Research Proposal on Workplace Discrimination - A Case Study on Marks & Spencer

This research proposal focuses on workplace discrimination and its impact on employees in Marks & Spencer. It aims to understand the concept of equality & diversity, examine the problems faced by staff members, and determine strategies adopted by managers to provide a discrimination-free environment.

Research Proposal

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
__21/02/2020________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: “Workplace Discrimination” - A case study on
Marks & Spencer ___________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a
question, objective or hypothesis
Aim:
“ To determine different challenges that faced by employees due to
discrimination and approaches to promote equality and diversity in
business environment ”. A case study on Marks & Spencer
This research is conducting about the store of M&S which is located at Marble Arch on
Osford street London. It is the largest shop which as around 16,000 square meters of shop
floor. In this store the firm offer its different product like fantastic foods and drinks with good
quality and sensible prices.
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?):
Research objectives
 To understand the concept of equality & diversity at workplace.
 To examine the problems faced by staff members due to discrimination within Marks
& Spencer.
 To determine various strategies adopted by managers of Marks & Spencer in order to
provide discrimination free environment.
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Research questions
 What are the aspects and conceptions of equality & diversity?
 What are the issues that suffered by workforce in Marks & Spencer cause of
workplace discrimination?
 What are different plan of action that accepted by administrators of Marks & Spencer
towards make discrimination free working environment?
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 main reason to select this topic is that cause of introduction of internationalisation in to
business, it mainly modify the process and policies of of the company. Due to this market
situation, it develop each form of company to invite different employees within workplace
culture. Therefore, with the employment of diverse employees, it arises the problems of
discrimination between individuals that minimise company's potentiality in managing
effective workplace. By organising such study, it help surveyor to monitor the impact of
discrimination over employees as well as organisation. Along with this, it also empower
researcher to find out different ways or approaches that assist the company to minimise the
issues from working environment. Apart form it, by taking correct initiatives and collect deep
understanding about different research concept and methodologies, the investigator can
accomplish the research objective in appropriate manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question,
objective or hypothesis:
The influence of equality & diversity at workplace
Equality and diversity at workplace refers to providing equal or fair opportunity to employees.
This is considered as very essential part of organisation as promotion of diversity will lead to
increase in performance. Marks and Spencer is multinational organisation and it is
conducting its business activities in different part of the world. So it is important for this
company to promote equality and diversity at workplace as this will help in boosting the
moral of employees. As per the views of Marshall (2020), Equality and diversity will lead to
decrease in discrimination between employees of different cultures, background, colour,
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religion and so on. If the company facing workplace discrimination then the employees of the
company will not perform their actions and activities in effective manner which create
negative impact upon employee satisfaction. Due to discrimination, the element of partiality
will be generate at workplace which negatively impact employees motivation and satisfaction.
Because right candidates will not be rewarded and this will demotivate them which
unfavourable influence their performance. In the situation of discrimination, the culture of
organisation will impacted in negative term because due to discrimination conflicts will be
arise which will impact on organisational culture. According to Meier K. S. (2019), if
organisational leaders demonstrate a commitment to equality and diversity, the workplace will
follow suit. Equality and diversity positively influence in term of adding new skills to teams,
diversity promotes innovation and open new ways to business up to new markets. With the
help of it, the firm can improves its brand image and effectively mange new talent.
Barriers and issues suffered by workforce due to discrimination in Mark & Spencer
According to Massie M. K. (2019), Discrimination are two broad categories of overt
discrimination-threat and intimidation. There are various issues and problems that is faced by
employees of respective company due to increase in discrimination. It is essential for Marks
and Spencer company to identify as well as analyse all these issues in order to reduce its
impact. Due to discrimination within Marks and Spencer company, staff members will not be
able to contribute their maximum efforts. This will lead to impact over their performance as
well as growth rate. According to Etheridge N. A. (2015), Discrimination will lead to provide
less opportunities to employees which will affect moral of an individual. Employees will not
able to achieve their desired goals and objectives in order to discrimination at workplace.
Discrimination in organisation will lead to increase conflicts and affect employees. Increase in
organisational conflicts will lead to impact over employees performance. Due to
discrimination at workplace staff members will not feel satisfied with their job. When the
management will make partiality among employees due to discrimination then employees will
be affect negatively. It demotivate them and affect the loyalty regarding their job and it
generate less job satisfaction.
Different plan of action that accepted by administrators of Marks & Spencer towards make
discrimination free working environment
According to Weekes J. (2017), discrimination means treating a person or group less
favourably that other person or team cause of their situations and personal characteristics. It is
essential for the manager of Marks and Spencer company to reduces discrimination from
workplace as well as provide discrimination free environment to employees. For this manager
of respective company needs to develop appropriate strategies. Manage of Marks and Spencer
company needs to provide effective training to its employees. This will lead to promoting
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equality and diversity at organisation as well as reducing discrimination issues. Training and
development strategies will help in improving the performance of respective company as well
as achievement of desired objective. As per the view of Leonard K. (2019), by adopting
different approaches and devising divers plan of action like set the complaint protocol, hold a
team training session, write the rules down and framing policies regarding discrimination. To
make a discrimination free workplace, the management of respective company can educate all
workforce about discrimination, provide employment discrimination trainings, take open
communication with employees so that issues can be resolve on time. By provide equal
opportunities for growth, equally pay to those workers who are working ion same position.
Online
The Effects of Discrimination in the Workplace, 2017.[Online]. Available Through;
<https://www.army.mil/article/142799/effects_of_discrimination_in_the_workplace>
8 ways to prevent discrimination in your workplace, 2017.[Online]. Available Through;
<https://www.healthandsafetyhandbook.com.au/8-ways-to-prevent-discrimination-in-your-
workplace/>
UNDERSTANDING EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE. 2020. [Online].
Available through:<https://marshallelearning.com/blog/understanding-equality-and-diversity-
in-the-workplace/>.
How do I Prevent Discrimination in the Workplace?. [Online].Available Through:
<https://smallbusiness.chron.com/prevent-discrimination-workplace-2853.html>.
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):
How long this will
take:
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Identification of the issues
Development of aim and objectives
Background of research
Literature review
Methodologies
Data collection
Survey
Data analysis
Conclusion
Recommendations
Reflection
Submission
6 days
8 days
15 days
18 days
22 days
28 days
36 day
22 days
6 days
8 days
5 days
3 days
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Milestone one: ___literature review______________
Target date (set by tutor): ___13 days_________________
Milestone two: ___Data collection____________________
Target date (set by tutor): __26 days____________________
Gantt Chart
this is the picture, which shows pathway to conduct research activities.
With the help of it, there are some benchmarks which has to be achieved
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and at the same time this provides path way to conduct research
activities.
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Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely
to use and why? What your areas of research will cover:
There are different methods that will help investigator to collecting and gathering information.
It is essential that researcher is using correct and appropriate methods for data collection as
this will lead to have impact over research report. The major two methods or approaches of
collecting data is primary and secondary. Both of these methods are mention below in detail.
Research philosophy- in context of this research project, investigator make utilisation of
Interpresitivistic philosophy as it consists all the aspects of investigation that influence upon
the final result of research and therefore, it help surveyor to frame relevant and effective
research report.
Research approach-To conduct this report, researcher use inductive approach because it assist
investigator to gain brief information about the effect of workplace discrimination and also
can explore their knowledge that help them to offer accurate suggestion to company in terms
of eliminating the problems of discrimination from business culture.
Research design- In context of this report, descriptive research design gas been used as help
researcher to gather related data about workplace discrimination that direct them to design
correct report within set time frame.
Research method- It refer to those methodologies which are used by the surveyor to collect
information. There two methods like qualitative and quantitative method of research. In this
research project, the investigator use qualitative method of research because it empower them
to provide deep information of workplace discrimination and also encourage them to gather
relevant information to develop accurate report among competitors in an improved way.
Data Collection- There are two types of data collection source primary and secondary.
primary method is considered as correct and accurate way of collecting information. In this
researcher will be able to gather first hand data or information which is never used before.
There are different sources though which investigator can collect and gather primary data such
as observation, experiment, survey, interview and so on. This method of data collection
required more time and it is cost consuming which can be consider as its major drawback. It is
essential that the research have correct and appropriate information about the research topic.
Primary method will help in collecting more accurate and appropriate data about the topic.
Secondary methods of data collection is helpful in gather and analysing data in less time
frame. This method will lead to collect more useful and appropriate information about the
topic. There are different sources through which investigator can gather secondary data and
this includes books and journals, newspaper, business documents, government paper and so
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on. There are some drawback of collecting information though secondary sources as this will
not be able to provide authenticated data. In this research project, the investigator use primary
band secondary source of data collection to collect first hand, deep and pure information. In it,
researcher use questionnaire and online source to collect data.
Sampling technique- Simple random sampling method is used for gathering information
because it aid investigator to collect effective data from selected group of people. The selected
representatives are 30 employees from Marks & Spencer.
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:
“Workplace Discrimination” - A case study on Marks & Spencer
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name
Intended research start date: 19/02/2020
Intended research end date: 22/10/2020
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your
project:
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 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
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Managers are communicated through formal mails about
conducing research.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what
you are doing:
Mail and doc form are used to inform participants about filling
questionnaire.
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?
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In written and electronic form
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
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with the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher and authorised manpower can be able to access personal data.
During the research:
investigator
Where will the data be stored?
All the related data will be stored in computerised form.
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? Computer
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 because of your research. Please consider/address all
issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited
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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 and also
attach to the Research Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.
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