[SOLVED] Research Ethics and Data Security

This assignment requires a student to complete a research ethics and data security form. The form involves providing details about human participants, recruitment methods, informed consent, data storage and security during and after the research, and addressing potential ethical concerns. The student must confirm compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998) and demonstrate awareness of potential risks in their research. A Unit Tutor should be consulted to discuss ethical issues relating to the research.

Research Proposal

Table of Contents
TITLE .............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1
Overview of the Research .........................................................................................................1
Reason for choosing the Research .............................................................................................1
Research Aim .............................................................................................................................1
Research Objectives ...................................................................................................................1
Research Questions ....................................................................................................................2
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................2
Time Scale.......................................................................................................................................3
Research Methodology ...................................................................................................................4
Research Proposal Form..................................................................................................................5
Research Ethics approval form........................................................................................................8
.......................................................................................................................................................10

TITLE:
“The benefits and the risk of off Shoring and Outsourcing”.
Introduction
Overview of the Research
In today's modern business environment, the major motive of each small as well as large
business enterprises is to explore their business operations at global level in respect to attain
higher growth and profitability at market place. Offshoring and outsourcing are considered as the
most essential aspect which has a huge influence on global supply chain. Offshoring is refers as
the process of relocation of an organisation from one country to another. It also defined as the
practices of basing some of the organisation's processes or services overseas, in respect to take
advantages of lower costs. Like wise outsourcing is determined as an agreement in which an
organisation hires another organisation to be responsible for an existing internal activity. Marks
and Spencer is the chosen organisation for this particular report, it is a British multinational retail
company which is widely focused on executing their offshoring and outsourcing operations in
appropriate manner in respect to developing their globalised operations.
Reason for choosing the Research
The major reason for conducting the research is to exploring the knowledge base of
learner in the specified area of study. Another reason for conducting a research is to addressing
the issue of previous research by accumulating valid and reliable information in regards to the
research issue.
Research Aim
This is the primary concern on a research work, as it is the prior responsibility of the
investigator to select a research issue on which the whole activity of the research is based. This
can also be considered as a predetermined statement in which the research issue is mentioned.
The potential aim of the research is
"To analyse the benefits and risk of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global
operations of an organisation". A case study on Marks and Spencer”.
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Research Objectives
The essential research objectives of this particular exploration work are described as
below:
 To understand the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business.
 To determine the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer.
 To evaluate the risk factors that are faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of
offshoring and outsourcing business operations.
 To identify the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations
of Marks and Spencer.
Research Questions
The potential questions of the research are determined as under:
 What is the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business?
 What are the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer?
 Which kind of risks factors are faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of
offshoring and outsourcing business operations?
 What is the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations of
Marks and Spencer.
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Literature Review
This is the most essential part of an investigation work as in this a theoretical part is
prepared on for discussing the research issue in appropriate manner with the proper support of
authors and writers. The present research work is based on the benefits and risk of off Shoring
and Outsourcing on the global operations of an organisation. Offshoring and outsourcing are two
distinctive element that has a huge influence on the internal as well as external operation of an
organisation at global level. Proper execution of offshoring activities and outsourcing aspects are
beneficial for an organisation to operate their business operations at global level. the potential
motive of each large as well as small business enterprises is to enhance their global operations in
respect to attaining higher growth and profitability. Marks and Spencer is a large British
multinational retail company, which operates at global level and widely concern on satisfying the
needs and wants of people at global level through increasing its offerings. The company is also
focused on implementing its offshoring and outsourcing elements in appropriate manner so that
growth can be attained in appropriate manner.
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Time Scale
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Research Methodology
The present research project is based on the study of the benefits and risk of off Shoring
and Outsourcing on the global operations of an organisation. In this qualitative research tool is
effective in accumulating valid and reliable data for the purpose of reaching at the final outcome
and results. In this descriptive research design has been applied by the researcher as to providing
support to the qualitative investigation. Inductive research approach is effective for directing the
investigation in right manner with proper data and information. Along with this Primary and
secondary data collection tools are most suitable techniques for conducting research in right
direction with reliable data and information.
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Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: The benefits and the risk of off Shoring and
Outsourcing.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective
or hypothesis)
"To analyse the benefits and risk of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global operations of
an organisation". A case study on Marks and Spencer.
Research 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?):
The essential research objectives of this particular exploration work are described as below:
 To understand the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business.
 To determine the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer.
 To evaluate the risk that faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of offshoring
and outsourcing business operations. To identify the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations
of Marks and Spencer.
Research Questions
 What is the concept of offshoring and outsourcing in the context of business?
 What are the benefits of off Shoring and Outsourcing for Marks and Spencer?
 Which kind of risks are faces by Marks and Spencer due to emergence of offshoring
and outsourcing business operations?
 What is the impact of off Shoring and Outsourcing on the global business operations of
Marks and Spencer.
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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 benefits and risk of offshoring and Outsourcing in the business.
Another reason for conducting a research is to addressing the issue of previous research by
accumulating valid and reliable information in regards to the research issue.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or
hypothesis:
In the existing investigation report data has been collected by secondary sources like books,
journals, newspapers, online sites etc. thus in this previous research project related with similar
area of study plays effective role in completion of the research work with appropriate outcomes
and findings.
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):
There are various activities are going to involve in this project which need
to identify appropriately so that better results lead to get drawn. Various
activities which will going to include for the project are:
 Determine the topic
 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:
3 Months
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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?
Qualitative and quantitative methods are used by researcher as to accumulate the relevant
information as it gives all the required data on the research subject.
What your areas of research will cover:
The research will cover the benefits of risk of offshoring and outsourcing
on the global operations of an organisation. The specified study will cover
the influence of offshoring and outsourcing on the business activities of
organisations that are operates at global level.
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 ______________
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:
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) :
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: More than 20
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
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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.
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 No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
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?
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 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
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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.
 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 your supervisor.
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