Research Methodology Workshop

BSc Year 2
Final assessment
Academic Year 2015/2016
Term II
Course: Research Methods Workshop
Lecturer: John Wyse
Length of examination: 1000 words +/- 10%
Paper due: March 24th 2016 (week 9)
Percentage of final grade given: 100% PASS / FAIL
Assignment
This is an individual assignment. This individual assignment will equal 100% of the final grade.
The assignment addresses issues like notions of observation and surveys as well as drawbacks
for each.
In addition, it covers ethical issues related to how research is conducted. It therefore helps
develop student
Knowledge in key areas of research.
The current assignment is connected with the following learning outcomes:
a) Learn about the Basics of Research Methodology (primary, secondary,
exploratory, descriptive and causal)
b) Learn about Data Collection Methodology (observation, surveys, interviews,
experiments)
c) Develop skills in Data Analysis and Reporting
d) Applying research methodology to the workplace
Project structure and content
To do so, student will produce a 1000 word report (+/- 10%) on the following items. The project
will have an introduction, body and conclusion which will account for the word count.
Bibliography will be required but will not be a part of the word count.
Referencing should abide by the Harvard rules and it is also mandatory.
We suggest the project follow elucidation on the following topics ( from, the Case 9 “Strategy
options in a mature market” ppg 366 through ppg. 368 “Saunders, Lewis, Thornhill, (2012)
2
Research Methods for Business Students” 6th edition, Pearson) :
a) Given Spiphiwe’s research question, do you think the observation method she used was the
best option? Give reasons for your answer. Define observation, its merits and drawbacks and
when it is best to use it. (20 points)
b) Do you think it was ethical for Siphiwe to use covert observation? Is this a violation of the
principles of ethics in research? (20 points)
c) Do you consider Siphiwe’s observations were of any value? Give reasons for your answer.
Could she have used a survey to reach such results. Define a survey, its pros and cons and when
it is best to use it. (20 points)
d) To what extent do you feel Siphiwe’s presence in the shop could have affected the behavior
of the shoppers? Is this affecting the reliability of the data obtained and if so, why? Define
reliability and give an example for it (20 points)
e) comment on the validity of the data Siphiwer has collected. Are there any flaws or biases
that may affect the quality of the data? (20 points)
The actual paper should contain introduction, body and conclusion. Bibliography is excluded
from word count.
Deadline: March 24th 2016 (week 9)
Projects must in hard copy to the academic office and be loaded on Turnitin by midnight on
March 24th 2016. Only when this has been done will the project be considered submitted. Late
submission
will carry a penalty of 5% per day to be calculated on the final grade (for example after one day
grade x 95%, two days grade x 90% etc.).
Turnitin Codes: please see local ESE student portal for submission details.
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