Critically appraise and evaluate the contribution primary and secondary data sources can make to research studies, particularly with respect to sampling, statistical analysis and data presentation techniques

Learning Outcomes 
 

On successful completion of this module the student will be expected to: 
 
1. Critically appraise and evaluate the contribution primary and secondary data sources can make to research studies, particularly with respect to sampling, statistical analysis and data presentation techniques. 
 
2. Critically appraise and evaluate research undertaken by others. 
 
3. Undertake multidisciplinary research through the acquisition of skills relevant to the context of business and management. 
 
4. Effectively plan and undertake personal development including the awareness of an ethical and socially responsibly dimension to decision making. 
 
Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and a word count; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in Arden University (AU) Harvard format. You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work. 
 
Maximum word count: 3000 words 
 
Please note that exceeding the word count by over 10% will result in a reduction in grade by the same percentage that the word count is exceeded. 
 
You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number. 
 
Re-sits: 
 
If you are re-sitting this assessment for the first time, you may re-work your original submission if you wish. However, if this is your third attempt at this assessment, you must submit a piece of work which is substantially different from your first two attempts.

Assignment Task 
 
You are required to produce a research proposal for a dissertation in a management related field. The proposal prepared may be the one which you follow for your dissertation but this is not essential. If you eventually choose another topic for your dissertation you will have to go through a similar process as that required for this assessment on that topic. It would therefore be sensible to think carefully about the topic choice and decide now what your dissertation will be about. For those on an MBA named route the eventual dissertation must relate to that route.