Level 8 QUALIFI Diploma in Strategic Certificate Management and Leadership Unit 701: Research Methods

Unit code: Y/506/9133

Assignment 003 - Research Methods

Assignment 003 consists of two tasks. You are expected to complete both tasks in this Assignment. The word limit for Assignment 003 is a maximum of 12000 words. Remember, all the words you use to answer the questions, including quotations and citations, count. You should use the mark allocation for each question as a guide to the number of words required as follows:

Task	Maximum mark	Suggested word count
1	25	3000
2	75	9000

Any words used that exceed the overall word count for the Assignment will not be marked or commented on.

You must provide a reference list and a word count at the end of your work. The reference list is not included in the word count.

Assignment Brief

Conduct an independent research project investigating an area of interest to you within the business context. You could select any subject related to business (e.g. Finance, HR, Project Management, CSR, etc.)

Task 1– Research Project specifications

In this task, you will need to produce a research project specification in which you:

1. Identify the aim and objectives of your research
2. Identify factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
3. Review key literature around the subject area
4. Explain and justify your research methods
5. Provide a Gantt Chart providing a timeframe for completion of your research proposal

Your completed research proposal document with a Research Project plan document should consist of around 3000 words

Task 2 – Research Report

In this task you will need to produce a research report that:

1. Undertake your research and record data accordingly
2. Present, interpret and analyse the data.
3. Make appropriate conclusions
4. Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration

Your Research Report should consist of around 9000 words excluding appendices. Although you may wish to follow your own structure it is recommended that you structure your report as follows

• Abstract
• Table of Content
• Chapter 1: Background / Rationale
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Research Purpose and objectives
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Findings
• Chapter 5: Discussion and Conclusion
• Chapter 6: Recommendations
• References
• Appendices

Please note, although you would already have written literature review, purposes and objectives and methodology in your research proposal, you may want to review/expand these sections for your final work.

The completed tasks must demonstrate all the module’s learning outcomes and meet the assessment criteria.

Learning Outcome 1

Be able to understand and apply different research methods that can provide realistic and applicable outcomes

Assessment Criteria

1.1 Critically apply the principles and practices of quantitative and qualitative research on a practical level

1.2 Define research and development questions and prioritise them in relation to contemporary managerial and business needs

Learning Outcome 2

Be able to use standard research methodologies

Assessment Criteria

2.1 Produce critical literature reviews based upon research methodology

2.2 Use methodology, instrumentation and research design appropriate to the specific nature of fieldwork

2.3 Critically apply statistical methods

Learning Outcome 3

Be able to produce research reports

Assessment Criteria

3.1 Plan and deliver management research projects using research methodologies