BTEC HND IN BUSINESS (FINANCE)

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

NAME OF STUDENT REGISTRATION NO. UNIT TITLE ASSIGNMENT TITLE ASSIGNMENT NO NAME OF ASSESSOR SUBMISSION DEADLINE

Unit 8: Research Project Research Proposal 1 of 2

I, __________________________ hereby confirm that this assignment is my own work and not copied or plagiarized from any source. I have referenced the sources from which information is obtained by me for this assignment.

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_________________________ Date

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FOR OFFICIAL USE

Assignment Received By: Date:

Unit Outcomes
Outcome Evidence for the criteria Feedback Assessors decision
First Re-

Internal Verification

Identify a research question or hypothesis and justify choice

Prepare a research proposal relating to a specified area of business (1)

Justify the chosen methodology in terms of the research question

Prepare an action plan with target dates and methods for monitoring and updating

Devise a code of ethics for the conduct of the study

Merit grades awarded Distinction grades awarded

M1 D1

M2 D2

M3 D3

Outcome

Evidence for the criteria

Feedback

Assessors decision

Internal Verification

Comments by Assessor - Common Skills

A B C D E F G

Assignment
( ) Well-structured; Reference is done properly / should be done (if any) Overall, youve Areas for improvement:

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(Oral feedback was also provided) STUDENT SIGNATURE NAME :..............................................................................

FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY VERIFIED YES NO DATE NAME : .......................................................................... : ...........................................................................

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COMMON SKILLS & COMPETENCIES ASSESSED (indicated by X)

A. MANAGING & DEVELOPING SELF

1. Managing own roles & responsibilities 2. Manage own time in achieving objectives 3. Undertakes personal and career development 4. Transfer skills gained to new/changing situations & contexts

D. MANAGING TASKS & SOLVING PROBLEMS

12. Use information sources 13. Deal with a combination of routine & non-routine tasks 14. Identify & solve routine & non-routine problems

B. WORKING WITH & RELATING TO OTHERS

5. Treat others beliefs and opinions with respect 6. Relate & interact effectively with individuals & groups 7. Work effectively as a team member

E. APPLYING NUMERACY
15. Applying numerical skills and techniques

F. APPLYING TECHNOLOGY
16. Use a range of technological equipment and systems

C. COMMUNICATING
8. Receive and respond to a variety of information 9. Present information in a variety of visual forms 10. Communicate in writing 11. Participate in oral & no-verbal communication

G. APPLYING DESIGN AND CREATIVITY

X X

17. Applying a range of skills and techniques to develop a variety of ideas in the creation of new / modified products, services or situations 18. Use a range of thought processes

SCENARIO RESEARCH PROPOSAL You are assigned to conduct a market research on specific area of an industry sector i.e. cosmetic sector in Vietnam either local or global or both. You may focus on your own field of interest including, but not limited to, general management, marketing, organizational behaviour, finance, operations, and/or information systems etc. You are required to establish relationships with stakeholders of cosmetic and beauty products who operate business in Vietnam. The cosmetics sector in Vietnam is in the early stages of development. Presently, the sale of cosmetics and beauty products is largely uncontrolled and is plagued by a wide range of fake, mislabelled, and smuggled products. The Vietnamese cosmetics market is highly price sensitive and full of low-cost knock-offs. International cosmetic giants must contend with these challenges when entering the market with their premium products. Vietnamese consumers spend about VND 45,000 (about USD $3) for cosmetics purchases sold at local street shops and about VND 100,000 (about USD $6.5) for similar beauty products sold at department stores, supermarkets, and specialty cosmetics shops. Consumer tastes and preferences for more sophisticated products are maturing and shifting towards quality brand names. This is especially so with younger consumers. Incumbent foreign companies in Vietnam recognize the markets future potential and are advertising aggressively. To capture more market share, local manufacturers are investing in more research and development, as well as marketing and distribution activities to compete with superior international brands. This growing and rapidly developing market offers numerous opportunities for American companies in the following segments: finished beauty products, raw cosmetics material and manufacturing technologies and related equipment for beauty products.

It is estimated that 90-95 percent of the market for international cosmetics products in Vietnam is in the more cosmopolitan areas of the country, including Ho Chi Minh City in the south and Hanoi in the north. Relatively few sales of international cosmetics occur outside of these cities. The cosmetics market in Ho Chi Minh City is about five times larger than that of Hanoi. There are hundreds of locally produced brands and other low prestige cosmetics labels from China and Thailand targeted towards low-income consumers. Foreign make-up and skin care products are steadily gaining in popularity among Vietnamese consumers. Sales of skin care products are expected to level off and grow at around 10-15 percent annually over the next three years, as this previously untapped market segment becomes cluttered with foreign and domestic brands. Although Vietnamese consumers still prefer skin care products from Europe and Japan, locally produced products account for 65 percent of the market for skin care products. This research project should draw together other business areas of content you have selected, and form a holistic piece of work which provides meaningful contribution to academic as well as commercial practices. You are required to demonstrate the ability to work independently while working closely with your research supervisor. Your research proposal should include the following area:

Identify a research background, objectives, research question or hypothesis and justify your choice (1 a) Justify the chosen methodology in terms of the research question (1 b)

Prepare an action plan with target dates and methods for monitoring and updating (1 c) Devise a code of ethics for the conduct of the study (1 d)

Note Your research project proposal should include explanations, comparisons, analyses, generalizations, relationships, predictions, etc. When you are selecting the area of concern for this research proposal and intended report, ensure that it is challenging, interesting, methodological and relevant to you and the organisation. You would also need to ensure the feasibility for such research and this include; availability of information, skills, interest, time and risk involved. Your research proposal should include the following: Proposal Cover sheet Table of contents Research background
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Statement of problem Research objectives Research questions/hypotheses Research methodology Intended literature Proposed structure of the final research report Action plan and target dates (including monitoring method and possible updates during your research process) Research limitations Research ethics References

GRADING Pass is achieved by meeting all the requirements defined in the assessment criteria. (Refer page 2 of the assignment brief) Merit Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions. (M1)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence relevant theories and techniques have been applied in consideration to the research question or hypothesis and choice justified. Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques (M2)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence a range of methods and techniques have been have been identified for research questions Present and communicate appropriate findings (M3)

Characteristics / Possible Evidence An appropriate structure and approach has been used to write a professional report and a range of methods of presentation like charts, diagrams, graphs are used. Distinction Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions (D1)
Characteristics / Possible Evidence creation has been used to generate and justify valid comments and overcome barriers to the research project proposal.

Common Skills Grading

To achieve a PASS, students answers should display and responds to a variety of activities, legible with neat written work, an intention of gathering different sources of information and the structure to be presented for the project report. To achieve a MERIT, student must show a well compile answers on the specific tasks given. The compilation in general is well documented and logically set out with evidence of significant intended research activities. However, the solutions may not always be apparent. The ideas presented will reveal an approach, which is quite realistic, and of some value in the context of the specific business activities. The standard of presentation should be good. To achieve a DISTINCTION, student must show well compiled answers, with cross references in relations to the intended research project report. The compilation will be well documented and logically set out, with evidence of intended extensive findings and possible applications. The intended plan and execution of the activities will be clearly apparent. In addition, there may also be evidence of original thinking. The ideas presented will reveal a mature and realistic approach to organising resources for the various business activities. The standard of presentation should be excellent.

PRESENTATION
1.

The assignment should have a cover page that includes the assignment title, assignment number, course title, module title, Lecturer/tutor name and students name. Attach all the pages of assignment brief/cover sheet with your report and leave them blank for official use.

2. Ensure that authenticity declaration has been signed.

3.

This is an individual assignment and a CD of the report with references is to be included.

4. Content sheet with a list of all headings and page numbers. 5. A fully typed up professionally presented report document. Use 12 point Arial or Times New Roman script.
6.

Your assignment should be word-processed and should not exceed 2,500 words in length.

7. Use the Harvard referencing system. 8. Exhibits/appendices are outside this limit. 9. The assignment should be not contain a bibliography but should contain a list of any references used in the assignment. NOTES TO STUDENTS FOR SUBMMISSION Check carefully the submission date and the instructions given with the assignment. Late assignments will not be accepted. Ensure that you give yourself enough time to complete the assignment by the due date. Do not leave things such as printing to the last minute excuses of this nature will not be accepted for failure to hand-in the work on time. You must take responsibility for managing your own time effectively. If you are unable to hand in your assignment on time and have valid reasons such as illness, you may apply (in writing) for an extension. Failure to achieve a PASS grade will results in a REFERRAL grade being given. Take great care that if you use other peoples work or ideas in your assignment, you properly reference them in your text and any bibliography. NOTE: If you are caught plagiarizing, you could have your grade reduced to zero, or at worst, you could be excluded from the course.