BMG871 Research Proposal by Assignment Experts UK
BMG871 Research Proposal – Assignment Brief
The assignment is a 4-part research proposal which outlines the plan for a ‘Pure’ research project. It is highly recommended to consider using this as a potential dissertation topic.
As a research proposal it must include the planning of primary research, but no primary data should be collected.
It should follow the format below & the assignment template on pages 2-5.
Where approximate word counts are given for each section/subheading.
The template contains sections/subheadings, beneath each there is a short bullet list. This is an explanation of the information you should include within each section. All submissions must include name, student number, contents page, address sections 1-4, a Reference / AI list, and any relevant appendices.
Deadline: 2nd of September 2025, 12pm, (Afternoon) UK Time (via Turnitin)
Word limit: 4000 words. You are allowed +/- 10%, which equates to 3600 – 4400[1].
Document format: Word (not PDF)
Font type: Times New Roman
Font size: 12
Line spacing: 1.5 line spacing.
Similarity score: No higher than 10%
Format: Cover sheet (see page 2)
Contents page (please use page numbers)
Assignment main body (following the template headings on pages 3-5)
Reference list
Appendices
BMG871 Research Proposal – Assignment Template
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Student ID Number |
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Student Name |
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Word count |
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Academic Declaration |
Students are reminded that the electronic copy of their assignment may be checked, at any point during their degree, with Turnitin or other plagiarism detection software. |
PART 1:
(Remember, you must plan to use primary research techniques only.)
Research Title
- One or two sentences. Your topic must be an international business context.
You should avoid studies that have exclusive Ireland/UK focus.
Introduction, Rationale and International Business Value (approx. 200 words)
- A background overview of the issue you intend to address.
- Articulate why the problem merits investigation and its significance.
- Outline the practical importance of your study to international businesses.
- Outline a literature gap. Outline how and where your study is positioned within the body of academic work (this final part is added following completion of Literature Review).
Literature Review (approx. 700 words)
- You must read the referencing/AI section on p5 before beginning this section.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the relevant literature i.e. the key concepts and empirical articles related to your study. - Individual theories should only be included where they are the focus of the study itself.
- How does your research relate to what has been done before in the subject area?
- It is important to cite academically robust sources and critically review them.
- A literature review should not be descriptive. It should be analytical and evaluative in nature, comparing and contrasting opinions/sources.
Research Aims & Objectives
(approx. 100 words, designed to fill gap in literature previously identified)
- Include an aim statement: The aim of this research project is to….
- The aim statement should be broken down into 3 research objectives.
- Formulate a research question
- The research objectives should facilitate an answer to the Aim.
PART 2 of BMG871 Researc Proposal
Qualitative Research Proposal (approx. 1400 words)
- Specify the research philosophy that underpins qualitative research and how this will impact the research approach.
- Articulate a detailed qualitative plan for the research, how will it be carried out? This must be specific and provide detail & justifications for all decisions/content. (Avoid bullet points and lists of advantages/disadvantages etc.)
- Outline your chosen data collection instruments in detail (use examples to illustrate e.g. an interview guide) and data analysis techniques.
- Convey relevant sampling considerations.
- Consider the validity and reliability of any methods proposed.
- Discuss any relevant limiting factors to your research.
- You must include a 3-month Gantt Chart as evidence of time management planning (not included in word count)
PART 3
Quantitative Research Proposal (approx. 1400 words)
- Specify the research philosophy that underpins quantitative research and how this will impact the research approach.
- Articulate a detailed quantitative plan for the research, how will it be carried out? This must be specific and provide detail & justifications for all decisions/content. (Avoid bullet points and lists of advantages/disadvantages etc.)
- Outline your chosen data collection instruments in detail (use examples to illustrate e.g. a survey guide) and data analysis techniques.
- Convey relevant sampling considerations.
- Consider the validity and reliability of any methods proposed.
- Discuss any relevant limiting factors to your research.
- You must include a 3-month Gantt Chart as evidence of time management planning (not included in word count)
PART 4
Conclusion (approx. 200 words)
- Students should specify and justify which methodological approach[2] and methods are best suited to address the area of research in a 3-month period (approx. 100 words).
- Students should consider/identify if there are any potential ethical issues that will need to be addressed in Part 2 & 3 (approx. 100 words).
Referencing / Generative AI:
- You must include a full list of references used in your work
- You must always acknowledge your source every time you refer to someone else’s work. Failure to do so counts as plagiarism which is against University regulations and is treated as a serious offence. http://www.ulster.ac.uk/academicoffice/download/Policies/PlagiarismPolicy&Procedures.docx
- All references must adhere to the Ulster Harvard Referencing Guide 2024 https://guides.library.ulster.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=35197722
- It is advisable that you use the library for your research:
https://library.qahighereducation.com/ulster
https://guides.library.ulster.ac.uk/businessguide - It is strongly recommended that you do not use generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Google Bard, Midjourney, Copilot). It does not help with this assessment. As with any source used in a piece of work, generative AI must be acknowledged and referenced in the usual way with a citation and reference list entry. Full details can be found: https://guides.library.ulster.ac.uk/harvardref/AIGenerativeTool
Appendices – Any addition information
[1] If the word count is outside the lower/upper limits, marks may be deducted.
The cover sheet, contents page, reference list and appendices are not included in the word count.
[2] Students should note any mono / mixed methods considerations.
What You Need to Know About BMG871 Research Proposal
The BMG871 Research Proposal is designed to prepare you for your dissertation by helping you write a clear and well-structured research proposal. A proposal is not the full dissertation; it is a document that shows you can choose a suitable topic, explain why it matters, and design a project that can be carried out within the time and resources available.
The Purpose of the Proposal
The research proposal is like a blueprint for your dissertation. It shows your tutors that you can:
- Identify a focused issue in business or management.
- Link it to what has already been studied in the field.
- Set out research questions that can realistically be answered.
- Design an approach that is practical, ethical, and academically sound.
By writing this proposal, you prove that you are ready to move on to the bigger project.
What the Proposal Should Contain
- Topic and Rationale
You begin by stating your chosen subject area and why it is worth exploring. The best topics are specific, relevant to your course, and connected to real business or management issues. - Research Questions or Objectives
The proposal should include one central research question, or two or three closely linked objectives. These guide everything else you do. - Background Reading
A short review of important studies, theories, or debates is needed. This shows you understand what has already been said about your topic, and where your research fits. - Methodology
Here you explain how you will carry out the study. Will you use surveys, interviews, case studies, or document analysis? You also need to justify why your chosen method is the right one. - Ethics
Every proposal must show that you are aware of ethical issues such as gaining consent, protecting data, and treating participants fairly. - Timeline and Feasibility
End with a simple plan that shows when each stage of the research will be completed. This proves your project is manageable.
What Skills Are Being Assessed
- Critical thinking – showing that you can select a topic and justify why it matters.
- Research awareness – connecting your idea with existing studies and theories.
- Practical design – choosing a method that is realistic and effective.
- Academic writing – presenting your ideas clearly, with correct referencing.