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HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

Academic Year 2021: January - June

Formative Assessment 1: Business Research Methods (HPRM440-1)

NQF Level, Credits: 8, 16

Weighting: 20%

Assessment Type: Essay-type Questions

Educator: Dr L Geldenhuys

Examiner: Dr L Geldenhuys Due Date: 26 March 2021

Total: 100 Marks

Instructions: • This paper consists of four (4) questions.

• It is based on Units 1 - 4 of your course material.

• All questions are compulsory.

• Your assessment must be typed using:

o Font: Arial

o Font size: 12

o Line spacing: 1.5

• A Unicheck-verification report will be issued via ColCampus once the assignment is submitted. Please ensure that you follow the correct steps when uploading your assignment, to ensure that the verification report is correctly issued. If the incorrect document is uploaded, or if the verification report is issued for the incorrect document a mark of zero (0) will be awarded. If the verification report indicates that a 30% similarity rating has been exceeded, 25% will be deducted from the final grade.

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Learning outcomes assessed: Identify and source appropriate literature

Outline and briefly explain each of the stages in the research process

Understand the role of qualitative research in business research; Be able to describe

the basic qualitative research orientation

Be able to critique the use of methodologies in other research projects

Define ethics and apply ethical principles to business research

Generate a set of descriptive statistics from raw data

Give three reasons why descriptive statistics are limited in quantitative-analytical terms

Use the Excel Correlation tool to generate the correlation coefficient, r

Interpret the value and sign of any given correlation coefficient in terms of the strength

and direction of the extent to which any two variables co-vary

The following exit level outcomes are assessed in this FA1: Demonstrate an ability to conduct market research, and to communicate effectively using graphic and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.

Apply the knowledge, skills and competencies associated with either Entrepreneurship, Project Management, or Supply Chain and Logistics Management in a commercial or non-profit context.

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Read the proposed research outline below and answer the questions that follow.

The following research is proposed by a student, Thandi, enrolled in a Postgraduate

Diploma in Management programme. As part of their postgraduate studies, students

are required to submit a mini dissertation on a topic of research of their choice.

Together with a supervisor, students are required to conduct primary and secondary

research and present their research in five chapters;

• Chapter 1 (Introduction and Problem Statement)

• Chapter 2 (Literature Review)

• Chapter 3 (Research Methodology)

• Chapter 4 (Results)

• Chapter 5 (Conclusions and Recommendations).

Thandi has compiled this outline for discussion with her supervisor. She highlighted

areas where she is uncertain or need further clarification on.

Topic: Determining the significant practices in the leadership behaviour of project managers.

Aim: To determine the most significant practices in the leadership behaviour of project managers.

Objectives: 1. To determine the profile of project managers in South Africa.

2. To identify the aspects that have a significant influence on the practices of

leadership behaviour of project managers.

3. To determine whether relationships exist between demographic details and

leadership skills amongst project managers in South Africa.

Problem statement: Project leadership has recently become a buzz word amongst researchers and

business managers around the world (Krahn & Hartmann, 2006). This area has been

deemed important as projects are becoming increasingly complex and conducted

within uncertain environments (Krahn & Hartmann, 2006). More often than not, this

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requires advanced leadership skills and understanding, as many researchers and

leaders around the world would argue.

Project managers are often faced with challenges requiring a specific set of leadership

skills in order to conclude and deliver the project on time. While such skills can be

learnt during employment as a project manager, having knowledge of skills deemed

significant can improve project management processes. Furthermore, knowledge of

such skills can be used by the organisation to construct effective and efficient job

descriptions and therefore, streamline the recruitment and selection process.

Method of research: The research will follow a quantitative approach. (Note to student: This should be discussed)

Population and sample: The population for this study will consist of project managers in the construction

industry across South Africa. A database of construction companies will be compiled,

and approached for permission to conduct research amongst the project managers

employed there. A sample of 300 project managers will be drawn. (Note to student: Discuss the sample method).

Data analysis: The aim of the proposed research is to determine the most significant practices in the

leadership behaviour or project managers. To reach this aim various statistical

analyses will be conducted. Furthermore, to fully understand the relationship between

project managers and leadership behaviour, the relationship between demographic

variables and leadership traits should be explored to determine whether a statistically

significant relationships exist between demographic details and leadership traits.

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QUESTION 1 [25 MARKS] A literature review, or theoretical framework, is a report written by the researcher on

current and existing research regarding constructs and theories relevant to the topic

of research. This is also known as secondary research, and forms an important part

of any research endeavour.

1.1 Compile an outline for the literature review (theoretical framework) Thandi

should conduct for her chosen topic of research. The outline should follow the

structure of an essay, with specific mention to three problem-specific headings

as the body of the review. Your outline should thus contain five key concepts in total to direct Thandi’s reading and provide guidance and direction for her

literature review. Provide a description of what Thandi should write under each

heading. (5x3=15 marks)

Note to student: Outline five (5) key concepts that relate to the objectives of the study, for one (1) mark each. A further two (2) marks are awarded for a description of what

each heading will include.

1.2 For a research project to be successful, the researcher should have a plan and

specific dates to work according to. A Gannt chart is often used to assist the

researcher in planning when the various components of the research report

should be finalised.

Thandi’s supervisor advised her to bring such a plan with her that will lay out

the research process she should follow, along with all the submissions she will

need to make throughout the year, to their first appointment.

Required: Create a Gannt chart for this particular research project. Thandi’s first day with

her supervisor is 15 January, her first submission indicated on the Gant chart

should be scheduled for February and she will be submitting the final mini

dissertation on 28 November. (10 marks)

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Marks are allocated as follows: Steps outlined in the correct

chronological order

3 marks

Correct timeline indicated for this

scenario (February to November)

3 marks

Correct hand-in month indicated 1 mark

Spacing of actions required on the

timeline is correct and logically laid-out.

3 marks

QUESTION 2 [26 MARKS] The research approach implemented should be carefully considered to ensure the

approach is suited to the topic and will relay the correct answers to the research

question. Thandi is not yet certain about the method for the proposed research,

entitled Determining the significant practices in the leadership behaviour of project

managers.

2.1 Argue the use of a quantitative versus qualitative research approach for this

proposed research and suggest which approach Thandi should follow.

(10+1+4=15 marks)

Note to student: Ten (10) marks are allocated for arguing the uses of qualitative and quantitative research. One (1) mark is allocated for stating which approach is most

suited. Four (4) marks are allocated for a suitable motivation of their choice.

2.2 Examine the use of the survey methodology for Thandi’s research and

recommend why it is appropriate. Substantiate your recommendation.

(7+4=11 marks)

Note to student: One (1) mark is allocated for each correct statement made in terms of the examination of the use of survey methodology. No more than seven (7) marks

are awarded for this. A total of four (4) marks are awarded for recommendation.

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QUESTION 3 [24 MARKS] Examine the ethical principles that Thandi and her supervisor should take into

consideration for the research project. You need to briefly explain each principle and

describe how each principle is applicable to the project. (6x4=24 marks)

Note to student: One (1) mark is awarded for identifying each principle, one (1) mark for the theoretical explanation of each principle, and two (2) marks for application.

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QUESTION 4 [25 MARKS] Thandi designed a preliminary questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of two

sections, namely Section A, concerned with demographic details, and Section B, that focus on the various skills project managers may deem significant.

As part of the research process, Thandi conducted a pre-test to ensure potential errors

on the questionnaire are eliminated. Below is her questionnaire and the data she

retrieved from the pre-test, which included 10 respondents.

Questionnaire:

Significant leadership skills of Project Managers Section A: Demographic Details

1. What is your gender? 4. What is your age? Male 1 ≤21 1 Female 2 22-30 2 Irrelevant 3 31-40 3 41-50 4 2. What is your home language? 51-60 5 English 1 60> 6 Afrikaans 2

Xhosa 3 5. How long have you been

Zulu 4 employed as a PM? Other (Specify) 5 ≤11 months 1 1 - 2 years 2 3. What is your level of education? 2 - 3 years 3 No schooling 1 3 - 4 years 4 Grade 12 2 4 - 5 years 5 Higher certificate 3 5 years > 6 Diploma 4 Degree 5 Post-graduate 6

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Section B: Leadership skills

Rate the significance of the following leadership skills for Project managers on the scale provided. 1=not at all important 2=not important 3=somewhat important 4=important 5=extremely important 1 2 3 4 5 1. Good people skills 1 2 3 4 5 2. Effective listening 1 2 3 4 5 3. Consistency 1 2 3 4 5 4. Ethical and moral behaviour 1 2 3 4 5 5. Integrity 1 2 3 4 5 6. Strong ability to build trust 1 2 3 4 5 7. Good verbal communication 1 2 3 4 5 8. Strong ability to build teams 1 2 3 4 5 9. Good conflict resolutions skills 1 2 3 4 5 10. Ability to solve problems 1 2 3 4 5 11. Critical thinking 1 2 3 4 5 12. Ability to balance priorities 1 2 3 4 5 13. Other? (Specify)

Data sheet: Section A:

RESPONDENT NR GENDER

HOME LANG EDUCATION AGE

HOW LONG?

1 1 1 4 2 1 2 2 5 5 4 6 3 2 3 4 2 1 4 1 5 4 2 1 5 2 4 5 5 6 6 1 5 6 4 6 7 2 2 5 2 2 8 2 3 6 2 2 9 1 4 5 3 6

10 2 1 4 5 6

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Section B:

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 5 5 4 5 3 4 3 4 5 4 3 2 3 1 5 4 5 4 3 2 3 5 4 5 4 3 2 3 3 4 5 4 5 4 3 5 2 3 4 1 3 2 5 4 5 4 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 4 3 2 3 4 5 4 1 2 2 5 4 4 4 5 5 5

B8 B9 B10 B11 B12 OTHER 2 1 5 4 4 2 3 4 5 3 4 5 5 2 3 4 5 4 5 4 4 5 2 3 5 4 5 3 4 2 4 5 5 5 4 4 3 4 3 5 3 5 4 5 4 3 4 3 5 3

4.1 Using Microsoft Excel, conduct the appropriate analysis that Thandi should start

with when facing raw data. Conduct your analysis on the data referring to each

variable from Section A only and show your results as your answer. (5x2=10 marks)

4.2 Thandi’s next step is to conduct descriptive statistics on the data from Section B. Explain why descriptive statistics are limited and why Thandi should conduct other analyses on her data as well. (6 marks)

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4.3 Thandi wants to determine whether there exists a linear relationship between

pairs of variables. Conduct a correlation analysis on the following pairs of

variables. You are required to show your results, identify whether the co-

variance is strong or weak and identify the direction of the association for each

set of variables. (3x3=9 marks)

4.3.1 Gender and effective listening (1+1+1=3 marks)

4.3.2 Age and good conflict resolution skills (1+1+1=3 marks)

4.3.3 Level of education and critical thinking (1+1+1=3 marks)

Note to student: One (1) mark is awarded for correctly conducting the test, one (1) mark for identifying the correct direction in association (positive or negative), and one

(1) mark for identifying the correct strength/weakness of the relationship.

TOTAL: 100 MARKS