Research Methods Portfolio: Analyzing Water Quality and Food Waste

This portfolio assignment delves into the research methods employed to analyze critical issues such as water quality in the UK and food waste management. The student initially explores three areas of interest: artificial food colorings, water quality, and food waste, narrowing the focus to the impact of artificial food colorings on health, the increasing water pollution in the UK, and the rapid increase in food waste. The portfolio then concentrates on water quality in the UK, aiming to identify the standards and measures taken by the UK government. Research strategies such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Six Sigma are applied, using descriptive and analytical approaches. The methodology involves a scientific, deductive approach with quantitative data collection, including structured experiments, interviews, and surveys. The portfolio identifies relevant sources and reflects on the selection of water quality due to health and safety issues, highlighting the UK's high water quality standards and adherence to EU directives, while also acknowledging pollution issues. Desklib provides similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

Portfolio 1
WEEK 1
Let’s start to think about what we want to do. First of all think of three areas that interest you, this could be
HR, sustainability, marketing, social media etc. List them part 1
It is important when you are interested in something that you know “WHY” this area is of interest – do you
want to get a career out of this, have you seen this applied at work and you want to know more, or you have
read about it and want to think how this could work in practice. List them part 2
Once you have worked this out narrow down the focus. So you like social media how does this work in large-
scale events in the UK? How does marketing affect tourists’ expectations? Do appraisals differ in airline
companies/hotels? How do social media affect the food we eat? Narrow this in part 3
Now think smaller and easier to find out research areas. How do HR roles differ in small, medium and large
airline companies? How can Iceland prevent tourism? Are superfoods really super due to media hype? Answer
part 4
Narrow more - How do appraisals differ in small and large airline companies in Heathrow? Is the Galapagos
Island tourist policy the way forward? Which generation is most affected by food bloggers in the UK? Does
marketing a music event impact on consumers’ expectation? Answer part 5
You need to have a concept theory or model research these (this is research!!) Answer part 6
Headings Area 1 Area 2 Area 3
1.
Subject & general area
Artificial Food
Colourings
Water Quality In The
UK
Food Waste
2.
Why is this of interest to
you?
The artificial food
colouring has a
significant impact on
health and social
care of people and
that’s why the main
interest of point is
for me.
This is an emerging
issue in the United
Kingdom and is
emphasised more in
respect to the
development of the
economy.
The food waste has
been increasing very
rapidly and many of
the countries are being
affected by the waste
and disposal of food.
3.
More specifically narrow
this down
Due to the
increasing usage of
most common food
dyes within the food
substance, it is the
major issue for the
health of individuals.
The increasing water
pollution within the
country and economy.
The study of drinking
water quality is very
essential.
It is the loss of food
which is uneaten and is
a major issue for
various economies as
well. For example – In
functions, events or
parties the food has
been a loss in great
number.
4.
With particular attention
to what area/what
The manufacturing
company and
agriculture farmers
are the main areas
which are needed to
be focused on
determining the use
of artificial food
colouring.
The United Kingdom is
the area in which all of
the cities and states are
being targeted for
analysing the water
quality and the
standards provided by
WHO (World Health
Organisation).
The food retailing
companies and
suppliers are the area
and also the
households are
considered for the
attention.
5.
One sentence statement
To determine the
usage of artificial
To identify the drinking
quality standards used
The increasing number
of food waste by the

What do you want to
find out?
food colourings by
the farmers and
companies during
the production of
food.
by the United Kingdom
against health and
social care of
individuals.
households as well as
organisations.
6.
Identify a relevant
Concept, theory or
Model for each area you
are considering
For determining such
issue descriptive
theory has been
used along with the
qualitative research
method. Total
Quality Management
model has been
considered for
analysing over
artificial food
colouring.
Six Sigma model is
emphasised against
such research topic as
it contains statistical
tools and techniques
used by the
organisation or
government for
producing the quality
of drinking water.
The Lean Six Sigma
model has been used
for analysing over such
issue which is useful in
eliminating of waste.
Portfolio 1
WEEK 2
Now select TWO that most that appeal to you
Headings Area 1 Water Quality In The UK Area 2 Food Waste
Aim The motto is to identify the various
steps and measures taken by the UK
government in regards to the water
quality.
The aim is to identify the increasing number of
food waste in the economy due to the household
and organisations.
Objective To analyse the drinking water
quality in the United Kingdom and
various standards made against it.
The main objective is to determine the behaviour
of various association and organisation engaged
in the food industry and management of food
waste.
RQ Does the quality water supply has
been provided by the United
Kingdom?
What is the ratio of food waste in the economy
and measures adopted for reducing of food
waste?
Hypothesis
“To state whether a safe and health
practices is been followed by the UK
government in respect of Drinking
water quality or not”
“To state whether there is an increasing ratio of
food waste in the UK or not”

Portfolio 1
WEEK 3
Now choose 1 and answer the sections on your strategy
Headings Area 1 Water Quality In The UK
1.
What is your overall
purpose?
The overall purpose of this research area is to identify the various
standards and norms being formulated by the UK government in respect
of the quality water supply within its economy. The drinking quality
water is a major issue for UK and the government has been working a lot
on it for achieving a higher quality standard. The identification of such
thing is the major purpose of this research area.
2.
What is your OVERALL
research strategy?
The TQM (Total Quality Management) and Six Sigma techniques have
been used as a research strategy for analysing the water quality in the
United Kingdom. The research strategy involves descriptive as well as an
analytical approach that is aimed at identifying of water quality in the
United Kingdom.
3.
What is the method?
The method is referred to as the way in which the research has been
conducted. For carrying out the research related to the specific topic the
scientific method has been used that helps in resulting of the
quantitative data.
4.
Inductive or Deductive?
For the research, the Deductive approach has been catered as this
approach starts with the proposition of hypothesis and end with the
outcome resulting in confirmation or rejection of research study. This is
most suitable method when talking about the scientific data and
quantitative method.
5.
Quantitative or
qualitative?
The quantitative research method has been used for identifying the
Water Quality In The UK. The reason behind the selection of this method
is that it provides with the raw facts, figures, and stats which leads to the
relevancy and reliability of the data collected. The Data analysis has
been done a large scale in which the quantitative methods suit the best
which involves a primary source of data collection.
6.
What is your strategy?
The strategy is to frame and conduct a structured experiment as well as
various interviews with individuals along with survey questionnaire in
order to generate the authenticate results. The overall strategy is to
make apply the research in real practice with the help of sample survey
with interviews and questionnaire that represents the population.

Portfolio 1
WEEK 4
Headings Area 1 Water Quality In The UK Area 2 Food Waste
Identify 5
sources for each
area
 Blokker, E.J., Furnass, W.R., Machell, J.,
Mounce, S.R., Schaap, P.G. and Boxall, J.B.,
2016. Relating water quality and age in
drinking water distribution systems using
self-organising maps. Environments, 3(2),
p.10.
 Gov.UK, 2018. Water quality. [Online]
Gov.UK. Available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/w
ater-quality [Accessed: 09 March 2018]
 Hunter, P.R., MacDonald, A.M. and Carter,
R.C., 2010. Water supply and health. PLoS
medicine, 7(11), p.e1000361.
 Rolston, A., Jennings, E. and Linnane, S.,
2017. Water matters: An assessment of
opinion on water management and
community engagement in the Republic of
Ireland and the United Kingdom. PloS
one, 12(4), p.e0174957.
 Water UK, 2018. Drinking water quality.
[Online] Water. Available at:
https://www.water.org.uk/policy/drinking-
water-quality/water-quality-standards
[Accessed: 09 March 2018]
 Aschemann-Witzel, J., de
Hooge, I., Amani, P., Bech-
Larsen, T. and Oostindjer,
M., 2015. Consumer-related
food waste: causes and
potential for
action. Sustainability, 7(6),
pp.6457-6477.
 Ellison, B., 2016. Food
Waste: An Introduction to
the Issue and Questions that
Remain. Policy Matters.
 Jörissen, J., Priefer, C. and
Bräutigam, K.R., 2015. Food
waste generation at
household level: results of a
survey among employees of
two European research
centers in Italy and
Germany. Sustainability, 7(3
), pp.2695-2715.
 Marangon, F., Tempesta, T.,
Troiano, S. and Vecchiato,
D., 2014. Food waste,
consumer attitudes and
behaviour. A study in the
North-Eastern part of
Italy. Rivista di Economia
Agraria/Italian Review of
Agricultural
Economics, 69(2-3), pp.201-
209.
 Williams, H., Wikström, F.,
Otterbring, T., Löfgren, M.
and Gustafsson, A., 2012.
Reasons for household food
waste with special attention
to packaging. Journal of
Cleaner Production, 24,
pp.141-148.
Write the reference list for each

Portfolio 1
WEEK 5
Refection on which area you chose and why 500 words
The area which has been selected for the assessment is water quality in the UK and the reason behind the
selection is that there are a lot of health and safety issues being incurred due to the drinking water distribution
system. From the study, it has been observed that the United Kingdom is providing high-quality water and
attaining the standards set against it. On the basis studies and analysis, it has been evident that United
Kingdom has achieved the highest quality standard across worldwide. The study reveals that the UK water
supply has been placed at the highest position in case of assuring the good quality of water which is being
provided to the household and organisation. For gaining of such priority and position, there are various strict
norms and standards is being followed by the government of UK. The UK public supply has also led down to
various national regulations and laws which are derived from the EU drinking water derivate. With the help of
such rigid norms and regulations, the quality standard has been followed by the water suppliers.
In addition to this, within the economy of UK water quality has been monitored and progressed by an
independent body. This body is made established for the drinking water inspectorates within the Wales and
England. Moreover, such body also regulated within the economy of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland also.
The stats have also been presented by the Water UK (2018), which presents the latest figures in regards to
drinking water quality compliance according to the strict norms and standards of UK and Europe respectively.
England and Wales have resulted at 99.96% in the month of July 2017, Scotland at 99.91% in the month of
August 2017 and Northern Ireland at 99.86% in August 2017 (Water UK, 2018). Furthermore, it has also been
observed that the water supply in the United Kingdom both from the public as well as other sources have to
pass the standard fixed by EU (European Union) Drinking Water Directive (98/83/EC).
Moreover, the law of EU states the water supplied must be wholesome as well as clear so that the need for
requiring superior health and well-being of the individuals can be protected and safeguarded. However, in
some areas of UK, there is a problem and issue regarding the water pollution has been observed. The industries
and companies are releasing the harmful chemicals or toxins into the water which is polluting the water to a
greater extent instead of abiding various norms and regulations. The facts and figures show that around 40% of
the water within the Wales and England has been polluted due to sewage and is increasing day by day. The
issue of river health is among the major environmental crises in the United Kingdom. The rivers are being got
polluted in other areas also such as Great Britain which is not a healthy situation for the economy. However,
the government is making strict norms to deal with such type of issue.