BMG871 International Business Research Skills Assignment

About This Assignment Brief

1 Research Title 

• One or two sentences. Your topic must have a strong business aspect.

• For example, ‘The impact of XXX on XXX within the Indian XXX sector’ or ‘Factors affecting XXX within XXX company in Nigeria’.

2 Introduction, Rationale, International Business Value (approx. 500 words)

• A background overview of the issue you intend to address. 

• Articulate why the problem merits investigation/its significance.

• Outline the practical importance of your research to international businesses.

3 Research Aim, Objectives, Questions (approx. 200 words)

• Include an aim statement: For example, ‘This research project aims to…’.

• Include 3-5 specific research objectives, each with a corresponding research question. 

4 Literature Review (approx. 800 words)

• Demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant literature. How does your research relate to what has been done before in the subject area? 

• Have you identified a literature gap? Outline how and where your study is positioned within the body of academic work.

• It is important to cite academically robust sources and critically review them.

• A literature review should not be overly descriptive. It should be analytical and evaluative in nature, comparing and contrasting opinions/perspectives/sources.

5 Research Methodology (approx. 800 words)

• Articulate your plan for the research, how will it be carried out? This must be specific. Provide justifications for all decisions. Use Saunders’ Research Onion layers as sub-headings. Ensure you:

• Specify the research philosophy and corresponding research approach. 

• Outline your research strategy and methodology choices. Remember, you must plan to use primary research techniques.

• Outline your chosen data collection instruments and data analysis techniques.

• Convey relevant sampling considerations and the research time horizon.

• Consider the validity and reliability of your chosen research technique.

• Discuss any relevant limiting factors to your research.

6 Indicative Timetable 

• Create a Gantt Chart as evidence of time management planning, which conforms to the time constraints imposed by the university.

7 Ethical Considerations (approx. 200 words)

• Consider the particular ethical issues you will need to address as part of your research project. 

8 Reference List - A list of sources cited in the proposal, compiled using the university’s Harvard guidelines.

9 Appendices - Any addition information you wish to include.