Assessment 3 – Final Research Proposal and Literature Review

Assessment Information

Subject Code: BUS606

Subject Name: Business Research Proposal and Literature Review

Assessment Title: Assessment 3 – Final Research Proposal and Literature Review

Weighting: 40 %

Total Marks: Length:

40 3000 (not including reference list)

Due Date: Submission due Week 12 – Sunday at 11.59 pm

COURSE: Master of Business (Research)

Unit: Business Research Proposal and Literature Review

Unit Code: BUS606

Type of Assessment:

Assessment 3 – Final Research Proposal and Literature Review

Unit Learning Outcomes addressed:

(a) Demonstrate an advanced ability to initiate and prepare an original research proposal.

(b) Demonstrate an advanced ability to prepare a literature review based on the support of an original research proposal.

(c) Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the ethical issues associated with an original research proposal and their implications for the research and for the acceptability of the research by an ethics review committee.

(d) Critically evaluate the coherence, relevance and methodological merits of a given body of literature.

(e) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical, practical and professional contexts and significance of the research.

(f) Prepare a literature review that identifies and discriminates between concepts, issues, key findings and relevant theories most pertinent to the research proposal which the review supports.

Criteria for Assessment:

 Knowledge and Understanding  Content and exploration of theories and ideas  Analysis, synthesis and critical engagement  Technical skills and referencing

Assessment Task:

In this task, you will develop a research proposal for a research project addressing Leadership and Management issues that is aligned to one of the Research Clusters in the School of Business. This research proposal will be used to allocate your Research Supervisors who will be appointed to supervisor your Master of Business Research thesis and will also be reviewed by the Research Committee to complete your Confirmation of Candidature requirements. Drawing on your synthesis of the existing research literature in business and allied fields, you will identify a research question based on the theoretical, professional, or organizational 'gap' for a business problem that your proposed research will address. You will analyze the implications of various theoretical approaches in order to choose and develop an appropriate theoretical framework for your research. You will analyze the strengths and weaknesses of various methodological approaches before choosing and justifying a preferred methodology for your research. You research proposal and literature review should comprise the following sections: Research Project Title: A working title for the Master of Business Research thesis that is no more than 12 words Research Cluster: Identify the Research Cluster aligned to your research project

 Cluster 1: Leadership and Management of Large Corporations

 Cluster 2: Leadership and Management of Not-for Profit Organisations

 Cluster 3: Leadership and Management of Start-ups, SMEs and Family Business

 Cluster 4: Leadership and Management of Technological and Digital Transformation Cluster 5: Leadership and Management of Sustainable Business Operations

 Cluster 6: Leadership and Management of Government and Multilateral Organisations

 Cluster 7: Leadership and Management of Tourism and Hospitality Organisations

Executive Summary of the Research Project: In one paragraph state the purpose of the research, the research approach and the conclusion from the project. Introduction: The introduction should provide an overview of the research project and issues addressed by the research. Place your project in conversation with other projects on similar topics. Justification for the Research: Provide justifications for your project by explaining the need for the research, why your proposed research is important and what is the expected contribution of your research to the field of study. Review of literature: The literature review should address and synthesise the relevant literature and prior research in the parent disciplines and relevant sub-disciplines. Identification and definition of key terms: All key terms used need to be identified and definitions justified. Evaluation of current theory and practice: Critically evaluate the current theories relevant to the research and identify gaps and related issues that the research project will address. Research Objectives: State the general purpose of the project and outline the specific objectives you want to achieve by undertaking the research project.

Research Questions: Specify the key research questions you want to address in your research project. These questions should be consistent with your objectives. Statement of the Research Problem: Clearly define your research problem. This section must address the following questions: “What is the gap that needs to be filled?” and/or “What is the problem that needs to be solved. Statement of proposed research methodology: Outline the proposed research methodology such as quantitative methods, qualitative methods, or mixed methods. Also outline your research paradigm, research design, research strategy, sampling design, data collection method, and data analysis method. You must provide justifications for all your methodological decisions. Statement of data sources and data collection methods: Outline how you propose to collect data for your research. Ensure this is a practical proposition and that you have taken account of the time required to collect data and any costs associated with data collection. Evaluation of all ethical considerations: Identify the ethical concerns you anticipate and demonstrate how you will address them. Statement of Expected Research Contribution: Prepare a statement outlining what is the expected contribution of your research project to the filed of research in the areas of theoretical development, methodological practice, leadership and / or management practice, policy or regulatory development or other areas of contribution.

Research timetable: Develop a timetable that will enable you to complete your proposed research thesis within the two semesters of study for the Master of Business Research thesis. This timetable must be realistic and you will be held accountable to meeting this timetable by your supervisors. Bibliography: The research proposal should be supported by an extensive bibliography comprising at a minimum 30 references.

Submission Date: Week 12 (online submission).

Total Mark & Weighting:

40 marks | 40%

Students are advised that any submissions past the due date without an approved extension or approved extenuating circumstances incur a 5% penalty per calendar

day, calculated from the total mark e.g. a task marked out of 15 will incur a 1.75 mark penalty

per calendar day.

Marking Rubrics

Criteria HD (High Distinction)

85%-100% DN (Distinction)

75%-84% CR (Credit) 74%-65%

P (Pass) 50%-64%

F (Fail) 0%-49%

Knowledge and

u n d e rs t a n d i n g

5 m a rk s

Comma nd of th e

topic, u nus ual

creat ivity,

perception and

insight, all

suggesting that

work should be

pub lish ed i n a n

academic forum.

Dem onstr ates

comman d of the

topic by showing

creativity,

perception and

insight — a

serious

c o n t r i b u t i o n t o

t h e academic

debate.

Dem onstr ates a

wel l- informed

understanding of

the to pic by

showin g

creativity and

insight — a

serious

contribution to

the academic

debate.

Understanding

of contemporary

academic

debate, with

some

creative input and

insight, with a

tendency toward

description.

Limited/poor

understanding

demonstrated. Any

creative input is

somewhat off the

point.

Content and

exploration of theories

and ideas

15 marks

Outstanding

selection that

makes a

substantial

contribution to

academic

debate.

O u tst a n d i n g

s e l ect i o n from a

wide relevant and

innovative range

of perspectives

and sources.

Selection from a

wide and

rel eva nt r an ge

of perspectives

and sources

that draws

upon

contemporary

academic

debate.

Relevant selection

from a ra ng e of

pe rspectiv es

and sources.

Sources are

mostly

inte gr ate d int o

the overall

argument.

Narrow selection,

minimal use of

sources, to support the

argument.

Analysis,

synthesis and critical engagement 15 marks

Outstanding use

of source

material.

Excellent

argument that is

S ourc es very

wel l integrated

into the overall

argument. Clear

well

Sources well-

integrated into

the overall

argument.

Clear, cogent

Mostly clear,

cogent and well-

structured

argument.

Dem onstr ates

Sources are not

properly integrated

into the a rgument.

A bs enc e of clear

and c og ent

of the hig hest

acad em ic quality.

Critical distance

and outstanding

analysis of the

question, to a

high degree of

excellence.

structured

argument that is

well crafted and

cogent. Critical

distanc e and

outstanding

analysis of the

question.

and well-

structured

argument.

Critical

distance and sound

analysis of the question.

criticality a n d

g e n e r a l ly g o o d

analysis.

argument.

Incomplete analysis

with a tendency to

accept the source

material at face

value.

Technical skills

and referencing

5marks

Referencing

impeccable

using

appropriate

conventions.

No errors in

grammar or

spelling.

Referencing clear

and accurate using

appropriate

conventions.

Virtually no errors i n

grammar or

spelling.

Referencing

clear and

accurate

using

appropriate

conventions. Good grammar and spelling.

Referencing

sufficiently clear

and using an

appropriate

convention.

Adequate

grammar and

spelling.

References

limited/inappropriate.

Many errors in

grammar and

spelling, making it

difficult or impossible

to read.