Research for Strategic Development

Assignment
Your research must achieve the learning outcomes at the standards provided. It must be
related to a topic associated with strategic business development.

You must prepare a portfolio of evidence which includes all the work completed for the
following tasks.

Kindly note that:

- All points are to be discussed in 3000 to 4000 words.
- Plagiarism (copy and paste from the internet or other resources) should not exceed
20%.
- All assignments are to be in Word form, and Font Size is 12.
No PDFs will be accepted.

Task 1 – Formulate a Research Proposal

In this section of the portfolio you should:

 Consider and identify a valid area for research to support the strategic development
of a business area
 Explain the aim, scope and objectives for a chosen area of research
 Formulate a specific research proposal
 Establish success criteria for the achievement of the research proposal
 Prepare a project plan that identifies key milestones and critical pathways.

Extension activities:

To gain a merit grade you must:

 Justify the research area you have chosen which will support the achievement of an
aspect of strategic business development.

LO1 AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5

1M1

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Task 2 Carry out the research using different research methodologies

In this section of the portfolio you need to:

 Complete a review of different literature sources identifying those which are most
appropriate for your chosen area of research
 Use different research methodologies to gather data from primary and secondary
sources. The data must be sufficient in order to ensure you can make valid
conclusions

Extension activities:

To gain a merit grade you must:

 Justify the research methodologies chosen

LO2 AC 2.1 2.2 2M1

Task 3 – Presentation of Research Findings

In this section of the portfolio you must prepare a report that presents all of your research
findings. This must be presented in an appropriate format for the target audience.

In the report, you must:

 Provide a comprehensive explanation of the purpose, methodologies, findings and

recommendations.
 Reference all sources using a recognised system.
 Use the information you have collected to justify conclusions and recommendations.

Extension activities:

To gain a merit grade you must:

 Respond orally to questions on research findings.

To gain a distinction grade you must:

 Analyse how the findings of your research can be used in a specific strategic
business context.

LO2 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3

3M1
3D1

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Task 4 – Reflective Log

On completion of your research project, you are to prepare a reflective log which contains an
evaluation of the skills you used while undertaking the research.

The reflective log must include:

 A review of your own skills using personal reflection and feedback.

 Recommendations on ways to improve your personal skills while undertaking
research.

Extension activities:

To gain a merit grade you must include the following in your reflective log:

 A plan to improve your own research skills.

To gain a distinction grade you must:

 Implement the plan and assess the impact on your own personal progress.

LO4 AC 4.1,4.2
4M1
4M2
4D1

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Guidelines for assessors

The assignments submitted by learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for
the unit. To achieve a merit or distinction grade, the learners must demonstrate that they have achieved all the criteria set for these grades.
Where work for the pass standard is marginal, assessors can take account of any extension work completed by the learners. The suggested
evidence listed below is how learners can demonstrate that they have met the required standards.

Task LOs and AC Suggested evidence Suggested additional Suggested additional

number PASS evidence MERIT evidence DISTINCTION

1. LO1 AC 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, In completing this task the learner will begin The learner must produce
1.4, 1.5 the portfolio of evidence. The learner may detailed written
1M1 consider different areas of research but will justification for the choice
identify one which is linked to the strategic of research question
business development. The learner will need showing how it is directly
to explain clearly and in detail the aim, related to an aspect of
scope and objectives of the research which strategic business
is to be undertaken. The learner will create a development.
research proposal with the development of a
suitable research question(s) or hypotheses
for the selected area of research.

The learner should ensure that the tutor has

approved their choice of research question /
hypothesis.

The final proposal must be presented in

writing. However it could be accompanied by
oral or written evidence of viva with
tutor/assessor with observation statement
recording discussions, questions and
answers.

The learner must produce specific success

criteria which are related to the achievement

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 of the research proposal. The success
criteria should be referred to in the reflective
log which is required for Task 4.

The plan must be clearly presented and a

tabular form would be useful. It should be a
tool which the learner will use in completing
the research.

2 LO2 AC 2.1, 2.2 The learner should prepare a detailed The learner must produce
2M1 literature review and accurate bibliography a comprehensive
in an appropriate referencing format. The explanation of the reasons
review will identify literature sources which for choosing the research
are pertinent as well as those which are not. methodologies

A wide range of appropriate and relevant

information sources must have been
considered, including academic journals,
reports, texts and valid online material

The learner will then use research

methodologies using primary and secondary
sources. This will provide sufficient
information so that valid conclusions can be
drawn.
3 LO3 AC 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 The learner should choose the most The learner will be The learner will produce a
3M1 appropriate format in which to present their required to answer written piece of work that
3D1 research findings. In most cases, this is verbally questions asked analyses how the findings of
likely to be a final written report of 3000 by others who have read the research can be used in
words and bibliography, covering a range of the learner’s research. a specific business context.
appropriate information sources from Those leading the viva The analysis should examine
relevant journals, texts and reports as well need to be fully prepared each part in detail, identifying
as online information. and have the experience the main findings and their
and ability to undertake relationship to the business
The report should be presented in a suitable the questioning. context.

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 Evidence could take the
format and include sufficient evidence to form of:
show that the learner has:
 a written report of
 applied relevant research methods the question and
for the area and type of research answer session
undertaken with the
 provided a comprehensive tutor/assessor.
explanation of the purpose,  an observation
methodologies, findings and assessment sheet
recommendations  a recording of the
 referenced all sources using a questions and
recognised system answers.
 analysed the research findings
 justified results and conclusions

The evaluation section of the report should

consider both research methods and
techniques, as well as the validity of the
findings.

3 LO4 AC 4.1, 4.2 The learner will be required to prepare a The learner will prepare a The learner will implement
4M1 reflective log that reviews their own learning written plan – this will be a the plan prepared in 4M1 and
4D1 in carrying out research investigations. This detailed plan with clear provide an assessment of the
will be a written review based on the specific actions, in impact on their own personal
learner’s own experiences. timeframes, to show how progress. The tutor should
For AC 4.2, the learner will develop their their skills will be note that assessment of the
written work completed for the AC 4.1 and improved for future standards for 4D1 will need
identify and analyse actions for improvement research. to be deferred until the plan
for the future. has been executed and the
learner has reviewed their
personal progress.

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