Research Ethics and Data Storage Form

This form requires researchers to confirm their understanding of ethical concerns, data storage, and security protocols. It involves ticking boxes to indicate informed consent, debriefing participants, and providing information about findings. Researchers must also specify data storage locations, duration, and access permissions. The form ensures compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and addresses potential risks in research studies.

Research Project

Table of Contents
TITLE: ............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
Overview of the Research ..........................................................................................................1
Background of the Research ......................................................................................................1
Significance of the Research ......................................................................................................2
Rational of the Research ............................................................................................................2
Research Aim..............................................................................................................................3
Research Objectives....................................................................................................................3
Research Questions ....................................................................................................................3
Time Scale ..................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................6
APPENDIX .....................................................................................................................................7
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................7
Research Ethics Approval Form....................................................................................................12

TITLE:
“The impact of digital technologies on business activities”.
INTRODUCTION
Overview of the Research
In today's modern world, digital tools and technologies plays vast role in developing
standard living of humans. An individual and organizations are widely concern on using most
advance digital tools and technologies within the work place in respect to attaining higher growth
and success. In this modern world people are very much based on using social media tools like,
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, you tube etc. these tools are effective in implementing good
relationship with customers at global level (Bharadwaj and et. al., 2013). The rapid growth of
technology development and rising adoption of digital technologies like social media, mobile
digital, cloud computing and other internet has a huge influence on consumer behavior and retail
businesses at large. Social media tools is considered as the most effective technology of
digitization. Social media has direct and positive impact on the operations of an organization and
customers. Social media is becoming an important tool for marketers as it is easy for an
organization to implement social media tools in very less investment. In the present investigation
work Vodafone Plc is the chosen organization, It is a British Multinational telecommunication
service provider company which operates its business operations at large scale. In the modern
business environment competition is so high at market place and organizations are widely
concern on using advance and high tech technologies in order to attaining significant competitive
edge within the market place.
Background of the Research
In the world full of digitization organizations are widely concern on implementing new
and advance technologies within the work place in respect to executing advancement in their
operations. Vodafone Plc is a large telecommunication service provider company and it operates
its all business functions from the headquarter which is stated in London and Newbury,
Berkshire. The company mainly deals in telecommunication and IT services to the corporate
clients in over 150 countries (Matt, Hess and Benlian, 2015). The company was founded in the
year of 1991 by Ernest Harrison. The company is operating at global level and for this social
media is determined as the most essential tool which helps the firm in implementing effective
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relationship with their customers across the globe. The major focused area of Vodafone Plc is to
capturing a wide area of market through applying most appropriate tools of digital technologies
like social media. This evolve as an effective tool which is widely applied by small as well as
large business enterprises in order to attaining significant growth and success at market place.
Significance of the Research
The research into consideration is based on the importance of using social media tools in
developing good relationship with customers at global level. Customers are the key consideration
of an organization as the growth and development of a firm is based on the satisfaction level of
its customers. The major significance of this report it that it is effective in providing a proper
evaluation of the effectiveness of using social media tools as a most developing source for
organizational growth (Gerbaudo, 2018). An appropriate evaluation helps the researcher in
providing significant knowledge to the learner about the specified area of study. A detailed
exploration helps the learner in enhancing their knowledge base in the area of implementing
digital tools and technologies within the operations of firm. Wide knowledge base helps an
individual in attempting their future projects in regards to the similar area of study in effective
manner. The major reason for conducting a research is to overcome with the issue of research as
to reaching at the potential outcome.
Rational of the Research
This can be determined as the most essential component of the exploration work. It refers
as the set of reasons that is offered by an investigator for executing a research in appropriate
manner. It is a predetermined statement in which research issue is mentioned and the reason for
overcoming the issues are also mentioned in appropriate manner. The present research is based
on the effectiveness of social media tools in developing relationship with customers at global
level. Social media is a valuable tool which plays effective role in building good and friendly
relationship among organization of customers at global level (Ransom and Chuard, Wildfire
Interactive Inc, 2012). Customers attraction is evaluated as the most essential issue for the firm
and it is required for Vodafone Plc to overcome in order to attaining higher competitive
advantage at market place. As a large business concern the major motive of Vodafone Plc is to
enhancing its market reach by the use of social media tools in respect to attaining higher
competitive edge within the market place. Social media tools are effective in enlarging the
customers base for firm which create value for the firm in reaching at higher profitability.
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Research Aim
This considered as the predetermined statement in which the issue of research is
mentioned in a statement (Gao and Darwish, 2012). This provides a significant direction to the
investigator to moving forward towards right direction. The essential aim of the research is “To
analyse the effectiveness of social media tools in developing relationship with customers at
global level”. A case study on Vodafone Plc.
Research Objectives
Essential research objectives are associated as under:
 To discuss the concept of social media and its role in business growth.
 To identify the importance of social media tools in the context of building good relation
with customers for Vodafone Plc.
 To determine the challenges that are derived by Vodafone Plc through the
implementation of social media tools.
 To evaluate the measures social media tools that are used by Vodafone Plc to attain
higher competitive edge.
Research Questions
Major research questions are determined as below:
 What is the concept of social media and its role in business growth?
 What is the importance of social media tools in the context of building good relation with
customers for Vodafone Plc?
 What are the challenges that are derived by Vodafone Plc through the implementation of
social media tools.?
 What are the effective measures of social media tools that are used by Vodafone Plc?
 to attain higher competitive edge.
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Time Scale
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bharadwaj, A., and et. al., 2013. Digital business strategy: toward a next generation of insights.
Gao, W., Li, P. and Darwish, K., 2012, October. Joint topic modeling for event summarization
across news and social media streams. In Proceedings of the 21st ACM international
conference on Information and knowledge management (pp. 1173-1182). ACM.
Gerbaudo, P., 2018. Tweets and the streets: Social media and contemporary activism. Pluto
Press.
Matt, C., Hess, T. and Benlian, A., 2015. Digital transformation strategies. Business &
Information Systems Engineering. 57(5). pp.339-343.
Ransom, V. and Chuard, A., Wildfire Interactive Inc, 2012. Providing online promotions
through social media networks. U.S. Patent 8,229,819.
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APPENDIX
Research Proposal Form
Student Name:
Student Number:
Centre Name:
Tutor:
Date:
Unit:
Proposed title:
“The impact of digital technologies on business activities”.
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Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of research project ( in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
The essential aim of the research is “To analyse the effectiveness of social media tools in developing relationship
with customers at global level”. A case study on Vodafone Plc.
Research project objectives (e.g. what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to learn how to do?
What do you want to find out?):
Essential research objectives are associated as under:
 To discuss the concept of social media and its role in business growth.
 To identify the importance of social media tools in the context of building good relation with customers
for Vodafone Plc.
 To determine the challenges that are derived by Vodafone Plc through the implementation of social media
tools.
 To evaluate the measures social media tools that are used by Vodafone Plc to attain higher competitive
edge.
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g. links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future plans,
knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
 The major reason for conducting the research is to exploring the knowledge base of learner in the area of
the effectiveness of social media in development of business activities.
 This wide area of study helps an individual in attaining appropriate knowledge and skills in regards to the
use of digital technologies in maximising business operations at global era.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
In the present research work data and information is being gathered through secondary sources in which books,
journals, online sites, are included. along with this past research project related with the similar area of study also
helps in collecting reliable information for completion of the exploration work in appropriate manner.
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Section Four: Activities and timescales
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):
Various activities which will going to include for the project are:
 Identification of the Research issue
 Creation of aim and objectives with questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaires preparation
 Data Collection
 Data analysis
 Conclusion and recommendation
How long this will take:
2 Months 15 Days.
Milestone one:
Target date (set by tutor):
Milestone two:
Target date (set by tutor):
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why?
The present research work is based on the analysis of the effectiveness of social media tools in developing
relationship with customers at global level. In the investigation report qualitative research method has been
applied by the research in respect to completion of the work with appropriate facts and discussions. In this
inductive appropriate is also used by the investigator to provide support to the qualitative research. Descriptive
research design has been applied by the researcher in respect to creating a descriptive analysis of the qualitative
investigation.
What your areas of research will cover:
The research will going to cover the different social media tools that helps a business in developing a good
relationship with customers at global level.
The idea and knowledge about the digital technologies will also enhanced.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is
appropriate.
Agreed: (name): (date):
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Comments and agreement from project proposal checker (if applicable)
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed: (name): (date):
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Research Ethics Approval Form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of
data collected from 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:
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
School / College:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2: Project Summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project (Please tick):
• Interviews:
• Questionnaires:
• Observations:
• Use of Personal Records:
• Data Analysis:
• Action Research:
• Focus Groups:
• Other (please specify):
Section 3: Participants
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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: More than 20 .
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?
The participants are approached through random sampling method as in this random
people are selected who are having appropriate knowledge in regards to specified area of
study.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
Research use email facility to inform participants about their work.
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?
Researcher obtain consent from the participants through filling the questionnaires from the
respondents about their personal experience.
Studies involving questionnaires: Will participants be given the option of omitting questions they
do not wish to answer? Please tick:
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. Please tick:
Yes:
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No:
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e. give them a brief explanation of the
study)? Please tick:
Yes:
No:
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study? (This could be a brief
summary of your findings in general). Please tick:
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:
No:
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher will have the access to the data and personal information.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be stored in the form of notes and in computer systems.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used?
Yes:
No:
If yes, please provide further details:
USB or pan-drives are used for sharing the information and Laptop is applied for storage of
total data and information.
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After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be stored in the computer systems.
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
The data and record kept for long term use of appropriate information and data will be kept
in the form of word document.
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes:
No:
If yes, please provide further details:
Section 5: Ethical Issues
Are there any particular 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 as a result 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.
• Sensitive topics.
• Risks to participants and/or researchers.
• Confidentiality/anonymity.
• Disclosures/limits to confidentiality.
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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 that this is a full description of the ethics issues that may
arise in the course of my research.
Name:
Date:
Please submit your completed form to Moodle
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