Ethics and Data Security in Research

This assignment is a comprehensive form that helps researchers consider ethical issues related to their work. It covers topics such as informed consent, vulnerable participants, sensitive topics, risk to participants and/or researchers, confidentiality/anonymity, data storage and security, and reporting. The form ensures that researchers adhere to the institution's Research and Ethics Policy, discuss ethical issues with their unit tutor, and confirm that they have read and understood the policy.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective,
responsibilities
Title or working title of the
research project (in the form of a
question, objective or hypothesis)
Globalization is termed as procedure of
effective collaboration between
individuals, organization and
government across national boundaries.
The concept simply interconnects
international economies with the
integration of markets. It is beneficial
for business organizations who wishes
to expand their operational activities at
national level by allowing them to
access maximum customers. Apart from
major benefits of globalization, the main
influences of this concept can be seen
over corporate structure of company.
Research Aim: The impact of
globalization on the corporate
structures of large multinational
companies and the major challenges
they face. Main aim of this research is
“To determine the impact of
globalization on corporate structure of
MNCs and major challenges faced by
them” A 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?):
To determine the concept of
Globalization.
To evaluate various challenges faced by
Marks and Spencer while expanding
Their business at global level.
To analyses influence of globalization on
corporate structure of Marks and
Spencer.
Research Questions
What is the concept of Globalization?
What are the various challenges faced
by Marks and Spencer while expanding
their business at global level?
How globalization influences corporate
structure of Marks and Spencer?
1.3 Background of research
An organization having various
departments and business units which
align effectively for attaining
organizational goals are termed as
corporate structure. Here, collaborative
efforts of company could get affected
because of international expansion
(Brown, 2017). Thus, it is essential for
business manager to maintain effective
collaboration among all so that their
targets could not get affected because
of international expansion.
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 motive choosing this topic for
conducting investigation is to identify various
challenges faced by large scale companies at the
time of expanding business at international scale.
This investigation will allow researcher in
developing their own knowledge on globalization
and various kind of changes that it brings in
corporate structure. It can also be said that scope
for this investigation is quite broad because
researcher could also approach this company for
starting their professional career. Apart from this,
personal interest of investigator is to groom their
own skills that is beneficial for their career
growth. Some of the main personal skills that
could be developed by conducting this
investigation are team working skill, analytical,
communication, convincing etc.
Section Three: Literature sources
searched
Use of key literature sources to
support your research question,
objective or hypothesis:
Concept of globalization
According to point of view of
Rangarajan, (2019), the term globalization is
defined as an combination and integration of
different economies as well as societies through
across all country by full flows of information,
goods and services, ideas & innovations,
technologies, capital, finance as well as human
resource. The essence or center of globalization is
connectivity or connection with all countries.
Thus, the cross border integration can have
different several dimensions which includes
cultural, political, social and the most important
economic factor (Batta, 2016).
Various challenges faced by Marks and Spencer

while expanding their business at global level
According to thought of Akindele, Gidado
and Olaopo (2016), it is said that there are various
challenges that are faced by an organization while
it is operating at global level. Doing business at
global level is a worthy endeavor but it has some
challenges too. The first thing is that companies
have to make effective plans and strategies before
entering into foreign markets. The biggest
challenge is absence of physical presence.
Although there is presence of internet and
telephones, but the physical presence of leaders is
more important. The next challenge is cultural
diversity. If the country in which Marks and
Spencer will establish its market must have
common behaviors and cultures (Boussebaa,
2015).
Influence of globalization on corporate structure
of Marks and Spencer
As per the opinion of Rossi, Lipsey and
Henry, (2018), it has been said that corporate
structure plays very complex and crucial role.
Organizational structure of the company mainly
links with the different departments of
organization, its function and many more. It has
also been analyzed that if organization does not
create its own structure then it will develop it by
its own. It has been identified that each and every
organization have their own culture, beliefs and
values which assist in attaining various
opportunities at the marketplace. In the present
context of globalization it has been said that it is
the factor
Which highly affects the business function and its
structure while expanding organization at
international marketplace (Brown, 2017).
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 How long this

meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation,
writing the report):
will take:
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor):
____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor):
______________________
Gantt Chart: It refers to a method
which is developed by Henry Gantt in
the year 1910. it refers to a method
which commonly shows the balance
between different activities and time in
which they perform their task in an
effective manner.
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:
Research methodology refers to an
important section for every
investigation as it provide in depth
knowledge on the process of identifying,
gathering and evaluating information on
research topic.
Primary data: This is that form of data
which researcher collects for First time
for conducting his research work. There
are many sources which a researcher
can use to gather this primary source of
data, such as conducting face to face

interviews, personal observations,
surveys, focused groups and other
different methods.
Secondary data: this is another form
through which data can be collected
easily by researcher. In this no primary
collection is done instead data is
extracted from an already existing
source.
Qualitative research: In the context of
present research, qualitative
Research data plays very essential role
as it assist in collecting data which is
mainly represented in the form of
codes, symbols and name.
Quantitative research: It refers to the
type of research which provide
numerical and statistical data in order
to conduct the research in a positive
manner and produce required result in
the form of mathematical and numerical
manner.
Sampling: It refers to a method which is
used to observe the sample from whole
population. In the context of current
research, it has been analyzed that
investigator chose random sampling
technique where chosen respondents
are 50 in number from the population in
order to create positive result.
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

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Asongu, S. A. and Nwachukwu, J. C., 2017. The comparative inclusive human development of globalisation
in Africa. Social Indicators Research.134(3). pp.1027-1050.
Asongu, S.A. and De Moor, L., 2017. Financial globalisation dynamic thresholds for financial development:
evidence from Africa. The European Journal of Development Research. 29(1). pp.192-212.
Auer, R. A. and Mehrotra, A., 2014. Trade linkages and the globalisation of inflation in Asia and the Pacific.
Journal of International Money and Finance.49. pp.129-151.
Auer, R., Borio, C. E. and Filardo, A. J., 2017. The globalisation of inflation: the growing importance of
global value chains.
Batta, R.N., 2016. SMEs and sustainable tourism-the case of an Indian Himalayan destination. International
Journal of Environment and Sustainability, 5(1).
Boussebaa, M., 2015. Professional service firms, globalisation and the new imperialism. Accounting, Auditing
& Accountability Journal. 28(8). pp.1217-1233.
Brown, D., 2017. Globalisation, ethnicity and the nation-state: The case of Singapore. In Singapore (pp. 45-
56). Routledge.

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: “To determine the impact of globalization on corporate structure of
MNCs and major challenges faced by them” A Study on Marks and Spencer.
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: √

How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Interview METHODS
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
Email
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?
Via Questionnaire methods
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?
Investigator
During the research:
Investigator
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?
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
2 years
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 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 tutor and also attach to the
Research Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.