fThis are the instructions, it is best to read it all, the parts listed in reds are most imperative. The assignment brief will also be listed all the way down.
Content
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3
1.
2.
3.
Characterics and rules for the MP. ………………………………………………………………………………… 4 1.1 Characteristics …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4 1.2 The rules governing the MP ………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 1.3 Specialsituations……………………………………………………………………………………………………..7 1.4 Timingandstudyhours……………………………………………………………………………………………..8 1.5 Supervision and the roles of student and supervisor ……………………………………………………… 9
Assignments ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11 2.1 The research proposal……………………………………………………………………………………………… 11 2.2 Theoretical Framework report (TFR) ………………………………………………………………………….. 12 2.3 The poster session ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 13 2.4 The final MP report…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Terminology and useful sources………………………………………………………………………………….. 15 3.1 Terminology…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 3.2 Useful sources ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 15
Appendices 1-5……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 17 Appendix 1. Comparison of UK and Dutch grades ……………………………………………………………… 17 Appendix 2. Time schedule and deadlines……………………………………………………………………….. 18 Appendix 3. MP Proposal outline ………………………………………………………………………………….. 18 Appendix 4. Structure of Theoretical Framework report ……………………………………………………. 22 Appendix 5. Requirements MP final report ……………………………………………………………………… 25
Introduction
This guide is written for students in their final year who have to write a thesis.
This guide is written for the Major Project only.
Chapter 1 gives an overview of the main characteristics and general rules for the MP, including special situations such as mitigating circumstances and delay and academic misconduct.
Chapter 2 covers the specifications of the different assignments for the MP. It specifies what is expected in each of the phases of developing MP how you will be graded.
Chapter 3 gives terminology and usefull sources.
In the appendices the time schedule is presented plus outlines for the main assignments of the MP.
Read the full guide carefully before starting with your MP and re-read relevant chapters and appendices when starting with hnew assignments.
1. Characters and rules for the MP.
1.1 Characteristics
The Major Project is written to attain the BA (Hons) degree from the University. The MP is a 40 credit (i.e. 20 EC) Level 6 module which takes the place of two other modules and represents 33% of the Level 6 programme. The project should be taken at the end of the undergraduate programme and will be taken over two semesters.
The final result of the MP – the MP report – is a document that adds new knowledge and/or theoretical insights to a relevant, evolving academic field.
The basic characteristics of the MP are:
• · The chosen issue and field of study are up to the student.
• · The MP provides a comprehensive theoretical framework: an overview of the most relevant
theoretical insights pertaining to the chosen topic. These theoretical insights should indicate relevant variables and concepts and expected relations between them, laid down in a conceptual model. The theoretical framework is the basis for the research questions and for subsequent data collection.
• · The framework indicates what knowledge and/or theoretical insights will be gained on successful completion of the project and how this fits in with the existing knowledge identified.
• · Conclusions of the MP must argue clearly whether the chosen research objective has been achieved or the research questions answered and how the answer that was found fits in with the existing theoretical framework.
By writing the MP the student should demonstrate a rigorous understanding of textbook theories relevant to their chosen field and topic, the ability to find additional relevant literature at the forefront of their field of study as well as the ability to add meaningful insights to this existing knowledge base.
The project is supervised and coordinated by staff according to Business School guidelines. On successful completion the student is awarded the degree and diploma. This implies that the MP and all assignments that are part of it, is graded in the British way. A comparison table can be found in Appendix 1.
An MP is written to solve a specific theoretical problem in an evolving academic field. This is called ‘the knowledge problem’. Academically speaking theoretical ‘problems’ can be said to exist in three main situations:
1. A general theory (taken broadly, so including models, decision procedures, management tools and management philosophies) exists but its range of applicability is not yet fully known. An example pertaining to the field of consumer behaviour/marketing might be: ‘Do Chinese consumers respond similarly or differently to western developed advertising stimuli?”
2. A general theory (again taken broadly) was proven not to apply in some (new) situation. Example from the field of finance: ‘Why did a particular financial risk model fail to accurately measure investment risks prior to the financial crisis (and how can it be improved)?’
3. New political, economic, societal or technological developments seem to justify adjustments to existing theory (taken broadly). Example from the field of logistics: ‘What is the likely impact of 3D printing on the prevalence and feasibility of just-in-time-production?’
As said, the MP tackles a knowledge problem, resulting in one or more new insights. However, it should be clear from the beginning that there must be an underlying management or business question, meaning that the insight(s) should assist to take better decisions by a well-defined type of problem owner. As will be explained later, this means that your MP starts from a management problem or challenge.
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to (learning outcomes):
1. undertake a self-determined research project, from initiation to completion, for an employer or academic body working on their own initiative, with minimal supervision;
2. critically evaluate evidence, reviewing its validity, reliability and transferability;
3. develop a structured, coherent argument within a theoretical and contextual framework,
showing sensitivity to the complexities of real world situations;
4. access, collect, integrate and critically analyse qualitative and quantitative information for
effective use;
5. challenge received opinion and develop their own criteria and judgment;
6. communicate effectively in an appropriate medium and style.
This means that a proper MP contains at least the following elements and characteristics:
1. a) A clear and relevant knowledge problem in a specific academic field in the form of research
objective. The relevance should be clear by a link to a management issue.
2. b) A critical literature review – so more than a summary – of academic literature and recent
developments therein pertaining to the chosen topic, resulting in a conceptual model that gives a clear structure to the problem, places the chosen research objective in a theoretical framework and indicates the data required for finding a rigorously defendable and comprehensive answer to the question posed.
3. c) SMART research questions: deducted from the research objective, made operational with help of literature search via the conceptual model
4. d) A research design: which method or methods will be used to answer the research questions and why was this method or were these methods chosen given the data required (as identified through the critical literature review and conceptual model).
5. e) Data collection following the rules of good research
6. f) Data analysis
7. g) Conclusions: answers to the research questions, based on the results of the research
8. h) References
represents a substantial piece of independent work. It is important that your effort reflects the importance of the project to your overall degree classification.
There are limited lectures and workshops and you are expected to work essentially on your own. You will however have a Supervisor who will give you guidance. It is your responsibility to keep to the schedule. Your supervisor will not do the work for you. See also 1.5 for the roles of student and supervisor.
1.2 The rules governing the MP
There are comparatively few rules which govern MP-projects. They have been limited to:
• · a student may only submit one project during their study programme, so you may not do another project module as a ‘free’ elective;
• · if you have not submitted an Area of Research and management problem by the stated deadline (notwithstanding Mitigating Circumstances), you will be withdrawn from the module and required to re-register for the module in the future without penalty;
• · if you wish to change your Subject Area after you have been allocated a Supervisor, you will have to withdraw from the module and re-register for the module in the future without penalty;
• · if you request a change of Subject Area after you have submitted your Research Proposal, you will have to withdraw from the module, re-register for the appropriate module in the future and you will be deemed to have ‘attempted’ but failed the project module i.e. any future project module mark will be capped at 40%;
• · a student must attend the lessons in the first week and the workshops in the first semester. If you fail to attend (without solid reasons) the University has the right to refuse to allow you to submit your project. If you do not show your work to your Supervisor at regular intervals, you will be required to attend a viva to establish authorship.
• · you may not submit work for the Major Project which is similar to work which you have previously submitted or submit in the future for any other module;
• · you will be required to submit an electronic copy of your project through the ‘Turn-it-in’ plagiarism detection service;
• · in addition to online submission of the final project, two paper copies of the project must be submitted by the deadline. Both copies will be retained by the University. The University retains the right to display your work in the Library or on the Intranet;
1.3 Special situations
Late submission of work and mitigating circumstances
Do not ask your supervisor or your tutor for an extension of the submission deadline for any assessed element of this project – even for mitigating circumstances. They do not have delegated authority to grant extensions.
Typical breaches are described below:
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs and students who break the rules, however innocently, will be penalised. You must keep a careful record of all the sources you use, including all internet material. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand correct referencing practices.
Plagiarism is defined as submission for assessment of material (written, visual or oral) originally produced by another person or persons, without acknowledgement, in such a way that the work could be assumed to be the student’s own. Plagiarism may involve the unattributed use of another person’s work, ideas, opinions, theory, facts, statistics, graphs, models, paintings, performance, computer code, drawings, quotations of another person’s actual spoken or written words, or paraphrases of another person’s spoken or written words. Plagiarism is also using someone’s words without quotation marks and putting a reference at the end. If you use text or data or drawings or designs or artefacts without properly acknowledging who produced the material, then you are likely to be accused of plagiarism. This can be avoided by making clear the sources of information used (e.g. books, articles, interviews, reports, web reference, or government publications). All must be properly referenced not only in a reference list and bibliography but also by quotation marks in the text.
Plagiarism covers both direct copying and copying or paraphrasing with only minor adjustments:
• · a direct quotation from a text must be indicated by the use of quotation marks and the source of the quote (title, author, page number and date of publication);
• · a paraphrased summary must be indicated by attribution of the author, date and source of the material including page numbers for the section(s) which have been summarised.
NB: Your work cannot consist merely of summaries of other people’s ideas and texts. You must demonstrate your own critical engagement with, and evaluation of, the material you are presenting or discussing.
1.4 Timing and study hours
Appendix 2 gives the hand in dates (deadlines) of the different assignments for the MP. In your proposal you will show a detailed time schedule taking into account these hand in dates.
A time schedule is part of both your proposal and Theoretical Framework Report (TFR) (the first 2 assignments). This time schedule describes the timing of the steps in the project process. Expand this time schedule for your own including the number of hours you plan to work on your project, hand in dates of assignments and contacts with your supervisor. Stick to this and/or adapt during the
project.
The MP is a 20 EC project, which means one third of the total points to be earned in the final year. You are supposed to spend in total 400 hours of studying, researching and reporting on your MP.
The experience of past students has shown that it is vital for you to put in a substantial amount of work on your project in the first semester 2 workshops are planned during the first semester in which you have to present and defend your findings so far in the form of a theoretical framework and research methodology. You will be instructed what to present by your supervisor.
Consider your TFR as a final proposal including a description of the purpose, theoretical framework, research design and specifications. You must be ready to start data collection dfirectly after your TFR has been approved by your supervisor.
In the period between the TFR report and the final report, the time you have to spend on your project will depend upon your research design, especially the method of data collection. Make a good planning of your time per week. Remember that actual data collection, especially if you plan a survey or interviews nearly always takes more time than you think!
1.5 Supervision and the roles of student and supervisor
After you have submitted the application form, will assign a supervisor to you. This person will have affection with the subject and/or the business sector.
Your supervisor provides you with general support in the process of writing the proposal, Theoretical Framework report and final report for the MP. S/he is also the first assessor for everything you hand in.
You can expect your Supervisor to:
• · Help you to decide on the scope of the project
• · Advise you on subject-specific issues
• · check up on the progress you are making throughout the year
• · Discuss the structure of the MP e.g. chapter purpose and coverage
• · Comment on a draft version of proposals, the TFR and individual chapters
The supervisor looks at the content of the process and results. You should not expect your supervisor to manage or check the progress of the process. This is fully your responsibility.
You should not expect your supervisor to:
• · Provide relevant literature
• · Guide every detail of your work
• · Correct your grammar
• · Read more than one draft versions of anything be it a research proposal, progress report, draft
chapter or full version of your MP.
You are the main stakeholder in your project. You are expected to:
o · work with a Supervisor who may not reflect your personal preference
o · develop your own ideas in order to clearly define the issue you are investigating
o · submit all assessed work to the format and timetable as set out in this guide
o · read & reflect on feedback
o · set and keep to your own, realistic timetable of activities
o · read and act on Electronic learning environment announcements & emails in a timely
manner; ensure SRS contact details are current; write all emails in a formal business style.
Please do not expect 24-hour or weekend email response
o · submit work to your Supervisor at regular, agreed dates
o · take into account your Supervisor’s availability when submitting work in progress for
comment and when requesting meetings
o · prepare adequately for meetings with your Supervisor
o · avoid cancelling meetings and give due notice
The time schedule is your responsibility and the way you plan your work etc. Is integrated in the grading of your work. This includes the planning of your contacts with your supervisor. Do not expect your supervisor to react on questions or draft versions of chapters within 1 day.
2. Assignments
For the MP there are 4 assignments:
1. Research Proposal
2. Theoretical framework Report (TFR)
3. Poster session
4. Final MP report
The assignment briefs for each of these 4 assignments can be found in the electronic learning environment.
2.1 The research proposal
The first step is that the student hands in the major project application form before the beginning of year 3, on which he/she indicates the main subject area, research objective and underlying management issue, After receives this form, a major project Supervisor will be assigned.
The next step is the design and execution of a full research proposal. The proposal contains:
1. a) A clearly formulated knowledge problem in the form of a research objective and first research questions. With an explanation of the relevance of the problem: describe a clear business question that explains the purpose of the research: why are you doing this research?
2. b) A comprehensive indication of the literature sources that are likely to form the backbone of the theoretical framework for the research. It must be made clear what you expect from these sources and how they will help you understand your topic and carry out your research.
3. c) A research methodology: which method or methods will be used to answer the research questions? Why is this method or these methods most likely to give reliable and valid answers to the research questions?
4. d) The proposed time schedule
Appendix 3 provides a standard format for the MP research proposal. The proposal will be graded on the following criteria:
• · Clarity of exposition of research purpose (20%)
• · Clarity of research objective and research questions (20%)
• · Relevance of initial literature review (10%)
• · Validity and reliability of proposed methodology (10%)
• · Realistic appraisal of access and resource availability (10%)
• · Referencing and communication (10%)
• · Coherence of proposed research timetable (10%)
• · Overall structure and presentation (10%)
2.2 Theoretical Framework report (TFR)
The TFR can be seen as the final and completed research proposal. See it this way: if your TFR is fully approved, you can start data collection.
What is to be added or expanded compared with the proposal are the following elements:
• · A theoretical framework: the fundament of your research
• · (Final) research questions
• · Methodology, worked out in specifications
The theoretical framework is made up with help of the literature analysis. You search and analyse in academic literature to find relevant theories around your central issue. The theoretical framework for a thesis represents the concepts (or variables1) that you want to include in your research and how these variables are related and why. Central in the framework stands the conceptual model.
The process of building a theoretical framework includes2:
1. Introducing the concepts or variables that you want to include in your research. These have to be defined in measurable terms
2. Developing a conceptual model that provides a descriptive representation of your theory
3. Coming up with a theory that provides an explanation for relationships between the variables in your model
The Theoretical Framework report should indicate clearly how your thinking has evolved. Never mind if literature finds led you to tweak your research questions as stated in the Proposal, theoretical focus or methodology as long as you can defend the changes you made and account for them.
The Theoretical Framework report should convince the reader that you are ready for data collection. This means your critical literature review must be complete at this stage. The conclusion of this review should clearly argue what variables are needed and the methodology proposed should allow you to gather meaningful data on those variables. You must add your literature review and methodology chapters as appendices. The main body of the report will consist of focused summaries of those chapters.
Appendix 4 provides a standard format for the Theoretical Framework report. It should be an essay of around 2,000 words (excluding appendices).
The Theoretical Framework report will be graded on the following criteria:
• · Clarity of exposition of research purpose (10%)
• · Demonstration of the quality, range and relevance of the literature review (20%)
• · Clarity of research objectives and research questions (15%)
• · Validity and reliability of actual methodology undertaken (20%)
• · Realistic appraisal of access and resource availability (5%)
• · Referencing (10%)
1 In research we speak of variables
2 Re-read Chapter 5 of Sekaran & Bougie
• · Coherence of proposed research timetable (5%)
• · Critical self-evaluation of work undertaken (5%)
• · Overall Structure & Presentation (10%)
2.3 The poster session
The poster session is a presentation of your research project to a viewer, not being your supervisor.
You should prepare an A1 sized Poster and upload it to turn-it-in (in large font, easily legible at one metre) which can take the form of a landscape A4 Word document colour-photocopied to A1 size; or 4 – 6 pages of A4 (or A3 or A2 equivalent) each with 6 to 10 PowerPoint bullet points + tables or diagrams if appropriate. You must bring “blu-tac” to the event to stick your poster on the wall. Most of the Poster should present an outline of your project and analysis to date. The remainder will be your future schedule of work to completion. An example of a poster is given in the electronic learning environment.
You will stand by your poster and be prepared to explain what your poster contains and to answer related questions posed by a Viewer (not being your supervisor). The Poster Event allows you to receive feedback from another person than your supervisor and gives a clear idea of what you are doing. Your poster should therefore present your research ideas in a more visual and less verbal way.
Your poster will be assessed by the Viewer. The Viewer fills out the feedback form and suggests an overall mark to your supervisor. The supervisor checks whether s/he agrees with the verdict given by the viewer and adjusts if appropriate. You will receive oral feedback from your Viewer at the time, but the grade the Viewer will suggest to your supervisor will not be communicated to you. You will off course see the final grade as soon as your supervisor has decided. You are strongly encouraged to take the feedback given to heart and modify your work in progress as you prepare your final report.
The criteria for the poster session are: (all criteria have a weight of 25%)
• · Topicality and range of coverage of the subject: the relevance of your MP
• · Clarity of exposition of research objectives: what information will you collect and rework
• · Appropriateness of methodology
• · Clarity of exposition of case and responses to questions
2.4 The final MP report
The final report gives a full overview of what you have done and which results you have achieved in a logical and coherent narrative.
The final project is a substantial piece of work of (approximately) 6,000 words (excluding references, bibliography and appendices). Use appendices for long pieces of text and summarise in the main text. Exceeding 6,000 words for the body text can have a negative effect on your grade.
It provides a demonstration of your critical awareness of a relevant body of theory and work in the field, your ability to demonstrate a structured progression of ideas, and to prepare a cogent analysis based on clearly articulated evidence.
It should at least contain
• · A description of the main subject of research, including who (type of company or organization) can benefit from your research and how. Thus, the type of management issue the outcomes of the research could be applied to, should be clear. T should cntain a clear prese ntation of the business question (= purpose) and research questions.
• · A summary of the main outcomes of your literature review leading towards a theoretical framework inclusing a conceptual model.
• · A list of the research questions. These should be SMART and have a clear link with the theoretical framework. Variables and relations between variables mentioned in the research questions must have a base in the theoretical framework and should be operational (measurable).
• · A description of the research methodology with an explanation why the method(s) which is/are used results in reliable and valid outcomes.
• · A description of the main results of your research. Full details of your research in appendices.
• · Conclusions: answers to your research questions.
• · Review: summary of the relevance of your research (refer to the management issue),
weaknesses of your research and suggestions for further research.
APPENDIX 5 gives a suggested format for your final report.
Two hard copies of your Final Project with accompanying form must be submitted to the administration alongside online submission through Electronic learning environment by the stated deadline.
Your final report will be graded on the following criteria: (each 10%)
• · Standard of organisation & presentation
• · Evidence of relevant research & use of Harvard referencing system
• · Review of literature including critical analysis
• · Application of relevant theory
• · Research objectives/questions (clear, achievable)
• · Methodology (appropriate, valid, reliable, justified)
• · Quality of Analysis/Results
• · Development of independent, critical thought & development of intellectual ideas
• · Coherence of conclusions (& recommendations) linked to research objectives and analysis
• · Reflection on limitations of study & pointers to further research.
3. Terminology and useful sources
3.1 Terminology
In text books and literature different terms are used for concepts which are used in research. You are supposed to use the following terminology:
• · Purpose, Management or business issue/question/problem (choose one of these) : refers to decison(s) a company or organisation has to take.
• · Information issue: refers to information needed to answer the management question. Break this down into:
o · Research objective: describes the information need in general terms: “Get insight into ….. (subject, issue)” amongst ….. (target group)
o · Research questions: these must be SMART and all variables and relations in these questions are defined in measurable terms.
A main weakness in many theses is that research questions are formulated partly as management questions. Be sure the distinction is very clear.
• · Conclusions: answers to research questions.
• · Recommendations: answers to the management issue.
3.2 Useful sources
o · Sekaran, U. and Bougie, R. (2013). Research methods for business: a skill building approach (6th Edition), John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
o · Student guide MP
o · Referencing Guide
o · Bradley, N. (2010) Marketing Research – tools & techniques (2nd Edition), Oxford: Oxford
University Press
o · Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2011) Business Research Methods (3rd Edition), Oxford: Oxford
University Press
o · Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, P., Jackson P. R., and Lowe, A. (2012) Management Research
(4th Edition), London: Sage.
o · Field, A. (2013) Discovering Statistics Using SPSS. (4th Edition) London: Sage
o · Silverman, D. (2010) Qualitative research: theory, method and practice. (3rd Edition) London:
Sage
o · Smith, M. (2011) Research Methods in Accounting. (2nd Edition) London: Sage
Literature used to build the theoretical framework should be collected as much as possible from academic journals, such as listed below. Popular sources such as Wikipedia can be used as source to find such articles, but should be avoided as serious references. Use the database as much as possible and use articles from academic jourtnals suchas:
Global Journal of Business Research
Human Resource Management journal
International journal of Applied Management
International journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research Journal of Business Law
Journal of Consumer Behaviour
Journal of Marketing Management
Academy of Management journal
Applied Economics
Appendices 1-5
Appendix 3. MP Proposal outline
Front page
your name, student ID number, course title
your regular contact email address
name of agreed Supervisor
Title: Formulate an overall and comprehensive research objective for the totality of your research project. That is, identify the goal you will have reached after completion of your research project.
1. Background and purpose
The focus in this paragraph lies on the purpose, the management problem or challenge that can be tackled with help of the results of your research. Preferably formulated in the form of a decision or a set of decisions to be taken by a well-defined problem owner. Think from the viewpoint of a problem owner!
• · Describe the playing field: the type of market and/or type of company: e.g “Dutch fashion retail chain”.
• · Describe the problem in terms of existing situation, development in the past years and what is the problem in this? E.g. “Sales of clothes go more and more via digital channels and people use the physical shop more and more as showroom. Therefor sales in the shop are decreasing”. (Look for actual data of this phenomenon – first desk research – to stress the relevance of this phenomenon and reference properly).
• · Present your first thoughts about the main causes of this development: why do consumers behave like they do?
• · Describe the means, tools that you want to take into account to tackle the problem. What type of decisions will you be looking for? Do you want to look at the the full distribution strategy, at the sales strategy or do you for example want to focus on the use of social media (only)?
• · Describe what you want to achieve: the desired situation. In the example: do you want to get more people in the shops or do you want higher turnover?
You now have a first idea about your conceptual model: the dependent and independent variableI
· Summarise the purpose of your MP in one sentence: in terms of a decision or a set of decisions by a well-defined type of problem owner.
Try to tell this story on 1 page or 1.5 page at the maximum. If you have much background information about the issue, put this into an appendix and refer properly in your main text to this appendix.
2. Research objective and first research questions
In this paragraph you describe the (type of) information that you intend to collect and analyse in order to help the problem owner to take the optimal decision.
You will collect and analyse information about variables. “A variable is anything that can take on differing or varying values. The values can differ at various times for the same object or person, or at the same time for different objects or persons”(Sekaran & Bougie, Research methods for business, Chapter 5: re-read this chapter.)
In this phase you will have at least one dependent and one independent variable:
• · Dependent variable: what you want to explain, influence or forecast. In the example of retail shops this could be the consumer buying process of clothes.
• · Independent variable: the variable that influences the dependent variable. Go back to the means you have described in the previous paragraph. So, this could be the use of social media communication.
Later on it is possible that you add extra variables – mediating and moderating – after you have completed your literature analysis (in the phase towards the next assignment: Theoretical Framework Report).
Now define what you want to research: information about the variables and about the relation between the variables.
The research objective describes the information need in general terms: “Get insight into ….. (subject, issue) amongst …… (target group, if relevant)
Research questions: All variables and relations in these questions are defined in measurable terms.
You research questions can be altered or refined in the Theoretical Framework Report but you need to present your first ideas about these questions in the Proposal.
Literature
An overview of the literature which you plan to use to build your theoretical framework plus an explanation of why this literature could help in building your research. The full analysis of this literature will be one of your main tasks in the phase towards the Theoretical Framework Report.
Do not mix up literature search with desk research. Literature search is meant to find theories around your central issue or to be more precise about the variables you have described in the previous paragraph. Desk research is searching for information around your central issue (results from previous research). First desk research is done for the previous chapter (Background and Purpose). Besides this, desk research can be part of your research methodology.
Research design
What will your research strategy? Make at least a distinction between secondary and primary research and qualitative versus quantitative research and explain why these method(s).
In case of interviewing (qualitative or quantitative) describe clearly who you will research (your target group), how you will reach them (sampling technique), and how you will conduct the research once you have successfully reached them (observing, interviewing etc. – your method). If you use other people’s methods, categorizations and techniques to answer the research questions, you have
to indicate these and the sources you take them from as well. Defend all your choices in terms of reliability, validity and generalizability]
Timescale
Use a Gantt chart to visualize the planning of your research in weeks. Do not (only) describe the hand-in dates for assignments but describe what type of work you will be doing and when.
Resources
Describe the special contacts, hard- or software or other equipment you need to complete this research successfully and assess whether you can secure them.
References
See reference guide.
You research proposal is 3-5 pages (mimimum 1,000 words , excluding appendices. If you have already extensive background information, put this into an appendix and summarise main conclusions in the body text.
Appendix 4. Structure of Theoretical Framework report
Front page
• · Your name, student ID number, course title and e-mail address
• · Name of supervisor
• · Project title
1. Summary of proposal
Make a summary of your original management questions (the problem you want to solve) and the research questions as these are presented in the proposal you have submitted.
Make sure it is clear what the ‘playing field’ is, e.g. the business sector you are aiming at. E.g. wholesalers in fruit and vegetables in the Netherland, financial organisation in Europe etc.
Summarize your original research methodology such as described in the proposal. No more than one page.
2. Literature review
Make a summary and analysis of the literature you have studied. The literature study is meant to look for theories about the problem under study. These should be academic solid theories that explain the problem in detail. The literature analysis should result in a theoretical framework. Including a conceptual model.
Your analysis should be focused on:
• · Defining the terms used in the central issue (e.g. how do you define “social media”, “sustainability”) and in the target group (e.g. private households, Small & Medium sized companies)
• · Finding relevant variables to describe the symptoms of the problem under study. A symptom is something that is not as wanted or something you would like to change. (Think as a medical doctor who looks at a patient. The first he will be doing is researching the symptoms) Inclusive definitions of these variables. E.g. if one of the variables is ‘satisfaction’, describe what is meant by satisfaction (different theories can describe ‘satisfaction’ in different ways, so make a choice. And describe how it can be measured.
• · Finding the relevant variables that can explain the symptoms, the causes of the problem. What are the drivers of the subject under study? Again, give definitions of these variables.
• · Finding (or designing) a model with the main concepts/variables (the blocks in a model) and the relations between these variables (the arrows in a model).
So, literature review looks for theories and models. It is possible that in your literature review also find actual results of research. In most cases these results will not be completely relevant for your area of research (your playing field). You can only use these results if they apply to your area of research. In that case you have already the first results for your own research (this is called desk research, which can be mentioned in the chapter about methodology). You look for different
theories and models about your subject, describe the main characteristics of the different theories/models and make a choice between these. Including an explanation why you have chosen this theory/model. PM: it is possible that you decide that there is not a solid existing model and that you want to develop a new model or an adaption of an existing model. But in general you will choose with an existing theory/model. For the assignment Theoretical Framework summarize your findings in the form of a draft chapter for your final report.
3. Final management question and research questions
By reviewing the literature you might come to the conclusion that you need/want to adapt your management question and/or research questions slightly. In this chapter you describe your revised management and research questions and if these have changed explain why and what you have changed. (See “critical self evaluation”).
The research questions must be SMART which basically means that they can be measured (with the instruments you have available in the time you have available). In the research questions only use the variables that you have found and described in your literature review. So, do not introduce new variables here.
Keep the number of research questions limited. In most cases you will have at least one descriptive research question (desribe the content of one block in your model) and one explanatory research question (causal: an arrow in your model).
4.. Methodology
Describe the (final) research design. By reviewing your management questions and/or research questions, you might come to the conclusion that you need to adapt you research approach. Explain why the methodology will result in reliable and valid answers. Give full details of the methods of research that you will use. This means:
• · If you use desk research: which sources will you use
• · If you use qualitative interviews (incl. Expert interviews): how many people will you
interview, who will you interview (or plan to interview) + an outline of the questions you will
ask them (checklist)
• · If you use a (quantitative) survey: full details of sampling – target groupsampling frame
sampling methodsample size + a concept questionnaire.
Details should make it possible to start fieldwork shortly after your progress report has been
approved.
It is strongly recommended to use more than one method of research (e.g. desk research + a survey). In that case relate the methods to the different research questions. Desk research will be used to answer research questions 1 and 3. A survey will be used to answer research question 2, 3 and 4.
5. Evaluation of work done
The progress report should indicate clearly how your thinking has evolved from the start of the project till now. Never mind if literature finds led you to tweak your research questions, theoretical
focus or methodology as long as you can defend the changes you made and account for them. This you do in the progress report.
6. Appendices
Final time table: Include all the activities in the time schedule.
References and bibliography: Use Harvard style.
Remember that the body text of your Theoretical Framework report should not (much) exceed 2,000 words. Put longer text blocks in an appendix and summarize in the body text.
Appendix 5. Requirements MP final report
Most final projects will consist of an/a:
Front page
• · Project title
• · Your name, student ID number, course title and e-mail address
• · Name of supervisor
Abstract
No more than two pages which concisely explains your research problem, why your research problem is important and worth studying, your data and methods, your main findings, the implications of your findings in the light of other research. This may be the only part of your project that some may read so it must be well written, short but comprehensive. Prepare an initial draft as this will provide you with your story-line and facilitate the coherence of your full analysis then amend this initial draft.
Introduction
This should give the purpose and scope of your research. It should include a descrition of the type of company that can benefit from your research, a full statement of your research purpose (business question), the research objective and position your research against similar studies.
Theoretical framework
The results of your literature review. A literature review extends your discussion of other studies conducted in this area and critically examines and evaluates the issues, ideas, debates and theoretical concepts posed by previous studies which relate to your project. It is not a survey of all the literature ever written on your issue so try to avoid a shopping list of previous studies. Whilst you need to conduct a review of all relevant literature early on and continually reflect on and revise this throughout, you should write up your final critical review of the literature after you have completed your results so you clearly identify and express the linkages. If done well, it should indicate all important concepts, variables and links and clearly indicate the variables you need to focus on in the rest of the report. Were possible in the form of a conceptual model.
PM: a draft version of this part of the final report must have been included in the progress report. If this chapter contains long text, put it in an appendix and summarize it in the body text.
Research questions
You have defined your research objective in the Introduction. In this chapter you describe the research questions which specify the research objective.
Research questions should have a clear connection with your theoretical framework and conceptual model. This means that in the research questions variables are used that have been described in the previous chapter. Research questions should be SMART.
Methodology
Describe the full methodology, including details such as the sample specifications for a survey or interviews. Complete questionnaires and checklists can be put into appendices.
You should provide sufficient detail for the reader to assess the reliability and validity of your methods. In a qualitative study, you need to explain your theoretical assumptions, the strategy you adopted and how you can generalize from your analysis. A quantitative study includes detailed information on the research undertaken: secondary data, precise definition of target population; sampling frame; sample size; variables selected for measurement; research instrument (e.g. questionnaire, depth interview, focus group discussion, observation, etc.); sampling procedure; response rates.
Explain why you believe your research is reliable and valid.
Results
Develop a story line. This should be referenced as appropriate. Do not confuse this with your conclusions chapter. Results are what you found, not what it means. Present only results which are relevant and give adequate detail. Refer to appendices for detailed information.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
There must be a clear link between your stated research questions, the literature, your results and the conclusions you make. Your conclusion section should not be just a summary of what you have explained earlier. Through a critical analysis you should reach conclusions and recommendations which go beyond a summary and demonstrate that you have gained an insight into all the important issues. However, do not introduce new material in your conclusions.
Conclusions are answers to research questions. It is therefore recommendable to present your conclusions around the research questions.
Final chapter (often called Discussion):
This should be an objective (i.e. honest) assessment of any possible bias in your research and a critical evaluation of the work you have undertaken including any new work appearing since you began, discussion on anything you would now do differently, any implications for policy and practice, limitations of your study and further research that might follow on from your findings. Invariably, an effective research project will raise more questions than it answers.
References and bibliography:
In reading your report, we should clearly know what is your own original work and what is other people’s work that you have summarized or quoted. It is important to use a consistent and recognized referencing style. The Referencing Guide is required. It is to be expected that a literature-based project will have more references than one for which an experiment has been conducted. Referencing is not a matter of how many references but rather the appropriateness of the references and the way that they have been used to support the underpinning knowledge and the argument you put forward in the project. In addition to referencing in the text, you must
produce a Reference List (Harvard style) which is an alphabetic list (by author) of every work cited in your project. You should also produce a Bibliography which is an alphabetic list of everything you may have read which has informed your thinking but which you have not cited. Your reference list is of greater importance than your Bibliography list as the latter is often subject to ‘padding’: be honest, if you have not read the original but have read about it elsewhere, use ‘cited in …’
Appendices:
These may include research instruments (with an English translation, if conducted in another language), statistical analyses, background detail which you have summarized in the main body, etc. Only include what is of major relevance and note that it must be referenced in the text.
If you did any interviews or circulated questionnaires, the appendices must include a blank questionnaire, interview guide and/or transcripts of interviews (again with English translations if necessary).
Remember that the body text should contain approximately 8,000 words. Again, put long pieces of text in appendices.
Assignment brief
Assignment Background Information & instructions
The final report presents the objectives and results of the whole project. It should contain at least:
• · The purpose of the research: the underlying management question (problem)
• · The theoretical framework / conceptual model
• · The research objective, specified in SMART research questions
• · The research design
• · The main results of the research, including a reflection on reliability and validity
• · Conclusions, being answers to the research questions
• · Reflections on limitations of study & pointers to further research
Full details of the structure and requirements of the MP final report can be found in the Student Guide MP 2019 – 2020 Appendix 5
Assignment Tasks and grading
The assessment criteria for the final MP report are:
1. Standard of organization & presentation
The degree to which the argument flows logically, sticks to the format described in the student guide to the major project and stays focused. Including writing style and size (number of words)
2. Evidence of relevant research & use of Harvard referencing system
The degree to which all statements are referenced by using relevant, up to date and high quality (i.e. academic) sources
3. Review of literature including critical analysis
Comprehensiveness of sources discussed (e.g. conflicting viewpoints shown), relevance to the topic and critical arbitration between sources.
4. Application of relevant theory
The degree to which a student can critically discuss, choose between, integrate and improve relevant theoretical frameworks.
5. Research Objectives (clear, achievable)
The set of research questions can solve the central issue. SMART test and logical order: subsequent questions may only presuppose answers to earlier questions. Assessment of the degree to which the research questions are still achievable in the light of the existing literature reviewed
6. Methodology (appropriate, valid, reliable, justified)
Research methodology and execution fully described and defended why the the findings are most likely to be true (i.e. valid) and verifiable (i.e. reliable)
Assignment Tasks and grading (continued)
7. Quality of Analysis/Results
The extent to which the data presented are related to the research questions and theoretical framework and analyzed accordingly.
Quantitative: Clarity of representation and cross-checking.
Qualitative: comprehensiveness of e.g. transcripts and proven ability to identify and summarize main themes.
8. Demonstration of independent, critical thought & development of intellectual ideas
Progression from idea stage to conclusion. Evaluating and creating: The extent to which traditional approaches are critically defended or adjusted and the degree to which the student is able to see the need for improvements in theory on the basis of conclusions reached.
9. Coherence of conclusions (& recommendations) linked to research objectives and analysis
At least 1 conclusion/objective (so each objective reached). Integration of sources (primary/secondary and Qualitative/Quantitative) in arguing for them. Conclusions are clearly based on and supported by results from research (no new information in conclusions). Recommendations (if relevant) are clearly deduced from conclusions.
10. Reflection on limitations of study & pointers to further research
Honest reflection on what has and has not been achieved and clear conclusions as to implications for further research.
The final report will be assessed by the supervisor and a second reader. These 2 persons will agree on the final mark for the final report.
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