Business Research Project (LSBM300): Snail Farming Feasibility Study

This business research project proposal explores the feasibility of snail farming in the United Kingdom. The study includes an introduction outlining the project's aims, objectives, and scope, followed by a literature review that examines existing research on snail farming, including its economic viability, production techniques, and market demand. The methodology section details the research approach, including the selection of a sample size and the use of a market survey. The proposal also addresses ethical considerations and includes relevant forms. The project aims to assess the potential of edible snail farming in the UK market, considering consumer preferences, existing research, and the necessary methodologies to conduct a comprehensive analysis. The research will explore challenges like lack of information and the importance of quality, and it will address the economic viability of snail farming in the UK.

Business Research Project
(LSBM300)
Proposal Form

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Instructions......................................................................................................................................1
The Proposal Template....................................................................................................................2
Ethical Review Form.......................................................................................................................9
Ethical Review Form: Part 1......................................................................................................10
Ethical Review Form: Part 2......................................................................................................11
Ethical Review Form: Part 3......................................................................................................13
Explanation of intent to address ethical issues......................................................................13
Company consent...........................................................................................................................15
Appendix 1: Participant information sheet................................................................................16
Appendix 3: Company consent form.........................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Instructions
This document has three sections:
 Section 1: The Proposal Template
 Section 2: The Ethical Review Form (Parts A, B and C)
 Section 3: Company Consent Form
All students are required to complete Sections 1 and 2, and together these form the Business
Research Project Proposal.
Only students who are conducting research directly with a company need to complete Section 3.
If your research involves the use of human participants, you will need to complete the Ethics
Approval Form. Failure to complete the Ethics Approval Form, when required to do so, will
result in your work being returned unmarked. No research with human participants can be
undertaken without receiving Ethics Approval and achieving a pass grade on the proposal.
Before you submit this Proposal form, please make sure that you have:
 Read the Business Research Project Handbook
 Read the lecture and seminar materials in the Business Research Project module area in Canvas
 Discussed your ideas with a Business Research Project tutor. You can do this face to face in the
seminars or learning sets, or you can do this by email or through the discussion board in Canvas
 Discussed with a Business Research Project tutor any questions you have about Part 3 of the Ethics
Approval Form (if required).
 Gained consent from the company if you are conducting research on a company.
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The Proposal Template
Your name and student number
Please state which tutor(s) you discussed your proposal with, and the forum you used (e.g. face to
face, email, discussion board)
Face to face
Title
A title should summarise simply the main idea of the proposal. You may want to use a colon to separate the main idea and a further
explanation/elaboration of the main idea (e.g. ‘CSR: Does it influence consumers in the banking sector?)
The Feasibility of Snail Farming in United Kingdom and Effect of the Regulatory of Supply for snails
Terms of Reference
Explain your reason for selecting this area of study and why it is interesting and relevant.
State your research question and associated aim(s) and objectives i.e. what you want to achieve and how.
State the scope of your study: what will you include and what will you not include?
An element of the decision to research the hypothesis is that the British public has over the past
several decades shown itself to be open to none traditional additions to its culinary diet and has
undergone a widening of its cuisine and food products (Staikou, Kesidou and Michaelidis, 2017).
This is probably as a result of rising incomes and standard of living, hence increases in “dining
out”, the advent of budget airlines promoting many more travel opportunities and immigration,
introducing to the UK public different cultures and their alternative cuisines. Mainstream UK
national foodstuff’s retailers, mainly supermarkets, offer a wide range of foodstuffs
incorporating previously none indigenous herbs, spices and other ingredients and products, both
of the unprepared and prepared varieties, including continental (French, Italian and other main
European countries), Middle Eastern, the Indian Sub-Continent, Chinese and other far Eastern
cultures however very few appear to offer the edible European land snail (Escargot) on their
shelves. In accordance with the structure of the research, there are five chapter that are included,
these are effective enough to make the research attain their set of goals and objectives in
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appropriate manner. More specifically, in first chapter background information of the research is
provided. This is helpful enough for viewers to make them understand regarding the topic and
details that will be covered. In second chapter, focus is made on various journals or researches
that are carry out by other investigators, these are helpful enough to develop in depth
understanding. There are many researches that are carried out on similar topic and when these
are used, then it enables to cover vast area in current research. Further, in third chapter there are
details regarding the research methodologies that are will be covered. These are selected in order
to take determine the step by steps strategies that are applied in order to complete the research in
effective manner. Further, in fourth chapter it is the analysis part in which all the findings make
are interpretative and appropriate outcomes are determined. Lastly, conclusion and
recommendations are done so that with the help of effective strategies implementation of snails
in cited country is possible. UK is a market in which majority of customers prefer to try out new
products. This way, it will be helpful enough to consider the business and will be beneficial to
attain the set goals and objectives in appropriate manner.
Relation to previous research
Provide a brief historical perspective of your topic.
Grouped texts/authors by theory discussed, currency, opinion held etc.
Support your choice of methodology with methodology texts and texts that have used your chosen methodology.
Highlight the importance of research in this area/the lack of research in this area.
Show how your project relates to literature in your topic area in general.
1) Helicicultural Consultant. Farming. Edible Snails. – Lessons from Italy. Begg S.
In her publication “Free-range Snail Farming in Australia” Sonya Begg, responsible for successfully
developing large scale Heliciculture in Australia, identified many failures of previous small scale snail
farms as being similar to and “due to the same problems that are seen continually in production systems
in Italy. Having spent several years studying Italian snail farms, Sonia Begg explains how she
successfully introduced an alternative approach by encouraging existing Australian farmers and
horticulturists to expand their existing range of crops and products by developing edible land snail
farming, using existing and fallow pastures and making full use of existing farm buildings, power and
water supplies, thus reducing start-up costs.
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2) Economic Analysis and Production Techniques of Snail Farms in Southern Greece.
Hatziioannou M. et al.
In a 2014 study to examine the economic viability and the production techniques of commercial
snail farms (Heliculture) in Greece, the authors collected primary data from a sample of nine snail farms
during 2009 and 2010, employing indoor intensive farming systems. Snails were bred, raised and
reproduced in net covered greenhouses, providing vegetation and artificial foods. To determine the
economic viability of the nine farms, profits and expenses were evaluated whereby the net cash flows
were estimated for a time period of ten years. In spite of these benefits that the business will get, there are
different types of challenges that are also faced. In this context, one of the main problem is related with
information as for health, snail is healthy but people may not prefer them due to lack of information.
There are different type of considerations that are made by individuals before making any type of
purchase decisions. With this respect, business should focus on delivering the products at low price and
with high quality. This will enable to make sure that the set goals and objectives by the firm will be
attained. Apart from this, support of workers is also important so that all the services and products that are
to be delivered by the business should be done in appropriate manner. With this respect, it is required to
have proper monitoring of employees so that the areas in which improvement is required to be made are
identified.
3) Snail Farming (Heliciculture) A review by Scotland’s Rural College.
A paper published by “Scotland’s Rural College (SRC) as a review of an earlier study, it is
identifies that there is recent increase of interest in farming of edible snails (Heliciculture) in the UK. In
order to meet an increase in UK demand most snail products are imported. The paper draws attention to a
shortfall in production of edible snail products in France and Eastern Europe. French consumers eat an
estimated 35,000 tons of snails a year, according to the French snail producers' union. But only around
1,500 tons of those are produced in France (Alexandre H. 2011), whereas production across the UK is
estimated to have increased from around 30,000 snails per annum in 2000 to more than 750,000 in 2014
(Independent 2014). However, there are other opportunities in which people will be able to taste
something which they have not. This way, it will be preferable for the business to develop strong
customer base. Taste and preferences of people differs and in such condition research and survey are
considered to be an important aspect that are needed to be focused on as it help to identify the areas in
which improvement is to be made.
4) Intensive edible snail Farming using the curtain method. Touchstone.
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Where the cost of acquiring land suitable for pasture farming of edible snails is high and
uneconomical, it is possible to farm edible snails more profitably for long term by utilising the method
known as the curtain method. This system is successfully employed in snail farms in Italy, Greece,
Cyprus and elsewhere Touchstone 2015. The system is reported to require a higher initial capital
investment than an equivalent pasture farm based on equivalent tonnage of output of snail meat.
However, the land footprint required to maintain the same output is one fifth of that of a pasture based
farm. Provided the demand for the product is maintained, the write off period for the initial investment
and annual running costs is shorter than pasture farming (Touchstone 2015). Quality plays important role
to make customers develop trust and confidence. In accordance with the perception that are carried by
people of UK, it is being identified that preference of snail products made are low and so to develop trust
on it, it is important focus on quality of products so that rate of sales and preference of people towards it
can be raised.
The preliminary review established that the edible snail could be successfully farmed in
temperate climates similar to the UK. The outcome of the review supported the undertaking of a more
extensive secondary research to be supported by some primary research, comprising a limited market
survey to explore the consumer response to adopt the edible snail to their diet. However, snail farming
need to have proper temperature in order to make them grow. It is the responsibility of farmers to
consider the issues that are faced in relation with focusing the goals that are being set. Further, there are
conditions that all the farmers should proper understanding of the strategies that are to be applied so that
they are able to provide high quality services to their customers.
The solution for the primary research was a market survey comprising a tick box questionnaire in London
and Birmingham followed by the Literature review to research the viability of edible snail farming in
England. In accordance with the above findings, it can be stated that there is a large market that can be
focused with the help of which the dish can be developed in UK. When all the set objectives are
focused on with the help of gathering adequate information, then it is favourable to complete the
project within speculated time period.
Methodology
A statement of the methods you propose to use and a justification for choosing these methods in preference to others.
Discuss the specifics of the method(s) you will use. What data sources will be used and what will count as data in your research project.
3:1 What are samples
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In order to conduct the research in an effective manner, it is important for the researcher to select
appropriate samples. In this context, the sample size selected will be 30 people who will be selected
randomly. They are selected as sample as they will be able to provide appropriate data for the research
topic.
3.2 Data collection method
There are two different types of methods that are helpful enough to gather information for the
research topic selected. With this respect, it includes primary and secondary methods. In order to carry
out the research in an appropriate manner, both these methods will be used. Primary are those which are
gathered for the first time
It includes questionnaire, interview, observation and focus groups. On the other hand, secondary
methods are those which are already gathered by some other researchers. It includes making use of
sources like books, journals, online sources, etc. The selected method of primary quantitative research
was a consumer survey to be conducted in two cities, London and Birmingham.
3.3 Data analysis method
When information is gathered, then it requires to make proper analysis so that appropriate
outcome can be determined. There are two different methods which are quantitative and qualitative.
Among these, researcher will make use of qualitative method in which thematic will be used. This
method will enable to present the information in the form of tables, charts, graphs, etc.
3.4 Ethical consideration.
There is a different type of ethics that is considered in the research. In this context, all the
participants are provided with appropriate information so that they are able to provide appropriate data.
Further, there is a system that is used so that all personal information of respondents can be protected.
Further, recent articles are considered so that research can be relied. Further, the entire information of
secondary sources is used in own words so that risk of plagiarism is reduced. There will be a person who
will be responsible to consider the aspect that are needed to be determined for protection of personal data.
3.5 Research Limitation
There are various limitations that are faced. In this context, for the research there are activities
that are planned and so, it is important that within the speculated time period, all the set activities are
attained. Further, there are financial supports required to complete the activities. When these are not
properly planned, then it becomes limitation.
Resources
Identify any resources that you will need.
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There are different types of resources that are required in order to carry out the research in an
effective manner. In this context, one of the main aspects that have to be considered is related
with financial support. There are different types of activities that are set by the researcher. In
order to complete them, it is important that there are proper financial supports. Further, it is also
important that there is availability of time so that all the aspects or activities can be completed
within speculated time period. In addition to this, it also requires to have support of manpower so
that activities can be completed effectively and efficiently. Logistical consideration. All needed
to carry out my project, limitation, access to companies.
Gantt Chart
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References
A full list of texts referred to in this proposal, plus any additional ones you will be using.
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Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Garefalaki, M. E., Kalyva, S. and Staikou, A., 2017. Intraspecific variation in reproductive
characters is associated with the strength of sexual selection in the hermaphroditic land snail
Cornu aspersum. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 71(10), p.150.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Staikou, A., Kesidou, E. and Michaelidis, B., 2017. Laboratory studies on the thermal tolerance
and response of enzymes of intermediate metabolism in different land snail species. Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 203, pp.262-272.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
Begg Sonya. (2006). [Online] A report for the Rural Industries Research and Development
Corporation Available from -file:///E:/SNAIL%20FARMING/Free%20Range%20Farming%20S
%20Begg.pdf [Accessed 5th May 2016]
Hatziioannou M. Issari A., Neofitou C., Aifadi S., Matsiori S. University of Thessaly, School of
Agricultural Sciences. Economic Analysis and Production Techniques of Snail Farms in
Southern Greece.[Online]Available from - http://pubs.sciepub.com/wjar/2/6/5/ [Accessed 18th
June 2016].
Scotland's RuralCollege(2014)[Online]Available from -
http://www.sruc.ac.uk/info/120183/alternative_livestock/301/snail_farming_heliciculture
[Accessed 8th May 2016]
Touchstone Snail Technologies Ltd.( 2016).[Online]Available from -
http://snailbreeding.net/curtain-method/ [Accessed 16th June 2016]
Appendices (optional)
Draft questionnaires, interview questions, other tables, lists, etc.
1. Do you prefer to consume dishes related with snails?
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• Yes
• No
2. Do you think snails are good for health?
• Yes
• No
3. According to you, what is the reason that people do not consume snails?
• High cholesterol
• Negative perception
• It’s a Non- Vegetarian dish
4. What are the benefits that people get through snail?
• Protein
• Iron
• Magnesium
5. Do you think that rate of people consuming snails have increased?
• Yes
• No
• Not sure
6. Have you identified any change in taste of snails since past years?
• Yes
• No
• Not sure
7. What are the changes that you have observed?
• Increase in price
• High quality
• Low quality
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Ethical Review Form
This form is designed to ensure that the London School of Business and Management operates
an ethical review process that falls within the University of Northampton Research Ethics
Procedure and the Guidance on Ethics for Researchers.
All students need to fill in this form; however, you may only need to complete Part 1 (see
explanation below).
The Ethical Review Form consists of 3 parts:
 Part 1 is an initial assessment of your project. The question is asking you whether you will be
conducting empirical research for your Business Research Project. Your methodology may involve
the collection of primary data through questionnaires, interviews and observations etc. or you may
be conducting ‘desk based research’ i.e. only using secondary research data.
 If you are only using secondary research data, you will not need to complete Parts 2 or 3 of the
form.
 If your research involves human participants, i.e. you are collecting primary data, you have to
complete Part 2 of the form.
 If your answer is no to all the questions in Part 2, ethics approval is automatic and providing you
receive a pass grade for your proposal you may continue with your study.
 If your answer is yes to any of the questions in Part 2, you need to fill in Part 3 of this form. You
should discuss this with a tutor prior to submission of your proposal.
 Upon submission, your proposal will be graded and then reviewed by the Head of Research/Ethics
Committee. You will be informed of the decision, together with any comments, as soon as possible.
You may be asked to provide a fuller report and a meet with the Ethics Committee.
 If the committee finds it difficult to make a decision, we may pass this on to the University of
Northampton Research Ethics Committee. However, in the vast majority of cases, we hope to
resolve any issues.
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Ethical Review Form: Part 1
Part 1 needs to be completed by all Business Research Project students.
Please read the following two statements and place an X in the area indicated for the statement
that most accurately represents your research intentions.
Student Statement Insert X Student Action
Statement
1
I have read the above information. I
confirm that my research does not include
study on human participants.
You do not need to complete Part 2 of
this form. Ethics approval is not
required.
Statement
2
I have read the above information. I
confirm that my research does involve the
study on human participants.
Please proceed to complete Part 2 of this
form.
Proposals that are submitted without the completed Ethical Review Form will receive a fail
grade.
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Ethical Review Form: Part 2
Part 2 only needs to be completed if you put a cross against Statement 2 in Part 1 above.
Yes No
I have prepared a participant information sheet (including information on secure data storage), and
submitted it in Appendix 1.  
I have prepared a participant consent form (including information on right to withdraw from the
study), and submitted it in Appendix 2.  
If you have put a cross No for either of the above, please note that your final Research Project
will have to include a participant information sheet and a participant consent form.
Please answer all of these questions by ticking yes or no in the box provided.
Yes No
1.
Does the study involve participants who are particularly vulnerable or unable to give
informed consent? (e.g. people under the age of 18, people with learning disabilities,
students you teach or assess)  
2.
Will it be necessary for participants to take part in the study without their knowledge and
consent at the time?  
3.
Does the study involve audio or visual recording of people in public places?
 
4.
Will the study involve the discussion of sensitive topics? (e.g. sexual activity, drug use,
illegal activities, death, whistleblowing)  
5.
Are drugs, placebos or other substances to be given to the study participants or will the
study involve invasive, intrusive or potentially harmful procedures of any kind?  
6.
Does your study involve a topic that would be considered ‘sensitive’ (age, culture, race,
gender, sexuality, socio-economic standing, or religion)? 
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
7.
Is physical pain or psychological stress from the proposed project likely to cause harm or
negative consequences beyond the risks in normal life?  
8.
Does the study involve groups or materials that may be construed as terrorist or
extremist?  
9.
Will financial inducements (other than expenses) be offered to participants?
 
10.
Does the study involve the collection of data that is not anonymised (contains identifying
information such as name and address)?  
If your answer is yes to any of these questions, please fill in Part 3.
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Ethical Review Form: Part 3
Part 3 only needs to be completed if you ticked Yes for any of the statements in Part 2 above.
Explanation of intent to address ethical issues
Please provide an explanation of how you intend to address the ethical issues raised in Part 2.
You will need to do this in consultation with a Business Research Project tutor. Please identify
which tutor you discussed these issues with, and how the discussion took place.
Tutor’s name:
How discussions took place:
Explanation of how you intend to address the ethical issues raised in Part 2:
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Company consent
Print off this form and gain the required signature. You then need to scan the page and insert it
as an image in Appendix 3.
Alternatively, the company may choose to give you a signed consent document of their own,
which you will need to scan and insert in Appendix 3.
Consent from the host Company
Student Name: _______________________________________
Student ID number: _______________________________________
I consent to the aforementioned named student carrying out research on company premises
or in relation to this Company.
Senior Manager Name: _______________________________________
Senior Manager Signature: _______________________________________
Host Company Name: _______________________________________
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Appendix 1: Participant information sheet
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Appendix 2: Participant consent form
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Appendix 3: Company consent form
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