7MNST007W Management in Action - University of Westminster

Learning Outcome 1: Critically evaluate the issues affecting innovation management in the context in which you have been working;

Learning Outcome 2: Develop, design and conduct a substantive project as required by your context of your research and made recommendations for management action

Learning Outcome 3: Apply a focused range of research skills appropriate to examining and evaluating your chosen innovation issue

Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate the ability to set goals, manage workloads, present and conduct yourself professionally

Learning Outcome 5: Critically reflect on your experience and personal development and apply this learning to your career planning.

Assignment

1. Learning Agreement (formative): this is a short plan (approx 500-1000 words) including the aims for the project, to be completed by the student following the research methods /reflective learning lectures and approved by academic supervisor before conducting the research. It enables a clear shared understanding of expected outcomes and encourages professional goal-setting and time- management.(LO4)

2. 8,000-word Project Report (100%) that brings together learning from the taught elements of the course, the research, analysis of innovation management in practice and self-reflection on the learning for career planning purposes. (The reflective section of the report is expected to be 500-1,000 words) (LO1; LO2; LO3; LO4;LO5)

Proposal Structure

Introduction (L1 & L4)
· Set context for research. Clearly explains what the project is about (business problem/issue and specific research problem / issue), justifying their importance; provides outline of organization / sector being researched and provides precisely written research question(s) and objectives
Critical Review of Literature (L1, L2, KU2, & SS2)
· Provides academic / theoretical underpinning for research by critically reviewing relevant literature; identifying, contrasting and comparing relevant debates, concepts and theories
· Justifies literature in relation to research question(s); clearly links literature to objectives; incorporates current or recent literature

Methodology / Research Design (L2, L3, KU4, & SS1)
· Justifies overall methodological approach and selection of specific research method(s). Links selection to research question(s) and constraints associated with conducting research. Demonstrates knowledge of strengths and weaknesses of methods
· Describes and justifies appropriateness of research design and data collection including consideration of dealing with limitations and practical issues associated with using method.
· Describes and justifies selection of analytical techniques / frameworks to be used including consideration of limitations and practical issues associated with use of techniques / frameworks

Analysis, and Discussion(L3, L4, &SS3)
· Evidence of original thinking by highlighting insights into the topic under investigation guided by the findings and analysis undertaken
· Quality of argument and supporting evidence
· Synthesises study data and concepts, models etc. identified in literature; explores alternative outcomes
· Identifies and explains links within data; analysis contributes new developments to discussion
· Concludes in relation to research question(s) & objectives; draws from analysis; discusses limitations
· Provide recommendations both theoretical and practical supported by concepts

Conclusion and Reflective statement
· This could be your conclusion chapter
· Provide a reflective statement on the impact of research project on your personal statement
· Critically evaluate your project experience and how that could help you to plan for future career

Presentation and References
· Appropriate use of Harvard standard notation. Relevant breadth and depth of literature consulted 

CRITERIA

Is there a clear introduction that discusses the topic of research and rationale (what you are doing and why)?

Are appropriate background information has been provided including all special terms and definitions?

Are the aim and objectives, research questions (or hypothesis) clear, relevant and achievable (testable)?

Do aims, objectives etc go beyond mere description i.e. do they involve explanation, comparison, criticism or evaluation?

Does the introduction indicate the content of the other chapters?

2- Literature Review
Has a comprehensive range of relevant academic literature, pertinent to the aim and RQs of the dissertation or is the impression given that current relevant academic literature on or around the problem has been included?

Are the key themes and issues surrounding the research questions clearly drawn from the literature?

Does it attempt to compare and contrast a number of relevant concepts, models or theories in a critical manner or is it merely descriptive?
Are these used in an effective manner?

Are the sources used up to date, where appropriate and do they have sufficient academic weight?
Have sources been acknowledged and referenced fairly and properly?
Is the bibliography at the end of the dissertation complete and in the appropriate version of the Harvard System?

3- Methodology
Is there a clear rationale for methodology i.e. is student aware of nature and types of research e.g. are distinctions between qualitative and quantitative, positivist and interpretative methods addressed?
Have the alternatives been discussed and have the advantages and disadvantages of chosen methods been evaluated? Has this understanding informed their choice of approach?
Is the methodology described appropriate for the data required?
Is the research methodology described fully so that it could be replicated? I.e.
Are the research instruments well designed with all questions etc relevant to research aims?
Has a pilot study been evaluated?
Were research instruments approved by supervisor before implementation?
Are sampling methods described in detail in relation to sampling theory i.e. who are the respondents; how many are there; why and how were they selected?
Is there evidence of care and accuracy in the data collection process?
Are data analysis methods discussed?
Are reliability and validity issues addressed?
Has the methodology been evaluated in retrospect with suggestions for improvement if the research were to be undertaken again?

4- Analysis, Discussion And Conclusion

Is the data presented relevant to aims and objectives?

Does any statistical presentation make the most of the data collected?
Is any qualitative data categorised and presented systematically?

Are the findings presented clearly and interestingly for the reader to follow? i.e. is diagrammatic representation of data e.g. tables, charts etc embedded in the text?
Are the appendices used appropriately for bulky and/or less interesting/essential data?
FOR QUESTIONNAIRES Do the appendices contain a data summary sheet, a summary questionnaire and details of statistical analysis undertaken?
FOR INTERVIEWS Do the appendices contain data collected and analysed such as interview transcripts?
FOR OBSERVATIONS Do the appendices contain back up data on observations carried out?
Is the most relevant data clearly summarised, discussed and evaluated?
Have patterns in the data been identified and/or key variables compared and relationships highlighted?
Are all statements discussed in context and supported by the data?
Have the findings of the primary research been compared and contrasted with findings, theories, models or concepts derived from the literature review? Is the synthesis effective?

Attachment:- Assessment Brief Project.rar