INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS

COURSE/ UNIT INFORMATION

Course Doctorate in Management - UCAM
Course Level Doctoral
Module Name Introduction to Research methods
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
Faculty
TO BE FILLED BY THE STUDENT
Student Name
Student ID
Email ID
Date Submitted
 ASSSESSMENT FFEDBACK
TO BE FILLED BY THE ASSESSOR
NB: The Turnitin will be checked internally by assessors
only.
Assessment type Marks Marks Awarded
Task 1: Critical essay 70
Task 2: Research ethics 30
Overall Marks 100
Overall Grade achieved by the learner
Summative Feedback by Assessor for further improvement
 GRADE DESCRIPTORS

70% and above The assignment evaluated is of a high to exemplary standard. The work
(Distinction) addresses clearly and articulately the assignment requirements and thus
meets and satisfies all the learning outcomes (either well or in an exemplary
way). The work demonstrates: clear knowledge; references to appropriate
academic literature; analysis; critical evaluation; and originality of argument.
It is structured and presented to a high (or exemplary) standard. Referencing
conventions are fully observed.
60 to 69% The assignment evaluated is of a good to a high standard. Substantial
(Merit) knowledge, comprehension and analysis is evident throughout. Arguments
presented are clear and focused with a logical structure in place. There is
clear evidence of critical evaluation of a wide range of theories/perspectives
from academic literature and some independent thought. The work is well-
written and addresses well all of the learning outcomes. Referencing
conventions are fully observed.
50 to 59% The assignment evaluated is of a fair to good standard. Adequate knowledge,
(Pass) comprehension and analysis is evident throughout. The arguments presented
have a logical structure and show some critical evaluation in places, although
there may be limited evidence of an independent perspective. There is
evidence of some good engagement with some of the appropriate literature.
Learning outcomes have been largely met and to an appropriate degree.
Referencing conventions are observed.
40 to 49% The assignment evaluated is of a basic standard. The arguments presented
(Fail/Redo) have some logical structure and are supported by academic literature in most
cases. The academic literature used is outside of the suggestions made in the
module guide but remains limited. Little critical evaluation is evident, and
the work tends more widely towards a descriptive style. Learning outcomes
have been addressed in a basic but satisfactory way. Referencing
conventions are mostly observed.
Fail Grades
30 to 39% The assignment evaluated is of a limited standard. Limited use of academic
(Module retake) literature and as such knowledge and argument is very weak. A simple
descriptive style with no evidence of critical evaluation throughout. Over-
reliance on simplistic, limited sources. Referencing conventions may not be
observed. Some learning outcomes met but in a weak and simplistic way.
The work is needs to be developed in greater depth and detail to move to a
passable standard at this level of study
29% and Below The assignment evaluated is of an unacceptable standard. There is little or no
(Module retake) evidence of knowledge and understanding that is required at this level.
Referencing is inadequate or non-existent. The learning outcomes have not
been addressed fully and the work requires significant modification to bring
it to a passable standard.
 Module Description

This course will enhance participants’ understanding of the research process. Participants will critically
explore research approaches, language, and ethics. The course will take a step-by-step approach to
develop students' knowledge, skills and understanding on design and implementation of quantitative and
qualitative research designs including Cross-sectional surveys, cohort studies, Randomized Controlled
Trials, and operational study designs which include quasi experiments and Cluster Randomized
Controlled Trials. The course will equip students with the skills necessary to conduct secondary research
designs including scoping and systematic reviews. The course will also help students to develop the skills
to recognize and reflect on the strengths and limitations of different research methodologies and address
ethical and practical issues in research. Further the student will be equipped with the ability to
methodologically review and derive meaning from published research work for application in
professional practice and growth.

Learning outcomes

LO1: Identify and describe different quantitative study designs, describe the key elements and
weaknesses and strengths associated with each approach, and application of quantitative research in
professional Practice.
LO2: To understand Qualitative Research approaches and their application including qualitative data
collection, analysis, and reporting methods.
LO3. To understand secondary research design and application methods including Scoping and
Systematic reviews approaches, and how different research designs can be combined in a mixed method
study approach.
LO4: To understand the concept of research quality assurance and its application in research integrity and
ethical principles and application of validity and reliability principles in research.

Expectations
1. Materials Access
All learning materials are provided in the form of a module kit and can be accessed from the
Learning Management system (LMS)

2. Learning Hours
Students need to be aware of their commitment requirements in regard to study time. In order to
give you an indication of that, we have based the following information on the United Kingdom
(UK) Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency guidelines. “The notional learning hours
associated with qualifications, programmes and individual units of study are based on a broad
agreement across institutions that students can expect to spend 10 hours learning on average in
order to gain one academic credit unit” (QAA 2006).

3. Re-sit
If you do not secure a pass, please read closely the feedback and speak with your Course
leader(s) or faculty. After consulting the feedback, close attention is essential to rework on the
areas of weakness, and then resubmit the work at the next opportunity. As per the QAA
requirements, only one REDO is allowed where the marks will be capped at a Pass.

4. Plagiarism
All forms of plagiarism are taken seriously, and any suspected cases will be investigated
thoroughly. If a case is found proven, then the work will be graded as a fail and the case will be
reviewed by the academic committee. The assessment team checks the Turnitin before the
evaluation of the assignment is undertaken.

5. Student appeals
There are no re-evaluations as the marks are graded and internally verified before release.
However, as per our appeals policy, a student can make an appeal to the course leader which will
be then reviewed by the academic committee (please check our academic policies and
procedures manual for more information)

6. Assignment submission extensions

Students can apply for extensions via the LMS based on extenuating circumstances (if any) with
evidence (proof) as per our extensions policy.

General Guidelines

1. Complete the ‘To be filled by the student section’ in the cover page.
2. All assignments must be submitted as an electronic document in MS word via the LMS (Use 12
Times New Roman script with 1.5 spacing between lines)
3. The results are declared only if the student has met the mandatory attendance requirement of 75%
and/or minimum 50 % under extenuating circumstances approved and ratified by the academic
committee and the examination board.
4. The students have to submit both the assignment file and Turnitin Report on the LMS to clear the
module. For more information about Turnitin Access, refer to the tutorial video on LMS.
5. The acceptable threshold of similarity index on Turnitin is not more than 40% overall and not
more than 3% from individual source.
6. The assignment should not contain any contents with references cited from websites such as
ukessays.com, styudymode.com, slideshare.net, scribd.com, Wikipedia but should contain
references/citations from credible academic journal and articles. For information about HRS please
refer to the tutorial video on LMS.
7. When taking Turnitin Check, please do not add cover page or the references.
8. Submit the assignment on the LMS with the file name being: First Name Last Name _ Module
Abbreviation_Type of assignment. For example: John Smith_IRM_DM

Checklist

I have filled the student Information on the cover sheet as given in the start of the
 document.
The contents of the assignment are purely my own work and I give the assessors a
 right to run it through any plagiarism check.
 I have strictly followed Harvard Referencing Style and Citations.

Assessment tasks
This assignment is designed to test your knowledge and understanding of research methods. There are
two tasks; you are expected to answer all questions. The maximum permitted word count for Task 1 is
2000 words and Task 2 is 1000 words. Any excess will not be taken into account in grading.

Task 1(2000 words, 70 marks)

You are required to write a critical essay to discuss the main considerations while designing a doctoral
research project in business management. In your essay, you should consider the following: -
 Choose a tentative research title and think of research questions and objectives for it. The title
chosen here might not be your final topic but a tentative one for understanding. Explain your
approach in choosing a topic, developing the research questions and research objectives. (Don’t
mention the title and the objectives. Rather explain the approaches taken for choosing this as a title).
 The difference between quantitative and qualitative research and the circumstances in which each are
appropriate.
 Different techniques of data-gathering operationalized in qualitative and quantitative business
research.
 Different techniques of data analysis used in qualitative, quantitative business research and mixed
method approaches.
 Based on the title (thought in question 1 of the task here) conduct secondary research by writing
literature review of 2-3 articles. Make sure the choice of articles are a mix of journal articles and
books.

Task 2 (1000 words, 30 marks)

Conduct a brief background research about the famous ‘Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment’ and develop a
short critical analysis based on the points given below: -
 As a doctoral candidate, how would you analyse the research integrity and ethical considerations
applied in such a sensitive research study?
 Consider issues of validity and reliability for such a research study.

START WRITING YOUR ANSWERS FROM THE NEXT PAGE……. GOOD LUCK!