Contemporary Business Enquiry Final Writing Up

Contemporary Business
Enquiry: writing up the

assessment
TM9644
Lavinia Wilson-Youlden
Session outline
• The topic proposal form requirements

• To review the assessment criteria for TM9644
• To identify specific areas where students have lost marks in the past
• To provide a reminder of what we mean by an ‘effective literature review’
Assessment
• The Topic Proposal form

• 500 words
• Short document that explains how you propose to investigate your business
enquiry
• Submission on line on Monday 4th March (12.00) link in Bb folder
• 5% weighting of overall mark & feedback on appropriateness/ strengths/
weaknesses of proposal will be provided by your workshop tutor
• Failure to submit proposal will result in a 0 mark for the proposal & 5% reduction
in final summative mark
The Topic Proposal : key headings
• Student Name & Programme
• Proposed Working Title
• You will need to develop a ‘working’ title that you will then
develop into the Final title by engaging with the literature.
Remember the ‘funnel’ concept, you can only achieve this
by engaging with the literature in an iterative way.
• Introduction – short paragraph to introduce/ summarise your
topic (why it is relevant, key focus and objectives to the study)
• Key literature identified
• Identify details of the main academic concepts/ theory that
may be useful & provide a list of 6 literature sources
(academic/ practitioner & professional)
Funnel concept: structure of a literature
review
Main Literature Review
4,500 word literature review on a contemporary issue within the business and
management discipline of your named programme
Primary data collection is not required, you will analyse your chosen business enquiry
through examination of published academic sources
Student-led & allows you to develop your critical analysis of published research in
your chosen discipline
Hand in 12.00 Tuesday 14th May correctly formatted & fully referenced
Main Review Structure
• Appropriate Title
• Abstract (maximum 300 words) & a set of related keywords
• Introduction (justifying the importance/ purpose of the topic) & a set of Objectives. Some
“signposting” around the structure of the assignment, may also include Research Boundaries
(Including inclusion/exclusion criteria) depending upon your topic.
• Main Body (structured with themes/ sub-themes/ linkage between your sections)
• Conclusions (linkages between business practice & academic theory & possible
recommendations )
• A reference list using APA referencing convention
• Also to include a copy of the original proposal after your reference list
Writing Up Your Assignment: From Machi and McEvoy (2022: p157)
Assessment Criteria: Structure & presentation – 10%
• Free from spelling, punctuation & grammatical errors

• Layout & format consistent with assessment guidelines
• Use of appropriate writing style (detached & passive)
• Word count noted
• Logical structure – appropriate headings/ sub- headings &
• Evidence provided to support all structured arguments
Assessment Criteria: Referencing – 10%
• The reference list is in alphabetical order

• The formatting of the reference list is consistent with APA
• An appropriate number of references have been used (consistent with a 5,000 word
assignment on a Contemporary Business Issue)
• The majority of references are from appropriate peer reviewed academic/practitioner sources
• Where students lose marks:
• Inappropriate sources
• Do not overuse quotes & always include page numbers
• Mismatch between sources in main text & sources listed in references list
• Formatting in reference list (upper case/ italics/ lack of consistency)
Assessment Criteria: Main Body – 50%
• Identification and Justification of a Suitable Topic/ Issue for Investigation. This Topic
must be consistent with the named Degree Programme
• Development of a Focused Research Question with Clear Research Boundaries
• Identification of an Appropriate Literature Domain (Sources of Literature)
• Introduction to justify the topic & appropriate achievable objectives
• Areas where students lose marks:
• Overly simplistic topic
• No clear objectives or structure to the study/ lacks signposting
• Overly descriptive
• Unsupported by reference or evidence for claims
Assessment Criteria: Conclusion – 20%
• A short summary of key findings (e.g. tensions/agreements in the academic

literature), the relationship between academic theory and current professional
practice (e.g. do they agree, if not what are the differences etc?)
• Are there recommendations for best practice, recognition of need for further
academic research recognised/ avenue for further developments in relation to
professional practice etc.
Reminder: An effective literature review (1)
1. Identifies and includes the most relevant and significant research to the topic
2. Discusses and evaluates research
3. Identifies Recognised Experts
4. Contextualises and justifies your aims and objectives
5. Considers and discusses research that supports and opposes your ideas
An effective literature review (2)
6. Justifies claims (i.e. points) made logically with valid evidence

7. Distinguishes between fact and opinion
8. Includes research that has been published for seminal studies but more
predominantly current research
9. References all sources fully (using the APA system)
Source credibility
1. Where did you find it? – source credibility

2. When was it written? – date relevance for your enquiry
3. Why was it written? – does it add to your discussion
4. What is its purpose? – as above
5. In what country is it based? – can you generalise or very country specific
6. For primary research
• What methods did they use?
• How many people were in the sample?
• Question critically
• Tell a consistent story throughout your review
Important • Focus clearly on your chosen area – do not try &

include everything about the topic
things to
• Cross reference your work against marking criteria
• Proof read your work carefully
remember • Check your word count

• Put the final version of your work through Turnitin
and check your score & amend work accordingly.
Workshops delivery
• Week 4 workshop will explore AI tools
• Week 5 will be focused on the Proposal & week 6-12, focus on the final
literature review topic
• Tutor to provide guidance & support, they will share with you the
structure for your workshop sessions.
• Please remember to use Skills Plus & access support for:
• Referencing: https://library.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus/referencing/apa
• https://northumbria-cdn.azureedge.net/-/media/services/it-services/document
s/pdf/chatgpt--drawbacks-of-using-ai-tools-chatgpt.pdf?modified=20230424151
029
(draw backs of using AI tools)
• https://myportal.northumbria.ac.uk/Help-and-support/My-Programme/Acade
mic-Support/Understanding-Academic-Integrity-and-Academic-Misconduct

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Contemporary Business

Enquiry: writing up the

• The topic proposal form requirements

• The Topic Proposal form

• Free from spelling, punctuation & grammatical errors

• The reference list is in alphabetical order

• A short summary of key findings (e.g. tensions/agreements in the academic

6. Justifies claims (i.e. points) made logically with valid evidence

1. Where did you find it? – source credibility

Important • Focus clearly on your chosen area – do not try &

remember • Check your word count

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