MRM700 Research Methods Assessment 1, 2026 | Help University

University HELP University (HU)
Subject MRM700 Research Methods

MRM700 Assessment 1

Course Code / Title: MRM700 Research Methods
Assessment No: Assessment 1
Title: Written Research Proposal

A. Overview

Task type: Report

Method: Individual

Weighting: 30%

Due date: 23:59 MYT, Sunday, Week 3 (12 October 2025)

Length: 1,500 words +/- 10% Course learning outcomes:

  • Formulate clearly defined research questions. (C6, PLO1)
  • Solve a specific research question using a well-designed, appropriate, coherent, and feasible research study with due consideration of research ethics. (P7, PLO3) (A5, PLO11)
  • Design a range of different research approaches and methods used to address business- and management-related problems. (C5, PLO2) (C5, PLO6)

B. Instructions

Objective:

The purpose of this assignment is to develop your ability to formulate a clear research problem, construct relevant research questions, critically engage with existing literature, and design an appropriate research approach by drafting key sections of a written research proposal.

You are required to submit a written draft of your research proposal. This draft should demonstrate your understanding of the research process and showcase your ability to develop a coherent and well-structured proposal. Your submission must include the following key sections:

Sections to include:

  1. Problem Statement and Research Questions
    • Clearly define the issue or gap you aim to address.
    • Formulate specific, focused and researchable questions that guide your study.
  2. Literature Review
    • Summarise and critically analyse key sources related to your research topic.
    • Identify gaps in the literature that justify your research.
    • Demonstrate how your proposed study fits within the existing body of knowledge.
  3. Research Design
    • Describe the overall approach (qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods).
    • Justify why this design is appropriate for your research questions.
    • Include information about sampling, data collection techniques and ethical considerations.

Submission Guidelines:

  • Word limit: 1,500 words +/- 10% (excluding references).
  • Use APA style for referencing and formatting.
  • Submit your document in Word or PDF format via the learning platform.

Assessment Criteria:

Your work will be assessed based on:

  • Clarity and relevance of the research problem and questions.
  • Depth and coherence of the literature review.
  • Appropriateness and justification of the research design.
  • Academic writing quality, structure and proper referencing.

C. Submission guidelines

  • Word count: The word length is 1500 words ± 10%, excluding table of contents and references but including tables and figures. State the word count in the last page before the References page
  • Formatting: The assignment must be submitted as a Word Document. The settings of the Word document include: A4 portrait size paper with 1 inch page margins in Times New Roman 12 with 1.5 line spacing in justified format.
  • Cover page: Students must attach an assignment cover page with their name, student ID, subject code and title, and the deadline for the assignment.
  • Referencing style: Use APA 7th referencing style. No footnotes. Try to present your tables and figures (together with labels and references) in the actual report for easy reading, not in the appendices.
  • Before submitting your assessment on Moodle, ensure that your Turnitin similarity index is no more than 20%. A higher score will be flagged for plagiarism. If it is higher than 20%, you may delete your submission (before the due date) and resubmit another copy of your assessment.

D. Feedback

Your assessment will be marked using the rubric below.

Criteria/Level High Distinction A+ (90%-100%) Distinction A (80%-89%) Credit B to B+ (60-79%) Satisfactory C to C+ (50-59%) Fail F (0-49%)
Problem statement and research questions [20 marks] The research problem is exceptionally clear and well-defined. The rationale for the study is convincingly articulated, demonstrating the significance of the research within the field. The problem is highly relevant to current issues in the field. The research problem is clear and well-defined, and the rationale is provided, though it may lack some depth in explaining the significance. The problem is relevant to the field. The research problem is adequately stated, but the rationale may be underdeveloped or somewhat unclear. The relevance to the field may not be strongly emphasized. The research problem is vague or poorly defined, and the rationale is weak or absent. The relevance to the field is unclear. The research problem is missing, irrelevant, or completely unclear. The rationale for the study is absent or does not justify the study’s relevance.
Literature review [30 marks] The literature review is comprehensive, critical, and well-organized. It effectively synthesizes the current state of research, identifies significant gaps, and highlights the contribution this research will make to the field. The literature review is well-organized and covers relevant studies, though it may not be fully critical in some areas. Gaps in the literature are identified but may need further explanation. The literature review is adequate but may be largely descriptive, with limited critical engagement. Some gaps in the literature are identified but not fully explored. The literature review is underdeveloped or descriptive without much critical analysis. Gaps are mentioned but not clearly connected to the research question. The literature review is missing, lacks relevant sources, or provides no meaningful critical analysis. There are no clear gaps identified.
Research design [30 marks] The methodology is exceptionally detailed and well-justified. The design, data collection methods, and analysis plan are thoroughly explained. The methodology is highly appropriate for addressing the research questions. Ethical considerations are carefully considered. The methodology is clear and well-justified, but some sections (such as data collection or analysis) may require further detail. Ethical considerations are addressed, but may need more depth. The methodology is adequate but lacks some detail, particularly in terms of data collection methods or analysis techniques. Ethical considerations may be addressed, but are weak. The methodology is underdeveloped or lacks sufficient detail. Ethical considerations are weak or not addressed at all. The methodology is missing or completely inappropriate for the research problem. There is no explanation of data collection or analysis methods. Ethical considerations are not addressed.
Structure and clarity [10 marks] The proposal is exceptionally well-structured, with a logical flow and clear transitions between sections. The language is precise and concise, with no ambiguity. The document is free from grammatical errors and is highly readable. The proposal is well-structured, with a clear flow between sections. There are minor issues with transitions or clarity, but they do not impede overall understanding. Some minor grammatical or typographical errors may be present. The proposal is adequate in structure, but there are areas where clarity or organization could be improved. The language is generally clear but may include verbosity or minor confusion. The proposal has poor structure, with sections that are difficult to follow. Transitions are weak, and there are some language issues or grammatical errors. The proposal is disorganized, with sections that lack clear structure. There are significant issues with clarity, grammar, and overall readability.
References and citation [10 marks] References are comprehensive, relevant, and properly cited according to the chosen citation style (e.g., APA, Chicago). The thesis uses a wide range of high-quality sources, including recent studies. References are relevant and mostly cited correctly, though there may be minor errors in citation style or missing sources. The range of sources could be broader or more recent. References are adequate, but there may be some inconsistencies in citation style or the use of outdated sources. The citation format may have some errors. References are incomplete or inconsistent, with errors in citation style or the use of irrelevant sources. References are missing or completely incorrect. Citation style is not followed, or sources are irrelevant or unreliable.

E. Support

For further support, please visit HELP Learning Resources Centre for a range of support services and resources to help you in your learning.

Academic integrity

Assessment plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, falsification of data or any form of assessment dishonesty is a misconduct. Refer to the Programme Handbook for more information regarding student responsibilities.

Assessment extensions

You can find information on how to request for an assessment extension in the Course Outline. You can find more important information regarding penalties for late assessment submissions, publication of results, return of marked assessments and re-sit in the Programme Handbook.

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