ASSIGNMENT 3 – RESEARCH REPORT

Write a Research Report

TASK
Write a research report in response to a research brief, and using some research data, that will be
provided to you through the learning management system for the unit (Blackboard or Canvas).

INSTRUCTIONS

Based on the same company or case as Assignments 1 and 2, you will be provided with a
dataset designed to answer the relevant research problem, research objectives, and
research questions.

As a group of 3-5, you are required to write a research report in response to the
provided research brief, using the provided data. In the report, you should provide an
executive summary, summarise and evaluate the methodology used (including data
collection and sampling), present the results of analysis conducted to answer each
research question, and a conclusion including strategic recommendations in relation to
the marketing problem.

You will be marked on both your group’s submission, and the degree to which you
contribute to your group.

A suggested format:
- Title Page
- Table of Contents
- Executive Summary
- Methodology
- Results (including relevant data visualisations)
- Conclusion and Recommendations
- Appendix: relevant output from statistical analysis software packages
Submission Details:
The report, references and appendices to be assembled in one document per group and
submitted as an electronic copy uploaded to the Online Management System (Canvas) by
11:59 pm AEST end of Week 12 (Sunday).

In addition to the group assignment submission, each individual should submit a peer
assessment form. This will be partly used to assess contributions to group work.

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Word limit: The word limit on this phase of the assignment is 4000 words (not including
executive summary, table of contents, and references).

Value/Weighting: This assignment is worth 35% of your total assessment in this subject.
The assessment criteria are provided following the next page.

NOTES ON REPORT SUBMISSION

- All submissions should be 1.5 spaced. Allow a minimum of 25mm (1”) on left, right, top
and bottom margins. All pages should be numbered.
- A standard font should be used, such as Arial, Times New Roman or equivalent. Size
11 font should be used.
- Do not use first person, e.g., “I” and “we” and avoid colloquialisms and clichés in formal
business reports.
- All tables and figures need to be numbered and labelled and referred to as such in the
text before they appear in the report.
- You should adopt the Harvard system of referencing, i.e., in text referencing (e.g., Smith
and John, 2013). All quotations and references should be properly sourced. Ina dequate
details of publications and other sources will reduce the assessed grade. Please see
page 10 of the Unit Outline as well as
http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/plagiarism/ for direction on writing style
and how to avoid plagiarism.

NOTE: Assignments or projects which are submitted after the due date and time will attract a
penalty of 10% of the total marks available per working day late, up to a maximum of five
working days. Assignments submitted after five working days will be graded with zero marks.

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ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Your work will be assessed using the following marking guide:

Criteria Fail Pass Credit Distinction High distinction

50-59% 60-69% 70-79% 80-100%
Executive Does not provide an Vaguely summarises research Conveys the research focus, but Accurate summary of the research Clear and concise summary of
summary accurate summary of report. gaps remain. report. all report elements. Reader
(5%) the research report. Important components are Missing some of the key points Reader can understand most of can fully understand the
Major components are missing / not clearly discussed. outlined in the instruction the report through the Executive report through the Executive
missing. Some issues of clarity may be Summary alone. Summary alone.
evident Minor slips in clarity may be
evident
Methodology Review of The methodology is described, The methodology is reviewed, but A detailed review of the Methodology is
(10%) methodology is but is lacking major components. has inaccuracies or lapses in methodology applied. comprehensively and
missing or inadequate. clarity. Minor lapses in detail or clarity are expertly reviewed, including
The discussion is a summary present. the data collection and
rather than a review. sampling method.

Results Analysis techniques Analysis is conducted and The accuracy of chosen analysis Appropriate analysis techniques are Appropriate analysis
used are inappropriate interpreted for each research techniques and interpretation is used for most research questions. techniques are used for all
(40%)
or incorrectly question, but major errors are mixed, with some errors. Results interpretation is mostly research questions.
interpreted. present. Visualisations are relevant to some correct, with minor errors. Results are insightfully
Visualisations are Visualisations are often results, but inappropriate for interpreted, including
Relevant visualisations are used for
lacking inappropriate for results. others. implications.
most results.
Minor errors persist. Relevant visualisations are
used for all results.
Conclusion Recommendations are Recommendations are provided, Recommendations show links to Recommendations are given that Exemplary and insightful
(20%) missing, inadequate, but they are superficial or not the research problem or research clearly link to research questions and recommendations are made
or not linked to the well linked to the research questions, but require greater the research problem. based on analysis results.
research problem. problem. depth and/or clarity. Minor lapses in clarity or detail are The recommendations clearly
evident. answer the stated research
problem.

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Report The report is poorly The report formatting and style is The required report format has The required report format has been The required report format
format/ style formatted or not basic and/ or unprofessional. been adopted. adopted. has been adopted. Inclusion
(10%) written in a Some required elements are Inclusion of most necessary Inclusion of all necessary elements of all necessary elements
professional manner. missing. elements (title page, table of (title page, table of contents etc.) (title page, table of contents
Significant elements contents etc.) etc.)
General presentation, spelling and
missing General presentation, spelling and General presentation, spelling
grammar is of an acceptable
grammar should be improved to and grammar is of a
standard, minor slips remain.
professional standard. professional business
standard.

Groupwork Inadequate The student contributes to the A contribution to the group is Good contributions to group work Excellent contribution to
(15%) participation in the assignment, but does not evident although a need for are evident, although minor areas for group work is demonstrated
group is evident demonstrate involvement in the improvement is noted. improvement are noted. through individual
through peer review group. assignment contributions,
and individual and peer review.
contribution to report.