assessment workshop 4

8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 1/34

Management, Leadership &

Change (MLC); Assessment

Workshop 4

BA (Hons) Business Level 6

Janette Bradnick/Ratnes Alahakone



Recap - So far you have:

• Studied the key skills that you will need for theassessment ie critical thinking skills, research

skills (reading and sourcing) and originality ofthought

• Identified a topic and started to develop your

purpose

• Now: we will look at the research process andproposal structure



Learning Outcomes:

• By the end of this session you should be able to:

▫ List the stages of the research process and explaineach stage

▫ Identify where you are in the process and plan what you need to do next

▫ Write your research problem

▫ Explain the purpose and content of each section ofthe research proposal



Overview of the research process

Choose a topic and search the literature

Review the literature and define theresearch problem/research questions

Design the research and write the proposal

Collect the research data

Analyse and evaluate the research data

Write the research report

Write the research report



• Choose a topic related to MLC which interests you

• Then search the literature for previous research onthe topic and any relevant information ie researchthe existing body of knowledge

• From this initial research you should be able toidentify how your topic is divided into a number ofdifferent areas; this will help you to focus your ideason a particular research problem

Choose a topic and search theliterature



• Narrow down your general interest in a topic to focus ona particular research problem that is small enough to be

investigated ie define the research problem

• Then set the research question, by focusing your ideas,deciding the scope of your research and setting

parameters

• Eg your topic may be diversity and leadership, but yourfocus on a particular group, size of business, industry,

geographical area or period of time

Review the literature and define the researchproblem/research questions



Examples of research problems(adapted from Collis & Hussey 2009 pg 113)

Research Topic Research Problem

Accounting regulations Whether accounting practices should be regulated by the government or by the accounting profession

Corporate governance How corporate governance can be extended toemployee communications

Financial accounting inthe NHS

The use of financial accounting by doctors ingeneral practice

Financial reporting The most effective ways of communicatingfinancial information to stakeholders

Environmental issues inaccounting ethics

The criteria by which shareholders measure“green” companies

Gender issues inemployment

The effect of career break schemes on therecruitment and retention of skilled staff

Public serviceannouncements as a

method of communication

The effectiveness of public service announcementsfor communicating with students



• Design the research: Your approach to the entireprocess of the research study is your

methodology▫ In part this is determined by your research

problem, but

▫ The assumptions you use in your research and the

way you define your research problem willinfluence the way you conduct the study

• Consider the types of information available




• Information/data sources:

• Plan to use a variety; appropriate to yourproblem

• Ensure the sources are valid and reliable


The literature Company data Surveys

Official statistics Internal data

Industry data People



• Write the proposal:

▫ Before you write anything, ensure you check thestructure requirements in the brief




The proposal structure• A) Introduction

• B) Background: „context‟: of the topic

• C) Literature review

• D) Methodology

• E) Research Design (only if primary research is to be

used)

• F) Conclusions/summary of the report

• G) List of References



A) Introduction:

• This should contain:

▫ purpose of report;

▫ aims and objectives of proposed research,▫ roadmap



B) Background: ‘context’: of the topic

The research proposal should:

• Clearly explain the context (eg introduction tothe organisation and/or history of the situation)and the rationale for the research.

• Have clear aims and objectives (of the

assignment AND of the proposed research).• Explain some of the practical issues which have

engendered your interest in this research.



C) Literature review


• Provide an outline of the main topic area,theoretical concepts of management, leadershipand change to be researched and relevantauthors. Provide logical reasoning for the

relevance of the theoretical concepts chosen.



What is a literature review?

• A literature review describes the existing andestablished theory and research in your report

area. You are providing a context for your work.

• A literature review can also show where you are

filling a perceived gap in the existing theory orknowledge, or you are proposing something thatgoes against existing ideas.



Questions that a literature reviewcan answer• What are the key sources?

• What are the major issues and debates about thetopic?

• What are the political standpoints?

• What are the origins and definitions of the

topic?• What are the key theories, concepts and ideas?



Questions that a literature reviewcan answer• What are the main questions and problems that

have been addressed to date?

• How is knowledge on the topic structured andorganised?

• How have approaches to these questionsincreased our understanding and knowledge?

(Hart, 1998, p.14)



Literature Reviews: Do’s and Don’ts Do’s Don’ts

• Outline what the principle

themes are• Identify what is relevant and

irrelevant to your work

• Explain why the relevant workfits into your study and how

you will adopt it.• Highlight specific areas of

interest and draw attention toareas of concern

• Merely paraphrase or describe

the texts• Write A says this, B says that

and C says the other.

• Provide a book by book listing



Activity• Read the example literature reviews given• Highlight where the author:

▫ Outlines what the principle themes are▫ Identifies what is relevant and irrelevant to your work▫ Explains why the relevant work fits into your study

and how you will adopt it.▫ Highlights specific areas of interest and draw attention

to areas of concern• Decide whether the review is effective in▫ Helping you to understand the existing and

established theory and research in the topic area and▫ Providing a context for the work to come.



Article review exerciseReview one of your articles:

Comment upon:

Aim

Literature review Methodology

Conclusions

Summarise in 100-150 words



Useful resources• http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/StudyR

esources/Essays/sta-developinglitreview.aspx

• http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/upgrade/study-skills/literature-review.html

http://www.reading.ac.uk/internal/studyadvice/StudyResources/Essays/sta-developinglitreview.aspx


http://www.brookes.ac.uk/services/upgrade/study-skills/literature-review.html















D) Methodology

The research proposal should: • Identify an appropriate research methodology

that is relevant for the topic and the aims andobjectives of the intended research, logicallyexplaining how it is relevant and providing arationale for the selection of this approach over

others.• Demonstrate an understanding of the

limitations of the chosen methodology, includingpractical and ethical considerations.



What is a methodolgy?

• The methodology provides an overall plan ofhow the research objectives will be achieved.

• It includes a description of the methods and themethodology



MethodsMethods are the techniques or procedures used to gatherand analyse data. Methods can be qualitative orquantitative

Some common research methods include:• Document analysis• Textual analysis• Policy analysis• Interviewing• Survey• Experiment• Observation• Statistical analysis of public records

• Documentary or film making.



The methodology• Methodology refers to the 'the strategy, plan of action,

process or design lying behind the choice and use of

particular methods, and linking the choice and use ofmethods to the desired outcomes' (Crotty, 1998:3).

• An 'underpinning research rationale‟ refers to what it is you hope to understand from or extrapolate (get from)

the data.• This is often what is meant by the 'researchmethodology', or the 'theoretical' or 'conceptualframework' of the research.



E) Research Design (only if primary

research is to be used)


• Present an outline of how data is to be collected, verified and recorded (via primary andsecondary data).

• Explain or identify the sources of data, possible

interviewees or targeted subpopulations• The processes through which the data would be

examined and analysed



F) Conclusions/summary of the report


• Provide a summary of the main points raised inthe proposal



How to write conclusionsHaving reviewed the evidence:

• Summarise• Identify interesting areas arising in your search• Justify changes in direction• Note any consistencies / inconsistencies in approach

or informed opinion

This journey should have enabled you to choose aresearch topic and write research questions. Note

and justify this in the conclusion.



G) List of References

• The research proposal should:

• Be fully and consistently referenced using theHarvard British Standard referencing system(see details on Moodle for guidance).



In addition the proposal should:

• Have correct and appropriate language,grammar and spelling.

• Have an appropriate structure; remember use ofheadings and sub-headings to provide clearstructure.

• Be professionally presented, appropriate to bothacademic and business audiences.

• Have adhered to word count.



Activity 2

• Review the example proposals

• In pairs, decide which achieved

▫ 80%

▫ 70%

▫ 60%

• Be prepared to justify your allocation



More resources• http://mycourse.solent.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=2

744

• http://resource.unisa.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=3871

• http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.07.htm

http://mycourse.solent.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=2744


http://resource.unisa.edu.au/mod/resource/view.php?id=3871


http://library.bcu.ac.uk/learner/writingguides/1.07.htm











Dates When (w/c) What

24 November Last date to check appropriateness of theme or problem

1 December Submit Assessment 1 draft, 12.00 noon15 December Assessment 1 draft returned

26 January Submit Assessment 1, 12.00 noon

23 February Assessment 1 returned

23 March Submit Assessment 2, 12.00 noon



Learning Outcomes:• By the end of this session you should be able to:

▫ List the stages of the research process and explain

each stage▫ Identify where you are in the process and plan

what you need to do next

▫ Write your research problem

▫ Explain the purpose and content of each section ofthe research proposal

assessment workshop 4

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