This individual assessment for the Business Research Methods module requires students to produce a structured report of no more than 3,500 words. The assessment is designed to develop students’ ability to identify and justify a suitable business research problem, critically evaluate research methodologies, design an appropriate research instrument, and consider how potential research findings could be effectively communicated to relevant audiences. The report consists of three interconnected sections that require students to demonstrate critical research skills and an understanding of how research can contribute to knowledge and practical decision-making. Section 1 focuses on comparing two research methodologies. Students select a topic of interest or a business problem relevant to their degree specialism, such as strategy, supply chain management, international business and economics, marketing, finance, or human resources. They first explain and justify the selected research problem and formulate a research question. Students then review relevant academic literature, justify the selection of key readings, and demonstrate the scope of the literature through a visual presentation such as a mind map, Venn diagram, or literature map. The section concludes with a detailed critical evaluation of at least two established research methodologies, considering their application, contribution to theory and research, advantages, limitations, constraints, and potential research gaps. Section 2 focuses on the development of a research instrument. Students design an appropriate instrument for their proposed research, such as an interview guide, survey questionnaire, or another suitable data-collection tool. The instrument is provided in an appendix, while the main report includes a reflection explaining how and why it was designed. Students are not required to collect data for this assessment. The section concludes by evaluating the expected value of the proposed instrument and its potential contribution to answering the research question. Section 3 addresses research dissemination. Students identify the audiences that could benefit from the potential research findings and explain why those audiences are relevant. They also consider appropriate methods of communicating research outcomes, including suitable summaries, media, report design, and potential partners such as public organisations, NGOs, associations, or industry. The assessment requires Harvard referencing and a bibliography containing at least 12 relevant journal articles, including at least six published within the previous 24 months. The report is assessed on the clarity of the research problem, depth of literature analysis, critical evaluation of research methods, quality of the proposed research instrument, understanding of research dissemination, and overall academic presentation.
Business Research Methods · Research Methodology · Research Methods · Literature Review · Research Problem · Research Instrument · Survey Questionnaire · Interview Guide · Research Design · Research Dissemination · Research Ethics · Business Research
Megaminds has supported academic requirements in business research methods, business research methods and related disciplines.