Main
Submission Deadline
Marks and Feedback
Before 10am on:
11/11/2022
20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (L6)
10 working days after deadline (block delivery)
Click or tap to enter a date.
Unit title & code
Research Methods in Business Practice- BSS057-3
Assignment number and title
Assignment 1 – Quantitative Data Analysis Report
Assessment type
Problem-Based Report
Weighting of assessment
70%
Size or length of assessment
2,100
Unit learning outcomes
1 Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding
• Relevant to business research, the nature of literature review, and research methodology as well as their relevance to business practice.
2 Demonstrate the following skills and abilities
• In developing a purposeful literature review and analysing a complex data set.
What am I required to do in this assignment?
Task
You must produce an individual Report addressing a business research problem. The report should contain the following elements:
1. Clearly defined business research problem
2. Brief Literature Review covering relevant concepts, models and/or theories
3. Identification of a dataset sourced from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) website that will enable you to address your chosen business research problem
4. Quantitative analysis of the dataset using tools and techniques from the unit with the submission of the spreadsheet along with your individual written Report
5. Visualisations of data drawn from your quantitative analysis (e.g. tables, charts, graphs)
6. Findings and conclusions drawn from the quantitative analysis of the dataset that addresses the business research problem
The purpose of the individual report is to allow the student the opportunity to explore an area of the course in depth, and demonstrate evidence of independent critical thought and research. You will need to identify a business research problem and use datasets that are freely provided by the Office of National Statistics (https://www.ons.gov.uk/) to provide a solution to the business research problem you have identified. Additional databases and data could be used by exception and only after consultation with the tutor.
When developing your own business research problem you should consult with your tutor with regards to their appropriateness. Please keep in mind that the focus of this assessment is not on the problem itself but the way you use quantitative data to find a solution to the business research problem.
You should maintain good references using the Harvard system. Incorrect referencing will be penalised. Do use visual aids in order to facilitate your data analysis and presentation.
An electronic copy of the Report along with the Excel spreadsheet containing the dataset and your quantitative analysis must be provided.
What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)
• Show understanding of the context of the chosen topic
• Develop a literature review that uses at least 2-3 academic sources of information
• Include relevant data to address the topic and support your conclusions
• Produce an academic piece of work which is supported by evidence of research and UoB Harvard Referencing
How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?
We will be filling this section in together in class onClick or tap to enter a date.make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.
How does assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?
Scheduled sessions deliver content related to the assessment, for example literature review and data analysis. The unit utilises a problem-based assignment. The knowledge that is delivered via lectures and seminars and aims to support the cognitive development of the students as they gain skills in dealing with the problem at hand.
The problem-based assessment should provide knowledge on how to go about dealing with a business issue and how to process data to respond to such a business issue (which is fundamentally similar to the dissertation process).
How will my assignment be marked?
Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.
You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.
3rd Class – 40-49%
Lower 2nd – 50-59%
Upper 2nd – 60-69%
1st Class – 70%+
Context and Literature Review
20% Context is vaguely provided, there are some references of poor quality Context is provided but superficial. The references are of mixed quality Context is well-presented and references are good and relevant. Thorough presentation of context and intelligent use of referencing to demonstrate relevance to the topic
Identification of the datasets required to resolve the problem identified
30% Some evidence of choosing appropriate datasets to the problem identified. Evidence of systematic and coherent data identification and usage. Data used is mostly relevant and logical. Evidence of good choice and range of data used, and the data is all relevant to the problem identified. Thorough, well-articulated inclusion of data that is relevant and accurately chosen to resolve the problem identified.
Data analysis, findings and conclusions aligned to the problem
30% Some evidence of data analysis but there are flaws throughout. The data generated is ad hoc or irrelevant; the conclusions are not substantiated. An attempt to a data analysis Some flaws with the insights provided. Data generated is of limited use. The problem is only partially resolved. Good, sensible data analysis. The data analysis is useful and valid. Conclusions meet the objectives of the project. The data analysis is complete, well—developed, insightful and thorough. Conclusions provided are valuable and insightful.
Professional Formatting References Language
20% Poorly formatted, imprecise language, spelling mistakes litter the work, badly labelled, careless and sloppy work Correct English usage with some imprecise statements. Few if any spelling mistakes, and the same with grammar Correct English usage with precise, concise statements and within the word limits. Very well-written. English is correctly formatted, with precise and concise prose; correct spelling throughout, and within word limits.
