MBA 7101 Research Methods and Academic Skills Module Guide Assignment Solution

Assignment Detail:-

• Words: 3000

Do you need help MBA 7101 Research Methods and Academic Skills Module Guide Assignment Questions and Answers? Casestudyhelp.com provides customized 100% original work. All our professional assignment writers have well-trained experience. Avail Research Methods assignment at pocket friendly price.

Module Description

This module is delivered at a distance through an online platform. It enables you to further develop your academic and research skills and supports the completion of the dissertation through the production of a research proposal and draft literature review. The skills element of this module places particular emphasis on building your confidence as an independent learner and refining your academic writing skills including referencing and strategies for avoiding plagiarism. Other academic skills such as critical thinking, presentation delivery and learning strategies will be developed. The research element will focus on research philosophies, secondary and primary strategies, research methods and practical considerations. The subjects of triangulation, reliability, validity and research ethics will be explored and a combination of methods to form a critically robust research design will emerge. 

The first component is a research portfolio which will later develop to Chapter 1 of Dissertation in Semester 2. Portfolio however sets the stepping-stone for Literature Review which develops further as in component 2. The feedback from C1 will resonate into development of C2 which later develops into full chapter 2 of MBA7106 Dissertation taught in semester 2. The other sections of C1-Portfolio also provide an outline of Chapter 3 – Research Methodology (Semester 2). [COHERENCE] 

This module of MBA7101 is pre-requisite for MBA7106 Dissertation module based on COHERENCE of components. MBA7101 helps to develop skills for systematic investigation among Managers to identify and resolve problems in real life organisations with contemporary situations. Students will have a choice of selecting any Business Management based domain to contextualise their research problem. The learning focuses on a development of a proposal driven by credible research within the ethical context. Critical and contemporary literature is essential to develop a firm conceptual knowledge. Project plan helps developing planning skills and time management among learners [CONTEMPORARY, CHOICE, CHALLENGE, & CONSOLIDATION]

Learning Outcomes and Assessments

Learning Outcomes	Assessment
LO1:  Demonstrate effective academic study skills at Master’s level in relation to academic writing, presentations, referencing, plagiarism avoidance strategies and research	Portfolio – including evidence of study and research skills, a proposal, and ethics form.
LO2: Develop and justify a research aim/question and objectives for an original research project in a strategic business or management area	Portfolio – including evidence of study and research skills, a proposal, and ethics form.
LO3:  Devise a research strategy to underpin the achievement of the proposed research aim/question and objectives which takes ethical considerations into account	Portfolio – including evidence of study and research skills, a proposal, and ethics form.
LO4:  Synthesise and critically evaluate relevant literature underpinning a complex area of research	Draft mini–Literature Review 2000 Words

Assessments

Assessment Number	1
Assessment Type (and weighting)	Portfolio – including evidence of study and research skills, a proposal, and ethics form (60%)
Assessment Name	Research Proposal Portfolio
Assessment Submission Date	14th April 2024

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO1: Demonstrate effective academic study skills at Master’s level in relation to academic writing, presentations, referencing, plagiarism avoidance strategies and research

LO2: Develop and justify a research aim/question and objectives for an original research project in a strategic business or management area

LO3: Devise a research strategy to underpin the achievement of the proposed research aim/question and objectives which takes ethical considerations into account

Assessment Brief

The first is a digital portfolio which will include evidence of academic and research skills, as well as a research proposal which outlines your research aims and objectives, rationale and research plan and underpinning research strategy. The portfolio will also include ethical considerations and Research Ethics (RE1) form

Your electronic portfolio will contain the evidence to prove you have the appropriate level of Research and Academic Skills to proceed to your Dissertation. 

Part 1 – Portfolio Components (LO1)

 

Your electronic portfolio should contain the following:

• Certificate of Attendance for:
  • Academic Referencing 2hrs
  • Academic Writing 2hrs

(These certificates will be issued by the tutor once you have attended these sessions. Please follow instructions, notification and guidance as provided during the classes.)

• Ethics Form for your Research Proposal (RE1)

(Your supervisor will provide you with the template and instructions on how to fill / upload it. This must be approved by the supervisor.)

 

Part 2 – Research Proposal (LO2, LO3)

 

Write a Research Proposal for an approved (by supervisor) research topic that is in the domain of your programme of study, of sufficient interest to yourself to ultimately be the basis for your Masters Dissertation project and meets the pragmatic criteria given to you for a reasonable and feasible topic. This proposal should be based on your Problem Statement and will be expanded to include how you will shape your research with justification for the same.

• Write out a Problem Statement (of no more than 500 words) for the problem identified with a brief explanation. This should be discussed with your Tutor prior to submission to ensure the focus of your research is appropriate and manageable – Explain and rationalize the problem selected on the basis of the following: specific significance, uniqueness and value to the company. In short, you must justify its selection on the basis of these three criteria.

Students should submit a Research Title, feasible research objectives, rationale and research plan and underpinning research strategy along with an appropriate view of ethical considerations. 

Proposal Structure

1. Introduction / Research background
2. Overview of the chosen company
3. Problem statement (with in-depth focus of research problem and its implications)

• Also discuss the problem you have identified using research study of books, peer reviewed journals, periodicals, white papers, and other dissertation papers found in the University of Bolton (UoB) e-Library, etc, to discover and identify the relevant concepts

4. Research Title
5. Research Aim, Objectives and Questions

• Sketch out feasible research objectives and questions for a possible project to solve the identified problem

6. Significance of Research / Research Rationale
7. Justification of Choice – This should reflect justification of your chosen topic
8. Research Methodology Overview – This should include research philosophy, strategy, methods and tentative sample size.
9. Ethical considerations – All potential / relevant ethical issues should be proactively highlighted here along with propositions on how you will overcome them as a researcher
10. Incorporate a Project Plan with tentative list of activities and milestones.

• Add an appropriate reference list using Harvard convention to include all in-text citations to meet the minimum secondary research source requirements.
• You should also generate an indicative bibliography list for the planned study, in Harvard convention

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE7 – It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include four refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria:

(Please note that the General Assessment Criteria will also apply. Please see section 16)

Distinction (70% and above)

Introduction to research context is exceptionally clear and concise. The background to the project is fully described and critically analysed. Topic is relevant, valid and contextualised well. Clear statement of core research problem and associated objectives.  Research objectives are feasible, smart and consistent with the research questions. Persuasive and comprehensive research rationale.  Task demanding. Research problem has been critically discussed with in-depth view on its implications. Problem statement shows evidence of extensive in-depth reading and research about the topic. Strong and much justified reasoning provided for the research choice highlighting personal / professional interest or objectives.

Extensive overview of research methodology with clear identification of research strategy, methods and sample size. Well-developed project plan incorporated using appropriate planning tool. All potential / relevant ethical issues have been proactively highlighted along with propositions on how researcher will overcome them.

There is strong evidence of extensive in-depth additional research completed. Referencing is clear, relevant and consistently accurate. An excellent range of authoritative secondary data sources has been researched and used.  Additional list of an indicative bibliography list for the planned study, in Harvard convention has been provided.

There is much clarity of expression, with consistently accurate use of grammar and spelling, along with fluent professional/academic writing. There is an excellent and much obvious evidence of originality and creativity.

Merit (60-69%)

Introduction to research context is clear and concise. The background to the project has been described and critically analysed. Topic is relevant, and fairly contextualised. Reasonable statement of core research problem and associated objectives. Research objectives are feasible, and quite aligned with the research questions. Much reasonable research rationale.  Appropriately task demanding. Research problem has been discussed with view on its implications. Problem statement shows evidence of in-depth reading and research about the topic. Justified reasoning provided for the research choice.

Overview of research methodology with identification of research strategy, methods and sample size has been fairly attempted. A reasonable project plan has been incorporated. Potential / relevant ethical issues have been highlighted along with some propositions on how researcher will overcome them.

There is fair evidence of in-depth research completed. Referencing is clear, relevant and mostly accurate. A reasonable range of authoritative secondary data sources has been used.  Additional list of an indicative bibliography list for the planned study, has been provided.

There is clarity of expression, with accurate use of grammar and spelling, along with appropriate professional/academic writing. There is fair evidence of originality and creativity.

Pass (50-59%)

Introduction to research context is exceptionally quite clear. The background to the project has been described. Topic is relevant. Acceptable statement of core research problem and associated objectives. Research objectives are feasible and somewhat consistent with the research questions. Satisfactory research rationale.  Research problem has been outlined which lacks depth; while its implications have not been / roughly articulated. Problem statement shows some evidence of research about the topic. Acceptable / Little reasoning provided for the justification of research choice.

Overview of research methodology with identification of research strategy, methods and sample size has been attempted. Project plan has been incorporated. Limited view of ethical issues has been witnessed.

There is satisfactory evidence of research completed. Referencing is somewhat acceptable with minor inconsistencies and inaccuracies. An acceptable range of authoritative secondary data sources has been demonstrated.  Limited / No additional list of an indicative bibliography list for the planned study, has been provided.

Satisfactory expression, with minor lapses in grammar, spelling, and writing style. Some evidence of originality and creativity has been witnessed. 

Below 50% (Fail)   

Introduction to research Context is underdeveloped, unclear or absent. Research questions / objectives are unclear, unfeasible or absent. Communication and presentation are often poor or ambiguous, leading to meaning being barely apparent. Format deficient. Poor articulation of ideas, language, grammar and spelling. Research methodology is vague / insufficient / not related to objectives / does not cover basic elements. Other relevant sections are omitted or superficial. Ethical considerations and Project plan have been poorly developed / not incorporated. Deficiencies or omissions in information, skills, and theoretical, conceptual, analytical, creative or practical elements relating to effective team working are found. There is little or no evidence of originality and creativity as appropriate. The learner has not met minimum pass requirements.

Important and helpful information

Please refer to the Module Specification/Guide for information regarding indicative reading, guidelines for the preparation and submission of assignments (formative and/or summative), and the assessment criteria.

Submission (for both tasks) via Turnitin (Moodle)

Soft copies of the documents generated for each formative task should be submitted electronically, using the Turnitin system (via Moodle), by the assignment due date. Please ensure that you follow the Turnitin submission instructions provided by your module tutor during module sessions.

Submission of assessments may be done on or before the published submission date. Assignments not available at this time will be considered as “late” unless an extension has been previously agreed, with the Programme Leader for your programme.

Where assessments are graded Pass/Fail only they will not be accepted beyond the deadline date for submission and will be recorded as a Fail.  Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that the assignment is submitted in the format/s specified in the Module Guide or on the Assessment Brief.

Related post:-

MBA 7104 – Leadership and Management Module Guide

MBA 7069 Leadership and Management Module Guide for Students

Assessment Number	2
Assessment Type (and weighting)	Report – Literature Review (40%)
Assessment Name	Mini Draft Literature Review – 2000 words
Assessment Submission Date	7th May 2024

 

Learning Outcomes Assessed:

LO4: Synthesise and critically evaluate relevant literature underpinning a complex area of research 

Mini Draft Literature Review: (Max 2000 words)

The second assessment is a draft literature review of 2000 words which underpins the proposed area of research. Review academic articles, books and various credible sources related to the selected problem in Assignment 1. This should be within your envisaged dissertation study area. Carefully read and critically analyse the sources; and then write a critique of the available literature.

A brief review of literature relevant to the research problem (this is not a full literature review rather a statement about key arguments you are already aware of and the areas of literature which you will seek to review) with in-text citations and referencing list.

Guidance:

A good Literature Review should tell the reader

• What we already know about your chosen topic area (historical and current context in which your research is situated)
• Definitions and relevant terminology for your research
• The characteristics of the key concepts, factors, or variables
• The relationships between these key concepts, factors, or variables
• Existing theories in your chosen topic area
• The inconsistencies or other shortcomings in our knowledge and understanding
• What views/issues need to be (further) tested and how your work extends this or addresses a gap in previous work in the field
• What evidence is lacking, inconclusive, contradictory, or too limited
• Why the research problem should be studied (further)
• If any existing research designs or methods seem unsatisfactory

The Literature Review provides you with the supporting evidence for the practical problem which your research is addressing. It is proposed that the Literature Review is based upon the concept map (Conceptual Framework) and Research Proposal devised in Assignment 1. Research / knowledge gap should be identified at this stage.

Assignment Structure

1. Introduction
2. Review of Literature
3. Conceptual Framework
4. Research / Knowledge Gap

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE7 – It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include four refereed academic journals and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria: 

Distinction (70% and above)

An excellent and critically reviewed piece of literature incorporating a wide range of conceptual themes. Strong critique with well-articulated theories and terminologies directly relevant to chosen research subject. A variety of dimensions related to main variables have been highlighted. Exceptional argument development which integrates critical thinking and creative commentary. Research gap has been sharply identified along with a creative conceptual framework based on Literature review.

Resources used are recent, pertinent, and largely from peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles and books. Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of contemporary and seminal sources are evident. Writing skills are excellent with clarity of expression, consistently accurate use of grammar and spelling, with fluent academic writing. Referencing is clear, relevant and consistently accurate.

Merit (60%-69%)

A fair and critically reviewed piece of literature incorporating a good range of conceptual themes. Fairly good critique with well-articulated theories and terminologies relevant to chosen research subject. A reasonable range of dimensions related to main variables have been highlighted. Good argument development which integrates critical thinking and creative commentary. Research gap has been fairly identified along with a reasonable conceptual framework based on Literature review.

Resources used are recent, pertinent, with mostly from peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles and books. Research demonstrating use of a good range of relevant research sources will be evident. Referencing and writing is good.  Sources are accurately cited in the text. The work is competently presented, with good standard grammar and spelling. 

Pass (50%-59%)

A critically reviewed piece of literature incorporating a range of conceptual themes. Some critique demonstrated with theories and terminologies relevant to chosen research subject. A few dimensions related to main variables have been highlighted. An attempt to argument development which integrate some critical thinking and creative commentary, has been made. Research gap has been identified along with an attempt to develop conceptual framework based on Literature review.

Resources used are pertinent, with some from peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles and books. Research demonstrating use of some relevant research sources are evident. Referencing and writing is of satisfactory level.  There are relatively minor inconsistencies and inaccuracies in referencing.  The work is generally clearly presented with minor lapses in spelling and grammar.

Fail (Below 50%)

Students who do not meet the requirements of the Pass criteria will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

For REF… Use:#getanswers2002626