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Research Proposal for Masters Class

Research Proposal for Masters Class
LENGTH: This proposal should be no more than 3,000 words, excluding title/contents page,
appendix and bibliography, but including text in tables and footnotes. You are recommended to
use single line spacing and a plain serif (e.g. Times New Roman) or sans serif (e.g. Arial) font in

font size 11. Advisory lengths for each section of the assignment are provided in brackets
overleaf.
FORMAT: A Microsoft Word or PDF document, with numbered pages.
CONTENT: There is no one ‘correct’ way to write a research design, but here are some
GUIDELINES you should consider. In general, please be as specific as possible about your
questions and hypotheses, definitions, case selections and strategies, measurement and
variables coding etc., and methods of data analysis. We all feel uncertain about whether we’re
‘getting it right’ when we put together a research design, but don’t let uncertainty stand in the way
of specificity! Explain important uncertainties, rather than hiding them.
1. Background/literature review (~2 pages)
Don’t be tempted to dedicate ‘too much’ space to the background/literature review section.
Around two pages should suffice. An effective literature review is one that shows how your
research question(s) is situated in the relevant literature in your field, not one that demonstrates
that you have read a lot of that literature. So don’t include lots of literature on related topics that
are not specifically relevant to your contribution. The literature review introduces us to the
broader landscape of research that gives rise to your research question(s), which are in a sense
your ‘point of departure’ from what has already been published.
The literature review can begin with a wide angle view, but it should move quite quickly to focus
on research/concepts/theory/controversies in those areas that are relevant to your research

questions. Because the literature review ought to set up your research questions, those
questions should emerge quite organically from the literature review section. In other words, the
‘fit’ between the literature review and the research questions should be obvious.
2. Research questions (~1 short paragraph [equivalent])
Research questions may be exploratory or confirmatory, inductive or deductive, descriptive or
explanatory, or may not tidily correspond to any of these categories. Regardless of which of
these they are, they need to be clearly and explicitly stated (e.g. set out or listed as an
overarching research question with sub-questions) and should be clearly motivated by the
content of the preceding background/literature review section. And make sure that they are
actually questions (rather than statements or assumptions)!
3. Data collection plan (~1-3 pages)
You need to be very clear in describing the data/evidence that you are using and how the
variables or concepts are measured and/or coded. Describe and justify, as concretely as
possible, your proposed case selection and/or sampling strategies and the data collection
methods you propose to use, within the practical limitations of your project and timeframe. What
are the strengths and weaknesses of the choices that you have made?
4. Data analysis plan (~1-3 pages)
Given the decisions you have made about your topic, research questions and data collection –
what are the most appropriate forms of analysis? Here you should discuss the analytic method

and how it helps answer the question. Note that software is not a method: we do not care if you
use Nvivo or Stata, we do care if you use thematic analysis or logistic regression.
5. Potential findings, impact and relevance of the study (~0.5-1 page)
As this is a piece of research design you cannot describe the findings of your study. However, we
would like you to anticipate how you could expect your research to make a difference (to the
topic and/or disciplinary field at hand and taking into account the type/s of research question/s
posed). What findings do you expect, and what findings, if any, would be surprising or contradict
your expectations/theoretical stance? How could such findings, whether expected or unexpected,
impact the academic literature/policy/practice/public life [as relevant to your topic and design]?
6. Limitations and further research (~0.5-1 page)
Here you should discuss the limitations of your design as currently conceived. There are different
kinds of limitations. One kind to consider is how aspects of your research design limit what you
can know, or claim, as part of your outcomes. For example, questions on internal and external
validity are common limitations, as are reliability and validity of measurement. You may only be
doing part 1 of what is a 3- part research project. You may be doing what is effectively a pilot
study. Another limiting factor can be ethical issues that arise from your research design.

7. References
Please include proper in-text citations and a reference list, consistently using a standard

reference format. You are advised to provide references for both the substantive and the
methodological content of your proposal. We would typically expect to see around one page of
cited references listed.

Quantitative Analysis – Regression Analysis

Quantitative Analysis – Regression Analysis

 Recommend solutions to business problems using quantitative analysis.

Minimum submission requirements for this Competency Assessment:

  • Completion of Part 1 (the Certify sections in the lessons associated with the bold criteria in the rubric below).
  • Completion of Part 2 (Dropbox Assignment).

If work submitted for this Competency Assessment does not meet the minimum submission requirements, it will be returned without being scored.

Part 1: 

  • You will complete the Certify section in Certify Labs in the Hawkes learning software associated with bold criteria in the rubric.
  • For all lessons, a score of 80% or higher in the Certify section will complete your certification!
  • It is suggested (not required) that you email your instructor when Part 1 is complete.

Begin Part 1 of the Competency Assessment by clicking on the Hawkes Learning link located on the left navigation menu.

Part 2:

  • Show your work and explain your process for determining the solution for each of these problems on a word document with the solution given below the problem.
  • If Excel was used, please indicate that as well on the word document.
  • A word document and/or the Excel Workbook (if used) should be submitted to the Dropbox with labels on the worksheets to indicate which problem is being evaluated.
  • All answers should be clearly indicated.
  • Written explanation, reasoning, and rationale should use complete sentences.

A time series model is a forecasting technique that attempts to predict the future values of a variable by using only historical data on that one variable. Here are some examples of variables you can use to forecast. You may use a different source other than the ones listed (be sure to reference the website). There are many other variables you can use, as long as you have values that are recorded at successive intervals of time.

See example and starter video in LiveBinder.

Once you have historical data, address the following:

  1. Apply quantitative forecasting methods in time-series modeling.
    1. State the variable you are forecasting.
    2. Collect data for any time horizon (daily, monthly, yearly). Select at least 8 data values.
    3. Compute moving average and weighted moving average in a time-series model.
      1. Use the Excel Workbooks for this module to forecast the next period’s value using moving average, and weighted moving average (see video in LiveBinder).
      2. Copy/paste the results of each method into your word document.
  • Be sure to state the number of periods used in the moving average method and the weights used in the weighted moving average.  Clearly state the “next period” prediction for each method.
  1. Determine which of the two forecasts should be chosen and give the rationale for the decision.
  1. Identify variables for a regression model.
    1. Determine which variable from the time series forecast would be an appropriate dependent variable (Y) and tell why.
    2. Determine which variable from the time series forecast would be an appropriate independent variable (X) and tell why.
  2. Develop a simple linear regression model.
    1. Use the regression function found in Data Analysis located in Microsoft Excel to determine the linear regression model.
    2. Based upon the values given, what is the valid dependent variable range?

Submitting Course Assessment Part 2:

When you are ready to submit your Course Assessment Part 2, click on the Course Assessment Dropbox and complete the steps below:

  • Click the link that says Add Attachments.
  • Click on the Upload
  • Click the Add Attachments
  • Locate your Course Assessment and click on Open.
  • To view your graded work, come back to the Dropbox or go to the Gradebook after your instructor has evaluated it. Click the Dropbox to access it.
  • Make sure that you save a copy of your submitted Assignment.

If work submitted for this Competency Assessment does not meet the minimum submission requirements, it will be returned without being scored.

Organizational Theory /Organisational Behaviour

Organizational Theory /Organisational Behaviour

Instructions on Assessment:

Submit a 3000 word structured essay, in which you critically evaluate the practices/behaviours in an organisation of your choice. You will research the organisation to identify practices/behaviours that are problematic and require investigation as well as recommendations to attend to the issues identified. You will write from either the symbolic or contemporary theoretical perspectives, using Organisation Theory from the most relevant theme taught in the module. The perspective needs to be carried through the assignment and present through every section, including the summary table.

The themes that we will cover in the module are:

  • Structure and Design
  • Identity
  • Culture
  • Organisational Learning, Tacit Knowledge and Knowledge Management
  • Aesthetics, Performance and Narrative
  • Power and Control
  • Gender

Guidance for writing the essay

You are encouraged to structure your essay as follows:

  • Introduction to the essay and rationale for the choice of organisation [10%]
  • A brief section justifying your choice of theoretical perspective: either the symbolic or the contemporary and how this impacts on your writing approach [15%]
  • A summary table indicating the relevance of each of the seven themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours [15%]
  • A critical literature review on the one theme that you consider to have the greatest importance for that organisation, using either the symbolic or the contemporary theoretical perspective as your context [15%]
  • Critical evaluation of the practices/behaviours of the case organisation in relation to the selected theme through critical application of the reviewed theories [25%]
  • Conclusions [10%]
  • Reference list: Cite no fewer than 5 contemporary academic journal articles that are discussed in the essay. You should also cite additional references from books, textbooks, credible news outlets and professional journals [10%]

Guidance for choice of the organisation

You can select an organisation you are familiar with, e.g. your placement organisation or an organisation you would like to work with. You can alternatively select one of the following organisations:

Module Specific Assessment Criteria

Criteria Scales
  0-30%

Poor

 30-40%

Inadequate

 40-50%

Adequate

 50-60%

Good

60-70%

Very Good

 70-80%

Excellent

80-100%

Exceptional

 

Introduction and rationale for the choice of organisation

 

MLO1,3

10 marks

 No introduction to the essay. Completely insufficient discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation. The introduction is not effective. Insufficient discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation. Adequately effective introduction to the essay. The discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation is adequate. Good introduction to the essay, which includes a good discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation. Very good introduction to the essay, which includes a very good discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation. Excellent introduction to the essay, which includes an excellent discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation. Outstandingly effective introduction to the essay, which includes an outstanding discussion of the rationale for choice of organisation.
Justification of the choice of theoretical perspective

 

MLO 1,2,3

15 marks

 Completely insufficient discussion of the choice of theoretical perspective Insufficient justification of the choice of theoretical perspective Adequate justification of the choice of theoretical perspective Good justification of the choice of theoretical perspective Very good justification of the choice of theoretical perspective Excellent justification of the choice of theoretical perspective Outstanding justification of the choice of theoretical perspective
Summary table indicating the relevance of the seven themes

MLO 1,2,3

15 marks

 The essay does not establish the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Insufficient discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Adequate discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Good discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Very good discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Excellent discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours Outstanding discussion of the relevance of the theoretical themes to the chosen organisational practices/behaviours
Critical Literature review on the chosen theme

MLO 1,2

15 marks

 The review of the contemporary literature is completely insufficient Insufficient review of the appropriate and contemporary literature Adequate review of the appropriate and contemporary literature. The review could be more critical rather than descriptive Good and critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature A very good and critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature The literature review reflects excellent and critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature Outstandingly critical review of the appropriate and contemporary literature
Critical evaluation of practices/ behaviours

MLO 1,2

25 marks

 Little or no discussion of the chosen practices/behaviours Insufficient discussion of the chosen practices/behaviours The chosen practices/behaviours have been adequately evaluated. The discussion could be more critical The chosen practices/behaviours have been critically evaluated Very good and critical evaluation of the chosen practices/behaviours Excellent and critical evaluation of the chosen practices/behaviours Outstandingly critical evaluation of the chosen practices/behaviours
Conclusions

MLO 1,2,3

10 marks

 Little or no evidence of conclusive remarks The conclusions are insufficient The conclusions adequately highlight key implications for the organisation Good conclusions  which appropriately highlight the key implications for the organisation Very well related conclusions which highlight the key implications for the organisation Excellent and relevant conclusions which highlight key implications for the organisation, and for theory The essay concludes with outstanding conclusions, which highlight key implications for the organisation, and for theory.
Structure, argumentation and reference quality

10 marks

 Presentation is completely insufficient.

Numerous spelling and grammatical errors.

Failure to cite references correctly in the main text.  No reference list. Completely insufficient quality of references

 

 Presentation is not sufficiently professional.

Many spelling and grammatical errors.

Referencing throughout and in the reference list is insufficiently correct. Insufficient quality of references

 

 Presentation is adequate, with few spelling and grammatical errors.

Most citations, and the reference list, are presented appropriately in compliance with APA style. The contemporary and academic references have been adequately discussed

 Good presentation throughout.

Spelling and grammar of a good standard.

Very good APA referencing throughout the main text.

Accurate list of references. The contemporary and academic references have been discussed appropriately

 Very good presentation throughout.

Spelling and grammar of a high standard.

Very good APA referencing throughout the assignment. Good discussion of the cited contemporary and academic references

 Excellent professional presentation throughout.  Excellent spelling and grammar.

APA referencing used throughout the main text and list of references. Excellent discussion of the cited academic and contemporary references

 

 An outstandingly crafted piece of work which is professionally presented throughout.

APA referencing used throughout the main text and for the list of references. Outstanding discussion of the cited academic and contemporary references