Bmg575 Research Methods Literature Review Assignment (CW2) Template

BMG575 – Research Methods

Literature Review Assignment (CW2) Template

Student ID Number	e.g. B007*****
Student Name	John Smith
Programme Title	Extended MSc IB / MSc Marketing (Graduate Certificate)
Module Code and Title	BMG575 Research Methods
Module Leader QAHE	e.g. Matt Thompson / Leigh Stevens / Elisa Forestan-Barnes
Literature Review Title	e.g. SWOT Analysis of Nestle Group
Academic Declaration: Students are reminded that the electronic copy of their ppt/essay may be checked, at any point during their degree, with Turnitin or other plagiarism detection software.
Date Submitted

Title of Project Proposal (to be written on cover page)

This needs to be well defined, precise and clearly written. It may well contain phrases such as; Example: ‘An investigation into …’ ‘A critical analysis/appraisal of …’ ‘An investigation to establish/analyse the impact of …’ ‘A comparison between …’

Introduction (approx. 100 words) Hook An interesting sentence about the topic to catch the reader’s/viewer’s attention, so that they want to keep reading/viewing. Background Information such as facts, definitions and history to prepare the reader/viewer for your message about research topic. Outline It gives the reader/viewer clear information about the content of the Literature Review and the main ideas that will be discussed.

2.1 Identify a specific researchable topic area (approx. 50 words) Academic significance of topic area, (up to two sentences) Business context where the problem resides, (up to three sentences) 2.2 Establish the importance of the problem (approx. 100 words) Cite previously published statistics that indicate how widespread the problem is, how many people/ businesses are affected by it or other strategies like recent corporate or government actions, citing of prominent researchers in the field An explanation of the general and specific academic areas in which the problem is situated and the general significance and impact of the problem on business operations in general. 2.3 Aim of the research project (One sentence) Therefore, the aim the proposed study is … ‘to investigate ...’, ‘to research ...’ ‘to analyse/evaluate/compare …’ ‘to critically evaluate …’, or ‘to survey or to assess …’ Use the following checklist of questions to inform your Introduction: Has researcher provided conceptual definitions of terms? Has researcher indicated the basis/ source for factual statements? Do specific research questions logically flow from introduction? 2.4 Research rationale (approx. 100 words) What is the rationale for your research? The rationale of your research is the reason for conducting the study. The rationale should answer the need for conducting the said research. It is a very important part of your publication as it justifies the significance and novelty of the study.

3.0 Research Question (One sentence) Research Question What is the research question you have identified to answer your research problem? A research question will allow you to say what the issue or problem is that you wish to study and what your research project will seek to find out, explain or answer. 3.1 Research Objectives (approx. 50 words) Restate the aim of the study and the research problem. This forms the basis of the recommendations that you would make following completion of the study. Research objectives outline the specific steps that you will take to achieve your research aim. Objectives define the what, why, who, when and how questions. Consider questions that reflect on past issues, the current situation and future opportunities or recommendations. Research Objectives Research objective one Research objective two Research objective three

3.0 Literature Review (approx. 2,000 words) A summary of theory, and key factors arising from theory, relating to the area of the research. It is important that you link different areas of literature / comment showing a consistent thread of logic connecting the different sources you use. You need to cite a minimum number of references (between fifteen and twenty will be appropriate). It is prudent to link defined literature to each of your subsidiary questions. Use the following checklist of questions to inform your Literature Review: Is there extensive literature on the chosen topic? Is the Literature Review critical? Is current research cited? Has researcher distinguished between theory and opinion? Have the sources been correctly referenced? Have the headings/ subheadings been used to organise the Literature Review? Can you use charts, diagrams and data to help communicate your findings?

4.0 Conclusion (approx. 100 words) What is your conclusion to the research you have sourced? How has the research that you have sourced answered the research question you have asked?

References (NOT included into word-count) You need to include evidence of preliminary reading for this assignment (around 20 sources). Cited works should be flagged and listed using the UU Harvard style of referencing.