ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

QUALIFICATION UNIT NUMBER AND TITLE

PEARSON BTEC HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS (RQF) 11. RESEARCH PROJECT (LEVEL 5)
INTERNAL VERIFIER UNIT TUTOR

DATE ISSUED SUBMISSION DATE RESUBMISSION DATE

MONDAY, 17TH AUGUST 2020 MONDAY, 7TH DECEMBER 2020 WEDNESDAY, 6TH JANUARY 2-21

ASSIGNMENT TITLE BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECT ON TALENT MANAGEMENT

LEARNING OUTCOME AND ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

PASS MERIT DISTINCTION
LO1 CONDUCT APPROPRIATE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY WHICH INTEGRATES KNOWLEDGE INTO THE
RESEARCH PROCESS
P1 PRODUCE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL THAT
CLEARLY DEFINES A RESEARCH QUESTION OR M1 EVALUATE DIFFERENT RESEARCH
HYPOTHESIS, SUPPORTED BY A LITERATURE APPROACHES AND METHODOLOGY, AND MAKE
REVIEW. JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THE CHOICE OF METHODS LO1 & 2
P2 EXAMINE APPROPRIATE RESEARCH METHODS SELECTED BASED ON PHILOSOPHICAL/ D1 CRITICALLY EVALUATE RESEARCH
AND CONDUCT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS. METHODOLOGIES AND PROCESSES IN
RESEARCH. APPLICATION TO A BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECT
LO2 CONDUCT AND ANALYSE RESEARCH RELEVANT TO A CHOSEN BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECT TO JUSTIFY CHOSEN RESEARCH METHODS AND
P3 CONDUCT PRIMARY AND SECONDARY ANALYSIS.
RESEARCH USING APPROPRIATE METHODS FOR A
M2 DISCUSS MERITS, LIMITATIONS AND
BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECT THAT CONSIDER
PITFALLS OF APPROACHES TO DATA COLLECTION
COSTS, ACCESS AND ETHICAL ISSUES.
AND ANALYSIS.
P4 APPLY APPROPRIATE ANALYTICAL TOOLS TO
ANALYSE RESEARCH FINDINGS AND DATA.
LO3 COMMUNICATE THE OUTCOMES OF A RESEARCH PROJECT TO IDENTIFIED STAKEHOLDERS
M3 COHERENTLY AND LOGICALLY D2 COMMUNICATE CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE
P5 COMMUNICATE RESEARCH OUTCOMES IN AN OUTCOMES AND MAKE VALID, JUSTIFIED
COMMUNICATE OUTCOMES TO THE INTENDED
APPROPRIATE MANNER FOR THE INTENDED
AUDIENCE, DEMONSTRATING HOW OUTCOMES RECOMMENDATIONS.
AUDIENCE.
MEET SET RESEARCH OBJECTIVES.
LO4 REFLECT ON THE APPLICATION OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES AND CONCEPTS
P6 REFLECT ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF
RESEARCH METHODS APPLIED FOR MEETING D3 DEMONSTRATE CRITICAL REFLECTION AND
M4 DEMONSTRATE REFLECTION AND
INSIGHT THAT RESULTS IN RECOMMENDED
OBJECTIVES OF THE BUSINESS RESEARCH
ENGAGEMENT IN THE RESOURCE PROCESS
PROJECT. ACTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND FUTURE
LEADING TO RECOMMENDED ACTIONS FOR
P7 CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH RESEARCH CONSIDERATIONS.
FUTURE IMPROVEMENT .
METHODOLOGIES AND LESSONS LEARNT IN VIEW
OF THE OUTCOMES.

PROJECT EVIDENCE & OUTCOMES

THE SUBMISSION IS IN THE FORM OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM; A MILESTONE & INTERIM FEEDBACK SCHEDULE/FORM; A RESEARCH ETHICS
APPROVAL FORM; PROJECT FINDINGS AND PROJECT REFLECTION; AND A PROJECT AUTHENTICATION FORM.

THE DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE WRITTEN IN A CONCISE, FORMAL BUSINESS STYLE USING SINGLE SPACING AND FONT STYLE TIMES NEW ROMAN AND SIZE
12. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE USE OF HEADINGS, PARAGRAPHS AND SUBSECTIONS AS APPROPRIATE, AND ALL WORK MUST BE SUPPORTED WITH
RESEARCH AND REFERENCED USING THE HARVARD REFERENCING SYSTEM. PLEASE ALSO PROVIDE A BIBLIOGRAPHY USING THE HARVARD REFERENCING
SYSTEM. THE RECOMMENDED WORD LIMIT IS SPECIFIED.

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT FORMATS THAT A STUDENT COULD USE TO PRESENT THEIR WORK FINDINGS AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS THINK
CAREFULLY ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THE FORMAT IN RELATION TO THE TARGET AUDIENCE: WELL EDITED, FOCUSED WRITING AND PRESENTATION,
WHERE THE KEY DECISIONS, DEVELOPMENTS, LINES OF ARGUMENT AND SALIENT RESEARCH ARE EXPLAINED SUCCINCTLY. HOWEVER, THE STUDENT MUST
ENSURE TO SUPPORT THE WRITTEN REPORT WITH A RANGE OF GRAPHICAL ILLUSTRATIONS AND APPROPRIATE APPENDICES.

THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL SETS OUT THE PLAN FOR HOW THE STUDENTS WILL ACHIEVE THE INTENDED RESEARCH OBJECTIVE AND SHOWS WHETHER THE
OBJECTIVE WILL BE FEASIBLE, ETHICAL AND ACHIEVABLE IN THE TIME SCALE. IT SETS OUT HOW SECONDARY RESEARCH SUPPORTS THE RESEARCH
OBJECTIVE, HOW THE RESEARCH WILL BE CONDUCTED, HOW THE RESEARCH WILL BE EVALUATED . STUDENTS WILL NEED TO GAIN ETHICAL APPROVAL
BEFORE COMMENCING THEIR RESEARCH, THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED WITH THE TUTOR DURING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL.

STUDENTS/TUTORS ARE TO PROVIDE CONFIRMATION OF THE AUTHENTICITY OF A PROJECT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS ARE MADE AWARE OF THE
ISSUE OF PLAGIARISM. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO SIGN A DECLARATION STATING THAT THE WORK THEY ARE SUBMITTING IS THEIR OWN. TEMPLATE IS
PROVIDED.

ASSIGNMENT AIM AND PLANNING

AIM
Talent management (TM) is the process by which businesses and organisations recognise and develop talented people who can
have a positive impact on their organisations and their productivity. It not only has become a key component of human
resource management but also the responsibility of leaders and managers at all levels to manage talent within the business,
with TM strategies being developed in line with the particular needs and structure of the business and industry. Staff retention,
training and morale is key in any industry where talented motivated employees can help differentiate one organisation from
another and influence business success. An increasing number of businesses are rethinking ways to get the most from their
staff. Rising costs, recruitment difficulties and changing employee attitudes mean that, for many employers, the traditional
approaches to recruiting, training and retaining staff are being revisited to harness and develop talent and ultimately drive
competitive advantage.

PLANNING

The student is expected to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study, demonstrating the capacity and ability to
identify a research theme, to develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and to present the outcomes of such research in
both written and verbal formats. Students are encouraged to reflect on their engagement in the research process, during which
recommendations for future and personal development are key learning points.

Students will choose their own research project based on Talent Management. The project must be related to their specialist
pathway of study (unless the student is studying the general business pathway). This will enable students to explore and
examine a relevant and current topical aspect of business in the context of the business environment and their chosen specialist
pathway. The range of topics discussed could cover the following:

● Talent management as a strategic priority

● The role of talent management frameworks and future implications within organisations
● Effective talent management strategies for successful organisations
● The impact of talent management on the role HR
● Talent management for entrepreneurs and small businesses
● Best practices in global talent management within multinationals.

The research objective should allow for students to broaden their understanding and widen their perspectives by being able to
explore, argue, prove, and disprove a particular objective. It should be feasible, novel, ethical, relevant and ultimately of interest
to the student. Students are encouraged to discuss a variety of topics related to the theme to generate ideas for a good
research objective.

SCENARIO

You are working as a freelance business consultant. You have been approached by a business organisation to conduct research
into a key area of business and have been provided with a theme – Talent Management- which will be the focus of the research.
The organisation has left it to you to decide what would be appropriate to investigate in this area of business and for you to
choose the research topic. Once you have identified your research topic and objective you will undertake the given steps to
collate, analyse and present your findings. This will be presented in the form of a research report.
GUIDANCE FOR THE STUDENT
Consider the development of a methodical and valid research proposal as the foundation for the project. Choose a topic of
personal interest in a specialism. The topic chosen should allow a sufficient and suitable degree of research through the
existence of adequate background materials. Work will commence based on a proposal defined by the student and agreed by
the tutor.
 COMPLETE A LITERATURE REVIEW (SECONDARY RESEARCH) - You need to know what key literature is related to research
objectives to plan a research study to explore the phenomenon. Conduct a literature review using a range of sources
relating to the research topic. Evaluate the validity and reliability of the sources, discussing current understanding on
the research topic area. In your report discuss the sources of literature found and how they relate or otherwise to the
research topic. Your report should critically evaluate literature to assess the validity of the literature in supporting the
research topic.
 DEVELOP A PROJECT PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCHING THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVE IDENTIFIED - Your research proposal identifies the
purpose of the research project with clear aims and objectives and justifies the chosen research methods in terms of
the research question. Discuss the ethical issues which will need to be considered and examine the research methods
and approaches to be taken. Prepare an action plan with target dates and methods for monitoring and updating your
activities to ensure you meet the deadline for the final written report.
 CARRY OUT INDEPENDENT PRIMARY RESEARCH - Design, implement, collect, and critically analyse data. For example, using a
survey/questionnaire/interview or other primary research techniques to collect data and then present and analyse
findings. Present your findings using visual illustrations e.g. bar charts/pie graphs/tables. Your report will include the
critical analysis of data and the advantages and disadvantages of the research methods and approaches taken to data
collection.
 COMMUNICATE OUTCOMES (REPORT) - Develop a report that provides valid and justified recommendations for the business
organisation based on the analysis of the research both primary and secondary. Your findings and outcomes must be
based on the research proposal objective/s and refer to this in drawing your conclusions. Finally, critically reflect on
how you have conducted the project, the lessons learnt and the alternatives you would consider in the future with
recommendations for actions to be taken forward.
MILESTONES & INTERIM FEEDBACK
The purpose of milestones is to monitor the progress of the project and to maintain momentum, making it more likely that the
project will succeed. Each milestone should be a clear, achievable activity that the student aims to achieve by a particular time.
Students should agree at least two milestones with their tutor. Examples of milestones include:
 Completing and discussing the research proposal form.
 Producing a first draft of findings.
 Completing all primary research.
At each milestone, the tutor liaises with the student to check whether it has been achieved. They may need to redirect the
student, if necessary. This should be documented as formative feedback by the tutor.

EVIDENCE CHECKLIST SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE REQUIRED BY STUDENT

Research Proposal Form. Learner research project monitoring report, Milestone & Interim Feedback
FORMS Schedule/Form. Research Ethics Approval Form. Project Authentication Form.

PROJECT FINDINGS Research Project including Project Reflection Statement. (4500-6000 words).
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM

STUDENT NAME & ID CENTRE NAME

AAA BBB CCC THE MILLENNIUM UNIVERSAL COLLEGE
UNIT TUTOR COMMENCEMENT DATE

RESEARCH TITLE

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Title or working title of this project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis).

Project aims and objectives (for example, what do you wish to achieve? What do you want to learn? What do you want to find
out?)

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES, RESEARCH QUESTIONS, RESEARCH GAP

RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE

LITERATURE REVIEW
BASED ON SECONDARY RESEARCH INCLUDING RESEARCH ARTICLES BY VARIOUS RESEARCHERS AND SCHOLARS OR PUBLISH INDUSTRIAL REPORT.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

FINDING AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE RESEARCH AND PERSONAL REFLECTIVE STATEMENT

COMMENTS AND AGREEMENT FROM TUTOR
Comments:

I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is appropriate:
Agreed: (name) (date)

Comments and agreement from project proposal review:

Comments:

I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is appropriate:
Agreed: (name) (date)
RESEARCH ETHICS APPROVAL FORM

All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data, collected from human
participants, may be required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all relevant questions
and note that your form may be returned if incomplete. For further support and guidance please see your Unit Tutor.

Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your Unit Tutor. Please complete
this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.

STUDENT NAME & ID CENTRE NAME

AAA BBB CCC THE MILLENNIUM UNIVERSAL COLLEGE
START DATE END DATE
DAY MONTH YEAR DAY MONTH YEAR
PROPOSED TITLE

SECTION ONE: PROJECT SUMMARY

Please select all research methods that you plan to use as part of your project:
 Interviews:
 Questionnaires:
 Observations:
 Use of Personal Records:
 Data Analysis:
 Action Research:
 Focus Groups:
 Other (please specify): ..................................................................................................................................................

SECTION TWO: PARTICIPANTS

Will your research involve human participants? Yes No
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply Ages 12-16 Young people aged 17-18 Adults
How will participants be recruited (identified and approached)?

Describe the process you will use to inform participants about what you are doing?

How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to participants that they may
withdraw consent to participate at any time?

Studies involving Questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions they do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If No, please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this:

Studies involving Observation: confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent?
Yes No

Will you conduct Debriefing: will participants be given a brief explanation of the purpose of the study?
Yes No

Will you share Study Findings: will participants be given information and summary of your findings?
Yes No

SECTION THREE: DATA STORAGE & SECURITY

Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes No
Who will have access to the data and personal information?

During the Research

Where will the data be stored?

Will mobile devices, such as USB storage and laptops, be used?

Yes No
If Yes, please provide details:

After the Research

Where will the data be stored?

How long will the data and records be kept, and in what format?

Will data be kept for use by other researchers?

Yes No
If Yes, please provide details:

SECTION FOUR: ETHICAL ISSUES

Are there any particular features of your proposed work which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please outline how you will
deal with these:

It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise as a result of your research. Please
consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following:
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics.
 Risks to participants and/or researchers.
 Confidentiality/anonymity.
 Disclosures/limits to confidentiality.
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting.
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
SECTION FIVE: DECLARATION
I have read, understood and will abide by The Millennium Universal College Research Ethical Policy:
Yes No

I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my tutor:

Yes No

I confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the above information is correct and that this is a full description of the ethical
issues that may arise in the course of my/our research.
Student:
(name) (date)

Please submit completed form to your tutor (name).

PROJECT AUTHENTICATION FORM

Plagiarism is a particular form of cheating. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs and students who break the rules, however
innocently, may be penalised. It is your responsibility to ensure that you understand correct referencing practices. As a
university level student, you are expected to use appropriate references throughout and keep carefully detailed notes of all
your sources of materials for material you have used in your work, including any material downloaded from the Internet.

LEARNER DECLARATION
I CERTIFY THAT THE PROJECT SUBMISSION IS ENTIRELY MY OWN WORK AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF PLAGIARISM. I UNDERSTAND
THAT MAKING A FALSE DECLARATION IS A FORM OF MALPRACTICE.

STUDENT SIGNATURE: DATE:

 LEARNER RESEARCH PROJECT MONITORING REPORT

The plan below is to be agreed between the student & supervisor and will be monitored against progress made at each session.

Activity Milestone/Deliverable Week

Week Week Week Week Week Week Week Week
2 3 4 5&6 7&8 9&10 11 12
IRPP Preparation &
Presentation
Data collection
Information gathered for
chapter 1-3
Submission of Proposal

Submission of Chapter 1-3

Preparation for Proposal
Presentation
Collection of data from the
financial reports and stock
market
Data Key-in in SPSS

Collection of SPSS results &

Analysis
Submission of Final Draft
Submission of Dissertation

Milestones and Interim Feedback Form

Student Name & ID Unit Tutor

Aaa Bbb Ccc
Proposed Title

Meeting 1
Date of meeting
Progress Made

Agreed Action
Student Signature
Assessor’s
Signature
Meeting 2

Date of meeting
Progress Made

Agreed Action
Student Signature
Assessor’s
Signature
Meeting 3

Date of meeting
Progress Made

Agreed Action
Student Signature
Assessor’s
Signature
Meeting 4
Date of meeting
Progress Made
Agreed Action
Student Signature
Assessor’s
Signature
Meeting 5
Date of meeting
Progress Made
Agreed Action
Student Signature
Assessor’s
Signature
Meeting 6
Date of meeting
Progress Made
Agreed Action
Student Signature
Meeting 7
Date of meeting
Progress Made
Agreed Action
Student Signature

Comments:

I confirm that the project is not work that has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is appropriate:
Agreed: (tutor name) (date)
 FORMAT OF RESEARCH REPORT
TITLE PAGE:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
CONTENTS PAGE:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
CHAPTER 4: FINDING AND
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS,
RECOMMENDATION AND REFLECTIVE
STATEMENT
REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY:
It is important that you state clearly, at the beginning of the assignment, what its title is, which module it applies
to and your name as the author. You should also include the College name, report title and the date.
A summary should be provided, so that people can see at a glance what the report is about. You should mention
your key findings, conclusions and recommendations. This summary is usually printed immediately after the title
page.
Page numbers as well as section/chapter titles should be included. If the report incorporates some appendices,
their titles should be listed.
A list of names, roles and organisations (if relevant) of all of those who helped you when compiling the report
should be listed.
Refer to your project proposal.
This section should provide some of the background of the subject that forms the principle theme of your report.
If the report is designed to solve a perceived ‘problem’, the history of the ‘problem’ can be reviewed here,
culminating in the situation that prompted the report to be written. You should also provide some key
information about the organisation in which your research is based. Research objectives, research hypothesis,
research significance and limitation also are come under this chapter.
It is based on previous study conducted by multiple researchers and any other source of secondary data and
theories related to topic of research.
This section is needed for the reader to judge the authenticity of the ‘evidence’ that comprises the main body of
the report. All sources should be mentioned and, if appropriate, describe how you put together your
questionnaire or survey. Copies of questionnaires, interview questions etc. should be included in the appendices.
If any published documents were studied, this should be mentioned here.
This is likely to comprise many paragraphs or sections. It is often useful to break up your assignment into
subheadings. This section should be structured around the key themes of your research. Use tables, charts if
possible. Your presentation of data is important. This section should bring together your secondary and primary
research and your findings.
In this section you should say what your facts or findings mean i.e. discuss the key implications arising from the
wealth of detail you may have collected. Your findings and outcomes should be relate back to your initial research
objective and proposal. The conclusions should not incorporate any new facts.
Your recommendations should clearly spell out your ideas to enable them to be acted upon. In particular, if your
proposals involve expenditure, you must supply a cost benefit evaluation to show what it costs and what
management will get from it.
Use Harvard reference style to List books, journal articles, web sites, and other communications used in your
investigation or cited in your report in alphabetical order. Use the Harvard format for references.
Journal article example:
Dale, V.H. (1997). The Relationship Between Land-use Change and Climate Change. Ecological Applications, 7, 753
 - 769.

Book example:
Jackson, D.L. & L.L. Jackson. (2003). Farm as Natural Habitat: Reconnecting Food Systems with Ecosystems.
Washington, D.C.: Island Press.

All detailed statistical tabulations, graphs, lists, questionnaires etc. should be organised into separate appendices.
APPENDICES: Include a list of references (sources that are actually cited in the report itself). Nothing should be included that
isn’t referred to in the main body of the report.