Research Methods Pilot Research Project

This document outlines a research project assignment for a Research Methods course. Students are required to conduct a pilot research study on a topic of their choice, develop research questions, perform a literature review, explain their research methodology, obtain ethical approval, collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data, and conclude with lessons learned and recommendations. The assignment includes detailed marking criteria and requirements for each task, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and proper referencing.

SUBJECT NAME : RESEARCH METHODS
WORD LIMIT : 2000 words
(Excluding diagrams, data, appendices and
references)
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Please read the following information VERY CAREFULLY. If you are in doubt about
anything, please consult your lecturer before you submit your work.
1. The nature of the assignment.
This is an individual assignment. You are to conduct a pilot research on a subject of
interest to you. The mark scored for this assessment comprises 80% of the total
assessment for this module. You should word process your work.
2. Learning outcomes and criteria for assessment.
This assignment will assess these learning outcomes:
1. Knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in business and management and an
ability to critically evaluate these.
2. Responsibility for learning and demonstrate independent learning skills.
To achieve a ‘Distinction’ grade
The research will meet the criteria specified above for ‘Pass’. It will also be written to an
excellent standard and be fully integrated with the following criteria being met:
 Utilisation of terminology appropriate to the issues under discussion and in a
manner that indicates thorough understanding of the research.
 Clear research objective/questions written in a logical and precise manner.
 Evidence of a high standard of critical analysis shown during literature review
with a good blend of multiple resources.
 Methodology contains clear justification for choice and well integrated with aims
and objectives, issues of reliability and validity are critically discussed in regards
to the proposed philosophy methodology applied.
 Analysis be based on proper methods and reflection will address the comparative
strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches, conclusions drawn are
supported by clear evidence and answered the research questions established
earlier.
 The correct use of referencing.
3. Ethics Disclaimer
In general any research which: involves human or animal participants, their ‘products’
(e.g. body samples, written records, etc); has a direct impact on individuals (e.g. research
that will evaluate imposed changes to people’s working environment), or uses

contemporary material that may implicate living subjects or organisations; will need
ethical approval. Such research activity cannot be ‘disclaimed’. For these projects the
University requires all students, staff and supervisors to apply for Ethical Approval using
the fast track approval form or, if appropriate, the full ethical approval application form.
Only where there are no ethical implications should the disclaimer be signed. The signing
of the disclaimer implies that ethical principles have been reviewed in relation to the
‘proposed’ work and no issues have been found to apply to the research ‘proposal’. In
these cases research may then proceed. Please note that no research should be embarked
upon until approval has been granted or a disclaimer has been submitted.
For students, where ethics approval is deemed necessary (i.e. the Disclaimer Form has not
been signed) the Fast Track Ethical Approval Form must be signed by the student, their
supervisor, and one other member of academic staff. Copies of completed and approved
forms may be retained by the student/supervisor as deemed appropriate for the
module/project/award.
For further information please visit the Business School’s Research Ethics website:
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/research/academic_ethics/
4. References
You must clearly acknowledge sources of information within the report, and provide a
full reference/bibliography at the end of the report using Harvard referencing.
5. Plagiarism.
Plagiarism will be severely penalised. The University publishes a fully detailed
description of what the term plagiarism means on the University website. Unless your
claim of extenuating circumstances is upheld, late submission will not be marked and
zero mark will be awarded.
*************

REQUIREMENTS
You are to devise a research project, conduct pilot research, and to analyze your results on an
appropriate topic relevant to your course.
USING YOUR CHOICE OF TOPIC COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING SEVEN
TASKS:
1. Give your research project a title and develop at least two research questions or
research objectives.
2. Undertake a literature review. Critically assess theory and supporting evidence
relevant to your research question/objective.
3. Explain your research philosophy, approach and strategy. In particular,
comment on what makes your research positivist, phenomenological or a hybrid
of both.
4. Complete the Faculty ethical approval process for your proposed research using
the fast track ethical approval form. The proposed research topic must be
approved by your module lecturer before undertaking any primary research.
Attach the approved form (and mandatory additional documents) to the
assignment as an appendix. Briefly reflect on the ethical implications of your
research.
5. Data collection:
Design and implement a questionnaire to research the question/objective that
you specified in Task 1. Your questionnaire should contain one (and no more
than two) open-ended questions capable of generating qualitative data and the
rest close-ended questions capable of generating quantitative data. Attach a
blank copy of your questionnaire as an Appendix.
6. Analyse your results in relation to your research objective(s)/question(s) and
attach relevant data, tables, and graphs, as appendices.
a.Analyse the quantitative data from your pilot research. Give a brief and
concise analysis and interpretation of the results for each section.
b. Analyse the qualitative data from your pilot research. Briefly but
concisely analyse and interpret the key themes and issues arising from
your responses.
7. To conclude your research in terms of the lessons learnt from the pilot
research/study, appropriateness of the research instrument in relation to the
research strategy outlined in Task 3, the reliability and validity of your results,
limitation and recommendation for future research.

Appendix
Marking Criteria
No. Criteria Marks
2nd
Marks
Agreed
Marks
1) Comprehensive introduction with aim/objective/question related to
the research area
 Clear and concise introduction to the subject. Concise,
focused and relevant research questions/ objectives. How
and Why. (7-10)
 Introduction present but lacks of clarity. Appropriate
research questions/objectives. (4-6)
 Scant introduction and confusing research questions/
objectives. (0-3)
__ / 10 __ / 10 __ / 10
2) Literature Review – appropriate in respect of the above and
contemporary
 Utilises content from appropriate amount of refereed
sources, shows wide reading and research, include relevant
theory, model and/or framework, show excellent summaries
and synthesis of literature. (17-20)
 Utilises content from acceptable amount of refereed
sources, includes relevant theories, models and/or
framework which also demonstrates good evidence of wider
reading and understanding, show good summaries and
synthesis of literature. (13-16)
 Utilises content from some refereed sources, evidence that
theory, model and/or framework have been appropriately
applied but have not been adequately applied to
characterise observation, moderate level of summaries and
synthesis of literature. (9-12)
 Some evidence of use of relevant theory, models and/or
framework. Content is descriptive rather than supported by
evidences, poor summaries and synthesis of literature. (5-8)
 No utilisation of relevant theory, models and/or framework
from the research area, scant review of literatures. (0-4)
__ / 20 __ / 20 __ / 20
3) Research Methodology and Data Collection
 Clear and appropriate application of research methodology
and data collection methods with good justification. (16-20)
 Appropriate application of research methodology and data
collection methods with some justification. (10-15)
 Acceptable application of research methodology and data
collection methods with poor justification. (6-9)
__ / 20 _ / 20 __ /20

 Inappropriate application of research methodology and
data collection methods and without/inappropriate
justification. (0-5)
4) Ethical Approval Process
 Completed ethical approval form with a brief content and
clear ethical approval process. (4-5)
 Incomplete ethical approval form with scant content of
ethical approval process. (0-3)
__ / 5 __ / 5 __ / 5
5) Data Analysis
 Good analysis of data including basic descriptive analysis
and influential analysis. (19-25)
 Moderate analysis of data including basic descriptive and
influential analysis. (13-18)
 Acceptable but lack of clarity on data analysis for both
basic descriptive and influential analysis. (7-12)
 Poor analysis of data on both basic descriptive an
influential analysis. (0-6)
/25 /25 /25
6) Conclusion and Recommendation
 Brief conclusions with good overview of findings and
provide constructive recommendations based on the
research findings (7-10)
 Brief conclusion with some overview of findings,
demonstrate some ability to provide constructive
recommendations based on the research findings (4-6)
 Brief conclusion with poor overview of findings and not able
to provide constructive recommendation based on the
research findings (0-3)
__ / 10 __ / 10 __ / 10
7) Presentation
 Accurate referencing ___/4
 Logical Structure & format ___/3
 Language Proficiency ___/3
__ / 10 __ / 10 __ / 10
Total __ / 100 __ / 100 __ / 100
----- END -----