Business Research PGDIP Final Assessments

Assessment

Instructions

Submission dates: Your Learning Coordinator will advise on assessment submission dates as well as provide links via which you can submit your assessments. The length and content of your answers should be in proportion to the marks allocated and required word count.

Formative Assessment

This Formative Assessment follows the same problem identification and discussion as indicated in the Summative Assessment. Please answer the following questions:

• Considering that there are broadly two approaches in research, either qualitative or quantitative, apply both to your identified problem from your Formative Assessment.

Assuming that you would adopt a quantitative approach for your research, answer the following questions:

1. Which research paradigms and strategies should be employed and why?
2. What research design should be used? Include a discussion of reliability and validity in your answer.
3. What ethical considerations would you consider critical?
4. Which sampling strategy would you consider as the best choice? Your answer should refer to the concepts of generalisation and representativeness of the sample as well as a potential sample size.
5. Identify and discuss the data collection method and instrument you would potentially select.
6. Explain how you would ensure that the results would be presented clearly and concisely. This answer should include a brief discussion of the type of analysis and guidelines for writing up a business research report.

Assuming that you would adopt a qualitative approach for your research, answer the following questions:

1. Which research paradigms and strategies should be employed and why?
2. What research design should be used? Include a discussion of reliability and validity in your answer.
3. What ethical considerations would you consider critical?
4. Which sampling strategy would you consider as the best choice? Your answer should refer to the concepts of generalisation and representativeness of the sample as well as a potential sample size.
5. Identify and discuss the data collection method and instrument you 80 © The Da Vinci Institute for Technology Management (Pty) Ltd Page 6 of 8 Total Marks: 100 SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT Please turn over would potentially select.
6. Explain how you would ensure that the results would be presented clearly and concisely. This answer should include a brief discussion of the type of analysis and guidelines for writing up a business research report. 

The following elements will be assessed regarding the quality of your academic presentation.

1. Supporting your discussions using in text citations and listing your sources in your references as required by Harvard at the end of your paper.
2. Critical thinking and discussion effectively communicating ideas and concepts.

Summative Assessment 

This assessment involves planning to conduct research in your own workplace, or a workplace that you are familiar with. This means that you may (primary research) or may not (secondary research) have to do actual physical research, but you are to still to demonstrate that you can achieve the following:

1. Provide a background and context for the identified and proposed research study, meaning that you have to explain why this problem was selected to focus on.
2. Discuss your ontology and epistemology for the proposed problem
3. Outline a problem statement for this proposed investigation, ensure that you support this with relevant literature
4. Identify the Aim and Research objectives of the study
5. Provide Research Questions (propositions or hypotheses)
6. Support your problem identification with a brief literature review, in other words explain any relevant theories and identify other empirical literature on your chosen topic
7. Describe which research methodology would be most suitable to conclude your research field work.
8. Describe which research design steps you will be following to conduct your research.
9. Discuss the potential impact this type of research would have 
10. Discuss the research journey including limitations and scope. Identify future possible research related to the project.

The following elements will be assessed regarding the quality of your academic presentation.

1. Supporting your discussions using in text citations and listing your sources in your references as required by Harvard at the end of your paper.
2. Critical thinking and discussion effectively communicating ideas and concepts.

Assessment Requirements Summary

The assessment is designed to evaluate your ability to plan and propose a research study within a workplace context. It is divided into formative and summative components, focusing on research methodology, design, ethics, and reporting. Key pointers to be covered include:

Formative Assessment:

• Apply both quantitative and qualitative research approaches to an identified problem.

• For quantitative research:

  • Identify appropriate research paradigms and strategies.
  • Discuss research design, including reliability and validity.
  • Consider ethical issues.
  • Select sampling strategies, considering representativeness and generalisation.
  • Choose data collection methods and instruments.
  • Plan for clear presentation of results, including analysis type and report writing.

• For qualitative research:

  • Similar focus as quantitative, tailored to qualitative paradigms, design, ethics, sampling, data collection, and reporting.
• Ensure academic presentation quality: proper citations (Harvard style), critical thinking, and clear communication of ideas.

Summative Assessment:

• Plan to conduct research in a workplace (primary or secondary research).
• Provide background and context for the selected problem.
• Discuss ontology and epistemology.
• Outline a clear problem statement, supported by literature.
• Identify research aim, objectives, and questions/hypotheses.
• Conduct a brief literature review, including relevant theories and empirical studies.
• Justify the choice of research methodology and design steps.
• Discuss potential impact, limitations, scope, and future research opportunities.
• Ensure high-quality academic presentation: citations, referencing, critical discussion.

Step-by-Step Approach Guided by the Academic Mentor

1. Problem Identification and Context Setting:

   • The mentor helped the student select a relevant workplace problem and articulate why it was important.

   • Guidance was provided on writing a concise background and context to frame the research study.

2. Research Paradigms and Methodology:

   • The student was guided to differentiate between quantitative and qualitative paradigms, discussing positivism vs interpretivism.

   • The mentor explained how to justify the choice of methodology, including how it aligns with research aims and objectives.

3. Research Design and Ethics:

   • The mentor walked the student through design selection, highlighting considerations for validity and reliability in quantitative research and trustworthiness in qualitative research.
   • Ethical principles were reviewed, including confidentiality, informed consent, and integrity.

4. Sampling Strategy:

   • Step-by-step guidance was given to determine sample size, representativeness, and generalisation.
   • The mentor provided examples of probability vs non-probability sampling techniques.

5. Data Collection and Instruments:

   • The student was advised on appropriate data collection methods, such as surveys, interviews, or observations.
   • Guidance was given on designing instruments to ensure accuracy and reliability of data.

6. Analysis and Reporting:

   • The mentor helped the student plan data analysis methods, including descriptive and inferential statistics for quantitative research, and thematic coding for qualitative research.
   • Tips were provided on structuring the research report for clarity, logical flow, and effective communication of findings.

7. Literature Review and Theoretical Support:

   • The student was guided to identify relevant literature and theories, linking them to the research problem.
   • The mentor emphasized Harvard-style referencing and integrating sources to support arguments.

8. Reflection on Impact, Limitations, and Future Research:

   • The student was supported to discuss the practical implications of the research, potential limitations, and areas for future studies.

Outcome and Learning Objectives Covered

• The student produced a comprehensive research proposal, demonstrating understanding of both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Developed skills in research planning, methodology justification, ethical consideration, sampling, and data collection.
• Gained experience in academic writing, literature review integration, and report structuring.
• Learned to critically evaluate research design and anticipate potential challenges.
• Enhanced ability to communicate research clearly and professionally, aligned with academic standards.

Unlock Your Academic Success with Expert Guidance

Looking to understand how top-quality assignments are structured and researched? Download our Sample Solution to get a clear reference and boost your learning. This sample is designed for reference only submitting it as your own work may lead to plagiarism issues.

For guaranteed originality and tailored support, you can order a fresh, plagiarism-free assignment written by our team of professional academic writers. Each solution is custom-crafted to meet your exact requirements, helping you achieve better grades while ensuring full academic integrity.

Benefits of Ordering a Fresh Solution:

• Fully custom-written to your brief and guidelines
• Plagiarism-free, ensuring your work is safe and credible
• Expertly researched with academic references and proper citations
• Delivered on time to help you meet deadlines
• Supports learning and understanding, not just submission

Download Sample Solution                       Order Fresh Assignment