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Research Methods - Qualifi Level 7 Diploma in Business Strategy

Unit Number - Y/506/9134

Learning Outcome 1: Be able to understand and apply different research methods that can provide realistic and applicable outcomes.

Learning Outcome 2: Be able to use standard research methodologies.

Learning Outcome 3: Be able to produce research reports.

Assignment Question

Scenario

You are an independent business analyst. You have recently responded to the following call for research proposals. This call was circulated by your university Graduate School and submitted by Watchingham County Council. The information is included below.

"Call for Research Project Proposals - Watchingham County Council, UK"

Watchingham County Council provides and manage public services for a population of 1.74 million on behalf of the UK government. These services include: waste management, public safety and fire services, libraries and education, social care, leisure centres and parks, cemeteries, transport, planning, and social care.

Members of the population pay a fixed sum annually for the services provided and, in addition, national government provide an annual budget in order to manage and maintain the given services. Providing these key services is not without challenges and with greater accountability and scrutiny by the public, focus on the quality of service and value for money (even in times of austerity) is critical. We do attempt to provide

high-quality services to the many schools (400, with 165,000 pupils) and community carers (providing services to approximately 9,000), provide effective maintenance of over 2,000 kilometres of road and manage 300,000 tonnes of waste as part of our role. To achieve this, we rely heavily on our employees (approximately 60,000) and subcontractors (40,000) to maintain these standards. However, within our existing workforce, we have a high diversity (cultural, gender and age most specifically) and it has come to our attention via internal staff satisfaction surveys that existing management practices may not be sufficiently motivating this diverse workforce as it should. Further external evidence supports this possibility as in the last six months we have received a 20% increase in complaints from the public about our services.

We are aware that increasing complaints and employee dissatisfaction could have severe implications for the reputation of Watchingham County Council and could lead to scrutiny from the national government, who provide us with partial funding to provide our services. As such, developing a greater understanding of our diverse workforce - and motivating it - becomes rather crucial to our strategy for 2018/19.

In order to generate a holistic picture of our employees, we are seeking to commission an external impartial researcher to do the following:

At this time, we are inviting professional research proposals from business researchers to tender for this research project. We will consider proposals which demonstrate sound conceptual frameworks and academic rigour, as well as feasibility and ethical mindfulness.

Task 1 - 500 words
In task 1, you are expected to propose and apply different research methods that can provide realistic and applicable outcomes. The tasks include:
1.1 : Applying principles and practices of quantitative and qualitative research on a practical level in the given case scenario. (On the basis of your understanding suggest a suitable data collection method for the given case so as to understand employee dissatisfaction in a better way and justify the reasons for choosing the same)

1.2 : Develop and outline research aims, objectives and development questions and prioritise them in relation to contemporary managerial and business needs of the case organisation.

Task 2 - 750 words
In task 2, you are required to evaluate and apply standard research methodologies for the case scenario. You are required to outline a detailed methodology for the proposed research and justify your choices:
2.1 : Produce critical literature reviews based upon research methodology.

2.2 : Use methodology, instrumentation and research design appropriate to the specific nature of fieldwork.

2.3 : Critically evaluate statistical methods available for data analysis and outline a data analysis plan for the proposed study.

Task 3 - 750 words
In this task, you are required to produce a detailed research proposal for the case organisation. This includes the following tasks:
3.1 : Develop an action plan and timeline for delivering the management research projects using research methodologies.

3.2 : Develop written research reports that include a discussion of the data visualisation tools likely to be used in the final report.

3.3 : Develop a plan for managing ethical issues in the proposed research.