Research Proposal: Gender Equality Impact on Sainsbury Leadership

This document presents a research proposal and an ethical approval form for a study investigating the impact of gender equality in leadership and management, specifically focusing on Sainsbury. The proposal outlines the research's aim to determine the impact of gender equality, its objectives (understanding the concept, examining positive and negative impacts, and identifying gender barriers), and research questions. It justifies the research's importance from personal and professional perspectives, emphasizing the need for understanding gender equality issues in management. The proposal details literature sources, including insights from various authors on gender equality, its impact on businesses, and related barriers. It includes a timeline of activities, a Gantt chart, and a detailed explanation of the research methodology, including the research philosophy (positivism), approach (deductive), strategy (survey via questionnaire), and data collection methods. Furthermore, the ethical form addresses participant recruitment, consent, data storage, and potential ethical concerns like informed consent and confidentiality. The research aims to gather data through a questionnaire administered to 40 respondents selected via random sampling, with the data stored on the researcher's laptop for three months.

Research Proposal and
Ethical Form

RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM
Proposed Title: To determine impact of Gender equality in leadership and management.
A study on Sainsbury.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
To determine impact of Gender equality in leadership and management. A study on
Sainsbury.
Aim: The main aim of this research is “To determine impact of Gender equality in
leadership and management.” A study on Sainsbury in Drury Lane, London.
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 concept of Gender equality in leadership and management.
 To examine positive and negative impact of the Gender equality in leadership and
management in Sainsbury.
 To determine gender barriers to Leadership and management in Sainsbury.
Research Questions
 What is Gender equality in leadership and management?
 What is the impact of Gender equality in the leadership and management in
Sainsbury?
 What gender Barriers arise related to Leadership and management in Sainsbury?
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):

My reason is to conducting present investigation is that it provides me the information
regarding gender equality in the management and leadership. I conduct an investigation from
personal and professional point of view. For enhance understanding, I present investigation.
On the other hand, in professional context, present research gives me better understanding
regarding concepts. Through conducting this investigation, I get to know about the issues
related to gender equality in management and the leadership in an organisation. Present
investigation gives idea and direction about investigate in a systematic manner. It aids in
increase my skills and core competencies to conduct any investigation in future.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Gender equality in leadership and management
According to opinion of Rozita Dadras (2019) Gender equality is linked to the sustainable
development and necessary to realization of the human rights. Its objective is to equality
under which men and women enjoy similar opportunities, obligations and rights in all sphere
of the life. Gender equality in management and leadership is better for the business. In
business world, women leaders are minority still, but they attained parity with men in number
if employees in positions and workforce in the middle management. Overwhelming majority
of companies stated that advancing women into the leadership roles in not formal business
priority.
Positive and negative Impact of Gender equality in leadership and management in
Sainsbury
On the basis of Rhett Power (2018) Gender equality is more imperative to achieve well-being
of employees and it is necessary for the company to promoting the gender equality in
leadership and management at workplace. At workplace, gender balance aids innovation and
power creativity that deepens talent pool and permit to provide better services to consumers.
Sainsbury is one of the largest chains of the supermarkets in United Kingdom. It provides the
inclusive and diverse place to work to staff. Its strategy is to be inclusive retailer where
people can feel better to work and shop. In this organisation, there are 55% female
employees and firm up-skilling and engaging their leadership and management teams by
series of sessions. The negative impact of the gender equality in management and leadership
is that mangers mainly gives chance to male employees than female and it reduce the morale
of female employees so that they can work less. According to them, male employees are
more liable or responsible.

Gender Barriers to Leadership and management in Sainsbury
As per opinion of Dr. Shawn Andrews (2020), In leadership and management, there are some
barriers arisen. Barriers hinder the career advancement of women consisting gender culture
and emotional intelligence. In context to this, reason behind gap among women and men are
multifactorial and existed for the generations. Some of the barriers related to gender
leadership and management in Sainsbury are structural barriers, institutional mindset,
lifestyles choices and many others.
Online
Power, R., 2018. More Women in Leadership Roles -- Why and How It Should Happen.
[Online]. Available through: <https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/more-women-in-leadership-
roles-why-how-it-should-happen.html>.
Dadras, R., 2019. Why everyone should prioritize gender equality in leadership. [Online].
Available through” <https://www.ibm.com/blogs/nordic-msp/gender-equality-leadership/>.
Andrews, S., 2020. Gender Barriers and Solutions to Leadership. [Online]. Available
through: <https://trainingindustry.com/magazine/issue/gender-barriers-and-solutions-to-
leadership/c>.
What is Gender Equality?. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.genderequality.ie/en/GE/Pages/WhatisGE>.
Gender Equality. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.includegender.org/facts/gender-equality/>.
Bridges, J., 2020.Leadership vs. Management, What’s the Difference?. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.projectmanager.com/training/leadership-vs-management>.
Women in leadership bring better business performance. 2019. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_701767/lang--en/
index.htm>.
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project
:
Aims and Objectives
End
dates
18/02/20
20

Literature Review
Research Methodology
Submission of Research Proposal
Data Collection analysis
Results of findings
Evaluation and Recommendation
Submission of final report
12/03/20
20
2/4/2020
3/4/2020
24/4/202
0
5/5/2020
15/5/202
0
18/5/202
0
Milestone one: _____Formulate title, objectives and questions____________
Target date (set by tutor): ______07/01/19______________
Milestone two: ___Review literature____________________
Target date (set by tutor): __________10/02/20____________
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:
Methodology is explained as methods which used in a particular study area. It consists the
specific techniques implemented for collecting and analysing data in research. Under this,
research onion is used and its stages are given below:
Research Philosophy- The philosophy of research is primarily important to knowing how
the information can be gathered, analysed and applied appropriately. It is a specific way of
creating knowledge which explains philosophy paradigm. Interpretivism and positivism are
two different research philosophy types. Positivism philosophy will be used because it is
effective for the clear interpretation in collecting relevant information concerning specific
area.
Research Approaches- This is described as process which considered steps from the broader
assumptions to the method of detailed data collection, analysis and interpretation as well.
Inductive and deductive are two different research approaches. Deductive research approach
will be used because it gives the detailed explanation and give analyse data effectively.
Research Strategy- This indicates how the researchers plan to perform the work. Strategy
may consist of number of different methods such as action analysis, systematic review of
literature, interviews, surveys etc. Under this, researcher used the approach of performing the
survey by questionnaire. This method is effective because through this researcher can easily
collect data in minimum time period.
Research Choice- In this, quantitative and qualitative analysis are two different methods.
Results are measured in terms of consistency in qualitative research process. In comparison,
quantitative analysis follows deductive approach and is efficiently measured in terms of facts
in this data and information. Under this, qualitative research method will be used because this
gives the proper explanation regarding specific area. This gives the proper explanation
regarding the subject area with positive outcomes.

Time horizon- In this, cross-sectional time horizon will be used with an inquiry that takes
place over time. This research focuses mainly on the current situation. The cross-sectional
timing will be used with research that was carried out over a given time.
Data collection tools- In research, knowledge collection is a foundation, as the entire
analysis relates to data aggregated through an investigator to perform exploration. Collection
of data is a method of gathering and analysing relevant information through the appropriate
techniques for an investigation. Primary and secondary are two data collection methods. In
primary method, questionnaire will be developed. Through this, relevant and accurate
information can collected.
Sampling- It is related to gather the sample from whole population. There will be 40
respondents chosen by using random sampling method.
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

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 impact of Gender equality in leadership and management.
A study on Sainsbury.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date: 7 may 2020
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: 18 and above
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
They will be recruit through using the simple random sampling method.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
The participants will be informed through emails and interview.
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?
The consent will be obtaining from participants by email.
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?
Researcher will access data and personal information.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
Data will be stored in personal computer.
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? Researcher’s laptop
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format? 3 months
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.

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