3. Project Management Ethics and Proposal

8/3/2019 3. Project Management Ethics and Proposal

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Project Progress to date

Select a topic within a subject area Compile a list of key words

Search for literature

Save source material- Books for theory

- Journal articles for business examples

- Reputable web sites for current thinking

Attempt to convert the topic into a researchquestion or problem to answer


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Project Management

Security save work, date it and ensure back-upon the web eg. Mahara available through Moodle

Create a Project folder (with sub folders) on yourhome computer and also on Mahara (or otherweb facility) to store documents in progress

Supporting work to include key words,literature sources, reference list, proposal etc

Report sections to include Introduction,Literature review, Methodology, Findings etc.


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Project Management

All students are allocated a supervisor Marks are allocated for project management

What to expect of the supervisor:

- Regular appointments for discussion of work

- If possible, send work in advance of meeting sothat supervisor can read it before the meeting

- Record summary of supervision meetings on

proforma which supervisor should sign- Completed supervision proforma is included at the

back of the project report.


4/14

Update on Literature Searching

Login through Athens to access articlesthrough university subscription

New source:

- EBSCO Host Integrated Search (EHIS)

- Simultaneously runs a search over avariety of online databases including

Emerald and Sage plus the EBSCOhost e-book collection


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Consideration of Ethics

Consider ethical issues when collecting primarydata involving human subjects

Avoid vulnerable participants

Ensure that participants give consent Ensure that appropriate permission is gained for

access to a study within a business environment

Ensure that research instruments do not presenta business in a negative light


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Consideration of Ethics

Avoid topics which participants may findsensitive

Dont include drugs, food or other substances

with participants Dont offer financial inducements

Dont use any deceptive means to collect data

Ensure that the data collection does not involveany distress to the participants

Safeguard confidentiality of data collected


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Project Proposal

Research Question/Problem Examples

- Will raising tuition fees affect studentrecruitment at university?

- Can small businesses afford to enforce allhealth and safety requirements?

- An investigation into staff retention at thepizza restaurant

- A critical appraisal of the global crisis and itsimpact on the retail industry


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Project Proposal

Terms of reference

1. The purpose, aims and objectives of theresearch project

2. The research method used andjustification of chosen method

3. What do you hope to find out? Draw

conclusions and recommendations


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Project Proposal

Background/Context

Background to problem

Brief history of development of problem

Current issues Why the project is worth researching

Context of research

Background to organisation

Accessibility of data


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Project Proposal

Theoretical considerations Project must have a theoretical basis

Identify a range of subject theories whichcould be applied

Identify about 6 key factors for discussion

Include some business examples tosupport the theory

Refer to some websites which may beuseful for current thinking


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Project Proposal

Methodology Identify possible method of research

Justify reason for choice refer to aresearch methods text

How are you going to analyse the data?

- Quantitative data Excel or SPSS

-

Qualitative data content analysis


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Project Proposal

Timescale Oct Nov: work on proposal

Nov Jan: work on literature review

Feb: methodology section & design

questionnaires Feb March: undertake research

March April: findings, analysis discussion

May conclusions, recommendations, evaluationand complete write up


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Project Proposal

References & Bibliography

Use Harvard Referencing

Books for subject theory and researchmethodology theory

Journal articles for business examples

Identify suitable websites for current thinking

Need a minimum of 6 references for proposal


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Next stages

Secure an appointment with supervisor

Discuss first draft of proposal with supervisor

Search for more literature

Revise proposal

Need second appointment with supervisor

Revise proposal

Submit completed Project Proposal Proformaelectronically through Turnitin

Documents

3. Project Management Ethics and Proposal