Reference no: EM132533783 , Length: word count:3000
GRM5035 Research Methods for Business - Gulf College
Assignment about - Issues in human resource planning
In addition, the assessment will test the following learning outcomes:
1. Knowledge of the research process in its wider context.
2. An ability to critically evaluate the robustness of different research approaches and their strengths and limitations.
3. An ability to design research proposals in terms of methodology and approach.
4. The practical skills to administer a range of research techniques particularly in relation to data collection and analysis.
Assessment Task - Please read the assignment guidelines carefully.
AIM: This assignment assesses the learning outcomes of the Research Methods for Business module. To this end, you are asked to devise a research project, to conduct pilot research, and to analyse your results on one of the following topics:
A study on use of information technology in improving communication in any organisation.
A study on performance of SME's in Oman.
A study on job stress and its impact on employee performance in any organisation.
Please note that the total word count excludes appendices. Appendices contain supporting information and for this assignment little supporting information should be needed beyond that identified in the tasks or guidelines. The recommended (approximate) number of words for each part of the assignment gives guidance on the required extent of analysis (i.e. approximates to the marks allocated to a task).
The assignment should be appropriately presented in numbered sections and sources of information must be Harvard Referenced. (You are required to provide minimum of 7 Journal references, 10 book references and 3 website references).
The assignment is to be completed individually.
Guidelines -
1. Give a short introduction and the objectives of your proposed study. (100 words)
2. Formulate the research problem based on your topic. (100 words)
3. Undertake reviewof literature based on the topic from journals, books , e books & other secondary sources, (at most 15 related literature & studies). Summarise any theory and evidence relevant to your topic. (1500 words)
4. Briefly explain your research philosophy, approach and strategy. In particular, comment on what makes your research positivist, interpretive or critical(500 words). In approach, whether you have used an inductive or deductive approach. In strategy, whether you have used ethnography, grounded theory or survey strategy in inductive approach. State the reason for your choice of philosophy, approach and strategy. Provide its strengths and limitations.
5. Briefly reflect on the ethical implications of your research. (100 words).
6. For your research proposal in terms of methodology and approach you need to know the appropriate: A. Research design, B. Sampling Technique used for the studyand C. Data collection method/s. which can enable you to achieve the research objective or the research questions. If the research design/method is descriptive survey (300 words)
7. Analyse the literature review and provide your findings and recommendations of your study. (200 words)
8. Evaluate your research in terms of the lessons learnt from the study, appropriateness of the research instrument in relation to the research strategy outlined in Task 3, the reliability and validity of your results, etc. (100 words).And Conclusion (100 Words).
9. You are required to provide minimum of 20 references from various sources.