Management MSC Masters Degree

Assignment Question
Write a Research Proposal on a topic of your interest. 
The assignment MUST consist of ALL of the following exercises: 
Exercise 1: What is Your Research Question? (500 words)
Having now been introduced to the dissertation, the aim of this portfolio exercise is to get you to think about 
your research question. 
1. What is your research question? Write this out as a short sentence in the form of a question. 
2. Write a synopsis of the central research problem you intend to address in your dissertation. Discuss a) why 
this problem was chosen; b) why it is a problem suitable for research at Masters level; and c) what are the 
academic issues which underpin your research question? 
Exercise 2: Thinking Ahead (400 words)
Thinking about the time you have to complete the dissertation, sketch out a timetable for your research and 
the writing of the dissertation. Identify those stages that you feel will prove hardest to undertake or that will 
take the most time.
Exercise 3: Locating Literature (450 words plus list of 10 additional articles)
The aim of this portfolio exercise is to develop the bibliographical skills required for locating relevant 
literature for the literature review, and to give you the start of a reading list for your dissertation. 
1. Search for and retrieve three current (within the last 5 years) academic articles relevant to your research 
question. Once you have identified and downloaded your articles, write a 150 word review of each article 
focusing on the main findings of the research, the research methods used and the strengths and weaknesses of 
the author’s approach.
2. Provide a list of 10 additional academic articles or books that you intend to use in your research.
Exercise 4: Research Methods (450 words)
Thinking about the approaches to research that you have now read about
1. In 150 words briefly outline the advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires 
2. In 150 words briefly outline the advantages and disadvantages of interviews
3. In 150 words briefly outline the advantages and disadvantages of using secondary data
Exercise 5: Your Approach (500 words)
All researchers need to justify the reasons why certain approaches are chosen and why others are not and the 
rationale underpinning their research. 
In 500 words, briefly outline the approach that you will take in your own research, discussing the 
methodological rationale that will underpin your research and reflect on whether your research question 
suggests one methodological approach over another, or a combination of approaches.
Exercise 6: Your Samples (400 words)
For this exercise you need to consider and answer the following questions in no more than 400 words
If you are doing Empirical Research:
1. Who will make up your sample?
2. Explain the size of your sample.
3. Explain why this choice of sample is appropriate for your research.
4. Have you agreed access to this sample/how will you access your sample?
If you are doing Secondary Research
1. What kind of data will you be using?
2. Explain the size of the dataset that you will be accessing.
3. Explain why this choice of secondary data is appropriate for your research.
4. How will you access your secondary data and how was it collected?
In addition to the criteria outlined above, you are expected to demonstrate: 
1. in-depth knowledge and understanding of the relevant literature and competence in identifying the 
relevant concepts and theories that are relevant to the topic of your interest.
2. understanding of the different methodologies, clear articulation of your chosen methodological 
approach and a critical reflection of the methodological issues underpinning your study.
3. ability to clearly articulate and communicate your own ideas and opinions in writing, to develop 
arguments, and to structure a written presentation in a logical and coherent manner.
References 
You should use the Harvard style of referencing (no footnotes please) and include a properly presented 
Reference List at the end of your work.