonymous and unbiased when analysing.
Do I have to take part?
Participation is completely voluntary. You should only take part if you want to
and choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in anyway. Once you
have read the information sheet, please contact us if you have any questions
that will help you make a decision about taking part. If you decide to take part
we will ask you to sign a consent form and you will be given a copy of this
consent form to keep.
Data handling and confidentiality
Your data will be processed in accordance with the data protection law and
will comply with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR).

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INSERT DATE IN HEADER
Data will be stored electronically on the Staffordshire university secure Office 365
Drive.
Data Protection Statement
The data controller for this project will be Staffordshire University. The
University will process your personal data for the purpose of the research
outlined above. The legal basis for processing your personal data for research
purposes under the data protection law is a ‘task in the public interest’ You can
provide your consent for the use of your personal data in this study by
completing the consent form that has been provided to you.
You have the right to access information held about you. Your right of access
can be exercised in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation.
You also have other rights including rights of correction, erasure, objection, and
data portability. Questions, comments and requests about your personal data
can also be sent to the Staffordshire University Data Protection Officer. If you
wish to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office, please
visit www.ico.org.uk.
What if I change my mind about taking part?
You are free withdraw at any point of the study, without having to give a
reason. Withdrawing from the study will not affect you in any way. You are able
to withdraw your data from the study up until the point that stage 1 of data
collection has been completed, after which withdrawal of your data will no
longer be possible due to the data would have been processed/ anonymised in
readiness to inform the practical training framework.
If you choose to withdraw from the study we will not retain any information that
you have provided us as a part of this study.
What will happen to the results of the study?
The chosen is beneficial for ThirdWay group as it effective ways of marketing and communication to ensure improved success
and higher productivity for the ThirdWay group.
Who should I contact for further information?
If you have any questions or require more information about this study, please
contact me using the following contact details:
INSERT YOUR DETAILS HERE
What if I have further questions, or if something goes wrong?
If this study has harmed you in any way or if you wish to make a complaint
about the conduct of the study you can contact the study supervisor or the
Chair of the Staffordshire University Ethics Committee for further advice and
information:
Thank you for reading this information sheet and for considering taking part in this
research.

University Research Ethics Committee – February 2018
COMPLETE FOR SECONDARY RESEARCH
Disclaimer Form
The following declaration should be made in cases where the researcher and the supervisor (where applicable)
conclude that it is not necessary to apply for ethical approval for a specific research project.
PART A: TO BE COMPLETED BY RESEARCHER
Name of Researcher:
School
Student/Course Details (If Applicable)
Student ID Number:
Name of Supervisor(s)/Module Tutor:
PhD/MPhil project:
Taught Postgraduate
Project/Project: Award Title:
Module Title:
Topic: Impact of digital marketing on productivity of a firm. A research
project on ThirdWay group.
Undergraduate
Project/Project:
Project Title: Topic: Impact of digital marketing on productivity of a firm. A research project on
ThirdWay group.
Project Outline: To determine about the concept of digital marketing along with reviewing its impact
on overall productivity of a firm.” A research project on ThirdWay group.
Give a brief description of
research procedure
(methods, tests etc.)
Use of both primary as well as secondary source of data collection has been also
proposed.
Expected Start Date: Expected End Date:
Declaration
I/We confirm that the University’s Ethical Review Policy has been consulted and that all ethical issues and
implications in relation to the above project have been considered. I/We confirm that ethical approval need not be
sought. I/We confirm that:
The research does not involve human or animal participants
The research does not present an indirect risk to non-participants (human or animal).
The research does not raise ethical issues due to the potential social or environmental implications of
the study.
The research does not re-use previously collected personal data which is sensitive in nature, or enables
the identification of individuals.
Has a risk assessment been completed for this project? Yes
N/A
Signature of Researcher: Date:

University Research Ethics Committee – February 2018
Signature(s) of Project Supervisor(s)
(If student) OR
Signature of Head of Department/
Senior researcher (if staff)
Date:
NB: If the research departs from the protocol which provides the basis for this disclaimer then ethical review may be required
and the applicant and supervisor (where applicable) should consider whether or not the disclaimer declaration remains
appropriate. If it is no longer appropriate an application for ethical review MUST be submitted.