topic for this assignment - HUMAN Resource Management

Research Proposal This is an individual assessment whereby students are required to develop a proposal for an empirical research project using qualitative and/or quantitative research methods. The final research proposal is worth 50% of the overall module marks.

Marking Criteria

Clear definition of your topic (15%)

Your initial background reading and research on the topic (35%)

Design of your research strategy (35%)

Presentation - Structure, Writing Style, Referencing, Timeline (15%)

Please find below the recommended proposal outline.

Proposal for an empirical research project

This is the recommended proposal outline for an empirical research project.

Cover page: Student name, student number, programme, research topic and word count.

[Failure to attach a cover page with all of the indicated information will result in a mark of zero]

Introduction: context, topic to be addressed, outline of research question(s), aims and objectives, potential contribution of the research to literature and management practice, potential research problems and/or constraints (400 words approx.).

Review of relevant literature: justification of topic chosen, bodies of literature being addressed, what is already known, gaps in what is already known, how the literature reviewed informs the design of the research. Your literature review must include multiple sources of peer-reviewed academic literature (800 words approx.).

Methodology: how you intend going about answering the research question(s) and addressing the research objectives (800 words approx.). This should include:

Summary of ontological and epistemological assumptions underpinning proposed research

Summary of research approach and purpose

Detailed research design methodology including proposed data collection method(s) / description of secondary data sources including a justification for their selection; outline of the data analysis and discussion of strengths and potential weaknesses of proposed approach.

Potential ethical issues

Timeline (Gantt Chart); assume that time constraints of traditional dissertations in the MSc. Management, MSc. Marketing and MSc. International Business programmes apply.

Possible resource requirements

A bibliography/ reference list must be provided (not include in the word count)

Please use the Harvard referencing system.

ASSESSMENT

The proposal will be assessed using the scale of the conceptual equivalent for postgraduate students (see below). The incorporation of relevant literature and theory will be vital to a high-quality assignment.

AN IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE IS THAT WHILE THE PROPOSAL PROVIDES A FOUNDATION FOR YOUR DISSERTATION, THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE AND GRADED PIECES OF WORK AND THEREFORE MUST BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.

Word Count

The word count should be indicated on the coversheet of the assignment. The expected word count is 2000 words (+ or 10% rule applies), excluding the title page, timeline (Gantt Chart), appendices and references list. If the proposal is longer than 2200 words, you will be penalised.

Formatting

The proposal must be word processed. Please use size 12 font (Calibri/Arial Narrow/Times New Roman), 1.5 line spacing. Please ensure that the text is professionally laid out and you have proof-read in advance of submission.