Family Name: ____________ First Name: ______
Student ID: __________________
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Postgraduate Diploma in Business – Level 8
Business Project A – BUS8101 Assignment – 1 (PART A)
Semester 1 - 2019
You are expected to submit professionally presented word-processed assessment documents. This includes:
• A title page showing: ID number/s, name/s, lecturers’ name/s, and assessment title.
• Correct spelling and appropriate use of grammar.
• Pages numbered including a contents page.
• Stapled or bound (no paper clips/plastic folders or plastic sleeves).
• Questions correctly labelled and numbered with clear and consistent headings
• Line spacing no less than 1.5 and no greater than double. Main text using 12pt font size.
• A complete reference list should be included at the back of the assessment using Harvard AGPS style. of referencing with in-text citation.
Description : Written research proposal: Part A (Project topic, scope, & introduction)
Learning Objectives : Applicable course objectives:
LO-1: Identify suitable research topic
LO-2: Undertake independent research
LO-3: Demonstrate appropriate communication skills LO-4: Report research outcomes
Word Limit : Maximum 2,000
Important Instructions
This assignment must be the expression of your own work. It is acceptable to discuss general course content with others to improve your understanding and clarify requirements, but solutions to this assignment question must be done on your own. You must not copy from anyone, including tutors and fellow students, nor provide copies of your work to others. Assignments that do not adhere to this requirement will be deemed as being the result of collusion or plagiarism.
Submission Guidelines on uPortal
Attach the Microsoft Word files (using any version from Word 2010 to current), and PDF report files using the naming convention below, to your online assignment submission link in the Assignment-1 area on the UUIS8008 study desk before or on the day the assignment is due.
1. [Student id] _ [Student First Name] _ [course code] _ Asg1.docx 1110011_John_UUMG8500_Asg1.docx).
2. [Student id] _ [Student First Name] _ [course code] _ Asg1.pdf (eg. StudentID _ John _ UUMG8500_Asg1.pdf).
Note: If any other format used resulting assignment files cannot be opened by the marker, it may be treated as late until a suitable replacement is received.
BS8101 Business Research Project Proposal
Assignment 1
Description Length Total marks Weighting Due date
Group assignment (Max 2 students) 2000 words (+/-10%) (excluding list of references, figures and tables) 100 30% 29th March
Tasks
This assignment is to be completed and submitted as a group of minimum 3 (three) students or maximum of 4 (four) students. Your task is to write a business research proposal (Part A). Identify the business research project topic and the scope of the research. Critically evaluate a problem or opportunity with the New Zealand business or organisation that you have confirmed with your host organisation and design a research proposal. The business research topic should be related to the scope of current interest on marketing management, an operational or strategic business or particular organisation problem or opportunity.
You are advised to choose a host organisation carefully since you will be completing your BUS8102 project based on the host organisation of your choice.
The research proposal will be subject to negotiation between you and your assigned research supervisor, in consultation with the tutor. You tutor will guide and assist with the process, but the responsibility rests with you.
Assignment structure:
1. Title of the proposal 2. Introduction
3. Scope of the project
4. Purpose of the study
5. Preliminary review of the literature
6. Problem statement and research questions
7. Originality
8. Quality of Communication and presentation
9. References
10. Appendices
Note: For more details make sure you read the marking criteria which your assignment will be assessed against.
Referencing
The Harvard AGPS Style of referencing must be used.
Formatting:
Your assignment should be in Microsoft word format and to be submitted directly to the uPortal.
Plagiarism
Students are required to pay attention to the originality report upon submission on the uPortal. All assessments should be submitted to Turn-it-in. If the similarity percentage is = 20% and found to be plagiarised, UUNZ Academic Misconduct Policy will apply
Penalties
A 10% penalty of the available marks applies where the word length is exceeded by more than 10% of the required length.
Marking Criteria
BUS 8101 Assessment One (30%) (Group proposal)
Project Proposal — Guidelines for headings and marking criteria
Section Marks Result
Title
• Conveys the scope and subject of the project 5
Introduction — what the project is about
• Practical focus
• Theoretical focus
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-3 mark for no attempt or simplistic discussion
4-5 marks for adequate attempt 6-7 marks for formulaic attempt
8-10 marks for good attempt
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 10
Scope of the project
• Company/client/industry background
• Background to the study and why it is important or of interest
• Theoretical background — what literature and body of knowledge will be used
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-3 mark for no attempt or simplistic discussion
4-5 marks for adequate discussion
6-7 marks for formulaic discussion
8-11 marks for good discussion
12-15 marks for excellent discussion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 15
Purpose of the study
• Purpose of the study is well identified
• What will the project achieve
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-1 mark for no attempt or a simplistic discussion
2-4 marks for adequate discussion
5-7 marks for good discussion
8-10 marks for excellent discussion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 10
Preliminary review of the literature
• Evaluation of key concepts in the literature
• Theoretical framework (if applicable)
• an adequate and appropriate range of literature sources is cited
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-3 mark for no attempt or simplistic discussion 15
4-5 marks for adequate discussion
6-7 marks for formulaic discussion
8-11 marks for good discussion
12-15 marks for excellent discussion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available.
Problem statement and Research questions
• The research problem is well identified
• At least 4 questions listed
• Research questions are well articulated for the project addressing the research problem
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-3 mark for no attempt or simplistic list and discussion
4-5 marks for adequate list and discussion 6-7 marks for formulaic list and discussion
8-11 marks for good list and discussion
12-15 marks for excellent list and discussion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 15
Originality:
• the paper contains new and significant information
• similarity index is low
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-1 mark for no attempt or lack of originality in discussion
2-4 marks for adequate originality in discussion
5-7 marks for good originality in discussion
8-10 marks for excellent originality in discussion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 10
Quality of Communication and presentation
• the writer has paid attention to the clarity of expression and readability, such as sentence structure, jargon use, acronyms, etc.
• the paper is visually appealing with appropriate layout (including cover page, etc.)
• the paper is properly edited (free from spelling, grammatical,
punctuation errors, etc.)
• the paper is appropriately organized (logical flow/use of headings)
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-1 mark for no attempt or lack of quality of communication and presentation
2-4 marks for adequate quality of communication and presentation
5-7 marks for good quality of communication and presentation
8-10 marks for excellent quality of communication and presentation
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 10
References
• correct citations and referencing using uniform style (Flawless Harvard AGPS in text and reference list) 5
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-1 mark for no attempt or fair completion
2-3 marks for adequate completion
4-5 marks for a good or excellent completion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available.
Appendices
• Any information to support your research proposal (e.g.: ethics application form, participant information form)
Marks are awarded as follows:
0-1 mark for no attempt or fair completion
2-3 marks for adequate completion
4-5 marks for a good or excellent completion
Half marks may be awarded at marker’s discretion within the maximum number of marks available. 5
Total marks 100
Total marks: /30%
Comments: Date: