BMM5582 Business Research Proposal Assessment Brief

This is not a full research project , instead, it is a detailed plan ( Proposal)that demonstrates you understand what would be required to carry out an academically rigorous piece of research.

Instructions:

Your report should focus on one specific research topic (different to your group presentation) Steps

• Select a topic relevant to your subject area and interests..
• Define the Purpose  (Aim) Objectives and Research Questions
• Conduct an Initial Literature Review
• Plan Your Research Design & Methodology
• Consider Feasibility and Limitations
• Proofread and Format Your Work
• Submit on Time

Your report must include the following:

Sources and Referencing:

• You are expected to use a minimum of 10 academic sources, including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and industry reports.
• Use APA referencing style consistently throughout your work.
• Your proposal must include references from the reading list on Moodle.

Aim and Objectives: Define the purpose of the study and set achievable, measurable objectives.

• Research Questions: Present clear and concise research questions or hypothesis.
• Rationale: Justify why this research is important within the chosen area of business.
• Gap Identification: Clearly state the gap in knowledge, practice, or theory your research will address.

Literature Review

• Summarise and critically evaluate relevant academic theories, models, and frameworks.
• Highlight findings from previous studies about your topic.
• Identify limitations, inconsistencies, or unaddressed issues in existing research.
• Establish how your study connects to and builds on existing knowledge.

Research Methodology

• Research Design: State whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods will be used.
• Justification: Explain why this approach is appropriate for your research.
• Data Collection: Describe whether primary or secondary data will be used (note: you are not required to collect data). Example: surveys, case studies, reports, or academic journals.
• Ethical Considerations: Explain how ethical issues such as confidentiality, consent, and data integrity would be addressed.
• Data Analysis: Specify (but do not conduct) which analytical methods would be suitable e.g., thematic analysis for qualitative, statistical for quantitative.
• Feasibility: Justify how the project is realistic within constraints such as time, resources, and scope.
• Gantt Chart: Include a timeline showing key stages of research activities.

Conclusion 

• Summarise the expected contribution of your study.
• Present anticipated recommendations that businesses could apply in practice.
• Highlight what your research adds to knowledge, theory, or professional practice.

References

• Use APA referencing style.
• Ensure all cited sources are academic and credible

Appendices (if needed)

• Draft survey/interview questions (if applicable)
• Supplementary information

• To complete your assignment, you will use a range of academic and professional resources. These include core textbooks and readings listed in the module handbook, as well as peer-reviewed journal articles from databases such as JSTOR, Business Source Premier, and Google Scholar. In addition, you could use industry reports from reputable sources . and tutor feedback will further support your research and critical analysis.

• Knowledge and Understanding: Engage with academic theories and business practices.
• Structure and Argument: Present a logical flow from introduction to conclusion.
• Critical Analysis: Go beyond description—analyse and critique sources.
• Sources and Evidence: Use high-quality academic references (journals, books, reports).
• Professional Style: Academic tone, correct grammar, spelling, and APA formatting.

Essential Library and Learning Resources

Readings:

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students, London: Pearson Education

The companion website for this book is: https://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_he_Saunders_ResMeths_8/

Other titles:

Ghanad, A. (2023). An overview of quantitative research methods. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 6(8). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v6-i8-52

Clark, T., Foster, L., Sloan, L., and Bryman, A. (2021) Bryman’s Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039

Pajo, B. (2018) Introduction to Research Methods: a hands-on approach, Los Angelos: SAGE.

Lune, H and Berg, B.L. (2017) Qualitative Research Methods for the social sciences, London: Pearson Education.

Bryman, A. (2016) Social Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2015) Business Research Methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Polonsky, M. J. and Waller, D.S. (2015) Designing and Managing a Research project: a Business Student’s Guide, London: SAGE.

Collis, J. and Hussey, R. (2014) Business Research: a practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

You are advised to consult academic journals and periodicals to gain a more detailed understanding of business ethics. The following are consistently useful:

Journals

• Journal of Qualitative Research
• Journal of Business Research
• British Academy of Management Journal
• Many academic journals can be accessed online through the Business Source Premier database available via the LibraryWeb.