Ethical Approval for Human Research Participants

This document is an ethical approval form for students conducting research involving human participants or using data collected from them. It requires completion in good time before the research project starts, with a focus on informed consent, vulnerable participants, sensitive topics, confidentiality, and data storage security.

Research Project

Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
Overview of the research........................................................................................................1
Background of Research.........................................................................................................1
Significance of Study.............................................................................................................1
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................2
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................2
Research Questions................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................3
To evaluate the impact of Mobile applications on Asda's Revenue and Profitability............3
To determine the biggest beneficiary of mobile applications within Internal and external
environment of Asda..............................................................................................................4
To ascertain the relationship between Use of mobile application and customer satisfaction.4
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.............................................................................5
Investigation Type..................................................................................................................5
Research Design ....................................................................................................................5
Research Approach.................................................................................................................6
Data Collection ....................................................................................................................6
Ethical Consideration ............................................................................................................7
TIME SCALE..................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................10
Research Ethics Approval Form...........................................................................................18

TITLE: 'To analyse the benefits of digital technology,especially Mobile applications, on
Business growth of an organisation. A case study on Asda'
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Overview of the research
The part of Digital technology and mobile applications can not be undermined in the
present business world. There are different instruments and advancements which are being
utilized by organizations around the globe. Propelled developments are effective in making
individuals life straightforward and pleasing, this in like manner make an impetus in redesigning
the learning and capacities of people about the essentialness of applying modernized mechanical
assemblies and advances. Business industry is considered as a key segment which make an
impetus in working up the budgetary condition of firms and what's more for country also. Asda
is retail company of UK which deals in Super market (Tene and Polonetsky, 2012). The
company is doing well and is expected to grow, thus the need of digital technology and mobile
applications within the business process and for the purpose of delivering services to consumers
are quite huge.
Background of Research
There has been steady change in the general doings of organisations around the globe,
fundamentally because of new and inventive apparatuses and also methods utilised by them
inside business. The noteworthy method of reasoning of firm is to satisfying the needs of people
at business focus in order to accomplishing forceful edge at promote put. In the bleeding edge
exhibit time contention is so high at business focus and affiliations are extensively stress on
achieving higher centred edge through offering collection of things and organisations at business
focus. In the present time people continue with a clamouring life and they are not having enough
time they satisfying their necessities as for acquiring so they are in a general sense stress on
applying on the sites as to making their trade more practical. Use of mobile applications has
given various kinds of benefits to industry of retail as well as to companies operating under it.
Significance of Study
The current research will give an overview as well as detailed explanation on the topic.
The researcher will be able to get necessary knowledge regarding the topic in an effective
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manner. The research will also lays down the right kind of procedures which will enable a
researcher to formulate information as well as data regarding the topic.
Research Aim
Research point is thought to be a general articulation which is worried on the general
objectives, reason and expectation of the work. This alludes as a foreordained articulation which
helps in complete the entire research work and exercises in efficient way (Subramanian and
Ramanathan, 2012). The imperative point of this specific research is 'To analyse the benefits of
digital technology,especially Mobile applications, on Business growth of an organisation. A case
study on Asda'
Research Objectives
It refers to the objective for which the research is conducted, there can be various
objectives of a particular research and a researcher make sure that outcome of the research will
fulfil the objectives that are needed to be achieved in an effective as well as efficient manner.
This additionally an another fundamental piece of research venture which helps in illuminating
the exploration issue in proper way. This can be assessed as the outcomes looked for through the
agent toward the finish of the examination venture. This area of research is interconnect with
inquire about point. Some fundamental destinations are portrayed as under:
 To evaluate the impact of Mobile applications on Asda's Revenue and Profitability.
 To determine the biggest beneficiary of mobile applications within Internal and external
environment of Asda.
 To ascertain the relationship between Use of mobile application and customer
satisfaction.
Research Questions
This area of research helps in characterizing the exploration targets in an issue
proclamations which are should examine in the segment of writing audit. This piece of research
give a reasonable course to the analyst to do the area of writing survey in suitable way through
examining the view purposes of essayists and writers. Some suitable research question for this
specific research venture are related as beneath:
 What is the impact of Mobile applications on Asda's Revenue and Profitability?
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 Who is the biggest beneficiary of mobile applications within Internal and external
environment of Asda.
 What is the relationship between Use of mobile application and customer satisfaction.
CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW
There has been an adjustment in the ways business is being led by the associations
everywhere throughout the world. Particularly benefit area has seen radical changes in its
working. A portion of the real reasons of such radical change have been, the changing needs and
requests of clients and The necessity of the organization to spare cost and to produce higher
income over time frame (Cascio, 2014). The data is gathered from various source, for example,
past undertakings, books, magazines, step by step papers and so on. The master set the ideal open
door for specific undertaking so it is fundamental for them to finish the work in picked time
portion. The ultimate aim of literature review is to explain the overall objectives of the research
in an effective manner that will give a detailed view of the purposes as well as objectives of the
research.
To evaluate the impact of Mobile applications on Asda's Revenue and Profitability.
There has been a considerable impact of Mobile applications and software on the overall
profitability of the company. Consumers around the world wants that their work shall be done in
an easy manner and it is only possible to have access to goods and services in a physical manner
always that means consumers does not always want to buy stuffs by walking into the stores,
rather they would want to get served by sitting at their home and this is only possible if the
company will be having their own websites or mobile application which can be accessed by
customers on their fingertips. With efficient use of mobile application technology, Asda is able
to improve its market base very efficiently which has allowed business to grow and flourish even
more (Weinstein, 2013). Specifically talking, Asda's Revenue has seen a surge of 8-10% post
implementation of various digitisation tools like mobile applications, launch of new websites and
digitisation of advertising etc. As per the views of Andrew Gaszdecki, 2017 There is a direct
relationship of growth in revenues and profits with innovative changes within the strategies as
well implementation of technologies etc. and hence it is essential to implement those policies
that will have a direct impact on the revenues as well as profitability of Asda going forward. If
the profits will be increased then the same can be applied for the purpose of growth and
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development of company's business as well as operations in an effective way, thus it can be said
that use of mobile applications for the purpose of increasing its customer base has resulted in
positive growth of company and an increment in the overall revenue and profitability has been
seen (Al-Jabri and Sohail, 2012).
To determine the biggest beneficiary of mobile applications within Internal and external
environment of Asda.
A company operates in a business environment and all the elements of environment do
have a direct impact on the workings of company. The environment of a company in which it
operates can be divided into two parts, these include Macro environment and Micro
environment. As per the views of Kimberlee Leonard, 2017, Use of mobile application as tool to
reach customers has created benefits for various segments of this environment. The biggest
beneficiary of implementation of mobile application are as follows: Customers: The direct beneficiary of effective implementation of mobile applications has
resulted in higher satisfaction to customers in an effective way. Customers can access
stores of Asda on mobile applications and thus it has resulted in convenience to
customers. The need is to make sure that these applications are reached to nooks and
corners of the target area so that growth in customer base of company can take place. Suppliers: It has become easy for Suppliers also to place their orders in an effective way.
They are using mobile applications for the purpose of informing management of Asda
regarding the availability of supplies and the delay that may take place due to late
supplies.
 Employees: Employees also benefits from these application of digital technology tools
within the company. They are able to sell products and services through internet and the
need of physical availability of consumers in the stores has reduced to quite an extent
(Kumar, 2012).
To ascertain the relationship between Use of mobile application and customer satisfaction.
There Is a direct relationship between use of mobile application and the ultimate
satisfaction that is derived by customers. Customers do not have to go to stores physically every
time, they can order their purchases online through mobile applications which will not only
reduce their cost to make purchases but also lead to an increase in the overall satisfaction derived
by them. Right sort of frameworks programming set up would guarantee legitimate income
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alongside bringing right effectiveness inside the organization. These product frameworks are
interlinked with each other inside the association and enables organization to work together by
successfully. Organizations in current situation is advancing and they would need to give
administrations to clients on time and according to their desire and this has resulted in overall
client satisfaction (Selander, Henfridsson and Svahn, 2013).
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This can be evaluated as the most necessary bit of an investigation which aids in total
whole investigation practices into especially organized and effective way. This portion helps in
picking the most sensible instruments and system for satisfaction of research work. This portion
expect capable part in gathering fitting come about through applying most reasonable
framework. It is useful in get-together data from various sources and discovering conclusions for
this examination through a watchful research. This bit of research relies upon various
applications which helps the expert giving deliberate path to the pro to progressing towards right
heading.
Investigation Type
There are two kinds of investigation quantitative and qualitative in nature. it is the
commitment of analyst to pick investigate as to actualising its assignments in effective way.
Authority has considered subjective examination with a specific extreme target to complete this
examination and fundamental part for this choice is that running subjective research structure is
especially clear and any individual can lead this by taking a short instructional assembling in
alliance. With the end goal of this examination, Qualitative strategy has been chosen by the
specialist.
Research Design
Research is a basic procedure and subsequently which sort of research must be chosen
relies on the scientist. Comprehensively Research can be characterized into two Sections. These
are Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research. The subjective research would be founded
on the nature of information accumulated and subsequently gives a more extensive view to the
analyst. The technique that has been chosen with the end goal of this specific report is
Qualitative Method as the outcome gave by this strategy is sure and are in the for of postulation
and suspicions which can be perused and comprehend by even a layman (Chaffey, 2015).
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Research Approach
The exploration approach is essentially isolated into two classes these are inductive
approach and deductive approach. With the end goal of readiness of this specific report Inductive
approach is chosen as it depends on the subjective research. It is worried about different raw
numbers which are being gathered by the scientist. Inductive research approach must be made
into appropriate move as through this analyst apply to create hypothesis and distinguish topics
that depend on the predetermined inquiries of the subjective research.
Data Collection
Information accumulation is an exceptionally proficient instrument which is utilized by the
scientist with the end goal of viably assembling information and making investigation. It is
essential for researcher to collect data and information through various sources. Expert can
accumulate data with the help of various procedures. There are two sorts of techniques which are
as under:
Primary Data: It refers to the data that has been gathered directly from public and there is no
intermediary in between. This kind of data is much more reliable because there is no
intermediary involved in between.
Secondary Data: The information which is beginning at now accessible from various sources
which joins information which are secured in books, magazines, diaries, reports, reference books
and so forth. As the information is beginning at now accessible it must be destitute down,
deciphered and plot with the target that the data which is critical is perceived and differing miss
driving information is dismissed by the master. The information which is collected through
optional sources are correct and the depiction of information is right. There is less likelihood of
miss driving or false data (Pesonen and Horster, 2012). It is an extremely helpful method for
gathering information and this enabled the analyst to direct research in a compelling and
effective way. The exploration should be possible in a simple way if the information will be
gathered through optional source as it is a simple method to accumulate information likewise it
permits to build the productivity of research.
Ethical Consideration
While leading exploration, a specialist run over different circumstance in which the
scientist needs to settle on choice ethically and morally. The respondents imparts data to the
specialist, which is very individual in nature and in this way it is basic that those data are not
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abused or Misutilised by the analyst in any capacity. The vital thought is that expert ought to
have a reasonable point identifying with this examination. It is fundamental to secure data which
has been given sustenance by people close by get some information about pros. The bit of
request is to be kept up so morals identified with research could be adjusted (Drucker, 2012).
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TIME SCALE
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Tene, O. and Polonetsky, J., 2012. Big data for all: Privacy and user control in the age of
analytics. Nw. J. Tech. & Intell. Prop.. 11. p.xxvii.
Subramanian, N. and Ramanathan, R., 2012. A review of applications of Analytic Hierarchy
Process in operations management. International Journal of Production Economics,
138(2). pp.215-241.
Cascio, W.F., 2014. Leveraging employer branding, performance management and human
resource development to enhance employee retention.
Weinstein, A., 2013. Handbook of market segmentation: Strategic targeting for business and
technology firms. Routledge.
Al-Jabri, I. and Sohail, M.S., 2012. Mobile banking adoption: Application of diffusion of
innovation theory.
Kumar, V., 2012. 101 design methods: A structured approach for driving innovation in your
organization. John Wiley & Sons.
Selander, L., Henfridsson, O. and Svahn, F., 2013. Capability search and redeem across digital
ecosystems. Journal of Information Technology. 28(3). pp.183-197.
Chaffey, D., 2015. Digital business and E-commerce management. Pearson Education Limited.
Pesonen, J. and Horster, E., 2012. Near field communication technology in tourism. Tourism
Management Perspectives. 4. pp.11-18.
Drucker, P., 2012. Management challenges for the 21st century. Routledge.
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APPENDIX
Research Title Approval Form
Proposed title:
Section A: To be completed by the student
You must complete all parts of Section A and present to your lecturer for brief discussion and
approval of your proposed research before embarking on writing a full proposal.
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One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of research project ( in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis):To analyse the benefits of digital technology,especially Mobile
applications, on Business growth of an organization. A case study on AsdaResearch
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?):
 To evaluate an affect of Mobile applications on Asda's Revenue and Profitability.
 To determine the biggest beneficiary of mobile applications within Internal and
external environment of Asda.
 To ascertain the relationship between Use of mobile application and customer
satisfaction.
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, why the topic is important):
 Essential according to the economy's the point.
 Knowledge of execution of digitalisation within business is emphasised.
Three: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you
likely to use and why?
Quantitative as well as qualitative methods are related as the
gathering of pertinent information and evidence as this
deliver information according to the investigation and
research subject.
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another
qualification.
Student signature: ....................................................................................................................................................................... date) ......................................................
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Section B: To be completed by the lecturer
Checklist Yes No
1. Is the proposed research title related to the theme?
2. Is the research scope realistic? (i.e. not too broad)
3. Is the research feasible? (i.e. could be done)
4. Is there a research question or hypothesis?
5. Is there a rationale or clear reason for choosing the research
title?
6. Has the student considered how the data will be collected?
7. Has the student considered where the data will be collected?
Comment (If any)
Agreement from
project proposal
checker (if applicable)
I affirm that the learner has
achieved and mentioned
their tittle of research with
me and is confirm the
learner has met and discuss
their topic with me and is
suitable according to the
provided theme.
Name & signature:
......................................................................................................
................................................................. date)
......................................................
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*Students must ensure that this form is attached with their final submission. Failure to do this
will result in your project been refused for grading.
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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: ...................................................................................
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:
Questionnaires
Interviews
Data Analysis
Use of Personal Records
Focus Groups
Action Research
Other (please specify): ....................................................................................................................................................................
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?
Analyst will accumulate and analyse distinct evidence and data.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In computer system
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used?
Yes
If yes, please provide further details: After the
research:
Where will the data be stored?
In computer system
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?

Approximate 2 months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes
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.
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.

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: ...................................................................................
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:
8. Interviews:
9. Questionnaires:
10. Observations:
11. Use of Personal Records:
12. Data Analysis:
13. Action Research:
14. Focus Groups:
15. Other (please specify): ....................................................................................................................................................................

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?
Analyst will accumulate and analyse distinct evidence and data.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
In computer system
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?
In computer system
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what
format?
Approximate 2 months
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.
Data storage and security, both during and after the research
(including transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
Reporting. Dissemination and use of your findings.