OTHM LEVEL 7 DIPLOMA IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP | ASSIGNMENT BRIEFS

Assignment Cover Sheet

This must be completed and added to the front of every assignment
Learner Name      
Learner Registration      
No.
Study Centre Name     CEBS     
Qualification Title OTHM LEVEL 7 DIPLOMA IN STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
AND LEADERSHIP       
Unit Reference No. J/616/2726   
Unit Title Advanced Business Research Methods   
Word Count      
Submission Date      

Declaration of authenticity:
1. I declare that the attached submission is my own original work. No significant part of it has
been   submitted   for   any   other   assignment   and   I   have   acknowledged   in   my   notes   and
bibliography all written and electronic sources used.
2. I acknowledge that my assignment will be subject to electronic scrutiny for academic honesty.
3. I   understand   that   failure   to   meet   these   guidelines   may   instigate   the   center’s   malpractice
procedures and risk failure of the unit and / or qualification.

_________________ _________________
Learner signature Tutor signature
Date: Date:

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Assessment guidance for criterion referenced marking.

Result. Level 7
Pass The work demonstrates engagement in an academic debate which presents 
clear evidence of a considered understanding of the topics studied.

There is evidence of clear synthesis of theoretical issues and practice.

A critical analysis of theoretical models and/or practical applications has 
resulted in originality.

Very few errors in referencing or grammar or syntax as appropriate
Fail Whilst some of the characteristics of a pass have been demonstrated, the 
work does not address each of the outcomes for the specified assessment 
task.

The work may be an overly descriptive account demonstrating minimal 
interpretation, and there is very limited evidence of analysis, synthesis or 
evaluation.

No   counterarguments   or   alternative   frames   of   reference   are   generated   or

considered.

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Unit Reference Number J/616/2726
Unit Title Advanced Business Research Methods
Unit Level 7
Number of Credits 20
Total Qualification Time 200 Hours
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) 100 Hours
Mandatory / Optional Mandatory
Unit Grading Structure Pass / Fail

Unit Aims

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ ability to prepare for various types of academically
based  management   research   through  the   development  and   design   of  a  research   proposal.
Learners   will   develop   a   critical   understanding   of   the   philosophical,   practical   and   ethical
concepts of research within the context of the business environment.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes – Assessment Criteria – 
the learner will: the learner can:
1. Be able to develop research  1.1 Appraise business research problems.
approaches in a relevant  1.2 Develop and justify appropriate research aims and
context. objectives within a defined scope and timeframe.
1.3 Critically explore, select and justify 
research approaches.
2. Be able to critically  2.1 Critically analyse different theoretical 
review literature on a  approaches to a research problem.
relevant research topic. 2.2 Create a structured and thorough critical literature
review.
3. Be able to design business  3.1 Critically evaluate relevant research 
research methodologies. methodologies to reflect the research objectives.
3.2 Design an appropriate methodology in terms of the
research objectives for a defined population.
3.3 Justify the methodology selected in terms of the
research objectives within agreed ethical 
guidelines.
4. Be able to develop a research  4.1 Create a research question, literature review and 
proposal. methodology.
4.2 Propose techniques for use with quantitative and
qualitative data collection and analysis.

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Task 1 of 1 - Research Proposal (AC 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2)

There is no scenario for this assignment.
Instead, you must propose an independent, small scale research project about an area of 
interest to you within a relevant Strategic Management and Leadership context.
Ideally, the research  proposal should deal with an opportunity or a problem at 
an organization where you have worked at previously or are currently employed in.
You are advised to check with your tutor that your choice is appropriate.

Instructions

In this task, you will need to produce a research project proposal in which you address the 
following:

1. Introduction

 Introduce the problem or opportunity with supporting data and trends.
 Clearly   explain   the   background   to   the   problem   or   opportunity,   and   justify   the
reasons for, and the value of, the research to your employer and the wider academic
community.
 Outline the research project’s aims and objectives.
 State the limitations and scope of the proposed research.

2. Literature Review

 Critically review key literature and recent academic publications around the subject
area discussing key definitions, current theoretical frameworks, and research carried
out in similar areas.
 Develop a conceptual and theoretical framework for the research from the literature
review   explaining   how   and   why   it   supports   and   informs   your   approach       the
research process.

3. Research Methodology

 Explain and justify your research approach and strategy.
 Data collection:
o Discuss data collection methods.
o Elect the instrument, design it and justify an appropriate method with an 
outline of a pre-test/pilot to be included as an appendix.
o Clearly outline the administration of the data collection process.
o Population and Sampling: Define the research population, sampling 
strategy and clarify access to respondent issues.
 Data Analysis: Describe and justify how  you propose to analyse and report the
results and findings of your research with a discussion about reliability and validity
and the management of error.

4. Statement of Ethics
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 Discuss   access   to   respondent   issues,   permissions   from   organisation   to   conduct

research,   confidentiality,   rights   of   withdrawal,   consent,   management   of   data
security etc.

5. Timeline

 Develop a plan using Gantt chart from start to completion of the research.

Delivery and Submission:

 1   x   MS   Word   Research   Proposal   –   2500   words   excluding   TOC,   diagrams,

references and appendices

Referencing:

 Each section must reflect any supporting Harvard style citations.
 A comprehensive Harvard style reference list must be included at the end of the work.
 An extended bibliography of at least twenty academic, journal and industry relevant
sector sources to be included at the end of the end of the work.

Evidence to be submitted:
 MS Word Research Proposal - 2500
words

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Assessment Marking Sheet

OTHM Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership (RQF)
Advanced Business Research Methods (J/616/2726)

(Please tick the appropriate Box)

Learner OTHM Registration Number Pass

Final Result
Refer

Pass Grading Criteria

Learning Outcome Assessment Criterion – The learner can: Pass/refer Assessor Comments

1. Be able to develop  1.1 Appraise business research problems.

research approaches in a 
business and economics  1.2 Develop and justify appropriate research
context. aims and objectives within a defined 
scope and timeframe.
1.3 Critically explore, select and justify 
research approaches.
4. Be able to critically review  2.1 Critically analyse different theoretical 
literature on a business  approaches to  a research problem.
research topic. 2.2 Create a structured and thorough critical 
literature review.
6. Be able to design business  3.1 Critically evaluate relevant research 
research methodologies. methodologies to reflect the research 
objectives.
3.2 Design an appropriate methodology in 
terms of the  research objectives for a 
defined population.
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3.3 Justify the methodology selected in 
terms of the  research objectives within 
agreed ethical guidelines.
9. Be able to develop and  4.1 Create a research question, literature 
present a research proposal. review and methodology.
4.2 Propose techniques for use with 
quantitative and  qualitative data 
collection and analysis.
4.3 Present the proposal using suitable 
methods.

Overall Assessor
Overall Assessor CommentsComments

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 Minimum 05 Meetings

SUPERVISORY LOG - 01
To be agreed and completed at each meeting by the student and supervisor

Student Date of Meeting

Supervisor

Meeting’s Overall objective:

Review of progress of previous meeting

Completed Objectives Remaining Objectives

Objectives set for the next meeting

Agreed Objectives Completion Dates of agreed

objectives

Specials issues and Comments

Signature-Student Date

Signature-Supervisor Date
 SUPERVISORY LOG - 02
To be agreed and completed at each meeting by the student and supervisor

Student Date of Meeting

Supervisor

Meeting’s Overall objective:

Review of progress of previous meeting

Completed Objectives Remaining Objectives

Objectives set for the next meeting

Agreed Objectives Completion Dates of agreed

objectives

Specials issues and Comments

Signature-Student Date

Signature-Supervisor Date
 SUPERVISORY LOG - 03
To be agreed and completed at each meeting by the student and supervisor

Student Date of Meeting

Supervisor

Meeting’s Overall objective:

Review of progress of previous meeting

Completed Objectives Remaining Objectives

Objectives set for the next meeting

Agreed Objectives Completion Dates of agreed

objectives

Specials issues and Comments

Signature-Student Date

Signature-Supervisor Date
 SUPERVISORY LOG - 04
To be agreed and completed at each meeting by the student and supervisor

Student Date of Meeting

Supervisor

Meeting’s Overall objective:

Review of progress of previous meeting

Completed Objectives Remaining Objectives

Objectives set for the next meeting

Agreed Objectives Completion Dates of agreed

objectives

Specials issues and Comments

Signature-Student Date

Signature-Supervisor Date
 SUPERVISORY LOG - 05
To be agreed and completed at each meeting by the student and supervisor

Student Date of Meeting

Supervisor

Meeting’s Overall objective:

Review of progress of previous meeting

Completed Objectives Remaining Objectives

Objectives set for the next meeting

Agreed Objectives Completion Dates of agreed

objectives

Specials issues and Comments

Signature-Student Date

Signature-Supervisor Date