NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY

BTEC HND BUSINESS & MANAGEMENT

SCHEME OF WORK
Unit No.

Unit Title

Research Project

Name of Lecturer

Daniel Van Houtte

Name of Tutors

Nguyen Hong Van, Nguyen Phuong Mai, Duong Van Bay, Ho

Hoang Lan, Le Thi Huong Lan, Trinh Thi Thu Giang, Tran Thi
Bich Ngoc

Start Date: 19/8

End Date: 30/11

Methods of Assessment: Reports on Proposal and Research (Take Home Assignment),

Presentation (In-class)
Modes of Instruction: Lecture, Tutorial, and Coaching
Compulsory Text(s): Edexcel HNC/HND Business, 2010, Research Project Course Book,
BPP Professional Education, U.K.
Recommended Text(s): Donald R.C and Pamela S.S, 2006, Business Research Methods
(9th edition), McGraw-Hill Irwin, U.S.A.
Students will present research project results in oral and written form. The learning
outcomes covered by each piece of assessed work are shown in the assignment brief.

Outcomes Assessment criteria

Outcome 1:
Understand how to formulate a research specification
Assessment Criteria
Research formulation: aims and objectives; rationale for selection; methodology for
data collection and analysis; literature review; critique of references from primary
sources eg questionnaires, interviews; secondary sources eg books, journals, internet;
scope and limitations; implications eg resources
Hypothesis: definition; suitability; skills and knowledge to be gained; aims and
objectives; terms of reference; duration; ethical issues
Action plan: rationale for research question or hypothesis; milestones; task dates;
review dates; monitoring/reviewing process; strategy
Research design: type of research eg qualitative, quantitative, systematic, original;
methodology; resources; statistical analyses; validity; reliability; control of variables
Outcome 2:
Be able to implement the research project within agreed procedures and to
specification
Assessment Criteria
Implement: according to research design and method;test research hypotheses;
considering test validity; reliability

Data collection: selection of appropriate tools for data collection; types eg qualitative,
quantitative; systematic recording; methodological problems eg bias, variables and
control of variables, validity and reliability
Data analysis and interpretation: qualitative and quantitative data analysis
interpreting transcripts; coding techniques; specialist software; statistical tables;
comparison of variable; trends; forecasting

Outcome 3:
Be able to evaluate the research outcomes
Assessment Criteria
Evaluation of outcomes: an overview of the success or failure of the research project
planning, aims and objectives, evidence and findings, validity, reliability, benefits,
difficulties, conclusion(s)
Future consideration: significance of research investigation; application of research
results; implications; limitations of the investigation;improvements; recommendations
for the future, areas for future research
Outcome 4:
Be able to present the research outcomes
Assessment Criteria
Format: professional delivery format appropriate tothe audience; use of appropriate
media

RP TEACHING SCHEDULE
Session/week

Content

Lecturer

Week 1 (week of 19/8)

Week 2 (week of 26/8)

Reading

Lecture: Introduction to the research project

Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 1
Lecture: Research Philosophies,
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 2
Methodologies and Ethics
Week 3 (week of 2/9)
Lecture: Research Topics, Questions and
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 3
Hypothesis, Research Proposal
Tutorial*: Finalizing research topic & question w/ assigned Tutors
Week 4 ( week of 9/9)
Coaching: Research Proposal
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 3
Tutorial*: Finalizing Research Proposal
w/ assigned Tutors
Week 5 (week of 16/9)
Training for students to collect literature in
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 3
library (**)
Submission of final draft (02 copies) Research Proposal (Assignment 1) on 23 september 2013
(Rework Submission for Assignment 1 is 1st October 2013)
Week 6 (week of 23/9)
Lecture: Literature Review
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 4
Week 7 (week of 30/9)
Lecture: Literature Review
Daniel Van Houtte
Tutorial*: Literature Review
w/ assigned Tutors
October 7 to October 13 Mid term break
Week 8 (week of14/10)
Lecture: Data collection
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 4
Tutorial*: Data collection guide
w/ assigned Tutors
Week 9 (week of 21/10)
Lecture off for students to collect data (**)
Tutorial*: Data collection guide
w/ assigned Tutors
Week 10 (week of 28/10) Lecture: Data Analyis
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 6
Week 11 (week of 4/11)
Lecture: Data Analyis
Le Huong Lan
SPSS
Week 12 (week of 11/11)
Lecture off for students to analyse data (**)
Tutorial*: Assisting with data analysis
w/ assigned Tutors
Week 13 (week of 18/11)
Lecture: Final Draft & Presentation
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 6
Tutorial*: Final Draft & Presentation
Week 14 (week of 25/11)
Coaching: Final Draft and Presentation
Daniel Van Houtte
Chapter 7
Tutorial*: Comments on Final Draft
w/ assigned Tutors
All day Presentation on first week of December 2013 (date to be confirmed)
Submission of Research Report (Assignment 2) on ..... (one week after presentation, to be confirmed)