Research Proposal: Evaluating Bounded Rationality in UK FMCG Sector

This research proposal investigates the influence of bounded rationality on consumer behaviour within the UK's Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector post-Brexit, using Tesco PLC as a case study. The study aims to examine the concept of bounded rationality, ascertain the importance of consumer behaviour for Tesco PLC, and evaluate the potential impact of Brexit on Tesco and its consumer behaviour. The research will employ a qualitative research methodology, incorporating both primary and secondary data collection methods, including questionnaires and literature reviews. The research will cover consumer behaviour post-Brexit and how Tesco PLC, as an FMCG sector member, has adapted to gain competitive advantages. The research will also detail ethical considerations, including informed consent, data storage, and potential risks to participants and researchers. The proposal outlines the research activities, timelines, and methodologies, including a random sampling method for data collection, with a target sample size of 60 respondents.

Research Proposal

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Research Proposal Form
Proposed Title: To evaluate the influence of bounded rationality
consumer behaviour on UK’s FMCG (post Brexit) Sector. A case
study on Tesco PLC.
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
To evaluate the influence of bounded rationality consumer behaviour
on UK’s FMCG (post Brexit) Sector. A case study on Tesco PLC.
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 examine the concept of bounded rationality consumer behaviour.
 To ascertain the importance of consumer behaviour for Tesco PLC.
 To evaluate the potential influence of post brexit on Tesco and its impact on consumer
behaviour
Research Questions
 Understand the concept of bounded rationality consumer behaviour ?
 What is the importance of consumer behaviour for Tesco PLC (FMCG Company) ?
 What is the potential influence of post brexit on Tesco and its impact on consumer behaviour
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):
 Current investigating research will directly show the benefits and influence of consumer
behaviour took place just when it comes to an end upon FMCG industry on the
business organisations Tesco PLC.
 Another reason that can be taken over here is that researcher over here is going to pull out all
the information regarding brexit and it’s post impacts upon the whole sector that is FMCG.
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Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or
hypothesis:
Overall investigation will repair rely on post brexit and its impact on consumer behaviour and how
FMCG sector organisations like Tesco PLC has introduce itself in front of existing and new
customers. Along with this, there will be range of graphs and other sort of information from authors
point of view regarding the same is going to be taken. Along with this, researches also want to take
help of different range of magazines and books along with the internet secondary data in order to
accumulate and reach to a decision and regards to impact of brexit on consumer behaviour.
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):
There are different activities that need to be effectively be performed for the
purpose of getting a effective outcome of the research. The various activities
involved are as follows:
 Determining the Topic
 Aims and Objectives along with questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaires preparation
 Data Collection
 Data analysis
 Conclusion and recommendation
How long this will
take:
4 Months
Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
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Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why?
The investigation of the research will rely upon qualitative research methodology as it is
matching the topic where researcher has found that it will help in pulling out much more
favourable outcomes rather than choosing quantitative investigating method. It can be said that
the methodology which researcher has chosen is much more viable in making a legitimate
portrayal on an issue with the help of appropriate facts and findings. Approach which
investigation is going to show so will inductor as it is interlinked with qualitative investigation
work and full much more stronger outcomes regarding the topic. Away with this, descriptive
design is also going to be taken in order to to analyse and goal and lighting the overall issues of
the investigation approach has been used by the researcher as to drawing an authentic and strong
outcome on qualitative investigation work. Descriptive research design has been connected with
the end goal of enlightening investigation of the research issue in appropriate manner. Alongside
in this exploration work proper detail information is provided to the investigator with the help of
applying interpritivisim research philosophy because it is successful in examining the subjective
examination with proper thoughts and musings of writers and essayists. The method which
researcher is going to choose are both primary and secondary data collection tools because it will
directly add in finding out better outcomes for both questionnaire which is going to be built for
the data analysis and for the literature review section of this investigation. The data sampling
method will be random sampling method in which researcher will choose respondents from the
public (consumers). Lastly the respondents will be 60 which will directly help in making the
whole investigation much more feasible and open take at the same time.
What your areas of research will cover:
The research is going to cover the rational of consumer behaviour just when brexit reaches to an
end. The research is also going to show how Tesco PLC which is coming under FMCG sector
has taken as a challenge and accepted all the modifications that are required to be made in order
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to gain competitive advantages.
This comprises to be a basic component which assumes tremendous part in capturing a wide area
of market through keeps a good relationship with customers just when brexit reached to an end.
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
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Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants
or the use of data collected from 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 evaluate the influence of bounded rationality consumer
behaviour on UK’s FMCG (post Brexit) Sector. A case study on Tesco PLC.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
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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?
Yes the exploration work involves human participants, for the purpose of collecting real and reliable
information through the personal knowledge and experience of an individual or reaching at the potential
outcome of the research.
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults: More than 20
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
In this Current research work, members and respondents are chosen by random sampling tool in which
people who have gone through a range of issues and the whole brexit scenario.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
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doing:
In this information has been gathered by filling a questionnaire in which questions are being solicited
that covers point and goals from the investigation work.
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)
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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
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
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?
In the cutting edge digitalized world information and data will be put away in Computer frameworks,
portable devices like mobile phone, tabulates, Pen drives and so on.
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
For the time duration in regards to the completion of the research project which is based on a specified
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research issue. The total research work will help a person in accomplishing suitable learning about the
consumer behaviour just when Post Brecht took place on all the organisations that were coming under
FMCG sector.
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.
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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:
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Complete the risk assessment below so that you can answer ‘yes’ to the question concerning
risk assessment on the University’s Ethical Clearance Checklist.
Print out this form and submit it with your Ethical Clearance Checklist to your tutor for
approval. Remember that both this form and the Checklist need to be signed.
Step 1: Complete the following risk assessment, adding any further types of ethical
risk (i.e. reputational, psychological, social and/or emotional harm)
that may not be present in the suggested Column 1 content. Enter each further type of
risk in a new row and add more rows as necessary.
Note that both participants and researchers can be exposed to these risks.
Column 1: Risks present Column 2 Column 3: Mitigation measures in
study design
Column 4
Ethical risks (i.e. a risk of
reputational, psychological, social
and/or emotional harm) present in
the planned research:
Is the risk
in Column
1 present
in your
study
design?
If ‘Yes’ to Column 2, describe the
provisions made in your study design
to minimise the risk:
Is the residual risk
remaining after
the mitigation
measures of Column 3
appropriate to the
research need?
Principle 1: Sound application and
conduct of social research
methods, and interpretation of
the findings
The research methods may place an
undue burden on respondents or the
Yes / No
The overall research will be on
hypothetical basis because there
will be no time to develop a
questionnaire considering
qualitative method.
Yes / No
Principle 2: Participation based on
informed consent
Potential participants may feel
obliged to take part (e.g. due to a
pre-existing relationship with the
researcher), they may lack full
information about the nature of the
study, the risks to which they will be
exposed, and/or the way in which the
results will be disseminated.
Potential participants may be
provided with an inappropriate
amount of information when deciding
to participate: either too much or too
little.
Yes / No
It is possible that the respondents
would not reply on the asked
questions just because they make
feel that all the information may
be used against then in your
future.
Yes / No
Principle 3: Enabling participation
The recruitment and/or sampling
strategy may make it impossible for
certain categories of potential
participant to contribute to the study
when they would otherwise be
suitable. The data gathering
Yes / No Yes / No
Principle 4: Avoidance of personal
and social harm
The research may cause participants
to feel they have been wronged. They
may feel taken advantage of by
inappropriate questions, excessive
Yes / No
The researcher is going to focus
on every single thing which is
related to participants behaviour
from our perception and what
they may feel. Along with this, the
research will be based upon
Yes / No
Principle 5: Non-disclosure of
identity
The identity of participants, and all
the data they generate or contribute,
may not be sufficiently anonymised
and protected. Data may be used for
Yes / No Yes / No
Column 1: Risks present
Column 2 Column 3: Mitigation measures in
study design
Column 4
Ethical risks (i.e. a risk of
reputational, psychological, social
and/or emotional harm) present in
the planned research:
Is the risk
in Column
1 present
in your
If ‘Yes’ to Column 2, describe the
provisions made in your study design
to minimise the risk:
Is the residual risk
remaining after
the mitigation
measures of Column 3
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study
design? appropriate to the
research need?
Study-specific risk (please
describe):
The information which is going to
be taken under this report may be
possible that the whole
investigation may get wrong
because of the wrong picking of
different sites from which all the
information is going to be placed
in this research.
Yes / No In order to minimise the risk
researcher has taken all the
information on hypothetical basis. Yes / No
Study-specific risk (please
describe):
Yes / No Yes / No
Study-specific risk (please
describe):
Yes / No Yes / No
Study-specific risk (please
describe):
Yes / No Yes / No
Examples of study-specific risks might include: questionnaire questions that may be culturally or commercially
sensitive; the possibility that the results could reveal an anonymous participant’s identity; placing undue time
obligations on participants; the existence of prior relationships that may induce individuals to participate or bias or
filter their views; and so forth.
Step 2: Review your answers to Column 4, considering each risk in turn. If any ‘no’
answers are present in Column 4, reconsider how you are going to reduce the possible
effect of each risk by revising the design of your study (which includes the training of
your researchers) and update Column 3. Keep improving your mitigation measures
(Column 3) until you can truthfully answer ‘yes’ to every entry in Column 4. If you
cannot or are unsure how to do this, contact your tutor.
Step 3:Sign and date the following declaration, print out this risk assessment and return to
your tutor with your completed University Ethical Clearance Checklist.
I confirm that the above assessment accurately evaluates the residual risk of
reputational, psychological, social and/or emotional harm to
participants or researchers in my/our study and that the design of that study
appropriately balances those risks with the research need.
Responsible Investigator: Print name: _____________________________ Sign:
____________________________ Date: ______________
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Student: Print name: _____________________________ Sign:
____________________________ Date: ______________
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MIND MAP
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Ethics Approvals (Human
Participants) Sub-Committee
Has the Investigator read the ‘Guidance for completion of Ethical Yes
Clearance Checklist’ before starting this form?
Does the study require NHS approval? No
Please complete a copy of the checklist providing a brief project description
in the additional information section. Please send this to the Secretary of the
Ethics Approvals (HP) Sub-Committee before starting your NHS application.
Project Details
Project Title: To evaluate the influence of bounded rationality
consumer behaviour on UK’s FMCG (Post Brexit) Sector. A case
study on Tesco PLC.
The tutor is the module leader/supervisor and responsible investigator
Investigator(s) Details
2. Name of Investigator 1 (Tutor): 10. Name of Investigator 2:
Click here to enter text Click here to enter text
3. Status: Tutor 11. Status: Student
4. School/Department: 12. School/Department:
Loughborough University London Loughborough University London
13. Programme (if applicable):
Click here to enter text.
6. Email address: 14. Email address:
Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text.
7a. Contact address: 15a. Contact address:
Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text.
7b. Telephone number: 15b. Telephone number:
Click here to enter text. Click here to enter text.
8. Supervisor: 16. Supervisor:
Yes No
9. Responsible Investigator: Yes 17. Responsible Investigator: No
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Ethical Clearance Checklist 2017(v1)
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Participants
Positions of Authority
18. Are investigators in a position of direct authority with regard to
participants (e.g. academic staff using student participants, sports
coaches using his/her athletes in training)?
No
Vulnerable groups
 Will participants be knowingly recruited from one or more of the
following vulnerable groups?
Children under 18 years of age NO
Persons incapable of making an informed decision for themselves NO
Pregnant women NO
Prisoners/Detained persons NO
Other vulnerable group, including but not limited to, adults in care NO
homes, adults who are vulnerable because of their social,
psychological or medical circumstances.
Investigator Safety
20. Will the investigator be alone with participants at any No
time?
If Yes to question 20, please answer the following questions:
20a. Will the investigator inform anyone else of when they No
will be alone with participants?
20b. Has the investigator read the Guidance Notes on Yes
‘Conducting Interviews Off-Campus and Working Alone’
and
will abide by the recommendations within?
Methodology and Procedures
21. Please indicate whether the proposed study:
Involves taking bodily samples (please refer to published guidelines) NO
Involves using bodily samples previously collected with NO
consent for further research
Involves transporting Human Tissue Act relevant material to or NO
from Loughborough (a materials transfer agreement is required)
Involves procedures which are likely to cause physical, NO
psychological, social or emotional distress to participants or
discussion of sensitive topics (e.g. sexual activity, drug use,
extreme religious or political opinions, illegal activities).
Is designed to be challenging physically or psychologically in NO
any way (includes any study involving physical exercise)
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Exposes participants to risks or distress greater than those NO
encountered in their normal lifestyle
Involves collection of body secretions by invasive methods NO
Prescribes intake of compounds additional to daily diet or NO
other dietary manipulation/supplementation or application of
cosmetic products.
Involves an MRI scan NO
Involves pharmaceutical drugs/medicines NO
Involves use of radiation NO
Involves use of hazardous materials NO
Assists/alters the process of conception in any way NO
Involves methods of contraception NO
Involves genetic engineering NO
22. Involves testing new equipment
There is no new tool is
being utilized for this
dissertation.
If the study involves testing new equipment, a description of
the new equipment should be included at the end of the
Checklist, and a risk assessment should also be attached when
sending the Checklist to the Secretary.
Please note: If new equipment to be tested is considered to
be of a high risk to participants, the Secretary will ask the
researchers to make a full application to the Sub-Committee.
Observation/Recording
23. Does the study involve observation and/or recording of Yes
participants?
24. If Yes to question 23, will those being observed Yes
and/or recorded be informed that the observation
and/or recording will take place?
Informed consent
25. Will participants give informed consent freely? YES
26. Will participants be fully informed of the objectives of the study
and all details disclosed (preferably at the start of the study but, YES
where this would interfere with the study, at the end)?
27. Will participants be fully informed of the use of the data collected
(including, where applicable, any intellectual property arising from YES
the research)?
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Deception
28. Does the study involve deception of participants (i.e.
withholding of information or the misleading of participants) NO
which could potentially harm or exploit participants?
Withdrawal
29. Will participants be informed of their right to withdraw
from the investigation at any time and
to require their own data to be
destroyed?
YES
Storage of Data and Confidentiality
30. Will all information on participants be treated as
confidential and not identifiable unless agreed otherwise in YES
advance, and subject to the requirements of law?
31. Will storage of data comply with the Data Protection Act YES
1998 and the Guidance Note on ‘Data Protection and
Storage’?
32. Will any transcripts and video/audio recording of YES
participants be kept in a secure place and not released for any
use by third parties?
33. Will video/audio recordings be destroyed within ten years YES
of the completion of the investigation?
34. Will research involve the sharing of data or confidential NO
information beyond the initial consent given?
35. Will the research involve administrative or secure data
that requires permission from the appropriate authorities NO
before use?
Incentives
36. Will incentives be offered to the investigator to conduct NO
the study?
37. Will incentives by offered to potential participants as an NO
inducement to participate in the study?
Work Outside of the United Kingdom
38. Is research being conducted by investigators travelling outside of NO
the United Kingdom?
If Yes to 38, please answer the following questions: NO
38a. Is there an increased physical, emotional or cultural risk to Choose an item
investigators outside of the United Kingdom as a result of your research study or
has the FCO issued a travel warning?
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39. Will any of the participants be outside of the United Kingdom? NO
If Yes to 39, please answer the following question:
39a. Is there an increased physical, emotional or cultural risk to NO
participants who are outside of the United Kingdom as a result of
taking part in your research study?
Risk Assessment
40. Has a risk assessment been carried out and approved by the Yes
School, to ensure the physical, emotional and cultural safety of the
investigator and participants involved in the study?
Information and Declarations
Checklist Application Only:
If you have completed the checklist to the best of your knowledge, and not selected any
answers marked with an *, # or †, your investigation is deemed to conform with the
ethical checkpoints. Please sign the declaration and lodge the completed checklist with
your Head of Department/School or his/her nominee.
 Checklist with Additional Information to the Secretary:
If you have completed the checklist and have only selected answers which require
additional information to be submitted with the checklist (indicated by a †), please
ensure that all the information is provided in detail below and send this signed checklist
to the Secretary of the Sub-Committee.
# Checklist with Generic Protocols Included:
If you have completed the checklist and selected one or more of the answers marked with
this symbol # a full Research Proposal needs to be submitted to the Ethical Approvals
(Human Participants) Sub-Committee unless you, or one of the investigators on this
project, are a named investigator on an existing Generic Protocol which covers the
procedure. Please download the Research Proposal form from the Sub-Committee’s web
page. A signed copy of this Checklist should accompany the full proposal to the Sub-
Committee.
If you, or one of the investigators on this project, are using a procedure covered by a
generic protocol, please ensure the relevant individuals are on the list of approved
investigators for that Generic Protocol. Include the Generic Protocol reference number
and a short description of how the proposal will be used at the end of the checklist in the
space provided for additional information.
The completed checklist should be lodged with your Head of Department/School or
his/her nominee.
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* Full Application needed:
If on completion of the checklist you have selected one or more answers which require the
submission of a full proposal (indicated by a *), please download the Research Proposal
form from the Sub-Committee’s web page. A signed copy of this Checklist should
accompany the full Research Proposal to the Sub-Committee.
Space for Additional Information on New Equipment and Risk Assessment:
Click here to enter text.
For completion by Supervisor
Please tick the appropriate boxes. The study should not begin until all boxes are ticked.
The student has read the University’s Code of Practice on investigations involving
human participants
The topic merits further research
The student has the skills to carry out the research or is being trained in the required skills
by the Supervisor
The participant information sheet or leaflet is appropriate
The procedures for recruitment and obtaining informed consent are appropriate
Comments from supervisor:
Click here to enter text.
Signature of Applicant: Click here to enter text.
Signature of Supervisor (if applicable): Click here to enter text.
Signature of Dean of School/Head of Department or his/her nominee: Click here to enter
text.
Date: Click here to enter text.
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