Business Research Methods
3,500 words
Business Research Methods – Research Methodologies, Research Instrument and Research Dissemination
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.
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Engineering and Environment Advanced Practice London Campus Consultancy Project
5,000 words
Group Consultancy Report – Engineering and Environment Advanced Practice
This assessment is a group consultancy project for the LD7119 Engineering and Environment Advanced Practice London Campus Consultancy Project module at Northumbria University. Students work in consultancy groups of four to five members and are assigned a live project in collaboration with an organisation and the university. The purpose of the assessment is to investigate an organisational issue or requirement and develop practical, evidence-based solutions that can support the organisation in implementing improvements. The main assessment consists of a 5,000-word Group Consultancy Report and a compulsory 10-minute client presentation. The report is expected to demonstrate a professional and commercially appropriate approach to consultancy work. It should provide a clear introduction to the project, establish the organisational context, and analyse the business requirements and needs of the client organisation. The report should then explain the research methodology used, including appropriate ethical considerations and the design of the practical work undertaken. A substantial part of the assessment focuses on research, discussion and findings. Students are expected to collect and analyse relevant evidence, present their findings clearly, and provide evidence of practical implementation and testing where applicable. The assessment therefore requires students to connect academic research and relevant theories with practical consultancy activities and organisational requirements. Evidence from diagnostic tools, feedback and other appropriate sources can be incorporated into the report to support the analysis and conclusions. The final part of the report focuses on recommendations and improvements. Students should develop practical and actionable recommendations that are relevant to the organisation and can contribute to the successful implementation of the proposed ideas. Recommendations should be supported by the research findings and should demonstrate an understanding of the organisation's requirements and potential implementation considerations. The assessment is worth 50% of the total marks available for the module, which is assessed on a pass/fail basis. The report has a 5,000-word limit, excluding the table of contents, page numbers and captions for figures and tables. The client presentation is compulsory, although it does not have marks directly allocated to it; its purpose is to help the client and supervisor understand the consultancy project. The assessment is evaluated across professional and commercial presentation and introduction, business and requirement analysis, research methodology including ethics and practical work design, research and findings including implementation and testing, and recommendations including improvements. Students are also required to acknowledge sources appropriately and complete the assessment declaration regarding their work and any use of generative AI. The assessment brief states that AI may assist with activities such as improving grammar, structure, organising ideas and providing suggestions, but the main content, analysis and conclusions must remain the student's own work.
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