Business

STAT1060 – ASSESSMENT 1
RESEARCH PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT DECISION MAKING
Weight: 10%
Length: 1500 words +/- 10%
Due time and date: 20th June 2021 at 11.59pm SGT
Submission instructions:
1. Maximum word length: 2000 words. The marking will stop at 2000 words.
2. Do not use the standard university cover page – make your own cover page following the
instructions below
3. Submit a soft copy in Word format or PDF via Turnitin.
4. Late Submission Penalty: As detailed in the Course Outline
This assignment has several purposes. It requires you to:
1. Research factual information to PROPOSE A RESEARCH APPROACH
2. Apply theories and concepts from Weeks 1 to 4
3. Work independently to develop ideas (adhering to the Principles of UoN)
4. Prepare a formal written report/research proposal.
Steps to follow to manage this assessment
1. Research the required information FOR THE CASE STUDY – HEAVENLY CHOCOLATES (at
the end of this document) to complete the sections of the report as outlined below.
Follow the rubric at the end of this document as a guide to your headings. Use a
numbering system for headings and subheadings.2. Propose a research approach for decision making using Management Research Questions
Hierarchy model (exhibit 5.6) found on slide 18 of the week 2 slides. The points to address
are as below
a. What are the problems/issues evident from the case study
b. What is causing these problems/issues
c. State the sources of secondary data you would access to begin this research; why?
d. State the method of primary research method you would use; why?
3. Format your assessment submission as detailed below
a. Cover Page – Please do not use the University assessment item cover sheet. In
Word, click on insert and select the first option “Cover Page”. Customise this cover
page to include course code, name, student id and student name.
b. Table of Contents – Should outline all headings, subheadings and the
corresponding page numbers. It is not included in word count.
c. Introduction to the report – It’s advisable to write this last as it overviews each of
the areas included in the report. Use future tense in your language, e.g. “This
report will…” Remember it should not include the conclusion. The purpose is to
introduce the report elements and structure.
d. Management decision to be made – A research problem statement in context of
this case study. What are the problems/issues evident from the case study
e. Main Research Objectives – List the objectives that will enable the management
team to make the decision. What are the causes of this problems/issues
f. Sources of Data (secondary) – List the sources of data / information to be
considered to identify the problem. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
these sources of data in context of this case study.
g. Primary data collection method – List the methods of data collection and justify
why you have chosen the said method of data collection. Discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of these methods of the data collection in context of this case
study.Criteria Fail (< 50)
Minimal or no
evidence
demonstrated:
Pass (50 – 64)
Some evidence
demonstrated:
Credit (65 – 74)
Adequate Evidence
demonstrated:
Distinction (75 – 84)
Thorough evidence
demonstrated:
High Distinction (85 –
100)
Excellent evidence
demonstrated:
Weigh
tage
Introduction The Introduction is
missing or does not
meet its purpose for
its intended
audience.
The introduction
provided does not align
to the report,
information and
structure is missing or
inaccurate.
Introduction fails to
cover either one of the
following
Introduce the report
OR
Define the scope
OR
Define the purpose.
Introduction clearly
introduces the report
and the scope of the
report and the purpose.
Minimal errors may be
evident. The
introduction is concise
(prescribed length) and
accurate.
Introduction clearly
introduces the report
and the scope of the
report and the purpose.
No errors are evident.
The introduction is
concise (prescribed
length) and accurate
and captures the
interest of the reader.
10%
Management
decision to be
made
No Background / Very
ambiguous need for
research stated.
Poorly stated MDP
with no linkages to
the need for
research.
AND/OR
One of the above are
missing.
Demonstrates an
adequate ability to
articulate why the
research is needed.
Limited information
presented. MDP has
been stated but no or
weak linkages
established to the need
for the research.
Demonstrates a sound
ability to summarise
why the research is
needed. A range of
information presented
to support this need.
Articulated the MDP
with attempted linkage
to the need for the
research.
Demonstrates clear
competence in
identifying and
articulating why the
research is needed. A
range of information
presented to support
this need; however,
limited secondary
sources are used. Wellarticulated MDP with
some linkage to the
need for the research.
Demonstrates
excellence in identifying
and accurately
summarising why the
research is needed. The
need is skilfully
informed by a range of
appropriate secondary
sources. Clearly
articulated MDP and
skilfully linked with the
need for the research
15%Main
Research
Objectives
No clear objectives
stated
Demonstrate an
adequate ability to
articulate the measures
required to make the
decision or what the
research should
achieve; however
limited information
presented.
Demonstrates a sound
ability to summarise the
measures required to
make the decision or
what the research
should achieve. A range
of information
presented to support
these objectives.
Demonstrates clear
competence in
identifying and
articulating the
measures required to
make the decision or
what the research
should achieve. The
objectives have some
logical linkages to each
other.
Demonstrates
excellence in identifying
and accurately
summarising the
measures required to
make the decision or
what the research
should achieve. The
objectives are skilfully
informed and
integrated with each
other.
20%
Data Sources
(Secondary
Data)
No sources stated or
proposed
Demonstrate an
adequate ability to
articulate the
secondary data sources.
Limited justification
presented.
Demonstrates a sound
ability to articulate the
secondary data sources.
Some sources are
discussed with
justification.
Demonstrates clear
competence to
articulate the
secondary data sources.
A variety of sources are
discussed with
justification.
Demonstrates
excellence in
articulating the
secondary data sources.
A large variety of
sources are skilfully
discussed with
appropriate
justification.
20%
Data
Collection
(Primary Data)
No sources stated or
proposed
Demonstrate an
adequate ability to
articulate the data
collection technique.
Limited justification
presented.
Demonstrates a sound
ability to articulate the
data collection
technique. Some ideas
are discussed with
justification.
Demonstrates clear
competence to
articulate the data
collection technique. A
variety of ideas are
discussed with
justification.
Demonstrates
excellence in
articulating the data
collection technique. A
large variety of ideas
are skilfully discussed
by a range of
justifications.
20%FORMATTING
Suitable
structure and
headings
The report is
inconsistent in structure
which impedes the
interpretation and unity
of the report for the
reader. The analysis
does not follow a logical
or organised structure.
The report reflects
minimal structure
flaws. Information
has been organised
to convey meaning to
the reader.
Titles/Subtitles are
included.
The report reflects
consistent structure.
Information is
organised and
sequenced to convey
the intended meaning
to the reader
Titles/Subtitles are
organised and included
to assist reading.
The report is well
structured. Information
is logically organised
and sequenced to
convey the intended
meaning to the reader
allowing ease of
reading. Titles/Subtitles
chosen influence the
report’s consistency.
The report is very well
structured. Information
is very well organised
and sequenced to
convey the intended
meaning to the reader
allowing ease of
reading.
Titles/Subtitles chosen
enhance the report’s
consistency and
accuracy.
15%
Format (12pt
font, 1.5
spacing, 2.5cm
margins)
Lack of any formatting
elements, or so many
format errors as to
make report
presentation
ineffective.
Formatting elements
often do not support
main points; the
majority of elements
are used consistently.
Formatting elements do
not always support
main points; elements
are used consistently
throughout
Formatting elements
are organized, highlight
some ideas and are
used consistently
throughout the report.
Formatting elements
are organized, highlight
ideas as required and
are used entirely
throughout the report.
Referencingin-text and
Reference List
(APA Style)
Insufficient or incorrect
citations for many
sources, with frequent
errors in format and
style. No bibliography or
list of cited sources.
Most references intext and List are
correctly identified
and referenced in
APA format, with
errors in format.
The majority of
references are correctly
identified and
referenced in APA
format, with minor
errors in format.
All references in-text
and List are cited in APA
citation style with
virtually no errors in
format.
The report correctly
cites all sources in-text
and list referencing
according to APA
citation style with no
errors, supporting any
further inquiry
required.
Required
length (1,500
words +/-
10%)
The report length is
decidedly outside the
suggested requirement
and can impede the
reader’s interest or
comprehension.
The report length is
minimally outside the
suggested
requirement but
does not impact
reading.
The report length is
within the allotted
requirement.
The report length is
within the allotted
requirement
The report length is
within the allotted
requirement.Writing –
clear, easy to
read
Paragraphs do not
identify the main idea.
The paragraphs have
little relationship to one
another. The vocabulary
selected is often
inappropriate. The
explanation of central
concepts and theories
are often inaccurate.
Lack of consistent
fluency and style make
reading and
comprehension difficult.
Most paragraphs are
consistent, with one
theme running
throughout and most
transitions enable
the reader to easily
follow the thread of
the report. Essential
vocabulary is chosen
for meaning and
context with minimal
errors. Explanation of
the major concepts
and theories has
been attempted. The
majority of the
report is clearly
written and can be
easily read.
The majority of
paragraphs are
consistent, one theme
runs throughout and
most transitions enable
the reader to easily
follow the thread of the
report. The majority of
vocabulary has been
chosen for suitability in
meaning and context.
Some major concepts
and theories are fully
explained. The writing
throughout the report
is very clear and can be
easily read by the
intended audience.
All paragraphs are
consistent; one theme
runs throughout and
their transitions allow
the reader to easily
follow the thread of the
report. All vocabulary is
chosen for suitable
meaning and context.
Major concepts and
theories are explained.
The writing reflects
clarity, supporting the
report content and
audience’s
interpretation.
All paragraphs are
consistent, one theme
runs throughout and
their transitions allow
the reader to easily
follow the thread of the
report. All vocabulary is
chosen for rich meaning
and context. All major
concepts and theories
are fully explained. The
writing reflects clarity,
enriches the report and
audience’s
interpretation.
Language –
spelling,
grammar,
punctuation
The report has not been
proofread, spellchecked or edited. The
large number of
grammar, punctuation,
and spelling errors
impede the reader’s
comprehension of the
report.
The report has been
spell-checked, but
several spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation errors
are apparent in the
report. These
mistakes do not
interfere with the
report’s content,
comprehension or
ease of reading.
The report has editing
and spell checking
evidence. A few minor
mistakes are evident
which in no way detract
from the report’s
content or ease of
comprehension.
The report has been
edited, spell-checked
and proofread, and has
minimal errors, All
sentences are complete
with grammar and
punctuation correctly
applied
The report has been
edited, spell-checked
and proofread, and has
no errors. All sentences
are complete and
grammatically correct
with punctuation
correctly applied.
Total 100%CASE STUDY: Heavenly Chocolates.
Heavenly Chocolates has made and sold quality chocolate products at its retail store (which is also
the production facility) located at Hay Market, Sydney for the last 20 years. The company is quite
popular for its select premium chocolates and dark chocolate pralines. Ten years ago, the company
developed a web site and began selling its products over the Internet within the local market. Two
years ago the company opened their website to cater to the international market as well. This
resulted in website sales exceeding their expectations resulting in the company unable to meet the
demand with its current production capacity.
Management is now considering strategies to meet the increased sales demand and sustain future
growth. Currently the business is losing its online sales due to lack of production capacity. Customers
have indicated out of stock products as a reason to shop elsewhere.
While Heavenly Chocolates had previously done most of its own research, given the urgency for
quick results, it turned to Connoisseur Consulting, who promised to deliver the required results
within 21 days