Counter-terrorism - In the context of large-scale events like sporting competitions, festivals, conferences, and public meetings, the term "countert

Literature Review

Counter-terrorism - In the context of large-scale events like sporting competitions, festivals, conferences, and public meetings, the term "counterterrorism in events" refers to the plans, practices, and procedures that are put into place to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks and respond to those that do occur. A literature review on counterterrorism at events will often cover several different topics, such as risk assessment, planning, intelligence collecting, security measures, and post-event evaluation.

It iAs widely acknowledged that counter-terrorism strategies must be integrated through a wide range of policy domains instead of remaining just in one or two policy areas (insert some references). The term comprehensive also known as whole-of-government and whole-of-nation have to describes the above strategy. However, because notions in one particular area frequently impact other areas as well, it is not always easy to differentiate one policyfromanother. MFusic festival organisers need to reconcile various, frequently conflicting values and aims. For example, UK festival organisers are under pressure to balance budgets within a cash-poor creative sector but also have a requirement placed upon them by the Home Office to comply with counter-terrorism guidance adopted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) which requires festivals to provide an adequate amount of security and stringent security procedures in order to combat the threat of terrorism. makes grey spaces between domains more complicated overall and can provide difficult obstacles. Subnational, national, international, and transnational governments and societal levels, as well as state and non-state entities, are all included in a complete approach. Blurred lines between "inside" and "outside," domestic and foreign, and public and private further exacerbate the situation here (Silke, 2019, p.363). According to (GOV.UK, 2023) afterAs a result of a tragic incident terrorist attack in Manchester Arena in 2017, a new law was introduced in tribute to Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017, under the name of Martyns Law. This new piece of legislation was announced in 2022 by the government (GOV.UK, 2023), whoto indicated that Martyn's Law would beill implemented as a tiered model for some venues, based on the capacity of the premises or event and the activity that is taking place. The aim of this tiered approach wa is to prevent businesses from having to bear financial and operational burdens that weare not essential (reference?). The government state that the act will ensure that public assembly places are ready to respond in the event of an attack and are prepared for it (reference?). Standard-tier facilities will be obliged to participate in fundamental, low-cost activities to enhance their preparation. These activities will include terrorism protection training and the evaluation of the most effective processes to put into place in order to limit the impact of any potential threat.

Due to the unexpected nature of terrorist attacks in terms of timing and number of casualties, even the best-prepared police? Forcesemergency service providers will face major hurdles. Following a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI)n MCI, local and national evaluations are conducted to examine the success of the response while also identifying areas where lessons could be learned and disseminating these for consideration in future planning (reference whats the review called and why was it called??). The evaluation considered show the aftermath of a mass casualty terrorist incident, as well as a number of lessons learned; The importance of correct patient identification, the coordination of care through regular meetings, the role of a major trauma consultant, support from medical teams, seeking advice from military surgeons, effective communication channels, keeping families together during treatment, and prioritising quick and accurate radiological assessment are some of the lessons that have been learned from emergency incidents. The use of these lessons has the potential to improve safety and reaction during times of emergency at festivals and other events of a similar nature. (Craigie et al., 2018). Have a read through the Kerslake Report HYPERLINK "https://www.kerslakearenareview.co.uk/" https://www.kerslakearenareview.co.uk/ expand on this section because its really relevant and recent so can address the gap in the knowledge your own research is trying to fill.In correspondence relation to events, there are various aspects to mitigate the threat of terrorism, the researchers investigate a variety of frameworks and models that are utilized in the process of determining the level of terrorism threat linked with events. They investigate the significance of efficient planning and coordination among event organizers, security agencies, law enforcement, and other stakeholders in order to provide a holistic and integrated security approach. The review did may also investigate the significance of intelligence gathering, analysis, and the exchange of information in terms of thwarting possible terrorist attacks and providing a response to those assaults.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974, event organizers have to make sure that their their workers and the people who come to their events and attractions are safe. Terrorist threats must be taken into account as part of this Aact. Corporate governance requires making sure that all threats have been thought about and that the right steps have been taken to control the risk. It is important to know and understand that figuring out the general event risk is different from figuring out the security risk. It is important that the person doing this job is skilled (The Event Industry Forum, 2018) particularly in the aftermath of high profilehigh-profile incidents such as Manchester Arena, Paris attack on 13 November. Bataclan

A relative case study from Route 91 harvest festival in Las Vegas Nevada in 2017. The:Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas ,Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas demonstrates the particular significance of risk management for music festivals. On the evening of October 1, a gunman opened fire on a gathering of over 22,000 individuals, resulting in 59 fatalities and hundreds of injuries. It was the deadliest mass murder in modern American history" (Blankstein et al., 2017).

According to FEMA (2018), the local fire department (CCFD) employees were not involved in the planning or staffing of the event, and the CCFD was not informed of it. Because teams were unable to immediately construct a response plan for the mass casualty incident (MCI) that happened during the event, FEMA highlighted that this decision made emergency response more difficult. This lack of planning led to a disorganized, improvised response to the situation. According to the FEMA report, event planners must get in touch with local emergency response organizations (police, fire, and medical) to incorporate their knowledge into pre-event planning and give them the freedom to create incident action plans for events in their community even if they are not contacted at the time of an incident (Hamm and Su, n.d.).

Physical security measures (such as access control, perimeter security, and surveillance systems), crowd management tactics, employee training, and emergency response protocols are examples of the types of security measures that are frequently discussed in the relevant literature (references?). The review could investigate how successful these precautions were in reducing the risk posed by terrorist attacks and making the event more secure overall.Paris Attack on 13 November (BBC News, 2015)The Paris attacks in November 13,2015, which involved planned and coordinated bombings and shootings at different locations in the city, including a concert hall, a biglarge stadium and restaurants. The attack was orchestrated by the Islamic state (IS) militant group which resulted in the death of 130 people, hundreds wounded in the attack. The first of three explosions occurred outside the Stade de France stadium while a friendly football match between France and Germany. Where athe man wearing a suicide belt was prevented from entering the stadium with suicide belt, whoand subsequently backed away from the security guards and exploded himselfdetonated the device he was wearing. AWhereas the 2nd second bomber detonated explosivea device outside a different stadium entrance where the match was attended by the President Francois Hollande. TAnd the thi3rd bomber detonated his devicem outside a fast-food outlet near the stadium (BBC News, 2015).Simultaneously, other gunmen targeted popular nightlight spots in the city centre. at Le Carillon, bars at La Belle Equipe and several restaurants bombs at Le Comptoir Voltaire, and firing Rue de Charonne. The deadliest attack of the night took place at the Bataclan concert hall, where the three3 attackers were involved were wearing suicide suits and reckless gun firing guns at attendees. These attacks promoted a state emergency in France which heightened security measures. The attackers were later identified as Omar Ismail Mostefai, Samy Animour and FouedMohammed-Aggad.This study relates the rising concern on Religious Diplomacy which the article from (Counts, 2016), As global concern about Islamic extremism grows, much can be done to prevent terrorist organisations like Daesh from radicalising and recruiting. To prevent hatred and violence, especially in regions with rising Islamophobia, ignorance must be confronted. Initiatives to mobilise this kind of interaction are too fragmented to have a substantial influence. Religious leaders monitor their communities. They know who incites violence and can modify it.

Safety and Security - According to Oumelkheir (2022) most organizations are still unaware of how crucial security is at music festivals and performances. This is despite warnings over a decade ago that any sites lack the safety precautions needed by both the law and experienced event producers and organizers to ensure a safe event (Aguila, 2010). For the organization and execution of the entire project, high-quality services designed to protect the mass event are a requirement. A mass event can be thought of as an open, dynamic, socio-technical economic system with a specified goal whose accomplishment results in the satisfaction of participants owing to the circumstances established (Jdrzejas, 2017). While the principle of precaution is focused on the management of unknown or relatively known damage if there is uncertainty regarding the likelihood of its occurrence, it also includes the need to implement measures aimed at minimizingsuch damage or at the very least lowering the degree of its seriousness from serious to repairable (Oumelkheir, 2022).

In addition, the regulatory frameworks and legal considerations associated with event safety and security are discussed in the review of the relevant literature. This involves looking at the regulations, standards, and guidelines that are in place to control event safety practices on a local, national, and worldwide level. Infrastructure considerations are evaluated, such as the design and layout of venues, with the goals of maximizing safety, accessibility, and evacuation speed. Researchers have also investigated the role that technology plays in improving security, such as the implementation of access control systems, closed-circuit television surveillance, or biometric identity systems. Keeping the regulatory aspects in consideration, the incident in Glastonbury events could be highlighted as they learned from their past experience.

An international study by (Earl, Parker and Capra, 2005) based on the Glastonbury festival stated their management criteria that were improved after the incident. Organizers faced an unprecedented amount of gate crashers at the 2000 event, which significantly threatened public health and safety. Because of this incident, the planning and management procedure that was held required a thorough examination. In order to carry out the investigation, the event scheduled for 2001wascancelled. When it was held again in 2002, the event displayed significant advancements in terms of the health and safety of its attendees, the most notable of which were increased levels of security and a more secure perimeter fence. These kinds of advancements have been made at each successive event, with the festival that took place in 2004 being regarded as the safest one to date. The Glastonbury Festival serves as an example of how significant public gatherings can have their health and safety concerns effectively managed. This achievement would not have been attainable without the concerted efforts of the event organizer in conjunction with those of various government bodies, most notably the Mendip District Council. This event highlights how the licensing process may be a beneficial instrument to encourage good practice in public health and safety issues for large outdoor music festivals like the one that is taking place.

We could relate this study with the objective of the technique known as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, or FMEA is to investigate the various probable failure modes of a system and to assess the outcomes of those failures. It was initially developed by the United States military in the late 1940s as a method for determining the dependability of systems, but since that time, it has been used by many different industries for reasons relating to safety (Raspotnig and Opdahl, 2013).

Furthermore, it could be linked to any event and give a strategy to enhance it. Likewise, it is a systematic approach that should be used in event management to identify, analyze, and mitigate any failures or risks that could have an impact on the success of the event, as well as on its safety or security. This involves detecting failure modes such as malfunctioning equipment, security breaches, or communication breakdowns, evaluating the probable impacts of these failures, and putting mitigation measures into place. Event organizers are able to build contingency plans, increase security measures, provide employee training, and improve communication procedures by prioritizing risks depending on the severity of the risk and the likelihood of the risk occurring. The application of the FMEA principles enables proactive planning, risk mitigation, and robust contingency measures, which ultimately improve the event's safety, security, and overall success.

Crowd Management - Large crowds frequently attend public events including sporting events, concerts, and fireworks displays; as a result, evacuation during an emergency is more challenging than usual (Shao, Shao and Kuo, 2019). To regulate large crowds and avert potential tragedies, it is important to consider architectural and infrastructure design factors as well as technology and procedures for crowd monitoring and control. For the region to be monitored, a simulation of various crowd scenarios can be carried out during the planning phase of a busy event to determine the ideal crowd flow routes and crowd density threshold limits in various areas. Infrastructure changes including the planning and deployment of monitoring and control systems may be carried out based on simulation results (Sharma et al., 2016).

In addition to aiding in the planning and implementation of crowd management strategies at crowded events, an understanding of crowds can be useful in several other applications, such as the design of public infrastructure, the automatic detection of anomalies in crowded situations, and crowd modelling-based platforms for virtual environments and entertainment (Li et al., 2015).

An effective and best appropriate Model that could be used is the DIM ICE model by Prof. Dr. G. Keith Still (reference? https://leedsbeckett.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1264172222 ). This is a combination of 18 elements which, when mapped into a matrix, provides a unique overviewoftheevent.There are three primary phases of crowd behavioras well as three primary impacts on crowd behavior(design, information, and management respectively). During each stage of this process, we festival organisers need to plan for both routine and unexpected circumstances.This is a collection of 18 different elements, and when they are mapped into a matrix, they create a distinctive summary of the event (Still, G Keith, 2014, pp.269273).

Design refers to the idea and planning of the event, which includes identifying its goal, target market, theme, and general format. The event plan's execution, including the organization of logistics, scheduling, resource allocation, and other operational details, is the focus of implementation. Management entails keeping an eye on the event's daily operations, including staffing, budgeting, engaging stakeholders, and managing risks.

Determining the possibility of a risk and the potential consequences of that risk, describing the danger itself, and developing a strategy for eliminating, mitigating, or otherwise managing the risk are the three primary components of risk analysis. This will be explained in detail within the framework of the DIM-ICE Metamodel. The initial step of this process is taking a methodical approach to the identification of risks that occur during entrance. Complete the template by working through the design, information, and management features that are included in the column for ingress. Consider every dayas well as unexpected circumstances. After that, move on to the following column and consider the design, information, management, normal, and emergency scenarios for the circulation (mid-event) phase. Finally, repeat this process for the egress phase.

Furthermore, the DIM ICE model could be related to the evacuation and incaution process assessed by (The Events Industry ForumThe Purple Guide, 2018 page??) for the resilience activities for the event in contingency and emergency planning. It is vital to rapidly and safely disperse both workers and members of the public in the case of a variety of catastrophes that occur within event venues, such as fires or terrorist attacks. The speedy evacuation of established venues is normally handled by automated detection and alarm systems; however, invacuation, dynamic lockdown, and self-evacuation are also important factors to take into mind. Stewards are an extremely important part of any event since they guide attendees to safe areas and coordinate with emergency personnel.

The use of other techniques, such as loud hailers, should be encouraged in places like temporary venues or festival sites, where automated systems may have limited capacity. To guarantee that people are moved to places of relative or total safety within the timeframes that have been agreed upon, it is essential to have evacuation protocols and communication that are effective. In order to prevent the inherent dangers and disruptions that come along with huge crowds, it is essential to examine the possibility of a partial evacuation or an invacuation. It may be imprudent and put people in greater danger to evacuate a whole venue or site on the basis of a few isolated events. Instead, a thorough analysis of the available alternatives should be undertaken, with particular attention paid to the requirements of individual locations or settings within the premises. The identification of open holding spaces, the maintenance of clear routes, and the provision of suitable signs, illumination, and staffing, all of which are necessary for a safe evacuation, are required. In larger venues, localized evacuations are able to be carried out while main event operations continue in areas that are unaffected. This enables the emergency to be localized, contained, and effectively managed.

Financial Losses and COVID-19 - Business disruptions are becoming more common. It is incredibly difficult to foresee their type, timing, and scope. Therefore, to safeguard themselves from the effects of disruptive occurrences, organizations need a proactive strategy supported by a decision-support framework (Sahebjamnia, Torabi and Mansouri, 2015). Organizers create risk assessments based on knowledge gathered from prior risk experiences, organizational memory, and the risk knowledge that is disseminated through industry associations and specialist resources in order to deal with risks effectively. The capacity to network with other businesses is one of the most crucial qualities in the popular music industry for thriving in an uncertain environment (Woodward et al., 2022).

Financial risk could be mitigated as suggested in the case study (Mackellar, 2006) stating financial innovation; the role of festivals as catalysts for creativity, economic advantages, and social growth is investigated. It contends that festivals not only have direct economic consequences but also provide indirect economic advantages while contributing to cultural and social advancement. This idea contradicts the view that festivals only have direct economic implications. This study provides a framework for evaluating the value that festivals provide to local economies and communities by presenting an integrated typology that takes into consideration both the economic and social innovations that are present within festivals. It places a strong emphasis on the concept of an event network, in which various stakeholders work together to organize events and create chances for business. The environment of the festival encourages interactions between firms, including those that are competitors and allies, which enables enterprises to exchange ideas and make use of common resources. In general, the research sheds light on the myriad ways in which festivals contribute to society, as well as their capacity to inspire creative endeavours and promote the growth of communities.

According from the survey carried out by the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) concluded that around 16.6% of festivals have collapsed because of the COVID-19 outbreak ongoing or after it ended. Earlier in 2019 the United Kingdom hosted around 600 music festivals and in the year 2023, it is anticipated that only 482 will be held, representing a 19.7% decline from the number of festivals staged in 2019. Before the outbreak, the festival industry had 1.76 billion worth to the economy and supported85,000jobs. The AIF has requested that the government provide assistance to existing festival organizers in order to assist in the rebuilding of the industry. The Chief Executive Officer of the AIF emphasized how detrimental the closures have been to a wide variety of stakeholders and pleaded with the government to step in and help solve the current problems. It is anticipated that attendees will number 3.3 million across all AIF member festivals, and these events will spend 36 million on musical talent. The AIF has made a substantial contribution to the music industry's economy, and as a result, the organization has begun a program called "First Festival," which aims to give young people the opportunity to participate in music festivals despite the ongoing epidemic and rising cost of living (Barrett, 2023).

(Davies, 2020) the article investigates a variety of possible outcomes for the festival sector in the years following COVID-19. It analyses four potential outcomes, including ongoing capitalism with increased government backing, state socialism with improved festival accessibility, societal barbarism leading to issues in terms of security, and a society centered on mutual aid and community-driven events. Bringing attention to the fact that festivals are susceptible to changes in the economy and the unprecedented impact that the epidemic has had on the sector. It highlights the necessity for government intervention in order to support festival organizations and promotes the growth of smaller events that are community oriented as well as virtual festivals. In the future of the industry, there will be a combination of socialist politics and ethical capitalism, with the emphasis placed on making responsible financial decisions and having a feeling of social duty. In general, the significance of governmental assistance, societal shifts, and innovative approaches in the process of forming the industry's future, with the goals of achieving resiliency and inclusiveness in cultural gatherings that are beneficial to communities.

Weather-related risk - Weather concerns, such as thunderstorms and heavy winds, can be a threat to event attendees threat. So, it is a vital move to keep an eye on the weather conditions in the days leading up to the festival as well as during its duration, and to have an alternative plan that if in case it becomes a threat to the safety of the people involved in the event. For instance, the severe weather that disrupted a concert at the Indiana State Fair in August 2011 and caused other issues. For failing to consider the adverse weather conditions and their potential influence on the safety of the concert attendees, the Fair Commission was fined US$6,300 (Crandall, Parnell and Spillan, 2013).

Starting with the conceptual design of the infrastructure, large event sites themselves can significantly reduce the possibility of mass deaths. Architectural engineering and construction should include safe shelter spaces that are protected from direct exposure to outside winds and flying debris and have enough space to accommodate the maximum number of individuals who could possibly inhabit the facility.An organizedand widely advertised plan of shelter helps lessen panic in the case of severe weather, albeit it may not totally be avoidable. The possibility of panic-induced casualties can be decreased by clearly indicating escape and evacuation routes, both on-site and in promotional and programmaterials. If site managers are ready to rapidly and effectively implement the plan, a well-designed severe weather strategy may also be very helpful to facilities in event promotion and public relations (Edwards et al., 2002).

Steps considering planning an event to ensure weather-related risk is taken into account by the organization and the event organizer, a literature-based analysis from The Purple Guide by (The Events Industry Forum, 2018) states that; Planning for an event, it is vital to consider the potential risks and hazards associated by weather. Organizers must conduct exhaustive risk assessments and take the necessary precautions to safeguard both personnel and attendees. Consider potential weather hazards such as wind, lightning, excessive moisture, chilly weather, and sun exposure. Data from the past and customized weather forecasting services can aid in accurately identifying and evaluating these dangers. Observe the color-coded severe weather warnings and take appropriate action. Staying in shady areas, applying sunscreen, donning hats, and appropriate apparel, remaining hydrated, and being aware of the signs of heat stress are all protective measures against sun exposure. Similarly, frigid weather exposure precautions include wearing layers of clothing, utilizing waterproof footwear, protecting extremities, consuming warm foods and beverages, and avoiding prolonged exposure. Structures should be adequately secured against high winds, and precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of lightning strikes, such as seeking shelter in large buildings or vehicles and avoiding open spaces. The organizers of an event should have evacuation plans, disseminate information, and consider lightning protection systems and surge protection devices. Monitoring thunder and lightning and adhering to the 30/30 rule (seek sanctuary if the interval between the flash and the thunder is less than 30 seconds) can help ensure safety. Event organizers can effectively manage weather-related risks and ensure the safety of staff and attendees by considering these key considerations and implementing the necessary precautions. If the organization fails to do so then have to go Lawsuit for settlement which carries out a high amount of capital and also put the organization at stake if failed to do so and defames the efforts made to build it. This could be seen in the Indiana State Fair Collapse Incident, but they paid all the settlement amount for it. s

The Indiana State Fair Incident 13 August 2011 (Nacheman et al., 2012)During the evening of August 13, 2011, the Temporary Ground-Supported Structure Used to Cover the Stage Area and Support Equipment in the Production of Outdoor Entertainment Events located over the Grandstand Stage at the Indiana State Fair (the ISF Structure) collapsed while the audience was waiting for the headline act to begin. The event was responsible for the deaths of seven people in addition to causing a great number of significant injuries. Thornton Tomasetti was called into action in response to a request from the state of Indiana and the Indiana State Fair Commission to carry out a multi-pronged, in-depth examination into the failure's causes and points of origin. The study that followed involved the documentation, measuring, and cataloging of thousands of components from the aluminum truss roof system and related suspended entertainment technology equipment, as well as extensive site measurements, laser scanning, wind tunnel analysis, materials testing, and analysis.The disaster resulted in the deaths of seven persons and injuries to approximately one hundred others, but the victims and their families did not obtain a settlement until much later. The country duet, Live Nation, and sixteen other defendants came to an agreement to pay $39 million to the plaintiffs in a class-action complaint that pointed to investigative reports that showed failed safety standards and an insufficient emergency plan on behalf of the state fair. The case pointed to the findings that the state fair had insufficient emergency planning and failed to meet safety standards (Moss and Moss, 2014). References

The Events Industry Forum (2018)The purple guide to health, safety and welfare at music and other events.

Craigie, R.J., Farrelly, P.J., Santos, R., Smith, S.R., Pollard, J.S. and Jones, D.J. (2018). Manchester Arena bombing: lessons learnt from a mass casualty incident. Journal of the Royal Army Medical Corps, [online] 166(2), p.72. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/jramc-2018-000930.

GOV.UK. (2023). Martyns Law progresses as government publishes draft legislation. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/martyns-law-progresses-as-government-publishes-draft-legislation.

Silke, A. (2019). Routledge handbook of terrorism and counterterrorism. Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, Ny: Routledge, p.363.

Blankstein, A., Williams, P., Elbaum, R. and Chuck, E. (2017). Las Vegas Shooting: 59 Killed and More Than 500 Hurt Near Mandalay Bay. [online] NBC News. Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/las-vegas-shooting/las-vegas-police-investigating-shooting-mandalay-bay-n806461.

Hamm, D. and Su, J. (n.d.). 65 Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Cases The Importance of Event Stakeholders: A case study of the Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting case study. [online] Available at: https://www.chrie.org/assets/docs/JHTC-case-notes/JHTC-vol-8/8_2_7_Hamm_%20Su_%20The%20Importance%20Of%20Event%20Stakeholders%20-A%20Case%20Study%20Of%20The%20Route%2091%20Harvest%20Festival%20Shooting_Case%20Study.pdf.

Earl, C., Parker, E. and Capra, M. (2005). Planning and Management for Public Health Impacts at Outdoor Music Festivals: An International Study. Environmental Health, [online] 5(1), pp.5061. Available at: https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.203881378720390..Still, G Keith (2014). Introduction to crowd science. Boca Raton: Crc Press, pp.269273.

The Events Industry Forum (2018). Shibboleth Authentication Request. [online] login.leedsbeckett.idm.oclc.org. Available at: https://www-thepurpleguide-co-uk.leedsbeckett.idm.oclc.org/index.php/the-purple-guide/106-4-resilience-activities-for-events-contingency-emergency-planning?showall=1 [Accessed 19 Jun. 2023].

Barrett, C. (2023). Covid-19 wiped out 17% of UK festivals. [online] Access All Areas. Available at: https://accessaa.co.uk/covid-19-wiped-out-17-of-uk-festivals/?utm_campaign=regular&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=73038233&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9KCca27CMYAVJOM37wHUS5TPmH1BPyhe0V5245Taf6Of5WcfmC1dXFTNgTxlfT9U9RLVk4_kdjB0oFCuKFDHBGGPENWs1uPMSKuYlQw29xdsZH66U&utm_source=newsletter [Accessed 25 Jun. 2023].

Davies, K. (2020). Festivals Post Covid-19. Leisure Sciences, 43(1-2), pp.16. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2020.1774000.

BBC News (2015). Paris attacks: What Happened on the Night. BBC News. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34818994.Counts, A.A. (2016). Countering Daesh Propaganda: Action-Oriented Research for Practical Policy Outcomes. [online] Available at: https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/countering-isis/CounteringDaeshPropaganda-Feb2016.pdf#page=30.Nacheman, S.G., Jackson, K.J., Nelson, J.K., Pinto, M.J., Valderruten, L. and Bhagath, A. (2012). The Indiana State Fair Collapse Incident: Anatomy of a Failure. Forensic Engineering 2012. doi:https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412640.114.Moss, M.R. and Moss, M.R. (2014). Settlement Reached in Sugarland Stage Collapse. [online] Rolling Stone. Available at: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/settlement-reached-in-sugarland-stage-collapse-229652/.

2022/23 Module HandbookMasters Research Project

School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management

Level 7

Semester 1

(40 Credits)

CRN 50288

Contents

TOC o "1-3" h z u 1What this Module is About PAGEREF _Toc113959120 h 11.1Introduction from the Module Leader PAGEREF _Toc113959121 h 11.2Module Aims PAGEREF _Toc113959122 h 21.3Module Learning Outcomes PAGEREF _Toc113959123 h 21.4Module Learning Activities PAGEREF _Toc113959124 h 21.4.1Staff and Student Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc113959125 h 31.4.2What you can expect from your supervisor PAGEREF _Toc113959126 h 41.5Communication PAGEREF _Toc113959127 h 52Weekly Schedule PAGEREF _Toc113959128 h 63Key Resources to Support Learning PAGEREF _Toc113959129 h 64Assessment PAGEREF _Toc113959130 h 74.1Assessment Summary PAGEREF _Toc113959131 h 74.2Assessment Details PAGEREF _Toc113959132 h 84.2.1Essential Guidance for the Masters Research Project PAGEREF _Toc113959133 h 84.2.2Further Assessment Details PAGEREF _Toc113959134 h 164.2.3Guidance on formatting your Masters Research Project PAGEREF _Toc113959135 h 164.3Feedback on Your Assessments PAGEREF _Toc113959136 h 325Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc113959137 h 326Your Feedback on the Module PAGEREF _Toc113959138 h 33Student Name____________________________________________________________

Email Address____________________________________________________________

Course____________________________________________________________

Group____________________________________________________________

Module Tutor____________________________________________________________

Tutors Email Address ______________________________________________________

Communication Protocol: module staff will reply to student questions within a reasonable time but this will normally be within office hours only. Students are advised to check this handbook and also to see if there are any online/noticeboard announcements or FAQ answers that deal with their enquiry before contacting staff.

What this Module is AboutIntroduction from the Module LeaderThis is undoubtedly the most exciting, and possibly challenging, stage of your postgraduate studies.

- Exciting in that you choose your own area of interest and focus only on this; developing an in-depth knowledge and expertise within the subject.

- Challenging in that the project requires you to bring together the range of skills and subject knowledge developed in other modules to produce a cohesive and intellectually rigorous piece of work.

Enjoy the challenge, work hard and the result will be a finished project to be proud of.

Show it to your friends and family, impress current and future employees, use it as the basis for further doctoral study and give it pride of place on your bookshelf.

Best of luck!

Tom

Dr Thomas Fletcher

Events Research Project Coordinator

t.e.fletcher@leedsbeckett.ac.uk (preferred)

0113 8123515

Module AimsTo enable students to produce a coherent and holistic piece of work on a major research project within event studies.

This module enables participants to undertake an extended study of a topic relating to the preceding taught modules of the course. More specifically, it allows students to use the skills and knowledge developed during the Research Methods module for investigation of an aspect of their field of study that is of particular interest to them. This handbook will explain the aims of the module and how it will be organised and assessed. If, during the course of the module, you have any queries, you should contact your supervisor once allocated, or the research project coordinator for your course of study if necessary.

Module Learning OutcomesOn completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1:Demonstrate originality in the application of theory, conceptual frameworks or models and research techniques formulate and perform effective, ethical research, and to deliver a research report or dissertation.

LO2:Evidence the ability to identify clear aims and objectives, to gather, understand, synthesise and analyse information and data effectively, solve associated technical or organisational problems, and address issues of an academic and applied nature through the production of a sustained piece of research.

Module Learning Activities

This independent project will normally be one of three types:

A primary research based empirical study;

A desk- based project to include a literature review and the analysis of secondary data;

An organisation-based research project.

The nature of the content will inevitably vary depending upon the individual study. However, each project should normally consider and include:

A background to the issue, explaining why it is important;

A clear statement of the research problem;

A critical review of relevant literature;

Details and a justification of the methodology and instruments used;

The findings;

Analysis and interpretation;

Conclusions and recommendations or implications (possibly for theory, practice, policy or further research).

You will be allocated a supervisor who may or may not be the person that you consulted prior to submission of your proposal. This person will oversee and advise on the progress of the project. The supervisor is allocated time for work connected with each project and will expect to communicate with you on a regular basis.

In your Research Methods module you may have developed the initial research proposal and when your supervisor is satisfied that your proposal provides the basis for a suitable project, you will proceed towards completion. You are urged to keep in close contact with your supervisor at all stages of this module. It is suggested that you negotiate key milestones during the first supervisory discussion.

Staff and Student ResponsibilitiesIt is the responsibility of each student to arrange discussion with their supervisor at intervals throughout the course of the project. Your supervisor will not come looking for you. They will however, require an explanation from you if you fail to keep appointments or to consult with them regularly.

The supervisory process is essential to you in performing well in this module and you should make best use of it. Supervisors will expect to be kept informed of progress, problems and developments and will want to see drafts of written material. They may suggest suitable references, advise you whether or not you are achieving the standard required and offer support in structuring and writing up your work.

You should note that supervisors have many other demands on their time. It is essential, therefore, that you arrange discussions in advance. Agree with your supervisor at the first discussion how the supervision process will work, including means of communication (telephone, e-mail, Teams, Zoom, Skype appointments) and methods of feedback. The most effective approach is at the first discussion you should identify the deadlines that you will be working to for the project and when you will be available for discussions and arrange key discussions around your supervisor's availability (particularly over the summer period if applicable).

You should then confirm the time of the next discussion at the end of each supervisory discussion, having agreed the goals to be achieved by that time. To ensure that discussions are as productive as possible, it is sensible to provide your supervisor with any work you want them to comment on before you get together (discuss and agree the length of time required and the handing in deadlines with your supervisor at the first discussion). In anticipation of those circumstances, you should agree a process with your supervisor for arranging additional discussions (e.g. telephone, e-mail, skype).

What you can expect from your supervisorEach tutor is given a total of 18 hours for each student they supervise. This includes all discussions (email, phone, face-to-face, Teams etc), reading submitted draft material and marking the finished work.

Your supervisor is there to provide guidance. The form of guidance may vary because of the nature of the project and because people vary in terms of their working styles (both supervisors and students). It is important, therefore, to review with your supervisor at the first discussion how the process of supervision might be most effectively managed e.g., how often supervisory discussions should be, how the agenda will be determined, whether a paper outlining progress since the last discussion will be presented on or before the discussion. The purpose of the discussion should be to establish shared expectations.

The early discussions with your supervisor are very important in ensuring that you have a clear set of aims and objectives that are appropriate and achievable. It may be frustrating if you are keen to get on with your literature review. Dont rush it - one of the main areas in which students lose marks is in not having a clear purpose that provides a focus for the work.

Similarly, your supervisor will want to make sure that you have an adequate theoretical/conceptual basis for the work and that you know how to develop this, before they allow you to start the research in earnest.

You can expect your supervisor to engage in discussion about and provide feedback on, the following:

The scale and scope of the project;

Theory associated with the project;

Research design and methodology;

Data analysis;

Style of writing.

The feedback will be in response to your ideas and proposals, and their reading of drafts of your work. It will improve the supervision process if you go along with specific queries and follow your own supervisors recommendations through, as each supervisor may have different views and therefore consistency is the key.

Feedback on written work is sometimes an area that causes difficulties with the project. This will be agreed with your supervisor at the first discussion. As a minimum, all supervisors should provide feedback on the written style, the content (relevance, depth etc.) and the quality of the analysis/thinking. The supervisor is not there as a grammar or spelling checker and therefore, you should show your supervisor completed work that you feel happy with, rather than material which you thought was not so good.

Occasionally, students become concerned about the effectiveness of the supervisory process. If this becomes the case, you should discuss the matter with your supervisor in the first instance. This should be done when difficulties arise rather than at the end of the module. As a last resort, you may take up the issue with the Research Project Co-ordinator.

Your supervisor will also support you in completing the ethics forms. It is important that you are sufficiently prepared to undertake research with human participants. Ethics forms MUST BE COMPLETED BY YOURSELF AND SUBMITTED VIA THE ETHICS ONLINE SYSTEM WHERE IT IS SIGNED OFF BY YOUR SUPERVISOR AND APPROVED BY THE ETHICS COORDINATOR PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING RESEARCH. Examples of information sheets and consent forms can be found on MyBeckett.

CommunicationWe will communicate with you through MyBeckett. Please monitor MyBeckett and your student e-mail address for announcements.

Weekly ScheduleThe Masters Research Project is studied over one semester determined by your course start date. Part time students have the option to study the project over two semesters.

Project start Ethics submission guide Project submission

Full time and Part time over 1 semester October 2022

2nd week of November 2022 13th January 2023

January 2023

2nd week of March 2023 12th May 2023

June 2023 3rd week of July 2023 6th October 2023

Part time over 2 semesters June 2022

2nd week of November 2022 13th January 2023

October 2022

2nd week of March 2023 12th May 2023

January 2023 3rd week of July 2023 6th October 2023

Key Resources to Support LearningA Reading List has been created for the module and it is available on the left hand menu on the module in MyBeckett.

Ally is an accessibility tool in MyBeckett that students can use to convert compatible files into alternative file formats. For example, students can use Ally to make an audio version of a Word document or convert a file to a format that is easier to read on a phone. A guide to using this resource is available from https://libanswers.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/faq/242876All disabled students requiring additional support or alternative arrangements must declare and provide evidence of their disability to the Disability Advice Team as early as possible: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/.

Assessment

Assessment SummaryAssessment 1 (100% of Module Marks)

Assessment Method: Masters Research Project Re-assessment Method: Revised Masters Research Project

Word Count 14,000 words Word Count 14,000 words

Assessment Date and Time: Research Project Start Date Submission Date Re-assessment Date and Time: Make good work

Dates TBC

October 2022 January 2023 June

2023 NB: Part-time students have the opportunity to study the module over two semesters Feedback Method: On request from supervisor Feedback Method: On request from supervisor following exam board

Feedback Date: Following publication of results Feedback Date: Following publication of results

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1 and 2

You will receive feedback within four weeks of your assessment (University closures do not count as a working week). Your mark is provisional until it is ratified by the Module Board and External Examiner. Re-sit instructions for your assignments will be posted on My Beckett.

Assessment Details

Essential Guidance for the Masters Research Project

It is important to initially select the type of project you will be conducting. This will be one of three broad types:

A primary research based empirical study;

For this type of project your starting point will typically be from a gap or problem that arises from academic theory. Your rationale will identify the gap or problem in the theory; your intended audience is likely to be academic and the conclusions will have a more academic and theoretical focus.

A desk-based project to include a literature review along with further analysis of secondary data;

This will require you to have access to a suitable existing data set but will not involve the collection of primary data.

An organisation-based research project.

This type of project has a more practical focus similar to a consultancy type of research. The research could be for an organisation that you have approached, or could be for the organisation that you work for. In the past some students have used their research project to undertake research as a foundation for a business enterprise or venture that they are planning. Your rationale will identify the practical issue or problem which needs addressing and your introduction will provide the context to your organisation. Your intended audience will be practitioners and the conclusions will focus on practical recommendations rather than theoretical developments.

Whichever form is selected the Research Project report must include a critical review of relevant literature and a critical appraisal of the methodology selected.

You will be advised on the most suitable type of project for your topic area during the research methods module and in the initial discussions with your supervisor.

The structure and style of the project submitted should be appropriate to its intended outcomes. Outlined below are the key stages of tackling a large project. Your work should include these stages but, depending on the topic of study and the research design, the emphasis between them may vary.

Before looking at each of the stages in more detail it is vital not to deal with too wide a subject. The more closely the investigation can be defined the better will be the chance of achieving the learning outcomes (and a good mark).

You should also note that you are expected to analyse and explain issues associated with the phenomenon being studied, rather than merely describing them.

Normally, the project is written in an impersonal style (ie not using the first person, I). However, where you use certain methodologies it may be permissible to refer to yourself in the first person.

Aim and Objectives

State the aim and objectives of your study i.e., what is the purpose of the project?

State your objectives in such a way that you can measure the extent to which they have been achieved. You may have a proposal (hypothesis) that is capable of being tested or you may have identified a research problem to investigate or a research question to answer. You dont need all three.

Also, it is very important to ensure that the aim and objectives defined are achievable within the scope of the research project (timescale, data availability and number of words).

Introduction and Approach

The introduction sets the context for the study. This covers the rationale behind the choice of topic and the overall approach to the work and how it is structured, including the theoretical underpinning. In other words, it includes the justification for your aim and objectives and an overview of how you go about achieving them. Decide what information is needed to achieve the aim and objectives and how you are going to collect it. Do not include areas that are not related to the topic.

Review of Theory and Literature

This stage requires an investigation and discussion of past and current research/literature on your topic. To do this you should read and summarise relevant information on the topic. This literature review must be used to develop a theoretical framework for your work. It will vary according to the type of study that you are undertaking. However, an apparent lack of literature probably means that the topic is unsuitable for a research project.

The role of the literature survey can be summarised as follows:

To help further clarify the purpose of your research and contribute to a rationale for the work.

Provide a thorough examination of the relevant literature, so giving you a full understanding of the topic.

Clearly identify and define the theoretical concepts and/or frameworks to be used in the work.

To provide a context for your research by placing your specific topic in the literature and showing how your work relates to that already existing.

Identify and analyse the relationships between ideas that make up the framework for your study.

Provide a basis for your methodological choices.

In order to do this it is necessary to look for and summarise, areas of agreement and disagreement and contradictory evidence and analyse, and evaluate theory and evidence with reference to the objectives of your study.

A literature review should be comprehensive, current, critical and clearly focused on your objectives. It should cover the full range of literature available that relates to your topic. It is a requirement of a literature review that you use academic and research literature from journals, books, papers and government publications. Online research databases such as Discover provided by the library will enable you to search a wide variety of sources relatively easily.

Follow the guidelines on referencing for the Leeds Beckett Harvard system. Also, wherever possible, you should refer to work read rather than overuse direct quotations (ask your supervisor if you are still unsure about the difference between direct and indirect quoting or paraphrasing). Also see the section on referencing below.

At this stage of the process your objectives will probably undergo some refinement or your research problem/question(s) will become more precise.

One of the key challenges of the research project is to produce a coherent and holistic piece of work in which all the sections link together and are clearly focused on the aim and objectives. This is obviously important throughout but especially so in establishing the relationship between the literature review and any primary research or secondary data analysis undertaken.

This should be discussed in detail with your supervisor but the basic principles are that:

Your literature review is concluded effectively and you are clear about the findings and how they relate to the aims and objectives.

The findings of your literature review are clearly and explicitly used to inform the methodology and, hence, the primary research.

The data sought from the primary research is properly identified and is derived from and related to, the literature review findings.

The methods used to carry out the research are appropriate and relevant to the findings of the literature review and the data sought.

Research Design and Methodology

It is important to develop an effective methodology and to understand why your methodology is appropriate to this particular study. Consideration should therefore be given to the best methods to use to address the research problem or question that you have identified.

Your method will vary with the type of study, but you will probably need to collect or locate data and analyse them. This may well involve you in primary research (collecting data for the specific purposes of your project). It does not, however, have to take this form. It may be possible to use existing data i.e., secondary or open data - in a way that is new to this study.

It is expected that you will deal with the following elements during this stage of the research project:

The specific purpose of this part of the process and how it contributes to the overall aims and objectives of the work.

The choice of research approach (primary/secondary qualitative/quantitative).

The choice of sample size, characteristics and selection method.

If using primary data, the methods used to collect the data and the precise design of any instruments used (interview schedules, questionnaires, observation checklists etc.).

If using secondary data, a critique of the collection method and awareness of any limitations.

Techniques used to analyse the data (again qualitative or quantitative).

Critical evaluation of each of these factors.

The Research Methods module will have introduced a variety of data gathering techniques and associated means of analysis. It is important that you are able to honestly criticise the methodology you have used, in light of the outcomes and your original objectives. For example, how reliable and/or valid are the results? Are the measurements accurate? Is there any bias? etc. No research is perfect and the ability to reflect on your own research practice is an important part of becoming a good researcher.

WHATEVER METHOD YOU ADOPT, YOU MUST NOT APPROACH ANY OUTSIDE BODY OR SEND OUT ANY POSTAL QUESTIONNAIRES UNLESS THE ETHICS COORDINATOR AND YOUR SUPERVISOR HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION AND YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE NECESSARY ETHICS FORMS (AVAILABLE VIA Leeds Beckett Ethics Online).

This requirement applies equally to interviews with members of the public (such as street interviews) as to any other form of data gathering. These individuals may be contacted by tutors, as a means of verifying the data you attribute to them. If potential participants wish to retain anonymity, you must explain to them that their identity will only be shared with tutors.

Primary Research Requirements

Past experience has shown that the majority of students elect to undertake some form of primary research. This helps to support/test the findings of their reading and to draw effective and realistic conclusions for their work.

When carrying out research it is vital that you conduct it professionally and ethically.

Verification: In the past we have had some students who have been unable to verify the source(s) of their data or the way in which they were collected. As a result of this you MUST meet the requirements outlined below.

Although this detail may not be presented in your research project due to issues of confidentiality and anonymity you must make sure that you keep records of the following in line with the Universitys research ethics policy.

Records of all sources of data.

Identify your sources including as much of the following information as possible:

Name and addresses of individuals contacted.

Their position within the organisation.

The address of the organisation head office.

Dates and times of contacts.

Signed consent forms.

The use of questionnaires carried out on a random basis in the street is usually discouraged in the project. Your supervisor is likely to ask you to look for alternative methods if you are considering this as an approach. If you do use this approach you must still collect as much of the data as possible from each respondent.

It is the intention of staff involved in the research project to follow up a random sample of primary research to confirm the information presented is accurate.

Ethics: the Universitys policy on research ethics is quite clear. All research should conform to some basic principles:

Beneficence do positive good; and

Non-maleficence do no harm.

The research should be assessed for potential risks concerning participants the interests of subjects and participants in the research should always come before those of the research itself.

Informed consent of participants

All participants should be given full and accurate information in order for them to decide whether to take part in the research or not. Example of Information sheet can be found on MyBeckett.

Confidentiality and anonymity

Explicit consent must be gained from participants in order to publish any information that may enable them to be identified. Examples of Consent forms can be found on MyBeckett.

(if the research involves a questionnaire then the consent form can be built into this, rather than requiring a separate consent form)

Please refer to the separate guidance on Research Ethics and submit the appropriate forms online as indicated via your MyBeckett module.

Click here to submit your research ethics forms online https://researchethics.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/auth?redirect=%2F

ETHICS FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BEFORE ANY PRIMARY RESEARCH IS UNDERTAKEN. WE RECOMMEND THIS IS DONE AT LEAST EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE YOUR SUBMISSION DATE.

Any student without final ethics approval performing primary research or submitting work that includes primary research will be subject to investigation for unfair practice under the University Academic Regulations Section 10: Academic Integrity.

Before you begin your research; whether using primary sources (human subjects such as consumers, event managers, company employees etc.) or secondary sources (Twitter, TripAdvisor comments, newspapers or company websites etc.) you must complete your Research Ethics forms online, have your Research Ethics forms approved by your supervisor and then approved by the Local Research Ethics Coordinator

Please read the Leeds Beckett University Research Policy https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/policies/research-and-enterprise/upre_research_ethics_policy.pdfData Presentation, Analysis and Discussion

Present the data professionally, logically and clearly. There are two different methods suggested for this; either present your main findings separate from any analysis or discussion, or present your findings and discussion together.

As a general guideline it is likely that the former will be more appropriate for quantitative data and the latter for qualitative data. This is a guide not a rule you must follow, there will always be instances when either approach is appropriate. Make sure you discuss this with your supervisor.

The form of data analysis undertaken will vary according to how the project has been approached. Thus some research projects may involve highly quantitative analysis whereas others may utilise qualitative methods. The research methods programme will introduce you to various data analysis techniques.

The analysis needs to be appropriate for the study. For example, simple descriptive analysis may be acceptable in some instances but more sophisticated inferential analysis may be more appropriate and improve the quality of your findings. However you need to plan this in advance as collection of the wrong or insufficient data will make it difficult or impossible to conduct the required level of analysis.

Discussion of the significance of your results should consider:

comparisons with similar research and findings in the literature;

to what extent the data confirms or detracts from any theoretical framework developed in the literature review and/or used in your research;

whether your data collection methods may have affected the results;

practical and theoretical implications for firms, management, government bodies etc.

This section gives you the opportunity to evaluate your findings in context and thereby demonstrate your skills of evaluation, analysis and synthesis.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions (and possibly recommendations) are the final part of your work. They should follow naturally from the work done to this point and should summarise the key issues emerging from your work and set it in a wider context. Is it possible, for example, to generalise on the basis of your findings? You conclusion should do this without bringing in any new arguments. Keep it concise and focused on the implications of your findings.

Depending on the nature of the subject matter, you may wish to offer recommendations. These may be for the industry in terms of future action or for researchers considering a similar topic.

It is appropriate for you to suggest other, related, avenues for further consideration. This is not an afterthought to be tacked on to the end of the research project; it is a key element of the work that should not be left to the last minute.

References

All sources of information to which you refer must be cited using the Harvard referencing convention. You should already be fully conversant with this style; if not full guidelines are available in the library or on the intranet.

The reference list should not be a general list of publications on the topic. Only include those references to which you refer in the text, do not include sources read but not directly referred to.

Last word

The better projects do not merely follow a linear process and are not a diary of what you did. The finished written work represents a completed solution to (or recommendations for) an identified problem. This means that you will revisit all sections of the written work throughout the module possibly revising your aim and objectives at the end of the process. With this in mind do not use the future tense but write as though you have completed the work. Past or present tense is appropriate.

Further Assessment DetailsAssessment for the research project is based on the final completed thesis.

You will have had guidance about how to write your proposal for the Project within Research Methods.

Once proposals have been submitted they will usually be reviewed by the Course Research Project Co-ordinator and any appropriate colleagues for context specific elements. After reviewing your proposal you will be allocated a supervisor.

You must make arrangements to discuss with them immediately to start the research process. Where the proposal has not been passed you may be required to make changes before you start on your research.

The proposed title may change during the course of the work as might the methods employed or even the specific objectives.

Changing topics part way through will severely limit the time available and you are unlikely to achieve the necessary standard of work. Any request for alteration of the topic must be channelled through your Supervisor to the Course Research Project Co-ordinator.

Assessment of the research project will be based on the criteria listed later in this section. Each project will be double marked (supervisor plus one other member of staff) and the final mark may be the subject of scrutiny by the external examiner.

There may also be a confirmatory viva voce (interview) if necessary.

Guidance on formatting your Masters Research ProjectTyping should be one and a half line-spaced, except for extended quotations, which should be single-spaced and indented.

The left-hand margin should be a minimum of 40mm, and the remaining margins should be at least 20mm.

The font should be 12 point except for headings and titles.

Typing can be double sided.

All pages should be numbered.

At the front of the project there should be:

a title page giving:

the title of the research project, which should give a clear indication of the content

your name

the name of your course, for example MSc International Events Management"

the words Leeds Beckett University

the month and year of submission

Example: Title

Name

Presented as part of the requirement for the award of the

MSc/MA in .

Leeds Beckett University

Month, Year

a declaration page with the wording:

I, confirm that the work contained in this research project is my own work. It has not been previously published or submitted for assessment elsewhere.

I confirm that all other sources of information have been acknowledged in line with the regulations for referencing.

I confirm that I have fully complied with all University regulations regarding plagiarism and unfair practice.

I confirm that the word count for the dissertation is XXXX

Name:

Signature: ____________________ Date: ____________

an acknowledgements/dedications page (if desired).

an abstract of approximately 250 words outlining the main arguments

a contents page listing the page numbers of all sections/chapters

and including , if appropriate

a list of tables

a list of figures, including maps, diagrams, photographs, etc.

a list of appendices (to include evidence of ethical approval).

The nature of the content will inevitably vary depending upon the individual study. However, each project should normally include:

a background to the issue, explaining why it is important;

a clear statement of the research problem;

a review of relevant literature;

details of the methodology used;

the findings;

analysis and interpretation;

conclusions and recommendations or implications (possibly for theory, practice, policy, further research)

A bibliography of references (in Harvard style and only those you have referred to in the text.)

Numbering of pages begins with the Introduction to the report itself and not with the Title page, Acknowledgements and Contents. These pages are known as Prelims and if numbered should be given a different numbering from the main text e.g. (i) (ii) (iii) etc. (The title page should not be numbered.) Numbering should be at the bottom centre of each page.

The length of the research project should be a maximum of 14,000 words (excluding appendices). The word count starts at your introduction and finishes after your recommendations

It is considered part of the discipline of the Research Project to work within this word limit. Please pay attention to the maximum word-length for your assignment. You will not be penalised if you go slightly over the limit (up to 10%) but learning to write concisely is part of the discipline of producing a good, focussed essay or report. If your assignment is over-long we will not mark it and your work will be recorded as a non-submission. Appendices should be used sparingly, essential information should be included within the word count as content in the appendices is not assessed. The word limit excludes the list of references, appendices and assignment cover sheets.

The criteria for assessing the project are identified in Appendix B. Your research project will, therefore, be assessed on the extent to which it demonstrates:

The clarity of the rationale and focus. The level of internal consistency and the logical development of information to sustain arguments linking the research rationale, literature and findings indicating a high level of critical awareness of strengths and limitations of the research. Clarity of analysis and evaluation;

A comprehensive literature research and/or study of background information consistent with the stated aim of the research project;

An advanced understanding of the conceptual and theoretical perspectives and appreciation of methodological issues related to the research topic and has constructively criticised all major viewpoints illustrating awareness of strengths and limitations;

That the analysis and/or discussion of the collected data or information is logically sound and is relevant to an evaluation of any hypothesis offered and the degree to which the aims have been fulfilled;

That the presentation of the research project is in the approved manner with reference to format, argument, statistical information and analysis, appendices and referencing;

The project is demonstrably the student's own work.

Keeping in contact with your supervisor provides you with an opportunity to ensure that you are approaching your project in a manner that will increase your likelihood of meeting the assessment criteria.

Student Instructions for Submission of Coursework

This module requires you to submit your work online.

You MUST submit your work through MyBeckett using the link set up by the tutor Receipt of your work will be recorded.

Your "Turnitin assignments" in MyBeckett can be set up so that you can check your assignment yourself as you submit it. This checking is done by creating a "Similarity Report". If this report shows that there are some problems with your work, such as un-cited quotations, you should be able to make corrections and re-submit the work again before the due date. More information about Turnitin is available online here: http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/mybeckett/turnitinPlease note: Tutors will follow up any suspected breach of academic integrity found after the submission date as per University policy. Late penalties will apply as per University Regulations.

Particular Instructions to Students

Please read carefully the assessment and grade/marking descriptors overleaf:

Course Title(s): MSc International Events Management / MSc Sports Events Management

Module Title: Masters Research Project Level: 7

Assessment Title: Research Project Weighting: 100%

Criteria 100-86

Distinction 85-70

Distinction 69-60

Merit 59-50

Pass 49-40

Fail 39-0

Fail

Rationale, aims and objectives

1. Rationale, background & context clear and evidenced through reference to a range of sources.

2. Purpose & objectives clear, precise & focused on outcomes and not process. Objectives clearly fulfilled.

3. Range & scope of study appropriate & achievable within the constraints of the module.

Weighting

Primary research project 15%, Secondary research project 15% , Organization based project 15% Exceptional arguments, well-articulated & evidenced rationale, background & context. A novel & legitimate aim with appropriate objectives detailing what will be achieved Rationale, background & context very clear & evidenced through reference to a range of sources. A clear aim & appropriate objective

Rationale, background & context clear & evidenced through reference to a range of sources. Aim detailed with achievable objectives

Rationale, background & context included but lacking clarity/purpose. Some evidence provided through reference to sources. Aim & objectives presented but with issues of clarity and/or appropriateness Several deficiencies in rationale, background & context.

Little evidence/ justification provided. Unclear or inappropriate aim & objectives Major deficiencies in rationale, background & context. Very little or no evidence/justification provided.

Missing aim & objectives

Literature review

1. Thorough & appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. All material presented relevant & appropriate to the study.

2. Suitable range of sources used including research-based & academic sources.

3. Identification & discussion of relevant theories, conceptual frameworks or pragmatic studies.

4. Critical evaluation of the literature providing a basis on which to develop research methods and discuss the findings.

Primary research project 25%, Secondary research project 25% , Organization based project 15%

Extremely thorough & critical discussion of literature relevant to the area of study. Builds a strong basis for the methodology & creates a theoretical or conceptual framework for the research Thorough & appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. All material presented relevant & appropriate to the study with a very good level of critique. A very good basis for the methodology & theoretical underpinning for the research Appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. Most material presented is relevant & appropriate to the study with a good level of critique. A good basis for the methodology & a sound theoretical underpinning for the research Appropriate selection of source material. Material presented is relevant to the study with some level of critique but some inconsistencies. Some theoretical underpinning that links to further areas of research. Little use of appropriate selection of source material. Material presented is relevant to the study but with little critique. A high number of inconsistencies. Little theoretical underpinning that links to further areas of research. Very little or no use of appropriate selection of source material. Material presented is relevant to the study but with little critique. Major omissions throughout. Little or no theoretical underpinning that links to further areas of research.

Research design and methodology

1. Methodology and methods appropriate to the aims & objectives & fully explained & justified.

2. Development of suitable research instruments, sampling method and size.

3. Collection of sufficient data relevant to the aims & objectives of the study.

4. Critical evaluation of the research methods used and an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods.

5. Discussion of ethical issues

Primary research project 20%, Secondary research project 15% , Organization based project 15%

Excellent explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Fully explained & justified through reference to the literature review.

Excellent philosophical approach & research strategy designed to meet the aims & objectives of the study.

Development of suitable research instruments drawing upon previous research.

Critical evaluation of the research methods used, & an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods

Very clear explanation of the sampling method used. Critique of the validity of this & the sample size.

Insightful consideration of ethical issues Very good explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Well explained & justified through reference to the literature review.

Credible philosophical approach & research strategy designed to meet the aims & objectives of the study.

Development of suitable research instruments drawing upon previous research.

Critical evaluation of the research methods used, & an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods

Clear explanation & critique of the sampling method & sample size.

Consideration of ethical issues Good explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Explained & justified through reference to the literature review.

Philosophical approach & research strategy discussed to meet the aims & objectives of the study.

Development of suitable research instruments

Some critical evaluation of the research methods used,

Explanation of the sampling method & sample size appropriate for the study

Consideration of ethical issues Explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Some errors.

Philosophical approach & research strategy presented but with some omissions.

Development of suitable research instruments but with some minor errors.

Sampling method & sample size considered but not in detail.

Ethical issues & limitations considered but not in detail. Little explanation of methodology & methods. Methods inappropriate to the aims & objectives. Poor discussion of philosophical approach & research strategy . Research instruments not developed or explained.

Inappropriate sampling method sample size.

Ethical issues & limitations not considered appropriately. Very little or no explanation of methodology & methods. Methods inappropriate to the aims & objectives. Very poor or no discussion of philosophical approach & research strategy.

Research instruments not developed or explained

No sampling method & sample size Ethical issues & limitations not considered.

Discussion of results,

Sufficient and appropriate data

Analytical & clearly focused discussion of the results, answering the aims & objectives.

Integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results

Primary research project 20%, Secondary research project 25% , Organization based project 25% Excellent reliable data obtained that is of sufficient quality & quantity for the study. Highly structured & focused analysis. High level of critical discussion of the findings answering the aims & objectives.

Excellent integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results Very good data obtained that is of sufficient quality & quantity for the study. Very well structured and focused analysis. Very good level of critical discussion of the findings answering the aims & objectives.

Very good integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results Sufficient data obtained for the study. Well-structured analysis. Good level of critical discussion of the findings answering the aims & objectives.

Good integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results Data obtained for the study that has value but is limited in quantity and/or quality. A structured analysis of the data with some critical discussion of the findings largely answering the aims & objectives.

Some integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results. Insufficient data & little analysis.

Unfocused or unsubstantiated discussion of the results,

Little integration of results & literature review Insufficient & inappropriate data

Very little or no analysis

No meaningful discussion of the results,

Very little or no integration of results & literature review

Conclusions & recommendations

Speaks to the target audience(s) (academic and/or practitioner)

Conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Pragmatic, realistic recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions.

Primary research project 10%, Secondary research project 10% , Organization based project 20%

Speaks to the target audience(s) (academic and/or practitioner)

Excellent drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Pragmatic, realistic recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions.

Highly meaningful discussion of further research and limitations Very good drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions.

Very good discussion of further research and limitations Good drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Most recommendations grounded in findings & conclusions.

Good discussion of further research and limitations Some attempt at drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Some recommendations grounded in findings & conclusions.

Some discussion of further research and limitations Little attempt at drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Unsubstantiated recommendations

Little discussion of further research and limitations Very little or no attempt at drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

No recommendations

Very little or no discussion of further research and limitations

Presentation, style and structure of the report

1. Clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

2. Conforms to specifications.

3. Clearly written in a confident, easy-to-follow style.

4. Spelling & grammar checked.

Primary research project 10%, Secondary research project 10% , Organization based project 10% Highly professional read. Extremely clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Conforms exactly to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Excellent attention to detail with very few spelling or grammar errors Professionally written in style. Very clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Conforms to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Very good attention to detail with few spelling or grammar errors Well written in a flowing style. Clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Largely conforms to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Good attention to detail with few spelling or grammar errors Writing style not always clear, easy to follow. Mainly logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Some errors in conforming to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Needs greater attention to detail. Several spelling or grammar errors Poor writing style not clear or easy to follow.

Little flow between sections

Many errors in conforming to specifications for , font, headings etc.

Many spelling or grammar errors Very poor writing style not clear or easy to follow.

No between sections

Consistent errors with total lack of conforming to specifications for, font, headings etc.

Difficult to read due to the large number of spelling or grammatical errors

Referencing

Referencing is an important part of academic work and we expect you to reference your work correctly. If your work is not referenced correctly, you will have marks deducted for this. The penalty for this is up to 10 marks for every piece of work. If you have more than 6 marks deducted for poor referencing your work will be reviewed for a suspected breach of academic integrity (see Section 5: Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities and Section 10 of the Academic Regulations).Word Counts

Where a word count is appropriate to the assessment, a rule of +/- 10% is imposed and submissions which fall outside the limit set will incur a penalty which will be a deduction of 10% (Title Page, Contents, Reference List and Appendices are excluded from the word count).

Student name:

Criteria and WeightingPRIVATE Weighting for type of project 100-70 69-60 59-50 49-40 39-0

Primary research project Secondary research project Organization based project Distinction Merit Pass Fail Fail

Rationale, aims and objectives

1. Rationale, background & context clear and evidenced through reference to a range of sources.

2. Purpose & objectives clear, precise & focused on outcomes not process. Objectives clearly fulfilled.

3. Range & scope of study appropriate & achievable within the constraints of the module. 15% 15% 15% Mark range and comments Literature review

1. Thorough & appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. All material presented relevant & appropriate to the study.

2. Suitable range of sources used including research-based & academic sources.

3. Identification & discussion of relevant theories, conceptual frameworks or pragmatic studies.

4. Critical evaluation of the literature providing a basis on which to develop research methods and discuss the findings. 25% 25% 15% Mark range and comments

Research design and methodology

1. Methodology and methods appropriate to the aims & objectives & fully explained & justified.

2. Development of suitable research instruments, sampling method and size.

3. Collection of sufficient data relevant to the aims & objectives of the study.

4. Critical evaluation of the research methods used and an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods.

5. Discussion of ethical issues 20% 15% 15% Mark Range and comments

Criteria and WeightingPRIVATE Weighting for type of project 100-70 69-60 59-50 49-40 39-20

Primary research project Secondary research project Organization based project Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Very Poor

Discussion of results,

Sufficient and appropriate data

Analytical & clearly focused discussion of the results, answering the aims & objectives.

Integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results 20% 25% 25% Mark range and comments Conclusions & recommendations

Speaks to the target audience(s) (academic and/or practitioner)

Conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Pragmatic, realistic recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions. 10% 10% 20% Mark range and comments Presentation, style and structure of the report

1. Clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

2. Conforms to specifications.

3. Clearly written in a confident, easy-to-follow style.

4. Spelling & grammar checked. 10% 10% 10%

Mark range and comments Mark range and comments

Research ethics form included and approved Yes No

Additional comments

Feedback on Your AssessmentsFeedback forms a large part of your learning experience and is vital to your personal and professional development. We have worked with our Student Union to produce the following guidance, which explains the benefits of feedback, the forms it may take and how to use it.

https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice/academic/feedbackpack

Feedback will be provided by your supervisor throughout the supervisory period. This will vary in form and content but will include comments on draft chapters, methodological advice and suggestions for improvement of the project. This will be through face to face or skype (or other online platform) meetings and via email. Supervisors will not normally comment on draft chapters more than once and should not be expected to proofread your work.

Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities

Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation

If you are experiencing problems which are adversely affecting your ability to study (called 'extenuating circumstances'), then you can apply for mitigation. You can find full details of how to apply for mitigation at: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation/.

The University operates a fit to sit/fit to submit approach to extenuating circumstances which means students who take their assessment are declaring themselves fit to do so. More information is available at the above link and here: http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/examinations/Late Submission

Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a fundamental principle within the University and is strongly linked to good academic practice. All assessments must be submitted with due attention to issues of academic integrity, expression, and good academic practice, including clarity in grammar, semantics and syntax.

Any suspected breach of academic integrity will be investigated by the University and could have serious consequences on your studies. Breaches of academic integrity include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. Definitions and the potential consequences of an admitted or found breach of academic integrity are detailed in the Academic Regulations at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations.

There are a range or resources available to help you understand what is and what is not permitted and how to use other peoples ideas in your assessed work. These include the LBU Academic Integrity tutorial, which is available on My Beckett and the Skills for Learning website which you can access here http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/. An Academic Integrity Factsheet for Students is available to view at: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/academic-skills-and-advice/academic-integrity/.

Your Feedback on the ModuleA mid-module review will be timetabled into your module. This is an opportunity to resolve modular issues promptly early on in the module. In addition, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback formally at the end of your module. These comments will be reviewed by your course team and some may be considered via the course monitoring and enhancement process, in which your Course Representative is involved.

2022/23 Module HandbookMasters Research Project

School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management

Level 7

Semester 1

(40 Credits)

CRN 50288

Contents

TOC o "1-3" h z u 1What this Module is About PAGEREF _Toc113959120 h 11.1Introduction from the Module Leader PAGEREF _Toc113959121 h 11.2Module Aims PAGEREF _Toc113959122 h 21.3Module Learning Outcomes PAGEREF _Toc113959123 h 21.4Module Learning Activities PAGEREF _Toc113959124 h 21.4.1Staff and Student Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc113959125 h 31.4.2What you can expect from your supervisor PAGEREF _Toc113959126 h 41.5Communication PAGEREF _Toc113959127 h 52Weekly Schedule PAGEREF _Toc113959128 h 63Key Resources to Support Learning PAGEREF _Toc113959129 h 64Assessment PAGEREF _Toc113959130 h 74.1Assessment Summary PAGEREF _Toc113959131 h 74.2Assessment Details PAGEREF _Toc113959132 h 84.2.1Essential Guidance for the Masters Research Project PAGEREF _Toc113959133 h 84.2.2Further Assessment Details PAGEREF _Toc113959134 h 164.2.3Guidance on formatting your Masters Research Project PAGEREF _Toc113959135 h 164.3Feedback on Your Assessments PAGEREF _Toc113959136 h 325Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc113959137 h 326Your Feedback on the Module PAGEREF _Toc113959138 h 33Student Name____________________________________________________________

Email Address____________________________________________________________

Course____________________________________________________________

Group____________________________________________________________

Module Tutor____________________________________________________________

Tutors Email Address ______________________________________________________

Communication Protocol: module staff will reply to student questions within a reasonable time but this will normally be within office hours only. Students are advised to check this handbook and also to see if there are any online/noticeboard announcements or FAQ answers that deal with their enquiry before contacting staff.

What this Module is AboutIntroduction from the Module LeaderThis is undoubtedly the most exciting, and possibly challenging, stage of your postgraduate studies.

- Exciting in that you choose your own area of interest and focus only on this; developing an in-depth knowledge and expertise within the subject.

- Challenging in that the project requires you to bring together the range of skills and subject knowledge developed in other modules to produce a cohesive and intellectually rigorous piece of work.

Enjoy the challenge, work hard and the result will be a finished project to be proud of.

Show it to your friends and family, impress current and future employees, use it as the basis for further doctoral study and give it pride of place on your bookshelf.

Best of luck!

Tom

Dr Thomas Fletcher

Events Research Project Coordinator

t.e.fletcher@leedsbeckett.ac.uk (preferred)

0113 8123515

Module AimsTo enable students to produce a coherent and holistic piece of work on a major research project within event studies.

This module enables participants to undertake an extended study of a topic relating to the preceding taught modules of the course. More specifically, it allows students to use the skills and knowledge developed during the Research Methods module for investigation of an aspect of their field of study that is of particular interest to them. This handbook will explain the aims of the module and how it will be organised and assessed. If, during the course of the module, you have any queries, you should contact your supervisor once allocated, or the research project coordinator for your course of study if necessary.

Module Learning OutcomesOn completion of this module students will be able to:

LO1:Demonstrate originality in the application of theory, conceptual frameworks or models and research techniques formulate and perform effective, ethical research, and to deliver a research report or dissertation.

LO2:Evidence the ability to identify clear aims and objectives, to gather, understand, synthesise and analyse information and data effectively, solve associated technical or organisational problems, and address issues of an academic and applied nature through the production of a sustained piece of research.

Module Learning Activities

This independent project will normally be one of three types:

A primary research based empirical study;

A desk- based project to include a literature review and the analysis of secondary data;

An organisation-based research project.

The nature of the content will inevitably vary depending upon the individual study. However, each project should normally consider and include:

A background to the issue, explaining why it is important;

A clear statement of the research problem;

A critical review of relevant literature;

Details and a justification of the methodology and instruments used;

The findings;

Analysis and interpretation;

Conclusions and recommendations or implications (possibly for theory, practice, policy or further research).

You will be allocated a supervisor who may or may not be the person that you consulted prior to submission of your proposal. This person will oversee and advise on the progress of the project. The supervisor is allocated time for work connected with each project and will expect to communicate with you on a regular basis.

In your Research Methods module you may have developed the initial research proposal and when your supervisor is satisfied that your proposal provides the basis for a suitable project, you will proceed towards completion. You are urged to keep in close contact with your supervisor at all stages of this module. It is suggested that you negotiate key milestones during the first supervisory discussion.

Staff and Student ResponsibilitiesIt is the responsibility of each student to arrange discussion with their supervisor at intervals throughout the course of the project. Your supervisor will not come looking for you. They will however, require an explanation from you if you fail to keep appointments or to consult with them regularly.

The supervisory process is essential to you in performing well in this module and you should make best use of it. Supervisors will expect to be kept informed of progress, problems and developments and will want to see drafts of written material. They may suggest suitable references, advise you whether or not you are achieving the standard required and offer support in structuring and writing up your work.

You should note that supervisors have many other demands on their time. It is essential, therefore, that you arrange discussions in advance. Agree with your supervisor at the first discussion how the supervision process will work, including means of communication (telephone, e-mail, Teams, Zoom, Skype appointments) and methods of feedback. The most effective approach is at the first discussion you should identify the deadlines that you will be working to for the project and when you will be available for discussions and arrange key discussions around your supervisor's availability (particularly over the summer period if applicable).

You should then confirm the time of the next discussion at the end of each supervisory discussion, having agreed the goals to be achieved by that time. To ensure that discussions are as productive as possible, it is sensible to provide your supervisor with any work you want them to comment on before you get together (discuss and agree the length of time required and the handing in deadlines with your supervisor at the first discussion). In anticipation of those circumstances, you should agree a process with your supervisor for arranging additional discussions (e.g. telephone, e-mail, skype).

What you can expect from your supervisorEach tutor is given a total of 18 hours for each student they supervise. This includes all discussions (email, phone, face-to-face, Teams etc), reading submitted draft material and marking the finished work.

Your supervisor is there to provide guidance. The form of guidance may vary because of the nature of the project and because people vary in terms of their working styles (both supervisors and students). It is important, therefore, to review with your supervisor at the first discussion how the process of supervision might be most effectively managed e.g., how often supervisory discussions should be, how the agenda will be determined, whether a paper outlining progress since the last discussion will be presented on or before the discussion. The purpose of the discussion should be to establish shared expectations.

The early discussions with your supervisor are very important in ensuring that you have a clear set of aims and objectives that are appropriate and achievable. It may be frustrating if you are keen to get on with your literature review. Dont rush it - one of the main areas in which students lose marks is in not having a clear purpose that provides a focus for the work.

Similarly, your supervisor will want to make sure that you have an adequate theoretical/conceptual basis for the work and that you know how to develop this, before they allow you to start the research in earnest.

You can expect your supervisor to engage in discussion about and provide feedback on, the following:

The scale and scope of the project;

Theory associated with the project;

Research design and methodology;

Data analysis;

Style of writing.

The feedback will be in response to your ideas and proposals, and their reading of drafts of your work. It will improve the supervision process if you go along with specific queries and follow your own supervisors recommendations through, as each supervisor may have different views and therefore consistency is the key.

Feedback on written work is sometimes an area that causes difficulties with the project. This will be agreed with your supervisor at the first discussion. As a minimum, all supervisors should provide feedback on the written style, the content (relevance, depth etc.) and the quality of the analysis/thinking. The supervisor is not there as a grammar or spelling checker and therefore, you should show your supervisor completed work that you feel happy with, rather than material which you thought was not so good.

Occasionally, students become concerned about the effectiveness of the supervisory process. If this becomes the case, you should discuss the matter with your supervisor in the first instance. This should be done when difficulties arise rather than at the end of the module. As a last resort, you may take up the issue with the Research Project Co-ordinator.

Your supervisor will also support you in completing the ethics forms. It is important that you are sufficiently prepared to undertake research with human participants. Ethics forms MUST BE COMPLETED BY YOURSELF AND SUBMITTED VIA THE ETHICS ONLINE SYSTEM WHERE IT IS SIGNED OFF BY YOUR SUPERVISOR AND APPROVED BY THE ETHICS COORDINATOR PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING RESEARCH. Examples of information sheets and consent forms can be found on MyBeckett.

CommunicationWe will communicate with you through MyBeckett. Please monitor MyBeckett and your student e-mail address for announcements.

Weekly ScheduleThe Masters Research Project is studied over one semester determined by your course start date. Part time students have the option to study the project over two semesters.

Project start Ethics submission guide Project submission

Full time and Part time over 1 semester October 2022

2nd week of November 2022 13th January 2023

January 2023

2nd week of March 2023 12th May 2023

June 2023 3rd week of July 2023 6th October 2023

Part time over 2 semesters June 2022

2nd week of November 2022 13th January 2023

October 2022

2nd week of March 2023 12th May 2023

January 2023 3rd week of July 2023 6th October 2023

Key Resources to Support LearningA Reading List has been created for the module and it is available on the left hand menu on the module in MyBeckett.

Ally is an accessibility tool in MyBeckett that students can use to convert compatible files into alternative file formats. For example, students can use Ally to make an audio version of a Word document or convert a file to a format that is easier to read on a phone. A guide to using this resource is available from https://libanswers.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/faq/242876All disabled students requiring additional support or alternative arrangements must declare and provide evidence of their disability to the Disability Advice Team as early as possible: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/.

Assessment

Assessment SummaryAssessment 1 (100% of Module Marks)

Assessment Method: Masters Research Project Re-assessment Method: Revised Masters Research Project

Word Count 14,000 words Word Count 14,000 words

Assessment Date and Time: Research Project Start Date Submission Date Re-assessment Date and Time: Make good work

Dates TBC

October 2022 January 2023 June

2023 NB: Part-time students have the opportunity to study the module over two semesters Feedback Method: On request from supervisor Feedback Method: On request from supervisor following exam board

Feedback Date: Following publication of results Feedback Date: Following publication of results

Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1 and 2

You will receive feedback within four weeks of your assessment (University closures do not count as a working week). Your mark is provisional until it is ratified by the Module Board and External Examiner. Re-sit instructions for your assignments will be posted on My Beckett.

Assessment Details

Essential Guidance for the Masters Research Project

It is important to initially select the type of project you will be conducting. This will be one of three broad types:

A primary research based empirical study;

For this type of project your starting point will typically be from a gap or problem that arises from academic theory. Your rationale will identify the gap or problem in the theory; your intended audience is likely to be academic and the conclusions will have a more academic and theoretical focus.

A desk-based project to include a literature review along with further analysis of secondary data;

This will require you to have access to a suitable existing data set but will not involve the collection of primary data.

An organisation-based research project.

This type of project has a more practical focus similar to a consultancy type of research. The research could be for an organisation that you have approached, or could be for the organisation that you work for. In the past some students have used their research project to undertake research as a foundation for a business enterprise or venture that they are planning. Your rationale will identify the practical issue or problem which needs addressing and your introduction will provide the context to your organisation. Your intended audience will be practitioners and the conclusions will focus on practical recommendations rather than theoretical developments.

Whichever form is selected the Research Project report must include a critical review of relevant literature and a critical appraisal of the methodology selected.

You will be advised on the most suitable type of project for your topic area during the research methods module and in the initial discussions with your supervisor.

The structure and style of the project submitted should be appropriate to its intended outcomes. Outlined below are the key stages of tackling a large project. Your work should include these stages but, depending on the topic of study and the research design, the emphasis between them may vary.

Before looking at each of the stages in more detail it is vital not to deal with too wide a subject. The more closely the investigation can be defined the better will be the chance of achieving the learning outcomes (and a good mark).

You should also note that you are expected to analyse and explain issues associated with the phenomenon being studied, rather than merely describing them.

Normally, the project is written in an impersonal style (ie not using the first person, I). However, where you use certain methodologies it may be permissible to refer to yourself in the first person.

Aim and Objectives

State the aim and objectives of your study i.e., what is the purpose of the project?

State your objectives in such a way that you can measure the extent to which they have been achieved. You may have a proposal (hypothesis) that is capable of being tested or you may have identified a research problem to investigate or a research question to answer. You dont need all three.

Also, it is very important to ensure that the aim and objectives defined are achievable within the scope of the research project (timescale, data availability and number of words).

Introduction and Approach

The introduction sets the context for the study. This covers the rationale behind the choice of topic and the overall approach to the work and how it is structured, including the theoretical underpinning. In other words, it includes the justification for your aim and objectives and an overview of how you go about achieving them. Decide what information is needed to achieve the aim and objectives and how you are going to collect it. Do not include areas that are not related to the topic.

Review of Theory and Literature

This stage requires an investigation and discussion of past and current research/literature on your topic. To do this you should read and summarise relevant information on the topic. This literature review must be used to develop a theoretical framework for your work. It will vary according to the type of study that you are undertaking. However, an apparent lack of literature probably means that the topic is unsuitable for a research project.

The role of the literature survey can be summarised as follows:

To help further clarify the purpose of your research and contribute to a rationale for the work.

Provide a thorough examination of the relevant literature, so giving you a full understanding of the topic.

Clearly identify and define the theoretical concepts and/or frameworks to be used in the work.

To provide a context for your research by placing your specific topic in the literature and showing how your work relates to that already existing.

Identify and analyse the relationships between ideas that make up the framework for your study.

Provide a basis for your methodological choices.

In order to do this it is necessary to look for and summarise, areas of agreement and disagreement and contradictory evidence and analyse, and evaluate theory and evidence with reference to the objectives of your study.

A literature review should be comprehensive, current, critical and clearly focused on your objectives. It should cover the full range of literature available that relates to your topic. It is a requirement of a literature review that you use academic and research literature from journals, books, papers and government publications. Online research databases such as Discover provided by the library will enable you to search a wide variety of sources relatively easily.

Follow the guidelines on referencing for the Leeds Beckett Harvard system. Also, wherever possible, you should refer to work read rather than overuse direct quotations (ask your supervisor if you are still unsure about the difference between direct and indirect quoting or paraphrasing). Also see the section on referencing below.

At this stage of the process your objectives will probably undergo some refinement or your research problem/question(s) will become more precise.

One of the key challenges of the research project is to produce a coherent and holistic piece of work in which all the sections link together and are clearly focused on the aim and objectives. This is obviously important throughout but especially so in establishing the relationship between the literature review and any primary research or secondary data analysis undertaken.

This should be discussed in detail with your supervisor but the basic principles are that:

Your literature review is concluded effectively and you are clear about the findings and how they relate to the aims and objectives.

The findings of your literature review are clearly and explicitly used to inform the methodology and, hence, the primary research.

The data sought from the primary research is properly identified and is derived from and related to, the literature review findings.

The methods used to carry out the research are appropriate and relevant to the findings of the literature review and the data sought.

Research Design and Methodology

It is important to develop an effective methodology and to understand why your methodology is appropriate to this particular study. Consideration should therefore be given to the best methods to use to address the research problem or question that you have identified.

Your method will vary with the type of study, but you will probably need to collect or locate data and analyse them. This may well involve you in primary research (collecting data for the specific purposes of your project). It does not, however, have to take this form. It may be possible to use existing data i.e., secondary or open data - in a way that is new to this study.

It is expected that you will deal with the following elements during this stage of the research project:

The specific purpose of this part of the process and how it contributes to the overall aims and objectives of the work.

The choice of research approach (primary/secondary qualitative/quantitative).

The choice of sample size, characteristics and selection method.

If using primary data, the methods used to collect the data and the precise design of any instruments used (interview schedules, questionnaires, observation checklists etc.).

If using secondary data, a critique of the collection method and awareness of any limitations.

Techniques used to analyse the data (again qualitative or quantitative).

Critical evaluation of each of these factors.

The Research Methods module will have introduced a variety of data gathering techniques and associated means of analysis. It is important that you are able to honestly criticise the methodology you have used, in light of the outcomes and your original objectives. For example, how reliable and/or valid are the results? Are the measurements accurate? Is there any bias? etc. No research is perfect and the ability to reflect on your own research practice is an important part of becoming a good researcher.

WHATEVER METHOD YOU ADOPT, YOU MUST NOT APPROACH ANY OUTSIDE BODY OR SEND OUT ANY POSTAL QUESTIONNAIRES UNLESS THE ETHICS COORDINATOR AND YOUR SUPERVISOR HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION AND YOU HAVE COMPLETED ALL THE NECESSARY ETHICS FORMS (AVAILABLE VIA Leeds Beckett Ethics Online).

This requirement applies equally to interviews with members of the public (such as street interviews) as to any other form of data gathering. These individuals may be contacted by tutors, as a means of verifying the data you attribute to them. If potential participants wish to retain anonymity, you must explain to them that their identity will only be shared with tutors.

Primary Research Requirements

Past experience has shown that the majority of students elect to undertake some form of primary research. This helps to support/test the findings of their reading and to draw effective and realistic conclusions for their work.

When carrying out research it is vital that you conduct it professionally and ethically.

Verification: In the past we have had some students who have been unable to verify the source(s) of their data or the way in which they were collected. As a result of this you MUST meet the requirements outlined below.

Although this detail may not be presented in your research project due to issues of confidentiality and anonymity you must make sure that you keep records of the following in line with the Universitys research ethics policy.

Records of all sources of data.

Identify your sources including as much of the following information as possible:

Name and addresses of individuals contacted.

Their position within the organisation.

The address of the organisation head office.

Dates and times of contacts.

Signed consent forms.

The use of questionnaires carried out on a random basis in the street is usually discouraged in the project. Your supervisor is likely to ask you to look for alternative methods if you are considering this as an approach. If you do use this approach you must still collect as much of the data as possible from each respondent.

It is the intention of staff involved in the research project to follow up a random sample of primary research to confirm the information presented is accurate.

Ethics: the Universitys policy on research ethics is quite clear. All research should conform to some basic principles:

Beneficence do positive good; and

Non-maleficence do no harm.

The research should be assessed for potential risks concerning participants the interests of subjects and participants in the research should always come before those of the research itself.

Informed consent of participants

All participants should be given full and accurate information in order for them to decide whether to take part in the research or not. Example of Information sheet can be found on MyBeckett.

Confidentiality and anonymity

Explicit consent must be gained from participants in order to publish any information that may enable them to be identified. Examples of Consent forms can be found on MyBeckett.

(if the research involves a questionnaire then the consent form can be built into this, rather than requiring a separate consent form)

Please refer to the separate guidance on Research Ethics and submit the appropriate forms online as indicated via your MyBeckett module.

Click here to submit your research ethics forms online https://researchethics.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/auth?redirect=%2F

ETHICS FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED AND APPROVED BEFORE ANY PRIMARY RESEARCH IS UNDERTAKEN. WE RECOMMEND THIS IS DONE AT LEAST EIGHT WEEKS BEFORE YOUR SUBMISSION DATE.

Any student without final ethics approval performing primary research or submitting work that includes primary research will be subject to investigation for unfair practice under the University Academic Regulations Section 10: Academic Integrity.

Before you begin your research; whether using primary sources (human subjects such as consumers, event managers, company employees etc.) or secondary sources (Twitter, TripAdvisor comments, newspapers or company websites etc.) you must complete your Research Ethics forms online, have your Research Ethics forms approved by your supervisor and then approved by the Local Research Ethics Coordinator

Please read the Leeds Beckett University Research Policy https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/policies/research-and-enterprise/upre_research_ethics_policy.pdfData Presentation, Analysis and Discussion

Present the data professionally, logically and clearly. There are two different methods suggested for this; either present your main findings separate from any analysis or discussion, or present your findings and discussion together.

As a general guideline it is likely that the former will be more appropriate for quantitative data and the latter for qualitative data. This is a guide not a rule you must follow, there will always be instances when either approach is appropriate. Make sure you discuss this with your supervisor.

The form of data analysis undertaken will vary according to how the project has been approached. Thus some research projects may involve highly quantitative analysis whereas others may utilise qualitative methods. The research methods programme will introduce you to various data analysis techniques.

The analysis needs to be appropriate for the study. For example, simple descriptive analysis may be acceptable in some instances but more sophisticated inferential analysis may be more appropriate and improve the quality of your findings. However you need to plan this in advance as collection of the wrong or insufficient data will make it difficult or impossible to conduct the required level of analysis.

Discussion of the significance of your results should consider:

comparisons with similar research and findings in the literature;

to what extent the data confirms or detracts from any theoretical framework developed in the literature review and/or used in your research;

whether your data collection methods may have affected the results;

practical and theoretical implications for firms, management, government bodies etc.

This section gives you the opportunity to evaluate your findings in context and thereby demonstrate your skills of evaluation, analysis and synthesis.

Conclusions and Recommendations

Conclusions (and possibly recommendations) are the final part of your work. They should follow naturally from the work done to this point and should summarise the key issues emerging from your work and set it in a wider context. Is it possible, for example, to generalise on the basis of your findings? You conclusion should do this without bringing in any new arguments. Keep it concise and focused on the implications of your findings.

Depending on the nature of the subject matter, you may wish to offer recommendations. These may be for the industry in terms of future action or for researchers considering a similar topic.

It is appropriate for you to suggest other, related, avenues for further consideration. This is not an afterthought to be tacked on to the end of the research project; it is a key element of the work that should not be left to the last minute.

References

All sources of information to which you refer must be cited using the Harvard referencing convention. You should already be fully conversant with this style; if not full guidelines are available in the library or on the intranet.

The reference list should not be a general list of publications on the topic. Only include those references to which you refer in the text, do not include sources read but not directly referred to.

Last word

The better projects do not merely follow a linear process and are not a diary of what you did. The finished written work represents a completed solution to (or recommendations for) an identified problem. This means that you will revisit all sections of the written work throughout the module possibly revising your aim and objectives at the end of the process. With this in mind do not use the future tense but write as though you have completed the work. Past or present tense is appropriate.

Further Assessment DetailsAssessment for the research project is based on the final completed thesis.

You will have had guidance about how to write your proposal for the Project within Research Methods.

Once proposals have been submitted they will usually be reviewed by the Course Research Project Co-ordinator and any appropriate colleagues for context specific elements. After reviewing your proposal you will be allocated a supervisor.

You must make arrangements to discuss with them immediately to start the research process. Where the proposal has not been passed you may be required to make changes before you start on your research.

The proposed title may change during the course of the work as might the methods employed or even the specific objectives.

Changing topics part way through will severely limit the time available and you are unlikely to achieve the necessary standard of work. Any request for alteration of the topic must be channelled through your Supervisor to the Course Research Project Co-ordinator.

Assessment of the research project will be based on the criteria listed later in this section. Each project will be double marked (supervisor plus one other member of staff) and the final mark may be the subject of scrutiny by the external examiner.

There may also be a confirmatory viva voce (interview) if necessary.

Guidance on formatting your Masters Research ProjectTyping should be one and a half line-spaced, except for extended quotations, which should be single-spaced and indented.

The left-hand margin should be a minimum of 40mm, and the remaining margins should be at least 20mm.

The font should be 12 point except for headings and titles.

Typing can be double sided.

All pages should be numbered.

At the front of the project there should be:

a title page giving:

the title of the research project, which should give a clear indication of the content

your name

the name of your course, for example MSc International Events Management"

the words Leeds Beckett University

the month and year of submission

Example: Title

Name

Presented as part of the requirement for the award of the

MSc/MA in .

Leeds Beckett University

Month, Year

a declaration page with the wording:

I, confirm that the work contained in this research project is my own work. It has not been previously published or submitted for assessment elsewhere.

I confirm that all other sources of information have been acknowledged in line with the regulations for referencing.

I confirm that I have fully complied with all University regulations regarding plagiarism and unfair practice.

I confirm that the word count for the dissertation is XXXX

Name:

Signature: ____________________ Date: ____________

an acknowledgements/dedications page (if desired).

an abstract of approximately 250 words outlining the main arguments

a contents page listing the page numbers of all sections/chapters

and including , if appropriate

a list of tables

a list of figures, including maps, diagrams, photographs, etc.

a list of appendices (to include evidence of ethical approval).

The nature of the content will inevitably vary depending upon the individual study. However, each project should normally include:

a background to the issue, explaining why it is important;

a clear statement of the research problem;

a review of relevant literature;

details of the methodology used;

the findings;

analysis and interpretation;

conclusions and recommendations or implications (possibly for theory, practice, policy, further research)

A bibliography of references (in Harvard style and only those you have referred to in the text.)

Numbering of pages begins with the Introduction to the report itself and not with the Title page, Acknowledgements and Contents. These pages are known as Prelims and if numbered should be given a different numbering from the main text e.g. (i) (ii) (iii) etc. (The title page should not be numbered.) Numbering should be at the bottom centre of each page.

The length of the research project should be a maximum of 14,000 words (excluding appendices). The word count starts at your introduction and finishes after your recommendations

It is considered part of the discipline of the Research Project to work within this word limit. Please pay attention to the maximum word-length for your assignment. You will not be penalised if you go slightly over the limit (up to 10%) but learning to write concisely is part of the discipline of producing a good, focussed essay or report. If your assignment is over-long we will not mark it and your work will be recorded as a non-submission. Appendices should be used sparingly, essential information should be included within the word count as content in the appendices is not assessed. The word limit excludes the list of references, appendices and assignment cover sheets.

The criteria for assessing the project are identified in Appendix B. Your research project will, therefore, be assessed on the extent to which it demonstrates:

The clarity of the rationale and focus. The level of internal consistency and the logical development of information to sustain arguments linking the research rationale, literature and findings indicating a high level of critical awareness of strengths and limitations of the research. Clarity of analysis and evaluation;

A comprehensive literature research and/or study of background information consistent with the stated aim of the research project;

An advanced understanding of the conceptual and theoretical perspectives and appreciation of methodological issues related to the research topic and has constructively criticised all major viewpoints illustrating awareness of strengths and limitations;

That the analysis and/or discussion of the collected data or information is logically sound and is relevant to an evaluation of any hypothesis offered and the degree to which the aims have been fulfilled;

That the presentation of the research project is in the approved manner with reference to format, argument, statistical information and analysis, appendices and referencing;

The project is demonstrably the student's own work.

Keeping in contact with your supervisor provides you with an opportunity to ensure that you are approaching your project in a manner that will increase your likelihood of meeting the assessment criteria.

Student Instructions for Submission of Coursework

This module requires you to submit your work online.

You MUST submit your work through MyBeckett using the link set up by the tutor Receipt of your work will be recorded.

Your "Turnitin assignments" in MyBeckett can be set up so that you can check your assignment yourself as you submit it. This checking is done by creating a "Similarity Report". If this report shows that there are some problems with your work, such as un-cited quotations, you should be able to make corrections and re-submit the work again before the due date. More information about Turnitin is available online here: http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/mybeckett/turnitinPlease note: Tutors will follow up any suspected breach of academic integrity found after the submission date as per University policy. Late penalties will apply as per University Regulations.

Particular Instructions to Students

Please read carefully the assessment and grade/marking descriptors overleaf:

Course Title(s): MSc International Events Management / MSc Sports Events Management

Module Title: Masters Research Project Level: 7

Assessment Title: Research Project Weighting: 100%

Criteria 100-86

Distinction 85-70

Distinction 69-60

Merit 59-50

Pass 49-40

Fail 39-0

Fail

Rationale, aims and objectives

1. Rationale, background & context clear and evidenced through reference to a range of sources.

2. Purpose & objectives clear, precise & focused on outcomes and not process. Objectives clearly fulfilled.

3. Range & scope of study appropriate & achievable within the constraints of the module.

Weighting

Primary research project 15%, Secondary research project 15% , Organization based project 15% Exceptional arguments, well-articulated & evidenced rationale, background & context. A novel & legitimate aim with appropriate objectives detailing what will be achieved Rationale, background & context very clear & evidenced through reference to a range of sources. A clear aim & appropriate objective

Rationale, background & context clear & evidenced through reference to a range of sources. Aim detailed with achievable objectives

Rationale, background & context included but lacking clarity/purpose. Some evidence provided through reference to sources. Aim & objectives presented but with issues of clarity and/or appropriateness Several deficiencies in rationale, background & context.

Little evidence/ justification provided. Unclear or inappropriate aim & objectives Major deficiencies in rationale, background & context. Very little or no evidence/justification provided.

Missing aim & objectives

Literature review

1. Thorough & appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. All material presented relevant & appropriate to the study.

2. Suitable range of sources used including research-based & academic sources.

3. Identification & discussion of relevant theories, conceptual frameworks or pragmatic studies.

4. Critical evaluation of the literature providing a basis on which to develop research methods and discuss the findings.

Primary research project 25%, Secondary research project 25% , Organization based project 15%

Extremely thorough & critical discussion of literature relevant to the area of study. Builds a strong basis for the methodology & creates a theoretical or conceptual framework for the research Thorough & appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. All material presented relevant & appropriate to the study with a very good level of critique. A very good basis for the methodology & theoretical underpinning for the research Appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. Most material presented is relevant & appropriate to the study with a good level of critique. A good basis for the methodology & a sound theoretical underpinning for the research Appropriate selection of source material. Material presented is relevant to the study with some level of critique but some inconsistencies. Some theoretical underpinning that links to further areas of research. Little use of appropriate selection of source material. Material presented is relevant to the study but with little critique. A high number of inconsistencies. Little theoretical underpinning that links to further areas of research. Very little or no use of appropriate selection of source material. Material presented is relevant to the study but with little critique. Major omissions throughout. Little or no theoretical underpinning that links to further areas of research.

Research design and methodology

1. Methodology and methods appropriate to the aims & objectives & fully explained & justified.

2. Development of suitable research instruments, sampling method and size.

3. Collection of sufficient data relevant to the aims & objectives of the study.

4. Critical evaluation of the research methods used and an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods.

5. Discussion of ethical issues

Primary research project 20%, Secondary research project 15% , Organization based project 15%

Excellent explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Fully explained & justified through reference to the literature review.

Excellent philosophical approach & research strategy designed to meet the aims & objectives of the study.

Development of suitable research instruments drawing upon previous research.

Critical evaluation of the research methods used, & an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods

Very clear explanation of the sampling method used. Critique of the validity of this & the sample size.

Insightful consideration of ethical issues Very good explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Well explained & justified through reference to the literature review.

Credible philosophical approach & research strategy designed to meet the aims & objectives of the study.

Development of suitable research instruments drawing upon previous research.

Critical evaluation of the research methods used, & an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods

Clear explanation & critique of the sampling method & sample size.

Consideration of ethical issues Good explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Explained & justified through reference to the literature review.

Philosophical approach & research strategy discussed to meet the aims & objectives of the study.

Development of suitable research instruments

Some critical evaluation of the research methods used,

Explanation of the sampling method & sample size appropriate for the study

Consideration of ethical issues Explanation of methodology & methods appropriate to the aims & objectives. Some errors.

Philosophical approach & research strategy presented but with some omissions.

Development of suitable research instruments but with some minor errors.

Sampling method & sample size considered but not in detail.

Ethical issues & limitations considered but not in detail. Little explanation of methodology & methods. Methods inappropriate to the aims & objectives. Poor discussion of philosophical approach & research strategy . Research instruments not developed or explained.

Inappropriate sampling method sample size.

Ethical issues & limitations not considered appropriately. Very little or no explanation of methodology & methods. Methods inappropriate to the aims & objectives. Very poor or no discussion of philosophical approach & research strategy.

Research instruments not developed or explained

No sampling method & sample size Ethical issues & limitations not considered.

Discussion of results,

Sufficient and appropriate data

Analytical & clearly focused discussion of the results, answering the aims & objectives.

Integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results

Primary research project 20%, Secondary research project 25% , Organization based project 25% Excellent reliable data obtained that is of sufficient quality & quantity for the study. Highly structured & focused analysis. High level of critical discussion of the findings answering the aims & objectives.

Excellent integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results Very good data obtained that is of sufficient quality & quantity for the study. Very well structured and focused analysis. Very good level of critical discussion of the findings answering the aims & objectives.

Very good integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results Sufficient data obtained for the study. Well-structured analysis. Good level of critical discussion of the findings answering the aims & objectives.

Good integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results Data obtained for the study that has value but is limited in quantity and/or quality. A structured analysis of the data with some critical discussion of the findings largely answering the aims & objectives.

Some integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results. Insufficient data & little analysis.

Unfocused or unsubstantiated discussion of the results,

Little integration of results & literature review Insufficient & inappropriate data

Very little or no analysis

No meaningful discussion of the results,

Very little or no integration of results & literature review

Conclusions & recommendations

Speaks to the target audience(s) (academic and/or practitioner)

Conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Pragmatic, realistic recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions.

Primary research project 10%, Secondary research project 10% , Organization based project 20%

Speaks to the target audience(s) (academic and/or practitioner)

Excellent drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Pragmatic, realistic recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions.

Highly meaningful discussion of further research and limitations Very good drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions.

Very good discussion of further research and limitations Good drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Most recommendations grounded in findings & conclusions.

Good discussion of further research and limitations Some attempt at drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Some recommendations grounded in findings & conclusions.

Some discussion of further research and limitations Little attempt at drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Unsubstantiated recommendations

Little discussion of further research and limitations Very little or no attempt at drawing together of conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

No recommendations

Very little or no discussion of further research and limitations

Presentation, style and structure of the report

1. Clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

2. Conforms to specifications.

3. Clearly written in a confident, easy-to-follow style.

4. Spelling & grammar checked.

Primary research project 10%, Secondary research project 10% , Organization based project 10% Highly professional read. Extremely clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Conforms exactly to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Excellent attention to detail with very few spelling or grammar errors Professionally written in style. Very clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Conforms to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Very good attention to detail with few spelling or grammar errors Well written in a flowing style. Clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Largely conforms to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Good attention to detail with few spelling or grammar errors Writing style not always clear, easy to follow. Mainly logical flow with relevant links between sections.

Some errors in conforming to specifications for referencing, font, headings etc.

Needs greater attention to detail. Several spelling or grammar errors Poor writing style not clear or easy to follow.

Little flow between sections

Many errors in conforming to specifications for , font, headings etc.

Many spelling or grammar errors Very poor writing style not clear or easy to follow.

No between sections

Consistent errors with total lack of conforming to specifications for, font, headings etc.

Difficult to read due to the large number of spelling or grammatical errors

Referencing

Referencing is an important part of academic work and we expect you to reference your work correctly. If your work is not referenced correctly, you will have marks deducted for this. The penalty for this is up to 10 marks for every piece of work. If you have more than 6 marks deducted for poor referencing your work will be reviewed for a suspected breach of academic integrity (see Section 5: Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities and Section 10 of the Academic Regulations).Word Counts

Where a word count is appropriate to the assessment, a rule of +/- 10% is imposed and submissions which fall outside the limit set will incur a penalty which will be a deduction of 10% (Title Page, Contents, Reference List and Appendices are excluded from the word count).

Student name:

Criteria and WeightingPRIVATE Weighting for type of project 100-70 69-60 59-50 49-40 39-0

Primary research project Secondary research project Organization based project Distinction Merit Pass Fail Fail

Rationale, aims and objectives

1. Rationale, background & context clear and evidenced through reference to a range of sources.

2. Purpose & objectives clear, precise & focused on outcomes not process. Objectives clearly fulfilled.

3. Range & scope of study appropriate & achievable within the constraints of the module. 15% 15% 15% Mark range and comments Literature review

1. Thorough & appropriate selection of up-to-date source material. All material presented relevant & appropriate to the study.

2. Suitable range of sources used including research-based & academic sources.

3. Identification & discussion of relevant theories, conceptual frameworks or pragmatic studies.

4. Critical evaluation of the literature providing a basis on which to develop research methods and discuss the findings. 25% 25% 15% Mark range and comments

Research design and methodology

1. Methodology and methods appropriate to the aims & objectives & fully explained & justified.

2. Development of suitable research instruments, sampling method and size.

3. Collection of sufficient data relevant to the aims & objectives of the study.

4. Critical evaluation of the research methods used and an awareness of the strengths & weaknesses of the study design & methods.

5. Discussion of ethical issues 20% 15% 15% Mark Range and comments

Criteria and WeightingPRIVATE Weighting for type of project 100-70 69-60 59-50 49-40 39-20

Primary research project Secondary research project Organization based project Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Very Poor

Discussion of results,

Sufficient and appropriate data

Analytical & clearly focused discussion of the results, answering the aims & objectives.

Integration of results & literature review including the application of theory from the literature & evaluation of results 20% 25% 25% Mark range and comments Conclusions & recommendations

Speaks to the target audience(s) (academic and/or practitioner)

Conclusions supported by the study methods used, the data collected, analysis & results.

Pragmatic, realistic recommendations firmly grounded in findings & conclusions. 10% 10% 20% Mark range and comments Presentation, style and structure of the report

1. Clear, easy to follow & logical flow with relevant links between sections.

2. Conforms to specifications.

3. Clearly written in a confident, easy-to-follow style.

4. Spelling & grammar checked. 10% 10% 10%

Mark range and comments Mark range and comments

Research ethics form included and approved Yes No

Additional comments

Feedback on Your AssessmentsFeedback forms a large part of your learning experience and is vital to your personal and professional development. We have worked with our Student Union to produce the following guidance, which explains the benefits of feedback, the forms it may take and how to use it.

https://www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice/academic/feedbackpack

Feedback will be provided by your supervisor throughout the supervisory period. This will vary in form and content but will include comments on draft chapters, methodological advice and suggestions for improvement of the project. This will be through face to face or skype (or other online platform) meetings and via email. Supervisors will not normally comment on draft chapters more than once and should not be expected to proofread your work.

Understanding Your Assessment Responsibilities

Extenuating Circumstances and Mitigation

If you are experiencing problems which are adversely affecting your ability to study (called 'extenuating circumstances'), then you can apply for mitigation. You can find full details of how to apply for mitigation at: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/mitigation/.

The University operates a fit to sit/fit to submit approach to extenuating circumstances which means students who take their assessment are declaring themselves fit to do so. More information is available at the above link and here: http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/examinations/Late Submission

Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available at www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a fundamental principle within the University and is strongly linked to good academic practice. All assessments must be submitted with due attention to issues of academic integrity, expression, and good academic practice, including clarity in grammar, semantics and syntax.

Any suspected breach of academic integrity will be investigated by the University and could have serious consequences on your studies. Breaches of academic integrity include (but are not limited to) plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. Definitions and the potential consequences of an admitted or found breach of academic integrity are detailed in the Academic Regulations at: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations.

There are a range or resources available to help you understand what is and what is not permitted and how to use other peoples ideas in your assessed work. These include the LBU Academic Integrity tutorial, which is available on My Beckett and the Skills for Learning website which you can access here http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/. An Academic Integrity Factsheet for Students is available to view at: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/academic-skills-and-advice/academic-integrity/.

Your Feedback on the ModuleA mid-module review will be timetabled into your module. This is an opportunity to resolve modular issues promptly early on in the module. In addition, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback formally at the end of your module. These comments will be reviewed by your course team and some may be considered via the course monitoring and enhancement process, in which your Course Representative is involved.