ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF COMMERCE
RESEARCH METHODS FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT(TMA)

ASSIGNMENT NUMBER 1. CRITICAL REVIEW OF ARTICLE (50%)

Detailed description of assessment

Write a 1500-word critical review of selected research and journal articles on your area
of specialization (project management/Human Resources Management/Logistics and
Supply Chain Management or Marketing Management). This constitutes 25/ of your
total mark.

Assessment brief
Students are to identify and critique an academic article relevant to the study of their
focus area. The chosen article should contain empirical content and be selected from
one of the reputed academic journals available (consult the librarian and or your tutor).
Students are to agree the chosen article with their Lead tutor/Co-tutor and are also
expected to refer to wider, related academic material as part of their critique.
The 1500-word critique should include the following:

Rationale identifying the article’s overall aims and objectives e.g. testing of hypotheses
or exploration of a research question
Methodology critically discussing the empirical approach and research instruments used
Outcome of the article critically discussing the article’s data analysis and conclusions
Evaluation summarizing the strengths, weaknesses and overall contribution of the
article in the light of other academic work in the field
Bibliography providing full bibliographical details of the article and related materials

1
ASSIGNMENT NUMBER TWO: RESEARCH PROPOSAL (50%)

In the 15 TO 20 PAGES assignment you should then draw up your dissertation plan,
Chapter 1 Introduction, chapter 2 Literature review and chapter 3 research designs and
methodology. . In writing your research proposal follows the following steps

Step 1: Choose a topic that relates to your area of study or to the courses in your

program

Step 2: Try to collect all the relevant literature sources (i.e. references = list of articles,
books, government / company / international organization reports and bulletins, relevant
websites, etc.) in your selected subject area.

Step 3: Organize and arrange your compiled list of references.

Step 4: Decide on the overall direction and objective of your review. If necessary put
your ideas in a “mind-map”, “pyramid”, or any other visual format.

Step 5: First draft: Organize your ideas and materials and decide on your main points
and start putting all these together.

Step 6: Decide on the research methods, and sources of data

Step 7: Writing the final draft: write a 15_20 PAGES critical topic/subject review –
The final piece of work should have:
Chapter one Background, problem
statement/research
question/hypothesis, objectives,
significance , Scope, limitations of the
study

2
Chapter two A systematic and logical, related
review and investigation, which
highlights different debates, current
discussions, and any inconsistencies
in the literature.

Chapter three Research Design and Methodology

(with full justification for its
appropriateness to the research
problem).

Try to put all the arguments in your own words. When using someone else’s ideas,
please reference them correctly using the Harvard style.

Your work must have following format:

(a) A full title (i.e. which topic you have chosen)
(b) All pages are numbered and your name and ID number are included on each page
proof read before sending your final copy
(c) A full list of references is provided, which uses the Harvard style of referencing

You will have many opportunities to discuss this assignment and your progress in your

tutorial sessions. If you have any questions raise them with your Lead and/or Co-Tutor.

NOTE: PLEASE SUBMIT HARD COPY OF YOUR ASSIGNMENT BEFORE/ON THE

CUT OFF DATE. NO TIME EXTENSION IS ALLOWED.