LO1 Understand how to formulate a research specification

Assignment Brief

Unit 4: Research Project  

Sample Answer

The Impact of Flexible Working Hours on Employee Productivity in Small Businesses

LO1: Understand how to formulate a research specification

1.1 Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications

Title: The Impact of Flexible Working Hours on Employee Productivity in Small Businesses

• Assess the current use of flexible working in small businesses

• Examine employee performance and satisfaction under flexible working conditions

• Analyse any challenges faced by employers using flexible schedules

Research Questions:

• Does flexible working improve productivity in small businesses?

• What are the benefits and challenges of implementing flexible work schedules?

• How do employees perceive flexible working hours?

1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection

• Relevance: Flexible working is a timely issue, especially post-COVID, and is highly relevant to business practices today.

• Interest: The topic aligns with personal interest in HR and employee wellbeing.

• Feasibility: Access to small businesses through personal contacts makes the research achievable within time and resource limits.

• Value: The findings can help small business owners make informed HR decisions.

1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references

• Bloom et al. (2015) found that employees working remotely were more productive and had higher job satisfaction.

• Kelliher & Anderson (2010) showed flexible working improved employee engagement.

• OECD (2020) highlighted global trends and success of flexible work policies in improving work-life balance.

• CIPD (2022) emphasised the growing need for flexible work arrangements to attract and retain talent.

• Kossek & Ozeki (1998) cautioned that poor management of flexible hours can lead to confusion and inefficiency.

1.4 Produce a research project specification

• Title: The Impact of Flexible Working Hours on Employee Productivity in Small Businesses

• Purpose: To provide insight into how small businesses can improve performance using flexible working arrangements

• Methodology: Mixed-method approach using surveys and semi-structured interviews

• Timeline: 8 weeks

• Resources: Google Forms, MS Excel, SPSS for analysis

1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification

Timeline:

• Week 1: Literature Review

• Week 2: Design survey & interview questions

• Weeks 3-4: Data collection (surveys and interviews)

• Week 5: Data analysis

• Week 6: Draft report

• Week 7: Finalise report

• Week 8: Presentation preparation

Procedure:

• Identify 10–15 small businesses

• Distribute surveys to staff

• Conduct 3–5 interviews with managers

• Analyse responses using thematic and statistical analysis

LO2: Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification

2.1 Match resources efficiently to the research question

• Time: 8 weeks total

• Tools: MS Office, SPSS

• Participants: 30 employees from 10 small firms

• Skills: Survey design, data analysis, report writing

2.2 Undertake the proposed research investigation

• Sent out surveys via Google Forms

• Conducted interviews via Zoom and recorded with consent

• Organised data in Excel, coded qualitative responses

2.3 Record and collate relevant data

• 30 survey responses

• 4 semi-structured interviews

• Quantitative data in Excel spreadsheets

• Qualitative data transcribed and organised into themes

Continued...