Download - 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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 2/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 3/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 4/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 5/34
• 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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 6/34
• 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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 7/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 8/34
• 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
Design the research and write the proposal
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 9/34
• Information/data sources:
• Plan to use a variety; appropriate to yourproblem
• Ensure the sources are valid and reliable
Design the research and write the proposal
The literature Company data Surveys
Official statistics Internal data
Industry data People
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 10/34
• Write the proposal:
▫ Before you write anything, ensure you check thestructure requirements in the brief
Design the research and write the proposal
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 11/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 12/34
A) Introduction:
• This should contain:
▫ purpose of report;
▫ aims and objectives of proposed research,▫ roadmap
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 13/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 14/34
C) Literature review
The research proposal should:
• 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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 15/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 16/34
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?
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 17/34
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)
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 18/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 19/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 20/34
Article review exerciseReview one of your articles:
Comment upon:
Aim
Literature review Methodology
Conclusions
Summarise in 100-150 words
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 21/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 22/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 23/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 24/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 25/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 26/34
E) Research Design (only if primary
research is to be used)
The research proposal should:
• 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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 27/34
F) Conclusions/summary of the report
The research proposal should:
• Provide a summary of the main points raised inthe proposal
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 28/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 29/34
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).
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 30/34
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.
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 31/34
Activity 2
• Review the example proposals
• In pairs, decide which achieved
▫ 80%
▫ 70%
▫ 60%
• Be prepared to justify your allocation
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 32/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 33/34
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
8/10/2019 Assessment Workshop 4
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/assessment-workshop-4 34/34
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