Topic: Why students go to pubs and the key motivators

Module Code:

UMCDM9-15-2

Module Title:

Research Methods for Marketing and Events

Submission Deadline:

2pm Thursday 13th December 2018

Assessment Component

B

Assessment Weighting:

75 per cent of total module mark

Marking and feedback deadline (20 working days)

22nd January 2019

Assessment Instructions

Individual Proposal

Learning Outcomes  

This assessment enables you to partially demonstrate the learning outcomes required for the successful completion of the module, particularly:  

· Demonstrate an informed understanding of the roles and purposes of different types of organisational enquiry and Events and Marketing research 

· Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and practice of the design of research and other investigative projects 

· Demonstrate an understanding of ethics in the enquiry process 

· Understand, select, and apply different methods of enquiry relative to context 

· Be familiar with relevant business (and other Events and Marketing databases). 

· Interpret and evaluate published management and Events and Marketing research and other evidence 

· Design and propose an introductory Events and Marketing enquiry project 

This element of the coursework prepares you for next semester’s Introductory Research Project module as well as your final year project. It also prepares you for commissioning, using and developing research in future careers.  

The Research Proposal  

Your research proposal builds on Assessment A.  Having secured a small to medium sized enterprise (SME) to conduct research for, and worked in groups to design and present your plans for a group research project to partially fulfil the learning outcomes for assessment A, assessment B provides you with the opportunity to develop your group’s ideas independently as a 2000 – 2500 word mixed method research proposal.  It is important that you work independently on your proposal to avoid leaving yourself open to charges of academic misconduct such as collusion/plagiarism. 

Suggested structure and word count, and guidance for each section of your proposal:

· Front cover with the module code and title, your student ID, the title of your proposed research, and word count – do not write your name on your proposal

· Executive summary (100 words): this is a summary of what the reader can expect to find within your proposal, i.e. theoretical underpinning, approach, methodology, methods, and proposed findings

· Contents page: this should be formatted professionally and include the page numbers of each of your sections. It should not list the executive summary which precedes it.

· Your client requirement form: it is important that you provide this for the marking team.

· Introduction (125 – 250 words): your introduction should set the context for the proposal, it should be supported by citations where appropriate, and it should inform the reader of the focus of your proposal – please do not do so in a summative manner.

· Literature review (550 words): your literature review should have a clear introduction setting the context for your literature review before informing your reader of the focus. The main body of your review should follow a logical structure and critically discuss key theories and concepts relating to your topic as well as critically reviewing the research strategies that have been used by others to study the topic. (The latter will help you to develop your own methodology). Your literature review should conclude as to your key findings and should provide a rationale for your proposed research allowing you to flow seamlessly in to outlining your aim and objectives.

· Aim and objectives (one sentence for each; each sentence beginning ‘to…’.): Your aim outlines what you hope to achieve overall by conducting your research. It should be developed from the meeting with your client/the research question you develop based on your meeting and your literature review. Your objectives are what you need to learn in order to achieve your aim. They should be developed with your aim, literature review and methodology in mind (you should outline both qualitative and quantitative objectives that will enable you to achieve the aim of your proposed mixed method research).

· Methodology (1100 words): Your methodology section outlines and justifies your proposed plans for the execution of your research; it should be developed drawing on your literature review, and with your aim and objectives, and the robustness of your research in mind. The section should outline and justify: the philosophical underpinning of your research; research approach; mixed method design; and methodology. In developing your methodology, you should consider the practicalities of conducting your research as well as how you can try to ensure that your research is as robust as possible – these are two areas where there is likely to be tension that will result in you having to decide on the most appropriate strategy to take.

· Ethics form: provide a completed undergraduate research ethics form drawing on literature on research ethics to explain what you will do to ensure that your research is conducted ethically.

· Limitations (150 words): considering your research holistically, what are the limitations and how does your proposed research overcome these limitations?

· Gantt chart: the tasks you need to complete should be listed down the left hand side of the Gantt chart and the months your research will span should be listed along the top. Your timeline begins week commencing the 22nd of January 2019 which is the beginning of semester 2 when your Introductory Research Project module begins.

· Conclusion (125 – 250 words): this is your opportunity to sum up by concluding as to the value of your proposed research for the organisation, i.e. if you were competing against other market research organisations/researchers, this is your last chance to ‘sell’ your research to win the work/funding.

· Reference list: Harvard style.

Marking Criteria

The following criteria will be used in evaluating this assessment:

· Literature review (20%)

· Aim and Objectives (10%)

· Understanding of the links between research philosophy, approach, and methodology, and outline of an appropriate strategy for mixed method research (10%)

· Plans for mixed method research: quantitative (20%) and qualitative (20%)

· Ethics, Timeline, and Limitations (10%)

· Structure, presentation, and Harvard referencing (10%)

Please see the marking guide in the Assessment B folder for further guidance.

Formative feedback and Support

Formative feedback

Formative feedback provides opportunities to reflect on your ongoing work and preparation for your assignment. Formative feedback for this assessment will be provided via verbal feedback from tutors in class as well as via the feedback that you received for assessment A.

Further information about this assessment is available on the Blackboard site for this module and includes:

Module Handbook, module reading list, undergraduate research ethics form, and the Assessment B marking guide.

Formatting

Please use Microsoft Word. We cannot ensure that other formats are compatible with markers’ software.

All work should be word processed in 12-point font Times New Roman or Arial and single spaced.

The first page of your coursework must include:

· Your student number

· The module name and number

· Your word count

Your proposal should be presented as a report with a front cover, executive summary, contents page, page numbers, suitable headings and subheadings and attention to detail. Bullets, tables, diagrams and succinct writing are encouraged.

Word Limit

The maximum word limit for this coursework is 2500 words

· This word count includes everything in the main body of the text (including headings, tables, citations, quotes, lists, etc.).

· The references are NOT included in this word count.

· There is no direct penalty for exceeding the word count, but the marker WILL stop reading once the maximum word limit has been reached and nothing further will be taken into account in the allocation of marks.

You can view the UWE word count policy here: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/aboutus/policies

Referencing:

Please adhere to the principles of good academic practice and ensure you reference all sources used when developing your assessment, using the UWE Harvard system. Failure to properly reference your work to original source material can be grounds for the assessment offence of plagiarism and may result in failure of the assessment or have more serious implications.

For further guidance on correct referencing go to:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/referencing.aspx

Details of what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it can be found here:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/readingandwriting/plagiarism.aspx

For general guidance on how to avoid assessment offences see:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/assessmentoffences.aspx

Instructions for submission

You must submit your assignment before the stated deadline by electronic submission through Blackboard. Notification that the electronic submission portal is open for your assignment is displayed (usually two weeks before the submission date) in the Coursework tab in myUWE, the Coursework tab in Blackboard and via an announcement in the Blackboard course.

http://info.uwe.ac.uk/online/Blackboard/students/guides/assignments/default.asp

Submissions of coursework by any other method (including a paper copy, on disk or by email) are NOT permissible for this module unless specifically agreed in advance of the submission date.

Before submitting your work, please ensure that:

· You have proof read you work thoroughly to ensure your work is presented appropriately

· You have addressed all the required elements of the assessment

· You have referenced in accordance with the guidance provided

· You have addressed each of the marking criterion

· The submission is in the correct format

Final feedback and marks release

Students will normally receive marks and feedback on their submission within 20 working days of the submission deadline (not including any public holidays or university closure days). Any delay in returning students’ work will be communicated by the module leader via Blackboard.

Feedback on this module is not limited to the written comments you will receive on individual written assessment submissions.

Feedback and marks for this module will be available by 22nd January 2019.

For further guidance on feedback, please refer to the module handbook.

Further Guidance and Support

General guidance on study skills: is available at: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills.aspx

Specific study skills pages relating to this module include:

Research skills: https://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/researchskills.aspx

Writing skills:

https://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/studysupport/studyskills/readingandwriting/writing.aspx

Support from the FBL Academic Success Centre:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/bl/bbs/aboutus/studentexperience/academicsupportcentre.aspx

Guidance on UWE assessment regulations and terminology: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/assessmentsguide.aspx

Guidance on using the library: http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/library/usingthelibrary.aspx

Personal Circumstances

If you are experiencing difficulties in completing a piece of assessment on time due to unexpected circumstances (for example illness, accident, bereavement), you should seek advice from a Student Support Adviser at the earliest opportunity.

Please note the module leader cannot grant personal circumstances or extensions.

Appointments with a student adviser can be made via an Information Point or online at:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/studentadvisers.aspx

The Student Support Adviser will advise as to whether you should submit an application for ‘Personal Circumstances (PCs)’, how to do so and what evidence is required to support the application.

Further details on ECs can be found here:

http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/students/academicadvice/assessments/personalcircumstances.aspx