7BUS2058 Major Research Project CW1 – Research proposal Assessment Brief | HBS

Detailed Brief for Individual / Team Assignment

CW1 – research proposal including proposed research instrument and ethics documentation

Students have been provided with a template document on Canvas that sets out the structure and required content. 

Students must submit the proposed research instrument and all ethics documentation as the submission will be used as part of the ethical approval process.

Additional important information you must consider before attempting the assignments

Please read the Research Project Handbook for detailed guidance in terms of content, structure and tasks to complete this effectively – you have also received training in Sem A on the Advanced Research Methods module plus support in Sem B on this module (7BUS2058).

Some formal requirements that students should consider:

• You must submit a FIF form on Friday 7th March 2025.
• You will attend the compulsory ethics training session in Semester B plus a 121 compulsory ethics meeting with one of the module team.
• Your research proposal must include all ethics documentation and proposed research instrument – this will on the one hand be considered a summative assessment but on the other hand will be used as part of the ethical approval process.
• You must have formal (written) ethical approval from the module leader before collecting any primary data. Collecting primary data without your supervisors approval is a Stage 2 Academic Offence.
• You must have approval from the module team if focusing on secondary data only (check meets CIPD professional body requirements).
• We strongly suggest that you should use the templates provided for each CW assessment to help with structure and content in line with the requirements of this programme.
• You may be called for Viva Voce for an oral presentation on your research by the research team.
• There are no extensions on this module – please manage your time effectively. 
• You must submit a case for Exceptional Circumstances if this applies to you (and provide evidence) within the necessary time frames – talk to your personal tutor for advice. 
• Keep the module team informed of any challenges you are facing so we can advise and support you effectively. 

Any specific instructions: 

The HBS Grading Criteria (rubric) will evidence how marks are awarded for individual parts of the assignment i.e. Presentation and Structure, Intellectual Curiosity and Referencing, Content, Analysis, Discussion 

Assessment Criteria 

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding assessed in this assignment:
Successful students will typically...

• Critically analyse and identify an HRM research topic relevant to the workplace, and locate this subject within the relevant field of HRM literature and the context in which the specific subject exists, internally (i.e. organisational, managerial) and externally (i.e. labour market, regulatory, commercial/competitive, etc.), as appropriate
• Critically evaluate concepts, theories and models from the existing literature and contemporary HR policy and practice appropriate to the chosen topic, critically analysing, comparing and synthesising findings to identify key concepts and conclusions in the relevant field of enquiry
•  Select and justify a suitable research methodology and research method/s

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes assessed in this assignment:
Successful students will typically...

• Be able to formulate, apply and test hypotheses, propositions and/or research questions
• Be able to competently manage a complex research strategy systematically and creatively
• Be able to gather, analyse and synthesize complex and appropriate information from a range of primary and secondary sources
• Demonstrate originality in research work