Weekly Learning Conversation 

(Group) plus weekly 250-word Individual reflection

Learning Set Conversation:

First 4 weeks during the Tutorials

PLUS

250-word individual reflection to 

be submitted by every Friday:

Week 1: 18/10/24

Week 2: 25/10/24

Week 3: 01/11/24

Week 4: 08/11/24

Time:23:59

Method: On-line submissionvia Studynet/Canvas

4 weeks after submission

Dr Ketty Grishikashvili

• Demonstrate understanding of contemporary business issue and challenges associated with business research 
• Demonstrate a potential business research issue, aim, objectives and question (s)
• Identifying key literature, theories and authors relevant to specific topics 

• Creating a learning community and communicating effectively across teams
• Formulate effective research aim, objectives and research question(s) 

Performance will be assessed using  HBS Grading Criteria and Mark scheme. 
Guidance for improvement will be given in writing on the Assessment Feedback Form or on the Study Net Feedback Form with  in 4weeks of submission.

For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches 40 for levels 4, 5 and 6 or 50 for level 7 (PG).  Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than 40 for level 4, 5 and 6, or 50 for level 7, no lateness penalty will be applied.  However, if a submission is more than 5 working days after the published deadline, a grade of zero will be awarded.

Assignment Title:Learning Conversation:Develop research topic, aim, objectives and question(s).

Description of the assignment:

This assignment serves as a preparatory stage and intends to develop your research, problem solving, teamworkand reflexive skills relevant to your final Research Proposal assignment, which takes 70% of the overall assessment weighting. In addition, this assignment will form a solid foundation for your final MSc IB Major Research Project which is a 60-credit module (weighting 1/3 of your degree).

During the first four weeks’seminar sessionsyou must prepare for and participate in a Learning Conversation(an approximately 30 minutes) based on concepts you have learned on Canvas preparation and in your face-to-face sessions.As a Learning Set you will be exploring key issues associated with the contemporary business and management research practices with the module tutors and with your peers. Reflection and collaborative feedback within the learning set during the weekly Learning Conversation will provide an opportunity to share understanding, formulate research problem, identify a relevant literature and develop potential research aim, objectivesand question(s) for your research proposal.

Topics to be discussed each week are as following:

Week 1- Nature of Business and Management Research & Research Process + The Case Study of the week.

Week 2- Identifying Potential Research Topic, Aims and Objectives +The Case Study of the week

Week 3-Identifying Potential Literature for your Research + The Case Study of the week.

Week 4 - Developing your own research topic, question (s), aim and objectives. It ismandatory to highlight the Contemporary Business Issue to be addressed for a SpecifiedOrganisation (it could be one of the well-knownbrands) + The Case Study of the week.

After each week’s Learning Conversation each member of Learning Set should reflect on their Learning Conversation and producereflective piece of workno more than 250 words and no less than 150.

You have to individually consider:

• What was the week’s topic and the case study of the week and what you learned from the Learning Conversation?
• How experience from this conversation can help you to build your own research proposal?
• What was the week’s topic and the case study, what did you learn from the Learning set Conversation?
• How experience from this conversation can help you to build your own research proposal?

An individual reflective Aide Memoiremust be uploaded to this portal by 23.59 on every Friday:

Week 1: 18/10/24

Week 2: 25/10/24

Week 3: 01/11/24

Week 4: 08/11/24

Important:There will be no extensions for any of these deadlines. If you cannot attend the tutorial, it is your responsibility, that you let your tutor know in advance with appropriate proof (e.g. a doctor’s note). 

Specific Instructions:

This work involves Two Stages.

Stage One

1. You must select your own Learning Set (group) within your tutorial groups, with a minimum of fourand maximum of fivemembers (recommended is four).  Only in exceptional circumstances and with permission from the module tutor will teams of three be allowed. Under no circumstances can teams be larger than five.

Failure to join a team may result in a loss of marks for the learning conversation component of the coursework.

You must form Learning Set within your tutorial group. You are not permitted to change tutorial 
group under any circumstances unless this has been formally agreed with the programme team.

2.Use Canvas preparation material to help you build your knowledge and understanding even further

3. Each group member must do their own research (e.g., find an information and bring it with you (an academic paper, newsletter or video) about the weeks topic and contribute equally during the Learning Conversation

Stage Two

After each week’s Learning Conversation each member of Learning Set should reflect on their Learning Conversation and produce a reflective piece of workno more than 250 words and no less than 150.

You have to individually consider:

Please Note: 

• Do not use Wikipedia as a reference – perhaps instead use it to find links to case studies and other published material. Use the UH online library for literature searches of academic peer-reviewed journals. Consider using search engines such as Google Scholar and Scopusfor practitioner-focused trade publications and news sources.
• The CASE Guide to Harvard Referencing is an essential resource.     

It is essential that you:

• Show ability to discuss and analyse the topic with critical awareness.
• Show ability to describe theoretical concepts and then use examples as illustrations of how theory is linked to practice.
• Use Harvard Referencing.
• Have at least 7 academic sources by end of week 5

Marking scheme:

Student Support and Guidance

• For further help, contact your module leader in their drop-in hours or by email.
• Use the Grading Criteria and Mark Scheme to help improve your work.
• Go to CASE workshops, use the CASE website anddrop-in hours www.studynet.herts.ac.uk/go/CASE/
• Academic English for Business support is available through daily drop-ins from the CASE office.  See the CASE workshop timetable on the CASE main website page for details.
• Make full use of Library search to identify relevant academic material and the ‘Subject Toolkit for Business’ which contains links to other Information Databases and the Information Management contact details. (http://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/LIS.nsf/lis/4DAF5390094771C2802575ED004212BF) 
• Some tutors allow students to test their work using Turnitin.  Guidance on submission to Turnitin via StudyNet can be found by using the following link.  http://www.studynet1.herts.ac.uk/ptl/common/asu.nsf/resource+library/TURNITIN+FOR+STUDENTS+2016+USER+GUIDE.pdf/$FILE/TURNITIN+FOR+STUDENTS+2016+USER+GUIDE.pdf