Research Proposal: Workplace Discrimination and M&S Case Study

This research proposal investigates workplace discrimination, aiming to understand its meaning, the importance of equality and diversity practices in eliminating it, and the benefits of reducing discrimination, using Marks and Spencer (M&S) as a case study. The research explores the reasons for choosing this topic, supported by literature sources on workplace discrimination, equality, and diversity practices, and their benefits. The proposal outlines the research methodology, including a descriptive research design, quantitative research methods, and random sampling. The research will employ questionnaires for data collection and analysis, covering activities, timescales, and ethical considerations, including participant recruitment, consent, and data analysis. The project aims to contribute to a better understanding of workplace discrimination and effective strategies for creating a fair and equitable workplace environment.

Research proposal

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: Workplace Discrimination
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or
hypothesis)
Title: Workplace Discrimination
Aim of the research:
The aim of current research is “To investigate the importance of executing equality as
well as diversity practices within the workplace in order to eliminate discrimination”. A case
study on (M&S) Marks and Spencer
Research Questions:
 To understand the meaning and importance of workplace discrimination
 To examine different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce
discrimination from the workplace.
 To assess various benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace
discrimination by implementing equality and diversity practices.

Research objectives
 What is the meaning and importance of workplace discrimination?
 What are the different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce
discrimination from the workplace?
 What are the various benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace
discrimination by implementing equality and diversity practices?
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):
In order to conduct the research, it has been said that there are ample number of reasons to do
an investigation on a specific topic. In reference to current research, the main reasons behind
conducting the investigation are going to be discussed as follows:
 The first and foremost essential reason in order to do the investigation is the personal
advantage of researcher. This is one of the most emerging topic which create personal
interest of researcher which help them in order to generate understanding related to
workplace discrimination.
 Second most effective reason behind conducting this investigation on specific topic is
that researcher will be able to enhance their skills, abilities and knowledge related to
the research. This as a result help in increasing confidence of researcher in order to
manage as well as develop effective outcomes in an appropriate manner.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
Concept of workplace discrimination
On the basis of view point of Vickers, L., 2016, it has been identified that workplace
discrimination in the current business situation increasing on a regular basis in which overall
performance of the business entity highly get affected in a negative manner. It has examined

that the workplace discrimination is increasing on a continuous basis which is usually based on
gender, age, background and many more. The main impact of workplace discrimination is that
it highly influence the business in a negative manner which will reduce the profitability and
performance at the competitive marketplace. The main reason behind workplace
discrimination is gender biasness arise at the workplace where male employees give more
preference than female workers. All such activities affect the efficiency and motivation of
employees in an adverse manner. Therefore, in order to reduce the negative impact of such
functions, it is necessary for the management team to execute equality and diversity practices
at workplace in a well defined manner.
Different practices related to equality & diversity in order to reduce discrimination
from the workplace
As per the thought of Enoksen, E., 2016, it is said that for effectively eliminating
discrimination at the workplace it becomes essential for the higher authorities to implement
different types of practices related to equality and diversity. It is said that if all these practices
are implemented in a systematic manner at the business entity which as a result develop
healthy as well as positive working conditions. It has also been analyzed that there are various
types of strategies and policies are there which reduces the negative impact of workplace
discrimination among the business organization. Furthermore, with the help of providing
effective training as well as development session, by giving equal job and growth
opportunities to each and every person, by offering equal pay on the basis of their performance
can aid in reducing workplace discrimination in an effective and appropriate manner. Apart
from this, it is examined that managers of the business entity need to adopt practices related to
training sessions which is implemented by them so that there knowledge and understanding
related to the workplace discrimination will be enhanced.
Various benefits attain by M&S with the help of reducing workplace discrimination by
implementing equality and diversity practices
According to the views of Knepper, M., 2018, it has been analysed that by eliminating
workplace discrimination an organization will be able to gain various benefits and advantages
which will help them in getting competitive edge. It is said that with the help of adopting

effective policies and strategies, the impact of workplace discrimination can be reduced which
as a result provide them benefits and advantages in an appropriate manner. One of the biggest
advantage which can be gain by management team is that they will be able to develop positive
working environment which increases the efficiency of staff members and motivate then to
perform their task in an effective manner. Apart from this, some of the essential benefits
includes elimination of workforce turnover ratio, raise in effectiveness and efficiency,
retention of staff members, accomplishments of business goals within given period of time.
All these elements are the essential benefits which as a result assist the business entity to
improve their performance and goodwill in an effective manner. Furthermore, all these
advantages are attained by top authorities when they executes all these strategies in a well
defined and effective manner within the workplace. Along with this, with the help of providing
training and development session related to equality and diversity practices, managers will be
able to enhance their performance. Apart from this, there must be effective examination of all
the functions on a regular duration of time which aid in identifying all the loop holes within
given time frame.
Section Four: Activities and timescales

Activities to be carried out during the research project
Analysis of theme
Formulation of aim and objectives
Literature review
Research methodology
Research proposal
Growth of the budget
Creation of standard
Collection of information and data
Examination of data and information
Results as well as finding
Evaluation & analysis
Conclusion
Recommendation
Submission of the final report
Taking feedback
How long this will
take:
12 days
15 days
20 days
12 days
15 days
28 days
12 days
15 days
20 days
12 days
6 days
5 days
3 days
2 days
3 days

Milestone one: Data collection
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: Literature review
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
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:
Research methodology is one of the most essential chapter which aid in identifying the best
and most effective method which will provide the we define structure to the research. In
reference to the current research, it has been concluded that there are different types of
methods used by researcher which are going to be discussed in detail manner as follow:
Research design
Research design is the structure used and executed by the investigator in order to
conduct the research on a specific topic. There are various sort of research design which
consist of descriptive, correlation, meta analytical, review, experimental and so on. In
reference to the current investigation, researcher adopt descriptive research design. Reason
behind this is for gathering information from respondents, questionnaire is the method which
is used in this research. This as a result will aid in providing investigators in depth knowledge
related to the topic so that information will be gathered in effective and appropriate manner.
Data collection method: Two types of data collection methods are there commonly used by
researcher which are primary as well secondary data collection method. In reference to
primary method, all the data are fresh and raw which is collected for the first time by the
researcher. On the other hand, in context of secondary method, information which are already
available used by researcher in order to conclude the whole investigation. In reference to
current research, both primary and secondary methods are used by researcher in order to
complete the whole investigation in a well defined and systematic manner.
Types of investigation: It has been analysed that there are two kind of investigation
qualitative as well as quantitative research methods. In this research, investigators adopt
quantitative research investigation so that they will be able to develop positive results related
to the topic in a well defined manner. In this context, each and every information requires to
be properly analysed & identified by using quantitative method which aid in attaining the
proper results in a fastest manner. It aid in producing beneficial results with the help in facts,
figure as well as statistical data.
Sampling: For selecting sample size it has been said that there are usually two main methods

probabilistic as well as non- probabilistic method. Random sampling method is used by
researcher in this research for gathering sufficient information by using questionnaire method
for achieving positive outcomes. For this, 40 respondents are selected by researcher which are
the staff members, stakeholder are chosen in this research.
REFERENCES