The Importance of Equality & Diversity in Reducing Gender Bias at ASDA

This report investigates the importance of equality and diversity in reducing gender discrimination within ASDA's workplace. It outlines the concept of gender discrimination as a business problem and examines how equality and diversity initiatives can mitigate gender bias. The research employs an inductive approach, utilizing questionnaires and literature reviews to gather data. The findings highlight strategies for promoting equality, such as equal pay, rewards, and access to leadership roles. The report also addresses ethical considerations and data security measures, ensuring participant consent and data protection. This research provides valuable insights into fostering a more equitable and inclusive work environment at ASDA.

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)
Importance of equality and diversity in reducing gender discrimination within a workplace of an
organisation.
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 identify the importance of equality and diversity in reducing gender discrimination within a
workplace of an organisation:"A study on ASDA
Objectives:
 To understand the basic concept of gender discrimination as a business problem
 To identify the role of equality and diversity in reduction of gender based discrimination in
ASDA
 To determine the strategies and importance for promoting equality within a workplace of
ASDA
Questions:
 what is the basic concept of gender discrimination as a business problem?
 What is the role of equality and diversity in reduction of gender based discrimination in ASDA?
 What are the strategies and importance for promoting equality within a workplace of ASDA?
Research rationale:in the present times gender discrimination is very common at some of the
workplace. There is need to focus on the ways in which overall gender discrimination may posses a

negative impact on the overall working of female employees in the organisation. For the purpose of
changing the personal perspective I have learnt about the personality and characteristics that can be
applied in personal life that will help in enhancing my overall thinking process. While working on the
professional perspective I have understood about various factors that is going to help in understand the
impact on the overall equality and diversity aspect of business.
Page 2 of 10

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 for selecting this project is to understand the
overall importance of equality and diversity practices that can help in the process of
managing the gender based discrimination in the organisation.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or
hypothesis:
The basic concept of gender discrimination as a business problem
As per the view points of hing (2021), gender inequality is a complex phenomenon that may be
observed in organisational process, structure and processes. There are issues related with gender
inequalities that is part of the human resource practices (Beaman, 2017). Gender discrimination may
arise in organisation that is related with when employees are related differently with respect to their
caste, creed, colour or background related instances. HR system is related with organisational practises
that aims to manage employees so that they are able to accomplish organisational goals (Gender
inequalities in the workplace: the effects of organizational structures, processes, practices, and
decision makers’ , 2020).
Role of equality and diversity in reduction of gender based discrimination in ASDA
As per the view points of Liboiron (2020), Equality and diversity practises are very important to
demonstrate the overall workplace commitment for the purpose of improving the gender equality
outcomes with respect to employee value, safety, representation and recognition. Equality nd diversity
is a very important concept that can help in the process of ensuring that men and women are treated
equally (Naghavi, Sharif and Hussain, 2021). They are offered equal pay for work, equal rewards and
recognition that is based on performance and contribution, non discriminating approaches as per family
responsibility and care, genuine access to various levels of leadership, level of position to deal with
gender based barriers. In ASDA If there is unequal distribution of responsibility among men & women
then it may lead to inequality in the employment process. The main focus of gender equality is towards
enhancing the affordability, equality and access to long term growth of organisation (Milner, Demilly
and Pochic, 2019).
Reference
Page 3 of 10

Naghavi, N., Sharif, S.P. and Hussain, H.B.I., 2021. The role of national culture in the impact of board
gender diversity on firm performance: evidence from a multi-country study. Equality, Diversity and
Inclusion: An International Journal.
Beaman, L.G., 2017. Deep equality in an era of religious diversity. Oxford University Press.
Parker III, E.T. and Trolian, T.L., 2020. Student perceptions of the climate for diversity: The role of
student–faculty interactions. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 13(4), p.333.
Milner, S., Demilly, H. and Pochic, S., 2019. Bargained equality: the strengths and weaknesses of
workplace gender equality agreements and plans in France. British Journal of Industrial
Relations, 57(2), pp.275-301.
Gender equality and diversity policies, 2020 [online], Available
through<https://www.endvawnow.org/fr/articles/2018-gender-equality-and-diversity-policies.html>
Gender inequalities in the workplace: the effects of organizational structures,
processes, practices, and decision makers’ , 2020 [online], Available through<
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01400/full>
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:
Page 4 of 10

Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Gantt Chart
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 approach: It is a approach where there are two methodologies that includes deductive and
inductive analysis. Presently there will be use of inductive analysis.
Justification: This approach is selected as per the needs of research work. This approach ill help
investigator in the process of evaluating the primary and quantitative information that will help in
discovering the different aspects of research work.
Research strategy: There are different strategies that includes surveys. Literature review, interview that
are to be considered. In the present report there will be use of questionnaire for collecting primary form
of information.
Justification: As per the above mentioned various strategies it can be said it is very important to use
specific research strategy that will helps in accessibility to readers, inexpensive, collecting of primary
Page 5 of 10

information, cost effective. There are benefits of selecting survey that can assist in choosing of
respondents that is representative of whole population.
Choice of methods: There are different methods that includes qualitative and quantitative
methodology. In present report there will be use of mixed methodology in the research work.
Data collection: It is a method in which there is determination of techniques for collecting information.
In present report there will be use of questionnaire as primary method and literature review as
secondary method for collecting information.
Primary research: In the present research work there will be use of questionnaire to collect the
response provided by various set of respondents.
Secondary method: It is a method in which there is collection of information from identified sources
that includes online available articles, books, journal sources.
Justification: In this method of data collection investigator will be using both primary and secondary
data collection method. Primary collection method is used as appropriate and relevant method for
collection the first hand information. In secondary method there is involvement of questionnaire for the
purpose of having answers to each question. Secondary data collection is used for addressing the gaps
in existing information by collecting information from journals, books, newspapers.
Sampling: In this method there is non probability method of sampling here respondent are select
without any specific criteria of selecting respondents.
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.
Page 6 of 10

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
Page 7 of 10

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 identify the importance of equality and diversity in reducing gender discrimination within a
workplace of an organisation:"A study on ASDA
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)?
Page 8 of 10

Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
For the purpose of informing the participants there will be use of ethical approval and consent form.
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:
all the research participants and team members will posses access to personal
information.
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be stored in soft copy.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Page 9 of 10

Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in soft copy in laptops and USB storage.
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Data will be stored for a time period of 3 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 supervisor and also attach to the
Research Proposal when submitting to Turnitin.
Page 10 of 10