Programme: Pearson BTEC Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership
Unit Number and Name: Unit 16 Research Methods for Strategic Managers
Assignment title: Research Methods for Strategic Managers
Credit value: 15
Level: Level 7
4500 words
The Purpose of this Assignment:
This assignment provides you with the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the methods and techniques used and required when carrying out formal research. You will examine a variety of research methodologies and experience the opportunity to develop research skills.
The majority of this assignment should be presented through a written report, demonstrating a sound understanding of research methods and protocol. The report should show evidence of secondary research through a critical review of the relevant key literature relating to the selected research question. It should also show primary research through the selection of a new research question, and then by selecting the appropriate research methodology for this question and evaluating and justifying its use. Crucially, research needs to be focused on meeting its objectives and the outcomes need to be credible. The research question needs to be well-thought-out, appropriate, unique and researched and planned thoroughly.
Scenario:
In this assignment, you need to build a research project. In this case you are allowed to select an organisation (Case study) of your choice, even the one that you are working for. Before submitting your finished work you will have to closely discuss with your tutor and you will have to first submit a research proposal. This will include the selected research title, the research aim, research questions and research objectives. Taking approval for your research proposal is very important and if you select a wrong research title that will lead you to rework on whole report. Your research should be more realistic and narrow into your scope. Once the research proposal is approved you will be able to write your research project by conduct a research.
On the base of the above scenario the Learner has to:
Task 1
I. Understand how to select a research question.
1. Select a research question
2. Explain the factors that contribute to the process of successful research question selection.
3. Justify their choice of research
Task 2
II. Be able to conduct a literature review
1. Conduct research to find literature relevant to the research question
2. Undertake a critical review of the key literature for inclusion in a research.
Task 3
III. Understand techniques used to interpret data in a research proposal.
1. Evaluate techniques for use with quantitative data in a research proposal.
2. Evaluate techniques for use with qualitative data in a research proposal.
Task 4
IV. Be able to choose the appropriate methodology to research the question.
1. Evaluate appropriate research methodologies in terms of the research question.
2. Choose an appropriate methodology in terms of the research question.
3. Justify the methodology selected in terms of the research question.
Task 5
V. Be able to present the findings of a research proposal
1. Record findings on a research question, literature review and methodology in an agreed format.
2. Summarise the finding using suitable methods.
3. Present the findings using suitable methods.
4. Critically analyse the findings.
Assessment Criteria:
: Select a research question.
: Explain the factors that contribute to the process of successful research question selection.
: Justify their choice of research question.
: Conduct research to find literature relevant to the research question.
: Undertake a critical review of the key literature for inclusion in a research proposal.
3.1: Evaluate techniques for use with quantitative data in a research proposal.
3.2: Evaluate techniques for use with qualitative data in a research proposal.
4.1: Evaluate appropriate research methodologies in terms of the research question.
4.2: Choose an appropriate methodology in terms of the research question.
4.3: Justify the methodology selected in terms of the research question.
: Record findings on a research question, literature review and methodology in an agreed format.
: Summaries the findings using suitable methods. 5.3: Present the findings using suitable methods.
: Critically analyse the findings.
Learning outcomes:
• Understand how to select a research question.
• Be able to conduct a literature review.
• Understand techniques used to interpret data in a research proposal.
• Be able to choose the appropriate methodology to research the question.
• Be able to present the findings of a research proposal.