Assignment

Course Code: UDA2001

Session/Semester: 3 – 2023/2024

BUSINESS RESEARCH
METHODS

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Coursework
Group Assignment
Component

Learning 1. Prepare research proposal papers based on research problems

Outcome(s) 2. Identify the techniques used in business and technical research suitable for use in certain
situations
Assessed 3. Analyze data to prepare a research report

ITEM COMPONENT 1 COMPONENT 2 COMPONENT 3

TYPE OF Proposal Research Business
ASSESSMENT defense proposal research
Summary CHAPTER 1 1-3 1-5
WEIGHTAGE 10% 20% 25%
PRESENTATION Yes (Week 3): Progress No Yes (15%)
SUBMISSION Week 4 Week 6 Week 9

Assignment
BUSINESS RESEARCH
Title

Release Date Week 1

To Be Handed
UMSeLF
At

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
1. BACKGROUND

This is a Group Assignment assessing on Learning Outcome 1-3 (stated above), where
students need to conduct business research. This assessment is intended to provide students
with the basic skills needed in order to understand the process of business research. This
assessment addresses the design, collection, analysis, and reporting of research data relevant
to the business research needs. Additionally, it is also designed to accustom the student with
ethical issues in business research.

2. DETAILS OF ASSIGNMENT TASK

Students are required to form a group consist of 5-6 members maximum and do the business
research. Students are then required to choose ONE TOPIC FOR RESEARCH BASED ON
THE AREAS GIVEN BY THE LECTURER. Towards the end of the semester, students
need to present their report to the rest of the class.

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AREA OF RESEARCH (each area are only allowed to be chosen by one group)

Women Entrepreneurship
• Gender Inequality in Entrepreneurship
• Housewives Venturing into Entrepreneurship
• Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship
• Covid-19 on Women Entrepreneurship
• Barriers to Women Entrepreneurship
• Factors Influencing B40 Women Entrepreneurial Intention
• Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Digital Platforms

Students in Business
• Entrepreneurship Education in Fostering Student Start-ups
• Barriers to Student Entrepreneurship in Rural Areas
• Youth Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation
• Cultural Influences on Student Entrepreneurship
• Family Background on Student Entrepreneurship
• Digital Entrepreneurship Among Generation Z
• Student-Led Initiatives for Sustainable Development

Artificial Intelligence in Business:

• AI-Powered Personalization in E-commerce Platforms
• AI Adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• Ethical and Regulatory Considerations in Business AI
• AI and Future Workforce
• AI-Powered Customer Experience Enhancement in Retail Industry
• AI-Powered Business Innovation and Competitive Advantage

Marketing and Consumer Behavior in Business

• Influencer Marketing Effectiveness
• Consumer Adoption of Technologies in Marketing Campaigns
• Brand Loyalty in the Digital Age
• Consumer Behavior and Motivations in Making Purchase Decisions
• Brand Authenticity and Transparency
• Brand Crisis Management:

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COMPONENT 1: Proposal Defense (10%)
Chapter 1:
INTRODUCTION
Should include support/justification “why” the research should be conducted. The focus is on the
dependent variable of the study. Among the contents are:
1.0 Introduction
General overview of the area of study, eg: Customer satisfaction.
1.1 Background of the study
The background of a study in research provides context and justification for why the
research is being conducted. An explanation of why the study is important or necessary.
1.2 Problem statement
Description of the specific issue or challenge that the research aims to address. It
outlines the problem or opportunity that the research seeks to explore or solve. Does the
area of study give any consequences to any particular body?
1.3 Research questions
1.4 Research objectives

(it is important to ensure similar study have not been conducted in Malaysia)

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GUIDELINES ON REPORT PREPARATION
Sequences of the report materials
COVER PAGE Students are required to use cover page template provided.

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

CONTENTS OF
ITEM 1.0 – 1.4
THE REPORT

REFERENCES Students are required to use minimum 10 sources from relevant

journals, articles, etc.
USE APA STYLE OF REFERENCE:

E.g.: American Educational Research Association. (1985). Standards for

educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.

GENERAL ✓ Assignment should be computer typed using 1.5 spacing on A4

GUIDELINES paper using font type ‘Times New Roman’ size 12 for maximum
5 pages.
✓ Typing should be on one side each of the pages and numbered
accordingly.
REPORT
Report submission: WEEK 4
SUBMISSION

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COMPONENT 2: Research Proposal (20%)
Chapter 1:
INTRODUCTION (Refer to Component 1)
Chapter 2:
LITERATURE REVIEW
Should include support/justification “how” the research should be done. The focus is on the
dependent variable of the study. Among the contents are:
2.0 Introduction - Definition of LR
2.1 Theory/theories/model - You have to find at least 1 model used in any one journal eg:
customer satisfaction model, service quality model, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
etc. Put only the relevant model to your research title. If the model is not found in any
articles, therefore you have to search for it in any relevant sources.
2.2 General literature related to topic - The general discussion for your DV. Apart of your
IV, what are the other IVs that could influence the DV. Please do not overwhelm, 2-3 are
adequate.
2.3 Theoretical framework - Diagram
2.4 Specific General Literature related to topic such as independent and dependent
variables whichever relevant. - Explain in detail about your specific IV.
Chapter 3:
This section describes the methodology used in carrying out the research. This section is very
important technical wise. The contents are:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction - Definition of RM
3.1 Research method – Primary/Secondary
3.2 Data collection method – Explain on how you construct the questionnaire
3.3 Sampling plan – Probability/Non-probability? and technique?
3.4 Analysis plan - Frequency analysis, mean and mode analysis

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GUIDELINES ON REPORT PREPARATION
Sequences of the report materials
COVER PAGE Students are required to use cover page template provided.

TABLE OF
CONTENTS

CONTENTS OF
CHAPTER 1 – CHAPTER 3
THE REPORT

REFERENCES Students are required to use minimum 20 sources from relevant

journals, articles, etc.
USE APA STYLE OF REFERENCE:

E.g.: American Educational Research Association. (1985). Standards for

educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.

GENERAL ✓ Assignment should be computer typed using 1.5 spacing on A4

GUIDELINES paper using font type ‘Times New Roman’ size 12 for
MINIMUM 10 pages.
✓ Typing should be on one side each of the pages and numbered
accordingly.
REPORT
Report submission: WEEK 6
SUBMISSION

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COMPONENT 3 : Research Project (25%)
Executive summary - Abstract
1.0 Chapter 1
2.0 Chapter 2
3.0 Chapter 3
Chapter 4:
DATA ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Sample profile (demographics)
4.2 Reliability analysis
4.3 Descriptive table for the main variables of the study
4.4 Additional analysis to support the research findings

Chapter 5:
CONCLUSION
5.0 The discussion of the main findings - what is the main variable most significant to
your research?
5.1 Implications for managers and theory – Your study will be significant to which party?
5.2 Limitations
5.3 Ethical considerations – What are the ethical principles/considerations applied in
conducting the research?

6.0 References
All references appearing in the text must be listed in the bibliography. Also, other references that
the researcher has used but not cited in the text should also be listed here. Format that should be
followed is the “APA” format.
7.0 Appendices
- Questionnaire sample
- Google sheet/Analysis with complete tables

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GUIDELINES ON REPORT PREPARATION
Sequences of the report materials
COVER PAGE Students are required to use cover page template provided.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS OF THE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – CHAPTER 5
REPORT

REFERENCES Students are required to use minimum 35 sources from relevant

journals, articles, etc.
USE APA STYLE OF REFERENCE:

E.g.: American Educational Research Association. (1985). Standards

for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.

GENERAL ✓ Assignment should be computer typed using 1.5 spacing on

GUIDELINES A4 paper using font type ‘Times New Roman’ size 12 for
MINIMUM 20 pages.
✓ Typing should be on one side each of the pages and numbered
accordingly.
REPORT SUBMISSION Report submission: WEEK 9

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Presentation
Course Code: UDA2001
Session/Semester: 3 – 2023/2024

BUSINESS RESEARCH
METHODS

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Towards the submission week, students need to present their ideas to the rest of the class.
COMPONENT 1: Proposal Defense (Rapid-fire presentation)
Guidelines/ Content of the presentation:

Slide CONTENT
No.
1. Introduction
2. Background of the study
3. Problem statement
4. Research questions
5. Research objectives

General guidelines
i. Students will conduct 5 minutes presentation (exclude Q&A session) of the proposal to the
class.
ii. Presentation should only have 5 slides.
iii. Students are required to provide a brief presentation material (hardcopy) for lecturer during
the day.
iv. Presentation session will be held on WEEK 3.

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COMPONENT 3: Research project
Guidelines/ Content of the presentation (15%):

NO. CONTENT
1. Background of the study
2. Problem statement
3. Research questions
4. Research objectives
5. Literature Review
6. Theoretical framework
7. Research methods
8. Data collection method
9. Sampling
10. Data Analysis
11. Conclusion

General guidelines
i. Students will conduct *20 minutes presentation (excluding Q&A session) of the business
research to the class.
ii. Students are allowed to use any methods of interactive presentation such as Microsoft Power
Point, Canva, Movie Maker, etc.
iii. Students are required to provide a presentation material (hardcopy copy slides) for lecturer
during presentation day. Number of slides: 12 SLIDES ONLY
iv. Presentation session will be held on WEEK 9.
v. FORMAL ATTIRE is required.

- Wish You All the Best –

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 BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
GROUP ASSIGNMENT
RESEARCH PROJECT
CHECKLIST
NO CONTENT PROGRESS REMARKS

1. Introduction

2. Literature Review

3. Research Methodology

4. Data Analysis

5. Conclusions

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