HRMM073 Work-Based Project Assignment, Faculty of Business and Law - University of Northampton, UK

Assignment title - Project Report

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The learning outcomes being addressed through this assignment are:

(a) Select, evaluate and synthesise literature associated with a work-based issue/topic, identified in consultation with the host organisation.

(b) Critically evaluate appropriate research methodologies and methods, selecting and deploying these within a specific work context, to investigate/address a work-based issue/topic.

(c) Critique and extend concepts relating to the chosen work-based topic/issue by gathering, analysing and integrating project findings with relevant literature.

(d) Make recommendations arising from the work-based project, that demonstrate sensitivity to, and understanding of, the particular work context.

Purpose of the Assessment - The purpose of this assignment is to enable learners to develop advanced-level independent research and critical problem-solving skills within a work-based context. Learners will develop knowledge of, and application of research and consultation skills & processes in a work-based context to address a live organisational issue/ topic.

Assignment Task - The assessment task is to produce a 6500 words independent piece of work-based research project report, which investigates or examines a specific issue/ topic in your workplace. Focusing on the workplace or organisation you work in, apply appropriate research techniques and analyses, and consequently provide relevant recommendations for the organisation in consideration of the identified issue/ topic.

SUGGESTED FORMAT FOR THE PROJECT REPORT -

1. TITLE PAGE

2. CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

What is the setting/ context for your work-based project?

What are the aim and objectives of your project?

What is/ are your research question(s)

Describe how your project will assist the organization that is under study, if relevant and applicable.

Describe the consultation process you have undertaken with the organization, if appropriate.

3. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

What are the key concepts and theories that provide some background for your work-based project? Discussing these entails a thorough review of relevant studies related to your work-based project. Make sure you consult a wide range of relevant literature/studies. Ensure this is a critical review - not just descriptive or an annotated bibliography. All sources should be correctly attributed using the Harvard Referencing format.

4. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

What methodology did you adopt and why?

What is the principle/ paradigm or philosophy that guides & shapes your work-based project and why (example Positivist, interpretivist; inductive/deductive, etc.)?

Who is your research sample and why? How did you select your sample/ participants

What methods did you employ for collecting/ gathering data and why?

How did you ensure adequate ethical procedure?

What are your hypotheses, if applicable?

How did you analyse your data (analytical and statistical procedures employed.) and why?

5. CHAPTER 4: RESULTS/ FINDINGS

Provide clear and logical presentation of the findings or results of your project, sighting corresponding examples/ instances from your collected/ generated data. These might include tables, graphs or other diagrams.

What do your findings show? Give examples from your data. Refer to any diagrams, questionnaire results, graphs, quotations from interviewees etc.

Ensure your results correspond with your stated research objectives/ research questions, or hypotheses (if applicable).

You might want to consider integrating this section with Chapter 5 (below) or it can be a standalone Chapter.

6. CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION AND EVALUATION

Provide a critical discussion of your findings/ results aimed at addressing your research objectives or answering your stated research question(s)/ hypotheses. Refer to any diagrams, questionnaire results, interview quotes, etc. discussed/ presented in the Results/ Findings Chapter

What are the implications of your findings?

How do your findings link with existing research? How far do your findings contradict/confirm the literature you refer to in the literature review?

What have you found that is new?

7. CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

What conclusions do you reach as a result of doing your work-based project? Summarise these.

What are the limitations of your project?

What recommendations would you make to the host organisation?

How would you implement your recommendations? Consider practicalities and cost.

Do you think your recommendations are innovative or entrepreneurial? How and why are they?

8. REFERENCES - A list of references using the Harvard system.

Attachment:- Work-Based Project Assignment File.rar