Applied Business Research Report: A Guide to Research Methods and Analysis

The assignment is for students in the BA Marketing Management, BA Human Resource Management, and other related courses at Staffordshire University. The task is to submit a research report on a chosen topic or an applied consultancy report with the approval of Dr J Tong. The report should include a background, problem statement, literature review, research methodology, ethics, data collection and analysis, conclusion, research limitations, references, and appendices. The assessment criteria are based on understanding, interpretation, analysis, and evaluation of the material presented, as well as structure, grammar, and referencing.

Staffordshire University
Faculty of Business Education & Law
Hand in location: (tick as
appropriate)
STOKE BLACKBOARD X
Assignment Details
Course: BA Marketing Management, BA Human Resource Management , BA
International Marketing Management, BA Business Management, BA Event
Management
Module Title: Applied Business Research
Module Code:
Assignment Title: A Research Report
Weighting 100%
Tutor: M.Ash
Word Guideline 3500 words
Assignment Timetable:
Date Set:05/10/15
Submission Date and Time: 06/05/16
Expected Return: 03/06/16
Learning Outcomes to be Assessed:
1 Understand research methods that underpin business and management
2 Formulate research questions and critically develop a programme of investigation to
address them
3 Understand and critically apply the ethical and methodological dimensions of the
business research process and their application

4 Develop research designs using a range of quantitative and qualitative analytical
methods to address business research problems
5 Demonstrate skill and understanding of statistical analysis and presentation using
appropriate statistical software
Assignment set by: M.Ash
Assignment verified by: Scrutiny Panel
Assessment Brief: You must choose one of the options outlined below
1 Produce a research report on a topic of your choice but one agreed with by
your supervisor
2 Produce an applied consultancy report. This can only be completed with the
approval of Dr J Tong. Such approval will be recorded during semester 1 of the
module. If you have not been approved for this route your submission will not be
accepted.
You must state clearly on your submission which of these you have competed
For assignment route 1 you should submit an applied research report. The report
should address a substantive and non-trivial topic and should conform to the structure
shown below -
Background; Scope and context for the study (100 words)
Problem Statement: This section will provide the research topic, research question and
objectives of the study. (50 words)
Literature Review: Conduct and present a detailed review of relevant literature and or
secondary information relevant to your research question. (1500 words)
Research Methodology: Here you should critically present your proposed research
methodology and methods. This should present and critically justify your strategic
decisions on research philosophy and strategy and how these influenced the subsequent
research design. You should describe and critically analyse tactical decisions concerning
key issues such as population and sample, and methods of data collections. Describe how
you survey instrument was constructed and utilized in your study. Describe the types of
descriptive statistics that you are proposing to employ and any use of inferential statistics
that you are proposing to use. (600 words)

For any qualitative portion describe your anticipated process for qualitative analysis or
coding process you will use (Cite references to support your proposals)
Ethics. You must discuss any ethical issues that are relevant to your research topic,
participants, and method. Discuss how you are going to deal with the ethical issues (250
words)
Data collection and Analysis: Provide here your descriptive and statistical analyses of
your collected data and any secondary research you wish to include. (500 words)
Conclusion: your interpretation of your data based on its analysis (350 words)
Research limitations: Critical reflection on the limitations of the study that could affect the
reliability, validity or generalizability of the research (150)
References: What sources did you use and list accordingly (using APA format).
Appendices: Include copies of survey instrument and raw data
For assignment route 2 you should submit a consultancy market based research
report.
The report should address topic agreed with your consultancy client and should conform to
a similar structure to that outlined above but contingent on the nature of the research
required by the client.
Assessment Criteria
To achieve a ‘Pass’ grade (40% and above)
Some relevant material presented but with but scope is limited to just some or a few main
points only and overall showing limited understanding. Interpretation, analysis and
evaluation maybe weak and unstructured and with limited use of relevant method. Less
evidence of wider reading and limited presentation and interpretation of material gathered.
Structure, grammar and referencing poor and analysis descriptive.
To achieve a Higher (70%+)
In order to achieve a distinction grade the students will have demonstrated a high level of
understanding of the relevant material with excellent interpretation, analysis and evaluation
of material presented. Demonstrates some perception and originality. Is factually sound
and covers most salient points. Evidence of considerable wider reading and independent
research. Relevant use of examples/evidence and with structure/grammar/referencing to a
high standard. Evidence of significant critical analysis and reflection

Academic Misconduct
The Business School takes any cases of academic misconduct, including plagiarism very seriously.
The penalties are severe and can in some cases result in a student not being allowed to continue
their studies. The policy on Academic misconduct can be found at:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/academic_misconduct_tcm44-26770.pdf
If you fail to submit any assessment for a module an N will be recorded (non-submission) (fail due to
non-submission) for that module and you will not have a guaranteed re-sit entitlement. Any further
attempt entitlement will be at the discretion of the Award Board.
Assignments must be submitted by the due date. The only circumstance in which assignments can
be submitted late is if an extenuating circumstances claim is made. In these circumstances work
may be submitted up to 5 working days late only (this is not automatic). If the extenuating
circumstances are upheld, the assignment will be graded as usual. If the claim is rejected and the
work is of a pass grade a maximum of a 40% (R) for undergraduate and 50% (R) for postgraduate
will be awarded. If your work is submitted after the 5 working days a 0 will be awarded.
Maximum Word Length:
State the number of words used on the assignment front sheet. You may include diagrams, figures
etc. without word penalty. A sliding scale of penalties for excess length will be imposed according
to the amount by which the limit has been exceeded.
1-10% excess no penalty
11-20% excess 10% reduction in the mark
21-30% excess 20% reduction in the mark
31%+ excess the work will be capped at a pass
NB. None of the above penalties will be used to change your mark which is above the pass mark, to
one that is below the pass mark. Therefore the maximum penalty for exceeding the word limit will
be a reduction to a pass grade.