RECENT ASSIGNMENT

Assessment 1 Literature Review - Individual Assignment (2000 to 2500 words)
For this assessment, students are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the extant, academic literature related to an approved, business topic.
In consultation with their lecturer, students need to decide on a business-related topic/concept. Students need to select approximately eight to twelve (8-12), but at least three (3), peer-reviewed articles or comparable sources (online resource can be accessed using ProQuest or Google Scholar) that are related to the topic (as the basis of their literature review).
In the context of their chosen topic, students need to review the articles and sources selected, i. e. read and critically analyses (compare and contrast) the literature. In doing so, students are required to discuss the key ideas/arguments put forward by authors, identify communalities/similarities, differences and conclusions drawn by different authors. Based on this analysis and discussion, students are expected to point out potential gaps in the literature that will form the basis of Assessment 2, the research proposal.
Marking criteria of the literature review include: the quality and currency of the literature selected; the student’s ability to compare and contrast author’s arguments/viewpoints and identify gaps in the existing literature in the context of the chosen business topic; the demonstrated ability to use Harvard referencing.
Assessment 1: Marking Criteria:
Marking Criteria’s Marks
Literature review scope and objective 5
Comparative Analysis 10
Quality and currency of articles and sources used 5
Gaps identified and conclusions drawn 8
Use of Harvard Referencing 2
TOTAL MARKS 30
Assessment 2 Business Research Proposal - Individual Assignment (1500 to 2000 words)
For this assessment, students are expected to present a written research proposal that is based on the literature review (Assessment 1) and demonstrates their understanding of business research/research paradigm.
Based on their literature review, students are required to write a business research proposal outlining the details of the proposed research project that addresses the gaps identified in the literature. Derived from the business topic, the proposal needs to include clearly state research questions (primary and secondary), and provide a solid research methodology that supports the feasibility of the research project
Marking criteria of the research proposal include: the justification of the research questions that operationalize the research topic; the demonstration of a detailed research methodology addressing research instrument, sample size and sampling approach, research location/s and schedule as well as providing a critical assessment of the limitations of the methodology and the expected outcome of the research project.
Assessment 2: Marking Criteria:
Marking Criteria’s Marks
Research Project Introduction and justification 5
Research Questions and justification 15
Research Methodology 30
TOTAL MARKS 50
Assessment 3: Individual Reflective Journal – Individual Assignment (1000-1500 words)
For this assessment, students are expected to write a weekly journal over the duration of the 12-week teaching period that documents a critical analysis of their learning process. In the journal students need to reflect/review how they have progressed with the learning goals related to assessments 1 and 2.
Students need to write their individual reflective journal concurrently to performing assessment tasks 1 and 2,
i.e. from the first week of the subject. For each week, students need to make journal entries that provide a reflection of their ‘journey’ of gaining, and applying knowledge of the research paradigm. For each week students should reflect and compare the theoretical knowledge with what they apply into practice. As assessment 1 and 2 are completed, students should clearly identify learning goals achieved.
Assessment 3: Marking Criteria:
Marking Criteria’s Marks
Introduction and Reflective Journal Scope 5
Critically and depth of learning reflections reflective analysis 10
Conclusion 5
TOTAL MARKS 20

Prescribed Textbook:
Bryman, A. and Bell, E. (2015), Business Research Methods, (Fourth Edition), UK, Oxford University Press.
Recommended Readings:
- Zikmund, W. G. (2012), Business Research Methods, (9th edn), USA, Cengage
- Sherri L. Jackson (2015), Research Methods and Statistics; Critical Thinking Approach, (5th edn), USA, Cengage.
- William, T., James, P. and Arora, K. (2015), Research Methods: The Essential Knowledge Base, (2nd edn), USA, Cengage