Posted: September 13th, 2017

Consumer buying behaviour on luxury goods

Qualification    Higher National Diploma in Business

Assignment title  Research Project
Background
In this assessment you are expected to formally research a problem or opportunity within a workplace context. The actual
nature of the problem/opportunity you choose to pursue for this assessment is your decision. This unit expects students to
demonstrate independence in their own thinking, planning and conduction of their own research project. To be successful within
this unit you are required to drive the design, planning, implementation and write up of a research project which provides
recommendations/solutions or advice to a problem you have defined and justified to be of importance within the workplace you
are situated or affiliated to. As an independent research project you are thus expected to drive your own learning with the use of
the online learning materials provided through Pearson’s OLE.

This assessment is divided into two major tasks. Task one requires you to compose a research specification (sometimes known as
a research proposal). Task two requires you to submit a research report which documents a review of the literature, a justified
research methodology, data analysis techniques and provides recommendations/solutions based on your research findings.
Task 1 (this task provides evidence for LO1 /AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and LO2/AC 2.1)
Research Project Proposal
Here  you  are  required  to  submit  a  research  proposal  which  sets  out  the  research  project  you  intend  to  carryout  within  a
workplace setting. Your proposal should be no more than four sides of A4 and should include the following:
1)  Research Project Title: Define a title to head up your planned research project (AC 1.1, 1.4)
2)  Problem/Opportunity: Define the practical/company based problem which you are attempting to research and provide
recommendations (AC 1.1, 1.4). Justify why the problem/opportunity you define is important to be formally researched
(AC 1.2)
3)  Research Objectives: Define a number of research objectives which summarises what you wish to achieve in your
research project (AC 1.1, 1.4)
4)  Literature Review: Provide a brief critical review of the key academic and professional based literature associated with
the problem/opportunity you have defined and which you will explore in further depth within your research project (AC
1.3)
5)  Research Methods: Define and justify a range of research methods and data collection tools in order to investigate the
problem/opportunity you have defined (AC 1.1, 1.4). Justify why the research methods you have chosen are appropriate
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in relation to the problem/opportunity you are planning to research.
6)  Plan: Provide a brief project plan which outlines the timescales of the activities you are required to undertake in order to
complete your research project within a timely fashion (AC 1.5). Your plan should define any resources you think you will
require in order to conduct your research (AC 2.1).
7)  References Section (excluded from the page count)
Task 2 (this task provides evidence for LO2 / AC 2.2, 2.3 LO3 / AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 LO4 / AC 4.1)
Research Project Report
Here you are required to submit a ‘write up’ of the implemented research project in the form a report no more than 5000 words.
Your project report should include the following:

1)  Problem/Opportunity / Research Objectives: Provide a background to your research by outlining the
problem/opportunity pursued and how this translated in your research objectives. You should justify your discussion as
much as possible.
2)  Literature Review: Building on your research proposal, provide an extended critical review of the academic and
professional literature associated with the work based problem/opportunity you have previous defined.
3)  Research Methods/Data Collection:  Outline and justify the research methods you used to investigate the defined
problem/opportunity. Discuss how the research methods you selected were used/implemented in practice and any
problems you may have encountered (AC 2.2). Outline the methods you used to analyse the data you collected in order
to come to conclusions and provide recommendations (AC 3.1)
4)  Findings: Present a summary of the data you collected in an appropriate format (AC 2.3) i.e. graphs, charts, tables etc.
5)  Discussion / Recommendations: Discuss your interpretation of the analysis of the data you collected by outlining how it
relates to the research project problem/opportunity and the reviewed literature (AC 3.2). Provided recommendations,
based on your research and analysis results, which provide justified solutions for the problem/opportunity originally
defined for your research project (AC3.3).
6)  References Section (excluded from the word count).

Your report should be presented in a business like format but follows the outline of a formal research project (AC 4.1)

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

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LO1 Understand how to formulate a research specification

Research formulation: aims and objectives; rationale for selection; methodology for data collection and analysis; literature
review; critique of references from primary sources e.g. questionnaires, interviews; secondary sources e.g. books, journals,
internet; scope and limitations; implications e.g. resources
Hypothesis: definition; suitability; skills and knowledge to be gained; aims and objectives;
terms of reference; duration; ethical issues
Action plan: rationale for research question or hypothesis; milestones; task dates; review
dates; monitoring/reviewing process; strategy
Research design: type of research e.g. qualitative, quantitative, systematic, original;
methodology; resources; statistical analyses; validity; reliability; control of variables

LO2 Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification

Implement: according to research design and method; test research hypotheses; considering test validity; reliability
Data collection: selection of appropriate tools for data collection; types e.g. qualitative, quantitative; systematic recording;
methodological problems e.g. bias, variables and control of variables, validity and reliability
Data analysis and interpretation: qualitative and quantitative data analysis – interpreting transcripts; coding techniques;
specialist software; statistical tables; comparison of variable; trends; forecasting

LO3 Be able to evaluate the research outcomes

Evaluation of outcomes: an overview of the success or failure of the research project planning, aims and objectives, evidence
and findings, validity, reliability, benefits, difficulties, conclusion(s)
Future consideration: significance of research investigation; application of research results; implications; limitations of the
investigation; improvements; recommendations for the future, areas for future research

LO4 Be able to present the research outcomes
Format: professional delivery format appropriate to the audience; use of appropriate media

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Learning Outcomes

Pass Assessment Criteria
LO1
Understand how to
formulate a research
specification

1.1 formulate and record possible research project outline specifications

1.2 identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection

1.3 undertake a critical review of key references

1.4 produce a research project specification

1.5 provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification
LO2

Be able to implement the
research project within
agreed procedures and to
specification

2.1 match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis

2.2 undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed
specification and procedures

2.3 record and collate relevant data where appropriate

LO3

Be able to evaluate the
research outcomes

3.1 use appropriate research evaluation techniques

3.2 interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification

3.3 make recommendations and justify areas for further
consideration

LO4
Be able to present the
research outcomes

4.1 use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the
research to an audience.
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Merit Descriptors  How to meet the merit descriptors covered by this brief

M1
Identify/apply strategies to find
appropriate solutions

  Reasoned judgement has been used when proposing solutions to the
presented problems

  Complex economic and business environment problems with more
than one variable have been explored

  Tasks have been tackled in an logical order to allow the student to
build toward an answer

M2
Select/design and apply appropriate
methods/techniques

  relevant theories and techniques appropriate to business environment
analysis have been used

  a range of models and methods have been applied in order to analyse
the given environment

  the range of models and techniques used have been justified

  appropriate formats and templates have been used to structure and
convey complex business information


information has been synthesised to allow conclusions to be reached
which are cohesive

M3
Present and communicate appropriate
findings

  the appropriate structure and approach has been used

  coherent, logical development of principles/concepts for the intended
audience

  a range of methods of presentation have been used to present
complex information in ways which are appropriate to the content and
the audience

  from a large set of complex information, only the most relevant has
been used

  appropriate media has been used for communication in both familiar
and unfamiliar contexts

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Distinction Descriptors  How to meet the distinction descriptors covered by this brief

D1
Use critical reflection to evaluate own
work and justify valid conclusions

  conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas, models,
theories and techniques and have been justified

  critical analysis of the appropriateness or relevance of ideas, models,
theories and techniques has been undertaken

D2
Take responsibility for managing and
organising activities

  autonomy has been demonstrated (for example in the selection and
compilation of further readings and references)

  the unforeseen has been accommodated

  substantial information sets have been gathered, managed and
organise

  complex materials have been engaged with in such a way that the
output is cohesive and clear


independence has been demonstrated in providing and justifying
recommendations

D3
Demonstrate convergent/lateral/
creative thinking

  Ideas have been generated and recommendations made based on
creative thinking

  Convergent and lateral thinking have been applied

  Problems have been solved


Effective thinking has taken place in relation to markets or products
largely unfamiliar

Recommended resources

Essential Textbook:

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., Thornhill, A. (Eds) (2009) Research Methods for Business Students, (Fifth Edition),
Pearson Education Limited: Harlow, England ISBN 978-0-273-71686-0
Journal Papers

Coghlan, D. and Brannick T. (2001) “Doing Action Research in Your Own Organisation”, Sage, London.
Dick, B. (1991) “Action Research and Evaluation” Interchange, Brisbane.
Eden, C. and Huxham, C. (1995) “Action Research for the Study of Organisations”, Handbook of Organization
Studies, Sage, Beverly Hills.
Zuber-Skerritt, O. (1991) “Professional Development in Higher Education: A Theoretical Framework for Action
Research” AEBIS Publishing, Alderley.
Zuber-Skerritt, O. (1992) “Action Research in Higher Education: Examples and Reflections”, Kogan Page,
London.
Brydon-Miller, M., Greenwood, D. and Maguire, P. (2003) “Why Action Research?” Action Research, Vol. 1, No.
1, pp. 9 – 28.
Dick, B. (2002) “Postgraduate programs using action research” The Learning Organisation, Vol. 9, No. 4, pp. 159
– 170.
Grønhaug, K. and Olson, O. (1999) “Action Research and Knowledge Creation: Merits and Challenges”,
Qualitative Market Research: An International Journal, Vol. 2, No.1.
Lewin, K. (1946) “Action Research and the Minority Problems” Journal of Social Issues, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 34 -46.
Perry, C. and Gummesson, E. (2004) “Action Research in Marketing” European Journal of Marketing, Vol. 38,
No.3/4, pp. 310 – 320.
Zuber-Skerrit, O. and Fletcher, M. (2007) “The Quality of an Action Research Thesis in the Social Sciences”
Quality Assurance in Education, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 413 – 436.
Zuber-Skerritt, O. and Perry, C. (2002) “Action Research with Organisational and University Thesis Writing” The
Learning Organisation, Vol. 9. No. 2. pp. 171 – 179.
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