BKM 201 Business Research Assessment

MODULE: Business research assessment

Module Code	BKM 201
Module Level	HE5
Credit Value	20
Module Leader	Ian Bathgate
Academic year	2019/2020, Sem 1; Cohort 1

Assignment Brief

1. Purpose of the Assessment

Summative assessment will focus on the ability of students to draw conclusions from all aspects influencing and affecting Business Research. The module will be assessed by a written assignment and an individual skills test.

2. Assessment Task

2.1 Individual skills assessment (AS1), 30% weighting of the mark (LO4)

You will be given a set of data for which you would be expected to analyse and assess/discuss issues around validity and reliability. weighting 30% of the mark (LO4)

You will be expected to meet the course tutor to discuss your approach and to use appropriate tools of analysis.

2.2 Individual assignment (AS2), weighting 70% of the mark (LO 1-3 )

You will be expected to prepare a research proposal on a chosen topic and to submit in a written format using accepted structures. Within the proposal you will

Choose a relevant research subject

The choice of a relevant research topic; developing a research topic and setting the research question and research objectives.

Reviewing current knowledge

To include a brief literature review which defines the shape and limits of current knowledge; demonstrating any gaps in the literature and how that literature has shaped your research question and objectives, whilst managing bibliographic records.

Designing a research strategy

Defining research questions and building hypotheses; exploring different methodologies; their roles and limitations; the nature of knowledge and methods in management research: epistemological and ontological issues; the role of the researcher and the importance of research ethics; and including relevant timelines.

Research methods

Approaches to primary research and techniques of data collection; qualitative and quantitative research methods; triangulation; and general guidelines for empirical research.

Your assignment should have 3000 words.

3. Sources

It is expected that the Reference List will contain between ten and fifteen sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include two refereed academic journals and four academic books

4. Specific Assessment Criteria

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

Ass 1 skills:

First class (70% and above):

Students will provide a detailed analysis of the data set provided using appropriate methods.

Second class (50-69%):

Students will provide a comprehensive analysis of the data set provided using appropriate methods.

Third class (40-49%):

Students will provide a satisfactory analysis of the data set provided using appropriate methods.

Fail (39% and below): Students who do not meet the requirements of a third-class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

Ass 2 research proposal:

First class (70% and above):

Students will provide an in-depth research proposal with clear research question/s and objectives, demonstrating excellent critical reasoning skills. Focused and justified recommendations will be made as to the approach adopted to the topic utilising standard structures. Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be excellent. 

Second class (50-69%):

Students will provide a comprehensive research proposal with clear research question/s and objectives, demonstrating excellent critical reasoning skills. Focused and justified recommendations will be made as to the approach adopted to the topic utilising standard structures. Good standards of research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be good.   

Third class (40-49%):

Students will provide a satisfactory research proposal with clear research question/s and objectives , demonstrating excellent critical reasoning skills. Focused and justified recommendations will be made as to the approach adopted to the topic utilising standard structures. Research demonstrating use of a wide range of current secondary research sources will be evident. Academic style and referencing will be fair.   

Fail (39% and below): Students who do not meet the requirements of a third-class grade will not successfully complete the assessment activity.

5. Assessment Submission

Your written assignment must be word processed and presented in a report format with simple sub-headings. The word count should be as specified in the assignment above±10% (tables, diagrams and appendices are excluded from the count). 

The Assignment report should have a Front Sheet showing your name, your student number, the module name, the module number, the assignment title, the module tutor’s name, the date and the word count. 

An appointment will be made for you to deliver the presentation, either in person or via Skype.

You are required to submit your presentation slides to Moodle.

All assignments will be submitted, graded and fed-back electronically via TURNITIN. Several submissions will be permitted before the hand-in date in order to enable you to refine the content in your report.

To submit your work, please go to the ‘Submit your work’ area of the Module Moodle site. It is important that you submit your work to the correct module Moodle site, and that your work is submitted on time.

Feedback on assignments in general will be provided to the whole group when marked assignments are returned. Feedback on assignments for everyone will be provided electronically via TURNITIN. 

A student may obtain an individual appointment to discuss feedback with the tutor.

Submission Deadlines

Assignment 1: 16^th December 2019

Assignment 2: 27^th January 2020

5.Assessment Guidance

The quality of your presentation and academic referencing is very important. Please, use the Harvard Referencing System.

Within your assignment your tutor will be looking for content that addresses the key elements of the assignment brief.

Try not to overcomplicate your answers by choosing a company that you know little about. Keep to simple processes that you know well.

6. Academic Practice

Amity University [IN] London policy will apply in all cases of copying, plagiarism or any other methods by which students have obtained (or attempted to obtain) an unfair advantage.

Support and guidance on assessments and academic integrity can be found from the following resources:

  Moodle / Policies and Procedures

  Moodle / Student Corner

7. Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes being addressed through this assignment are:

LO 1 – Analyse current knowledge in a specified area as a means of establishing the status and limitations of current knowledge in that area.

LO 2 – Identify a business research question and justify its relevance to practice and its significance as a potential contribution to existing knowledge.

LO 3 – Appraise and justify a research methodology to meet specified research aims and objectives.

LO 4 – Analyse and interpret primary and secondary research data, testing for validity and reliability.

General Assessment Guidelines for Written Assessments Level HE4

	%	Relevance	Knowledge	Argument/Analysis	Structure	Presentation	Written English	Research/Referencing
Class I (Exceptional Quality)	85-100%	Directly relevant to title.  Expertly addresses the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief.	Demonstrates an exceptional knowledge/ understanding of theory and practice for this level through the identification and analysis of the most important issues.	Makes exceptional use of appropriate arguments and/or theoretical models. Presents an analysis of the material resulting in clear, logical and original conclusions.	Coherently articulated and logically structured.   An appropriate format is used.	The presentational style & layout is correct for the type of assignment. Effective inclusion of figures, tables, plates (FTP).	An exceptionally well written answer with standard spelling and grammar. Style is clear, resourceful and academic.	Sources accurately cited in the text. A wide range of contemporary and relevant references cited in the reference list in the correct style.
Class I (Excellent Quality)	70-84%	Directly relevant to title.  Addresses the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief.	Demonstrates an excellent knowledge/understanding of theory and practice for this level through the identification and summary of the most important issues.	Makes creative use of appropriate arguments and/or theoretical models. Presents an excellent discussion of the material resulting in clear, logical conclusions.	Coherently articulated and logically structured. An appropriate format is used.	The presentational style & layout is correct for the type of assignment. Effective inclusion of figures, tables, plates (FTP).	An excellently written answer with standard spelling and grammar. Style is clear, resourceful and academic.	Sources accurately cited in the text. A range of contemporary and relevant references cited in the reference list in the correct style.
Class II/i (Very Good Quality)	60-69%	Directly relevant to title. Addresses most of the assumptions of the title and/or the requirements of the brief.	Demonstrates a very good knowledge/understanding of theory and practice for this level through the identification and summary of key issues.	Uses sound arguments or theoretical models. Presents a clear and valid discussion of the material. Clear, logical conclusions.	Logically constructed in the main. An appropriate format is used.	The presentational style & layout is correct for the type of assignment. Effective inclusion of FTP.	A very well written answer with standard spelling and grammar. Style is clear and academic.	Sources are accurately cited in the text and an appropriate reference list in the correct style is provided.
Class II/ii (Good Quality)	50-59%	Generally addresses the title/brief, but sometimes considers irrelevant issues.	Demonstrates a good knowledge/understanding of theory and practice for this level through the identification and summary of some key issues.	Presents largely coherent arguments. Some issues and theoretical models expressed in simplistic terms. Conclusions are fairly clear and logical.	For the most part coherently articulated and logically structured. An acceptable format is used.	The presentational style & layout is correct for the type of assignment. Inclusion of FTP but lacks selectivity.	Competently written with minor lapses in spelling and grammar. Style is readable and academic in the main.	Most sources accurately cited in the text and an appropriate reference list is provided which is largely in the correct style.
Class III (Satisfactory Quality)	40-49%	Some degree of irrelevance to the title/brief.  Superficial consideration of the issues.	Demonstrates an adequate knowledge/understanding of theory and practice for this level. An attempt is made to identify key issues.	Presents basic arguments, but focus and consistency lacking in places. Some issues may lack clarity, and/or theoretical models expressed in simplistic terms. Conclusions are not always clear or logical.	Adequate attempt at articulation and logical structure. An acceptable format is used.	The presentational style & layout is largely correct for the type of assignment. Inappropriate use of FTP or not used where clearly needed to aid understanding.	Generally competently written although intermittent lapses in grammar and spelling pose obstacles for the reader. Style limits communication and is non-academic in a number of places.	Some relevant sources cited.   Some weaknesses in referencing technique.
Borderline Fail	35-39%	Significant degree of irrelevance to the title/brief. Onlythe most obvious issues are addressed at a superficial level and in unchallenging terms.	Demonstrates weaknesses in knowledge of theory and practice for this level, with poor understanding of key issues.	Limited arguments, which lack clarity in places. Conclusions are neither clear nor logical.	Poorly structured.   Lack of articulation. Format deficient.	For the type of assignment the presentational style &/or layout is lacking. FTP ignored in text or not used where clearly needed.	Deficiencies in spelling and grammar makes reading difficult. Simplistic or repetitious style impairs clarity. Style is non-academic.	Limited sources and weak referencing.
Fail	<34%	Relevance to the title/brief is intermittent or missing. The topic is reduced to its vaguest and least challenging terms.	Demonstrates a lack of basic knowledge of either theory or practice for this level, with little evidence of understanding.	Severely limited arguments. Lacks clarity. Conclusions are sparse.	Unstructured. Lack of articulation. Format deficient	For the type of assignment the presentational style &/or layout is lacking. FTP as above.	Poorly written with numerous deficiencies in grammar, spelling and expression. Style is non-academic.	An absence of academic sources and poor referencing technique.