Indicative
Research Proposal
Indicative
Template
Title: (indicative word count: 15 25)
Your research title should be concise and informative, providing a clear indication of the study's focus and scope. the title effectively communicates the key aspects of the research, including the topic, the scope, and possibly the methodology or geographic location if relevant.
Introduction (indicative word count: 250 - 300 words)
Provide a background and an introduction that identifies the context and rationale for your project
Decide on a research question and aim and relate it to a topic and a set of objectives.
Literature Review (indicative word count: 800 - 900 words words)
Provide a brief critical review of the relevant literature on your topic related to the research questions.
Identify the research gap and discuss the importance of the intended research based on the literature review
Research Methodology (indicative word count: 400-500 words)
Discuss and justify the method, approach, and data collection techniques you will use to find the answers to the research questions.
Discuss the context and population of your study and how you will select them
What sample size do you expect to use?
Discuss how you propose to analyse your data
Identify any ethical issues that will need to be considered and addressed before undertaking the research
Expectations, limitations, and time scale of the study (indicative word count: 250 - 300 words).
Discuss the study expected/intended findings and their possible implications to the area and practice
Discuss the possible limitations relating to time and other resource constraints. For example, if you are planning to interview people in different locations can you afford associated travel and accommodation costs? If you are using a paper questionnaire, have you budgeted for photocopying, stationery, and postage costs? Alternatively, if you are using on-line statistical data, will you have to pay for this?
Provide a timetable which you will follow to ensure you can submit your dissertation on time (More of this i.e. Gantt Chart is placed in the appendices)
References
It is not necessary to try and impress with an enormous list of references. What is important is that you reference all the sources to which you have referred in your proposal using the appropriate form of referencing.
Appendices
This should include time scales and key activities and other supporting materials. This section will also help you to assess the viability of your research proposal within the time and resource constraints of MSc in Management programme.
In this section you should present the key research activities you will need to undertake to complete your research, how long you expect each to take, note which needed to be complete before others can be started, and present them with clear completion dates using a Gantt chart. When doing this remember to include the activities in sufficient detail (e.g. designing questionnaire, piloting questionnaire, administering questionnaire) to ensure the time scale is meaningful.
MARKING RUBRIC- RESEARCH PROPOSAL MSc MANAGEMENT SINGAPORE
Assessment Criteria Distinction Merit Pass Fail
Introduction (20%) Very clear definition of the problem. Directly relates to academic debate and/or practice. Sharply focused aims and objectives. Clear definition of the problem. Relates to academic debate and/or practice. Focused aims and objectives. Some attempt at clarity of problem definition. Relates to central topic issues. Aims and objectives may lack focus. Unclear problem definition. No link to central topic issues. Aims and objectives lack focus or may be missing.
Literature Review (30%) Excellent critical review of up-to-date literature. Relates to academic debate. Demonstrates deep knowledge of theory, concepts, and empirical evidence. Linked to clear research questions. Critical evaluation of relevant, up-to-date literature. Relates to academic debate. Demonstrates thorough knowledge of theory, concepts, and empirical evidence. Linked to clear research questions. Some attempt to identify relevant literature but inadequate evaluation. Demonstrates some knowledge of theory, concepts, and empirical evidence. Some attempt to link to research questions. Little attempt to identify relevant literature and/or inadequate evaluation. Inadequate/poor knowledge of theory, concepts, and empirical evidence. Little/no attempt to link to research questions.
Methodology (25%) Excellent review of research design options. Excellent justification of methods. Good grasp of research design options. Good justification of methods. Some appreciation of research design. Some justification of methods. Little appreciation of research design. Inadequate/no justification of methods.
Discussion on Expectations, Limitations, and Resource Constraints (15%) Excellent discussion of expected/intended findings, their possible implications, and a comprehensive consideration of potential limitations relating to time and other resource constraints. Good discussion of expected/intended findings and their possible implications, with adequate consideration of potential limitations relating to time and other resource constraints. Some discussion of expected/intended findings and their possible implications, with minimal consideration of potential limitations relating to time and other resource constraints. Little to no discussion of expected/intended findings or their possible implications, with inadequate consideration of potential limitations relating to time and other resource constraints.
Presentation, Structure, Writing Style, and Referencing (10%) Very clear presentation and structure. Highly accessible writing style that follows academic conventions. Appropriately referenced. Clear presentation and structure. Clear writing style that follows academic conventions. Appropriately referenced. Satisfactory presentation and structure. Satisfactory writing style that follows academic conventions. There may be weaknesses in referencing. Poor presentation and structure. Inappropriate writing style and/or weaknesses in referencing.
Birmingham Business School
MSc Management Programme 23/24: Dissertation Topic Form
Student Name:
Student ID Number:
Title of Dissertation:
Aim and scope: What is the proposed research about? (Brief outline - 250 words maximum)
Proposed methodology: How will the objectives be achieved? (Brief outline - 250 words maximum)
Once completed please upload the form to the submission box called Dissertation Topic Form Submission Box no later than Friday 12th April 2024 at 12pm.
