Research methods workshop teaching plan

The following is the teaching plan on Research Methods for the Business Studies/ Marketing students/ Business Management 2013
    1. Workshop 1 (by Joseph Ho)
    2. Workshop 2 (by Joseph Ho)
    3. Workshop 3 (by Joseph Ho)
    4. Workshop 4 (by Joseph Ho)
    5. Workshop 5-9 are presented by the UK lecturer
    6. Workshop 10 (by Joseph Ho)
    7. Workshop 11 (by Joseph Ho)
    8. Workshop 12 (by Joseph Ho)
    9. Workshop 13 (by Joseph Ho)
NB:
  • Students also need to study the workshop manual of readings to be distributed during the workshop; the lecture presentation ppt will also be distributed to the class during the workshop.
  • ABRS project start dates: In Jan/ May/ Sept.; last for 4 months; allowed to apply only finishing the research methods workshop.

References
  1. Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003) Research Methods for Business Students, Prentice Hall [It is quite OK if students are able to obtain the latest edition of the book]
  2. Bryman, A.and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods, Oxford Univerity  Press
  3. Related FB lecture notes on consulting practices: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150093632572090.309103.713727089&type=3
  4. Related FB research methods forum: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150093632572090.309103.713727089&type=3#!/groups/194088197319308/
  5. On using University e-library: http://josephho33.blogspot.hk/2012/01/list-of-articles-on-e-library-usage.html
  6. Wickham, P. (2004) Management Consulting: Delivering an Effective Project, Prentice Hall [It is quite OK if students are able to obtain the latest edition of the book] (For the Business Admin class only)
Updated key information for the subject from course manual (for the Marketing Degree class):
Assessment Title
Weight towards final grade
Length
Preliminary Literature Review & aim and objectives/hypothesis & research questions:
0%
2500-3000
Preliminary Methodology:
0%
1500-2000
Completed Dissertation
100%
10000
(+/-10%)

Preliminary Literature Review (and aim & objectives/hypothesis and research questions):

Your literature review will be assessed according to the extent to which it fulfils the following criteria:
Criteria
1. Containing 2500-3000 words excluding the cover page, reference list and appendices.
2. Assessing the range of literature available (At least 15 high quality academic-journal articles)
3. Examining the background against which student’s own research is set
4. Purely focusing on and around the topic area, which should be clearly outlined and supported with:
·        Aim
·        Objectives and/or hypothesis [depending on your research paradigm., discuss with your supervisor if you’re unsure]
·        Research Questions
5. Offering opinions and personal response to the different scholarship – so you move beyond mere ‘description’ of the scholarship towards a ‘critical’ review of the literature
6. Relating different writings to each other, compare and contrast, exploring similarities and differences amongst the scholarship you read
7. Showing an awareness of the theories and values that underpin the research
8. Using appropriate academic style and particularly ensure you use ‘third person’ narrative or passive voice as appropriate. Also use particular language (such as: authors assert, argue, state, conclude, contend)
9. Using Harvard style in-text citation and referencing
10. Referring to the reference list at the end
11. Use clear side-headings to signpost the reader to content
12. Attempt to outline and identify the gaps and problems with current research that provides a justification for the choice of the research
13. Conclude with a heading ‘conclusions derived from the literature’ to demonstrate what the review has led the author to identify as key issues/arguments within the body of literature that they are reviewing
14. Careful consideration should be taken to ensure that the student has a ‘conceptual framework’ and is reviewing largely academic literature in order to explore their context.  This is not a market research document. 

Preliminary Methodology:

Your Methodology will be assessed according to the extent to which it fulfils following criteria:
Criteria
1. Containing 1500-2000 words excluding the cover page, reference list and appendices.
2. Utilising at least 5 high quality academic-style resources and methodological texts.
3. Containing a detailed account of how the student will go about collecting the data required for the project.
4. Is designed specifically to address research aims and question (s).
5. Is realistic in terms of the type, quality and quantity of information to be collected.
6. Using appropriate academic style and particularly ensure you use ‘third person’ narrative or passive voice as appropriate. Also use particular language (such as: authors assert, argue, state, conclude, contend)
7. Contains discussion about and justification of:
     a) research paradigm chosen and appropriateness to the aim of the study
     c) research procedure – what will the data collection involve
     d) sampling decisions in relation to the study and academic literature – who will the sample be? How will they be recruited? Why is this method appropriate? [cite references to support decision making]
     e) analytical technique – how will the data be analysed? Provide key references to support decisions
8. Use Harvard style in-text citation and referencing
9. Refers to the reference list at the end

Dissertation:

Presentation and Format
1.    Write 10000 words (+ or - 10%). The word count includes everything that is in the main body of the text (after the list of tables and figures). This means that it:
Does include- the references in the text, all tables and figures in the text
Does not include –appendices, list of references, synopsis, and acknowledgements.
2.    Appendices should only contain supporting material such as details of survey methods, case studies, numerical data, transcripts, mathematical workings. Appendices must not contain material that extends the subject matter of the study. You are required to include at least one transcript of interviews/focus groups in your appendix if you used this method.
3.    The dissertation must be word-processed with one and a half or double line-spaced (except for extended quotations, which should be single-spaced and indented) on single sides of A4 and all pages must be clearly numbered in the bottom right handed cornered.
Detailed of page setup, spacing and text font size
Word Limit
10,000 words (+ or – 10%)
Top and Bottom Margin
Minimum 2 cm
Left Margin
Minimum 4 cm
Right Margin
Minimum 2 cm
Line spacing
One and a half or double line spacing
Font (main text)
12 point Times New Roman except for heading and titles
Page numbers
Bottom left hand corner
Printing
Printing on one side of A4 paper only (For hard copy submission)
Structure and Content
1.    A title page giving:
a.     The title of the dissertation, which should give a clear indication of the content
b.     Your name
c.      The words “University of Greenwich”
d.     The words “BA (Hons) (your programme e.g. Marketing Management) and the month and year of submission.
e.     Word count
2.    A content page listing the page number of all sections/chapters in the dissertation
3.    A list of tables and list of figures if applicable
4.    An acknowledgements/dedication page
5.    An abstract of approximately 250-500 words outlining the main arguments and summarising the results of the dissertation
Content: The nature of the content may vary depending upon the individual study.  However, most dissertations follow the following format – please discuss with your supervisor in more detail as different paradigms may implicate different layouts [for example, some students doing quantitative data collection may opt to merge their results and discussion, whereas we would not recommend that a qualitative dissertation takes this approach]:
a.     Introduction chapter [which includes a clear statement of the research problem, research aims & objectives/hypothesis research questions/hypotheses]
b.     Literature Review chapter ;
c.      Methodology Chapter;
d.     Results;
e.     Analysis and interpretation;
f.      Conclusions and implications for theory and/or policy;
g.     References (in Harvard style.)
h.     Appendices including signed declaration form
Criteria of assessment
Abstract
Have you sufficiently and appropriately outlined the purpose of the study, the originality/value, methodological approach, results and implications in an abstract that follows the protocols of widely accepted approaches in journals that you will be familiar with
Introduction, Research topic and objectives/hypotheses and/or research questions: You should clearly state and justify the research topic and the objectives/hypotheses & research questions that your research will address. This is typically presented in the introduction chapter
Literature review: have you read peer-reviewed journal articles? Have you identified gaps in the research? Have you evaluated rather than just described? Have conclusions from the literature been summarised and indicated how they feed into the research design? Is the review appropriately signposted and sufficiently well-read?
Methodology: You should describe fully your methods, the form of the data you collect and how this articulates with the research question and theoretical framework chosen. This chapter should outline in the chosen research paradigm, justification for this choice [link with aim], details of the primary and secondary data collection, procedure, limitations of the research design, data analysis approach etc
Results: This chapter should present the results in a clear and comprehensible manner, which reflects the chosen research paradigm that the student has chosen to work within, and be presented in a clear an unambiguous manner.
Analysis/Discussions: This should review and evaluate the data used in relation to the research aim/objectives/hypothesis and research questions and should benchmark with the findings raised and discussed in the literature review.  This benchmarking stimulates the analysis and provides the platform for the conclusions/recommendations.   
Conclusions & Recommendations: Your should clearly state how and to what extent your research has addressed the research aim you originally posed and make clear its significance with regard to the theoretical framework you have used.  Include recommendations, which relate to and develop from the conclusions reached.  Implications for both future research in the area studied and for the industry under investigation. 
 

Assessment information for Businss Study stream
Assessment Title
Weight towards final grade
Length
Proposal
20%
1,000
Report
65%
7,500
Presentation
15%
15 Minutes

The purpose of the Project Proposal is to detail the nature of the enquiry and to provide a timeline for the project. The Proposal should be 1,000 words in length. Specific details on how to construct the proposal will be given during lectures and tutorials. As an initial guideline, the following structure is suggested:
Title
Background
Research Question and Objectives
Research Method
Timescale
Resources
References
Marking Criteria
Marks allocated to criteria:
Focus
Does the proposal set up a clear research question to address?  Does the proposal stay within and fulfil the topic parameters? 
20
Synthesis
Does the proposal effectively integrate the key aims of the project with a clear set of objectives and appropriate timescales?
30
Soundness
Is the proposal based on a clearly identified business issue and is the nature of the enquiry fully understood?
30
Clarity of structure
Is the proposal well organised and logically constructed to achieve synthesis while being mindful of the needs of the reader?
10
Mechanical Soundness
Is the proposal clearly written and referenced appropriately? Has consideration been given to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation?
10
This assignment actually comprises two reports (although submitted as one document). The Research Project Report should be 6,000 words in length. It is a major piece of work which brings together all aspects of your consultancy research project. It will include your review of the literature and your research methodology. It will also include all of your findings, analysis and recommendations in respect of the project which you have undertaken. Specific details on how to construct the report will be given during lectures and tutorials. As an initial guideline, the following structure is suggested:
Abstract (Executive Summary)
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Results
Conclusions
Reflective Report
References
Appendices
The Consultancy Report should be 1,500 words in length. This is a secondary business report which should be addressed to your client organisation. The report will of course have much in common with the research report but will be shorter and less detailed; it will be more business-focused. The report must include recommendations in the Conclusions and Recommendations section and these should be summarised in the Executive Summary. Specific details on how to construct the report will be given during lectures and tutorials. As an initial guideline, the following structure is suggested:
Executive Summary
Introduction
Key Findings
Conclusions and Recommendations
Appendices
For the Research Project Report and the Consultancy Report, please take note of the table below which details the marking criteria which will be applied when marking the reports.
Marking Criteria
Marks allocated to criteria:
Focus
Does the report set up a clear research question to address?  Does the report stay within and fulfil the topic parameters? 
20
Synthesis
Does the report bring together the literature in a significant manner that informs the research phase of the project?
30
Soundness
Does the report indicate a comprehensive understanding of the topic area and literature discussed?
30
Clarity of structure
Is the report well organised and logically constructed to achieve synthesis while being mindful of the needs of the reader?
10
Mechanical Soundness
Is the report clearly written and referenced appropriately? Has consideration been given to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation?
10
Presentation
The final assessment is a Power Point presentation of your recommendations to be delivered to the client. You will be required to present to a small panel and to answer questions in relation to your presentation. The overall process will take approximately 15 minutes.
Marking Criteria
Marks allocated to criteria:
Focus
Does the presentation remain focused on the research question?  Does the presentation stay within and fulfil the topic parameters? 
20
Synthesis
Is the presentation coordinated in such a way as to demonstrate a clear relationship between the research question, the consultancy project findings and the final recommendations?
30
Soundness
Is there clear evidence of a comprehensive understanding of the topic area during both the formal presentation and the question and answer session?
30
Clarity of structure
Is the presentation well organised and logically constructed (both in terms of the oral delivery and the supporting Power Point slides) to achieve synthesis while being mindful of the needs of the audience?
10
Mechanical Soundness
Are all Power Point slides (and any other written materials, visible to the audience) clearly written and referenced appropriately? Has consideration been given to correct spelling, grammar and punctuation?
10


For BA Business Management students:

Assessment
Research Ethics: 0%;   
Draft Literature Review: 10%;     in 3,000 words
Reflective  Report: 5%;                in 1,000 words
  • Key takeaways and learning points from your experiences of researching and writing your work.
Dissertation: 85%;                        in 10,000 words

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