ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
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Qualification Title
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Unit Number/Title
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Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma Business (Management)
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Unit 11: EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE. -RP
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Unit Leader Name
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Internal Verifier Name
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Joel Barima
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Regine Block
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Date of Issue
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April, 2020
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Date of Submission
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Final Submission( Proposal and Final Research)
Final Week
Suggested word count: 4000-6000
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Coursework Rules and Regulations at St. Patrick’s International College
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Plagiarism –
the College takes plagiarism and academic misconduct seriously and therefore, suspected plagiarism will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the procedures set down by the College. Please see your Student Handbook for further details of course of action for plagiarism issue.
‘Plagiarism’
is presenting somebody else’s work as your own. It includes copying information directly from the Web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from another student and submitting it as your own work.
Student Declaration –
all coursework submission will need to bear a declaration signed by you.
Submission Regulations
1 You are required to submit your coursework on-line through the College’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) which can be accessed through
http://stpmoodle.net. Detailed information about this is available in the Student Handbook.
2 Details of submission procedures and related course of actions can be obtained from the Academic Administration Department or the Student Handbook.
3 If you are unable to submit your coursework on time due to extenuating circumstances, you are required to make an application to your respective Schools for it to be considered, using an ‘Extenuating Circumstances Form’ available from the Academic Admin Office.
Do not ask the lecturers responsible for the course - they are not authorised to award an extension. The completed form must be accompanied by evidence such as a medical certificate in the event of you being sick.
4 Specific requirement or subject specific requirement for coursework submission will be stated further in the assignment brief or will be advised by your lecturer.
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Assign
ment title
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Equality and diversity in the workplace
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Purpose of this assignment
The aim of the research project is to present your skills of independent enquiry and critical analysis by undertaking a research investigation relevant to your course of study. Through this project, you will demonstrate the theory underpinning formal research which draws on a range of subject areas within the business programme to form a holistic piece of work that contributes to better understanding of the business world.
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Scenario
You are required to conduct an independent research that investigates an area (ONE) of interest and significance within the Selected and suggested topics shown below (The range of topics discussed could cover the following in business context of Equality and Diversity in the workplace. Business context here could be related to any area of business, such as;
Behaviours that support equality and diversity in the workplace
Managing cultural diversity in the workplace
Gender equality in leadership and management
Workplace discrimination
The work-life balance and enrichment experiences
Choose a suitable project that can be completed within the prescribed length of study period.
(Indicative total word Suggested count: 4000 -6000words
You are adviced to follow the research project in chapters as indicated below for proposal and final
work.
A) Produce research proposal that clearly defined the chapters one, two and three below:
B)
Live assessment (VIVA)-
Research Proposal
Research Title:
Chapter ONE
1:0 Introduction
1.1 Rationale
1.2 Significance of Research. Stakeholders e. g Organisations, Researcher and academics.
1.3 Aim
1.4 Objectives
1.5 Research Question(s) or Hypothesis
Chapter 2: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Body
2.3 Conclusion
(Chapter 2 is the support structure of your entire project. You must include secondary sources, arguments, models, concepts, theories, frameworks and anything relevant/interesting to your subject matter. This chapter is an indication of how well you can find/filter information and link them to your objectives and research questions set in Chapter 1).
Chapter 3: Methodology
Introduction:
A)
Examine appropriate research methods, evaluate different research approaches and methodology and make justification of theoretical framework.
B)
Critically evaluate research methodologies and processes, apply to business project, justify and analysis the chosen method.
3.1 Research Methods and techniques.
3.2 Research Instruments
3.3 Sampling
3.4 Ethical Issues
3.5 Data Analysis and Interpretation technique
Chapter 4: Findings, Results and Discussion
Introduction:
4.1 Analysis research findings and Results (primary and secondary) Data, applying appropriate analytical tools.
A)
Present the research finding logically and coherently to audience, identified stakeholders, demonstrate and align with research objectives.
B)
Critically analyse the findings and make valid justify recommendations.
4.2
Discuss merits, limitations and pitfalls of approaches to data collection and analysis.
Chapter 5: Conclusion, Recommendation and reflection. Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of outcomes.
5.1 Conclusion.
5.2 Reflect on the effectiveness of research method aligning it with objectives of
Business research project.
5.3
Consider alternative research methodologies and lessons learnt in view of the
outcomes.
5.4
Provide critical reflection and insight that results in recommended actions for improvements and future research considerations.
5.5
Demonstrate reflection and engagement in the resource process leading to recommended actions for future improvement.
Bibliography
Appendices
(An appendix [one item] OR appendices [more than one item] is information that is not essential to explain your findings in the essay or report that you have written. However, this information may support
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL TEMPLATE
Title:
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Title :
Aim :
The aim of this project is to ………….
Objectives:
· To identify …….
· To assess the current practices …..
· To be able to recommend better strategies ……
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(A)Rationale:
(B)Research Questions
(C)
Significance of the research;
(
D)Literature review:
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The rationale for selecting this topic
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Main task : Methodology
How are you going to conduct your research?
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I would be using …….
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Sources of Information:
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References used so far:
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LO1
Examine appropriate research methodologies and approaches as part
of the research process
Developing a research proposition:
The importance of developing methodical and valid propositions as the
Foundation for a research project.
Rationale – the purpose and significance for research question or hypothesis.
The value of the philosophical position of the researcher and the chosen
Methods.
Use of Saunders's research onion as a guide to establishing a methodological
Approach.
Literature review:
Conceptualisation of the research problem or hypothesis.
The importance of positioning a research project in context of existing
Knowledge.
Significance and means of providing benchmarks by which data can be
Judged.
Qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research:
Key theoretical frameworks for research.
Advantages and limitations of qualitative and quantitative research
Approaches and methods
LO2
Conduct and analyse research relevant for a business research project
Research as a process:
Research has distinct phases which support a coherent and logical argument.
This includes using secondary research to inform a primary, empirical, study.
Selecting a sample:
The importance of gathering data and information (qualitative or quantitative)
to support research analysis.
Selecting sample types and sizes that are relevant to the research.
Considering sampling approaches and techniques including probability and
Nonprobability sampling.
Ethics, reliability and validity:
Research should be conducted ethically. How is this achieved and reported?
Research should also be reliable (similar results would be achieved from a
Similar sample) and valid (the research measures what it aimed to measure).
Analysing data:
Using data collection tools such as interviews and questionnaires.
Using analytical techniques such as trend analysis, coding or typologies.
LO3
Communicate the outcomes of a research project to identified
Stakeholders
Stakeholders:
Who are they?
Why would they be interested in the research outcomes?
What communication method do they expect?
Communicating research outcomes:
Consideration of different methods of communicating outcomes (e.g. written
Word, spoken word) and the medium (e.g. report, online, presentation). The
Method and medium will be influenced by the research and its intended
Audience.
Convincing arguments:
No matter what the method/medium, all research should be convincing and
Presented logically where the assumption is that the audience has little or no
Knowledge of the research process.
The importance of developing evaluative conclusions
LO4
Reflect on the application of research methodologies and concepts
Reflection for learning and practice:
Difference between reflecting on performance and evaluating a research
Project. The former considers the research process; the latter considers the
Quality of the research argument and use of evidence.
Reflection on the merits, limitations and potential pitfalls of the chosen
Methods.
The cycle of reflection:
To include reflection in action and reflection on action.
Considering how to use reflection to inform future behaviour and future
Considerations.
Reflective writing:
Avoiding generalisation and focusing on personal development and the
Research journey in a critical and objective way.
Evidence checklist
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Summary of evidence required by student
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Completed research proposal document with a Research Project plan.
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Evidence of data and other resources having been collected, recorded, collated and readied for interpretation.
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Evidence of in-depth analysis, evaluation and interpretation of data collected.
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Research project presentation to an audience and reflection.
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Achievement Summary
Qualification
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Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business
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Assessor name
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Unit Number and title
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Unit 11 Research Project
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Student name
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Criteria Reference
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To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:
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Achieved?
(tick)
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LO 1
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Understand how to formulate a research specification
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Formulate and record possible research project outline specification
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Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
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Undertake a critical review of key references
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Produce a research project specification
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Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification
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LO 2
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Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to specification
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Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis
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Undertake the proposed research investigation in accordance with the agreed specification and procedures
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Record and collate relevant data where appropriate
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LO 3
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Be able to evaluate the research outcomes
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Use appropriate research evaluation techniques
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Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification
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Make recommendations and justify areas for further consideration
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LO 4
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Be able to present the research outcomes
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Use an agreed format and appropriate media to present the outcomes of the research to an audience and reflection.
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Action Plan
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Summative feedback
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Assessor Signature
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Date
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Grading
Each Unit will be graded as a Pass, Merit, and Distinction when all learning outcomes and assessment criteria have been met.
A
Pass
is awarded for the achievement of all Learning Outcomes against the specified
Assessment Criteria.
A
Merit
or
Distinction
is awarded for higher level achievement upon achieving the M’s and D’s criteria.
If all required assessment criteria have not been achieved the work is graded ‘Referred’.
If the work illustrate more than the similarity % cap or concern over originality of part or all content of the work, it is graded ‘Withheld’. The student will then be interviewed to ascertain originality.
In the case of incomplete work or partial submission (others such as blank template, no evidence of real attempt), the work is graded
‘Unreasonable Submission’.
When a Unit has been assessed, Grades are reported on the College’s VLE. You can obtain the grade awarded by viewing the
Submission Inbox, navigating different tabs to see the status of your submission. By viewing the Report, the Originality can be obtained. Clicking on the
GradeMark tab
will reveal the QuickMark comments. Clicking on the
General Comment tab
will reveal the comments made by the Assessor and Internal Verifier.
- For any late submission without approved Extenuating circumstances prior to the set deadline, the grade is capped at a PASS.
- It is expected that the guided word count are adhered to when writing your coursework.
Recommended Resources
COSTLEY, C., ELLIOT, G. and GIBBS, P. (2010)
Doing Work Based Research:
Approaches to Enquiry for Insider-researchers.
London: SAGE.
FLICK, U. (2011)
Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner’s Guide to Doing a
Research Project.
London: SAGE.
GRAY, D. (2009)
Doing Research in the Real World.
2nd Ed. London: SAGE.
SAUNDERS, M., LEWIS, P. and THORNHILL, A. (2012)
Research methods for
Business Students.
6th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.
Journals
International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research.
Qualitative Research Journal.
Links
This unit links to the following related units:
Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project
Unit 16: Operations and Project Manag
ement