BMGT7007 Applied Business Research

BMGT.7007

APPLIED BUSINESS RESEARCH

Assessment: Project

Assessment 1: Test (20%)

Assessment 2: Literature Review (40%)

Assessment 3: Research Proposal and Ethics Approval

Form (40%)

Learning outcomes assessed:

Apply appropriate research methods and data analysis in a business
Critically examine the legal and ethical parameters of research practice in a business environment.
Examine and negotiate the process for articulating a research proposal including ethics applications.

Assessment Type and Description	MaximumMarks To Be Awarded	% Weighting
A1. Test This will be an in-class test that will assess the student’s understanding of key research principles, including Kaupapa Maori research.	100	20%
A2. Literature Review Students are to write a literature review for a business research topic for their chosen organisation. Through the writing process, students will critically examine and consolidate related literature and eventually produce a narrowed down research question.	100	40%
A3A. Research Proposal PowerPoint This assessment is a continuation of Assessment 2: Literature review. The purpose of this assignment is to bring together the student’s accumulated knowledge throughout the semester. Students will create an appropriate research proposal for their chosen topic, applying what they know of research methods, data collection and data analysis in a PowerPoint file. You may be required to present your research proposal.	100	35%
A3B: Ethics Approval Form Spilling over from the Research Proposal, this assignment requires students to complete an ethics approval form articulating how they will apply ethical principles to their chosen research topic.	100	5%
TOTAL		100%

Assessment 1: In-class test

LO1: Apply appropriate research methods and data analysis in a business environment.

You will have one hour and twenty minutes plus five minutes reading time to complete this closedbook test.

Topics may include:

Research concepts
The nature and scope of applied business research
Problem identification and formulating research questions
Types of research: exploratory, descriptive, and causal
Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research
Primary and secondary data
Kaupapa Maori research

Mark Allocation

QUESTION NUMBER	QUESTION	MARKS ALLOCATED	MARKS AWARDED
1	Research concepts	23
2	Research problem and design	30
3	Kaupapa Maori research principles	27
	TOTAL	80

Assessment 2: Literature Review

Word limit – 2,500 excluding reference list

LO1: Apply appropriate research methods and data analysis in a business environment.

Objective:

The objective of this assessment is to demonstrate your ability and skills in researching a businessrelated topic. Based on this literature review, you are expected to develop three research questions of your study.

What topics can you discuss for your literature review?

You can select any contemporary business-related topic you like. You must ensure, however, that your chosen topic aligns with your chosen strand or major.

General discussion of any of the topics selected should be narrowed down to the discussion of a problem/opportunity of applied character (dealing with a specific business decision for a specific organisation). In other words, you may start with the discussion of the topic at as general level as possible, but later you need to connect this discussion with a specific entity and/or phenomenon (e.g. an organisation, industry, country and/or region; high staff turnover in an organisation).

You can discuss an organisation that you are currently working for or have worked for in the past. It could be an organisation in which you are interested and may wish to approach, or you may know someone who works in an organisation with whom you can discuss issues of this organisation. It can be a Maori trust, but that trust must be a business.

This assignment is done individually. It is your responsibility to ensure you submit work that is your own and that any work/idea that is not your own is correctly paraphrased and/or cited. Plagiarism and copying from others without proper referencing/citation is considered a prohibited practice and will be penalised severely (see Course Outline for details). Please note: submitting a piece of your own work that was submitted either in this paper or another paper without referencing is self-plagiarism and will be treated as such.

Literature Review: Structure

Research Title
Introduction (300 to 450 words)

In this section, you need to

Briefly present the organisation considered and the industry it belongs to.
Introduce the general problem/opportunity.
Explain why your topic is important and why you have selected it.
Identify the scope of the review — what aspects of the topic will be discussed/excluded from discussion.

Literature review (1,500 to 1,750 words)

In the literature review, you need to

Proceed from the general, wider view of the research under review to the specific problem:

Identify major concepts and influential studies in relation to your topic.
Discuss at least 15 sources relevant to your topic. When discussing these sources, focus on areas of agreement, disagreements, tensions and contentious issues related to your topic.
Provide insight into the relation between the studies discussed and your topic.

For example, among several types of management discussed in the literature you need to identify (and justify your choice) the one that is more appropriate/relevant to the particular organisation you are considering.

Develop three research questions taking into account your literature review findings and the situational analysis of the organisation discussed.

Research questions must be developed as an outcome of the literature considered. They should be integrated in the discussion, NOT presented as a stand-alone list at the end of the review. Generic questions (e.g. ‘What are the reasons for …?’ ‘What can be done to …”) are not acceptable.

Conclusion (200 to 300 words)

Point out major findings of your literature review and explain how these findings can help the organisation address problems/opportunities identified.
Indicate who the potential users of the study findings could be, and how the study might be used to improve the organisation(s), group(s), or sector.

Reference list (not included in word count)

Information Sources:

For this literature review, you need to include justifications which are based on academically recognised sources. Your main sources of information will be in:

Academic Books
Journal Publications
Business Magazines
Industry reports
Statistics NZ reports

Report Writing Guidance:

Emerson, L. (2013). Writing guidelines for business students (3^rd ed.). Victoria, Australia: Cengage Learning Australia Pty Limited.

Also available is help from the Learning Facilitators and Studiosity.

Formatting Guidelines:

Use APA 6^th edition referencing style;
Be consistent in your formatting for things such as headings, subheadings, numbering, and in the way graphs and tables are presented;
Text should be 1.5 spacing;
12 point font;
Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and paragraph construction are important. Avoid writing incomplete sentences. Edit your paper for readability;
Save your file following this naming convention: Student Number_A2_ABR_T32019.

Assessment 2: Literature Review Marking Rubric

	Unacceptable	Acceptable (meets standards)	Good (occasionally exceeds standards)	Excellent (exceeds standards)
Pre-submission Check(5 marks)	No pre-submission check or very little evidence of work in progress. 0-2	Evidence of work in progress presented in workshop. Research topic outlined. 3	Evidence of work in progress presented in workshop. Research topic clearly defined and introduction underway. 4	Evidence of work in progress presented in workshop. Research topic clearly defined, introduction complete and literature review underway. 5
Introduction (10 marks)	Very limited background information was given. 1-4	Background information was sufficient to provide context to the research topic. Some important information still needed.5-6	Background information was well stated. Relevance of the topic to the organisation’s business problem/opportunity can be seen. 7-8	Excellent presentation of background information. Relevance of the topic can be clearly seen, showing the students sound identification of a relevant research topic. 9-10
Literature Review (55 marks)	Limited review of literature. Limited range of analysis on research papers and reports.1-26	Sufficient relevant literature was presented. Some analysis on a range of research papers and reports is evident on the literature review. 27-36	Good range of literature discussed. Established key ideas relevant to the chosen topic. Analysis of literature was evident on the student’s work.37-46	Range of literature was extensive. Analysis was in-depth. Evidence of critiquing the literature was seen in the student’s discussion of the literature. 47-55
Conclusion(5 marks)	Conclusion was limited, convoluted, or not related at all to the chosen topic and literature discussed. 1-2	Brief conclusion was given that is loosely connected to the lit review findings. 3	Findings from the literature review were adequately summarised and ties the topic together.4	Meaningful conclusion was given and logically connected to the findings from the lit review. 5
Grammar and Style (15 marks)	Grammatical errors or spelling and punctuation errors significantly detract the readability of the paper. 0-7	Some grammar, spelling and punctuation errors were notable, causing occasional confusion or interference to readability. 8-10	Grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors are rare and do not detract from the paper. 11-13	The paper is free from grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.14-15
Citations andReferences (10 marks)	Considerable number of incorrect and missing citations. Reference and citation errors show the students significant lack of understanding of proper APA 6^th referencing standards. 0-4	Some references or in-text citations were missing or incorrectly written. 5-6	A few references or citations were missing or incorrectly written.7-8	All references and citations were present and correctly written.9-10

Assessment 3A: Research Proposal

LO2: Critically examine the legal and ethical parameters of research practice in a business environment.

LO3: Examine and negotiate the process for articulating a research proposal including ethics applications

Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to bring together your accumulated knowledge throughout the semester. This assessment is a continuation of the Assessment 2: Literature review.

Assessment Instructions:

You will be required to:

Create a power point (10 to 15 slides excluding references slide) to discuss your research proposal. Your PowerPoint must include notes to elaborate on the points in your slides (to a maximum of 3 short paragraphs of notes for each slide). Use the Research Proposal points below as a guide on what to put in your slides.

Your presentation should include the following sections:

the title of your research and your name;
your findings from the literature review;
justification of your research questions;
justification of your methods of data collection and data analysis.

Professional Presentation Guidelines:

Slides: Adhere to APA 6^th edition referencing style, the last slide must contain your references and will not be included in the slide limit; Font size 24 and above; no more than three short paragraphs in the notes section of each slide
Follow this file naming convention: Student Number_A3A_ABR_T32019

Presentation Content must include:

Introduction (one slide)

Introduce the general problem/opportunity.

Why is this research important?
Why did you decide to do this study?

Background To The Study (two to three slides)

Review the background of the topic which the study will address. Discuss the areas of relevant current literature in the area that you are planning to investigate, as well as literature relevant to the methodology you plan to use.

Outline the broad field of study.
Provide insight into the relation between the studies discussed in the literature review and your topic.
Research questions (the questions you intend to investigate in the project) and their brief justification.

Project Design/Methods (three to five slides)

When answering this question, you need to imagine that you would need to conduct the actual study based on your literature review.

What method(s) of data collection will you use and why?
What sampling technique(s) will you use and why?
How many participants will be involved and why?
Where will you conduct the research?
What method(s) of data analysis will you use and why?

Project Implications (one to two slides)

A brief account of the reasons how the specific group or the community sector as a whole may benefit from this research. Indicate who the potential users of the study findings will be, and how the study might be used to improve the organisation(s), group(s), or sector.

Who may benefit from your research, Why and How they may benefit.
How will your research findings be communicated back to the interested parties or participants?

Ethical Approval (two to three slides)

Include information on the ethical procedures that you will follow as defined by your School/Faculty. This should include information about the process of obtaining informed consent. How will you ensure that your research procedures uphold ethical principles?

Timeline (one slide)

Provide a timeline (the amount of time required for completing each stage of your research project) that indicates when you expect aspects of the work to be undertaken.

Assessment 3A: Research Proposal Marking Rubric

Proposal Content	Unacceptable	Acceptable (meets standards)	Good(occasionally exceeds standards)	Excellent (exceeds standards)	Outstanding
Grammar/ Spelling/ References 10 marks	Aspects of the proposal are missing or so poorly written due to numerous spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors so meaning is unclear. 0-4	Proposal has all components, but is not logical in its construction or has a numerous inconsistent spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 5	Proposal is relatively easy to follow with 3 or 4 consistent spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 6-7	Proposal is mostly logical in its construction with 1 or 2 consistent spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 8-9	Proposal is logical in its construction with no spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 10
Introduction 5 marks	The purpose of the research is missing or so poorly written so meaning is unclear. 0-1	The purpose of the research is described in broad terms only and lacks in clarity or focus. 2	The purpose of the research is identified and mostly relevant to the project. 3	The purpose of the research is well selected. Clearly relevant topic is determined. 4	The purpose of the research is concisely elaborated. Original and highly relevant topic is clearly articulated. 5
Background and Research Question 20 marks	The quality of the literature referred to is questionable or not relevant to the project’s background or context. Few key studies referred to. 0-9	Points are supported with relevant literature, but scope of literature review is limited, as is background and context for project. Some key studies not referred to at all or only inferred. 10-11	Good range of literature examined throughout presentation that is mostly relevant to the project’s background and context. Key studies contrasted but little evidence of evaluation. 12-15	Well-argued and logical literature review that provides a good overview of the background and context for the research project. Evaluation of key literature quite evident throughout. 16-17	Creative and highly organised literature review that outlines the background and context for the research project. Critical reading of the key literature clearly evident throughout. 18-20
Project Design 35 marks	Hypotheses/research questions are missing or poorly written. The methodology is either not appropriate for the project or is poorly articulated suggesting deficits in understanding. 1-17	Hypotheses and research questions were outlined but lacks clarity or focus. An appropriate methodology is broadly outlined, but some details are unclear. 18 - 22	Relevant hypotheses or research questions were outlined, but needs a tighter focus. Methodology is explained and appropriate for the project. 23-27	Clearly relevant hypotheses or research questions are determined. Methodology is well argued and justified. 28-31	Original research questions are clearly articulated. Creative and highly appropriate methodology is clearly articulated and justified. 32-35
Project Implications and Timeline 10 marks	Project is too simplistic or disorganised to offer any significance. 0-4	Project replicates well established understanding in discipline. Significance is stated but does not emerge from argument. 5	Project is relevant and will consolidate student’s understanding of discipline. Significance does not emerge easily in argument but it is evident in addition to being outlined. 6-7	Project is justified and will consolidate understanding in discipline. Significance emerges from construction of argument in addition to being articulated. 8-9	Project is original in its approach and will contribute to discipline development. Significance emerges logically from construction of argument in addition to being clearly articulated. 10
Ethical Approval 20 marks	Aspects of the proposal are missing or so poorly written due to numerous spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors so meaning is unclear. 0-4	Proposal has all components, but is not logical in its construction or has a numerous inconsistent spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 5	Proposal is relatively easy to follow with 3 or 4 consistent spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 6-7	Proposal is mostly logical in its construction with 1 or 2 consistent spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 8-9	Proposal is logical in its construction with no spelling, punctuation or grammatical errors. 10

Assessment 3B: Ethics Approval Form

LO2: Critically examine the legal and ethical parameters of research practice in a business environment.

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for the student to apply principles of research ethics by articulating how they will uphold ethical standards throughout the research process.

Assessment Instructions:

You are required to:

Download the Toi Ohomai Undergraduate Ethics Approval Form from Moodle.
Fill out the details in the form, including a brief description of your proposed research project.
In the appropriate sections, describe how salient ethical principles will be applied in your research project. The discussion must be relevant to your chosen research topic and consistent with your methods of data collection and analysis.

Formatting Guidelines:

Use APA 6^th edition referencing style;
Text should be 1.5 spacing;
12 point font;
Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and paragraph construction are important. Avoid writing incomplete sentences. Edit your paper for readability;
Save your file following this naming convention: Student Number_A3B_ABR_T32019.

Assessment 3B: Ethics Approval Form Marking Rubric

	Unacceptable	Acceptable (meets standards)	Good(occasionally exceeds standards)	Excellent (exceeds standards)
Project Details Description, Participants, Stakeholders 5 marks	Project aim was not stated. The organisation and participants were poorly described, resulting in poor justification for the choice of study participants. 1-2	Project aim and description of the organisation was given. Some clarity needed to justify the significance of the research project. 3	Project aim and description of organisation was adequate. Participants for the study were stated without giving identifying information. 4	Project aim and description were very well stated. Significance of the research project was clearly outlined. Participants for the study were stated and justified without giving identifying information. 5
Methods 5 marks	Method of data collection was inconsistent with the research proposal, suggestive of poor understanding of data collection methods and their application in research. 1-2	Summary of data collection method was given and is appropriate for the nature of the research project. Some details are missing or not stated clearly. 3	Clear summary of data collection method was given (interview, questionnaire, focus group, etc.), giving the reader a reasonably clear idea of how data collection will be carried out and why such methods are to be used. 4	Detailed summary of data collection method was given (interview, questionnaire, focus group, etc.), giving the reader a very good idea of how the data collection will be carried out. 5
Ethical considerations 15 marks	Ethical principles were not discussed or the discussion was convoluted, showing poor understanding of research ethics principles. 1-7	Applicable ethical principles were addressed, although application of some principles were not very clearly stated. The student shows reasonable understanding of how to exercise research ethics in practice. 8-10	Applicable ethical principles were sufficiently addressed. Description of how these ethical principles will be implemented in the research process is clearly outlined and relevant to the research proposal. Kaupapa Maori protocols (when applicable) were outlined. 11-12	Applicable ethical principles were sufficiently addressed. The description of how these ethical principles will be implemented was relevant to the research project and reflects the students excellent understanding of applying ethical principles in research. Kaupapa Maori protocols (when applicable) were clearly outlined. 13-15
Format 5 marks	Some sections of the Ethics Approval Form were not filled out. Grammatical/spelling errors were numerous and significantly affect the readability of the document. 1-2	Ethics Approval Form was completed in full. Some grammatical/spelling errors were noted but these do not significantly affect the readability of the document. 3	Ethics Approval Form was completed in full. Few grammatical errors were noted. Format was consistent and appropriate for the document. 4	Ethics Approval Form was completed in full. Format was consistent and appropriate for the document. The document is free of grammatical/spelling errors. 5

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