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DESCRIPTION OF COURSEWORK
Course Code SEM212
Course Name Research Methodology
Lecturer
Academic Session
Assessment Title Research Project
A. Introduction/ Situation/ Background Information
The objective of a research proposal is to present and justify a research idea and to present the
practical ways in which the research should be conducted.
B. Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) covered
At the end of this assessment, students are able to:
CLO 1 To develop students' understanding and application of methodologies and statistical
analysis in Business research (Social sciences).
CLO 2 To identify many sources of business information and alert about various means for
information gathering.
CLO 3 To discuss the suitability research designs.
C. University Policy on Academic Misconduct
1. Academic misconduct is a serious offense in Xiamen University Malaysia. It can be defined
as any of the following:
i. Plagiarism is submitting or presenting someone else’s work, words, ideas, data or
information as your own intentionally or unintentionally. This includes incorporating
published and unpublished material, whether in manuscript, printed or electronic form into
your work without acknowledging the source (the person and the work).
OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
Reference No. : XMUM.OAA - 100/2/8-V2.0
Effective Date : 23 APRIL 2018
Xi Jianqun
2024/04
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ii. Collusion is two or more people collaborating on a piece of work (in part or whole) which
is intended to be wholly individual and passed it off as own individual work.
iii. Cheating is an act of dishonesty or fraud in order to gain an unfair advantage in an
assessment. This includes using or attempting to use, or assisting another to use materials
that are prohibited or inappropriate, commissioning work from a third party, falsifying data,
or breaching any examination rules.
2. All the assessment submitted must be the outcome of the student. Any form of academic
misconduct is a serious offense which will be penalised by being given a zero mark for the
entire assessment in question or part of the assessment in question. If there is more than one
guilty party as in the case of collusion, both you and your collusion partner(s) will be subjected
to the same penalty.
D. Instruction to Students
1. Prepare a research proposal consist of three chapters (50%) – Chapter 1, 2 & 3
Deadline: Week 8 (Friday) before 4 pm
2. Data Analysis and Discussion (30%) – Chapter 4 & 5
Deadline: Week 12 (Friday) before 4 pm
3. a- Completed research project
Deadline: Week 14 (Tuesday) before 4 pm
b- Presentation (20%)
Date: Week 14 & 15 (Thursday and Friday)
All submissions are via online system (Moodle), slides presentation must
be submitted after the presentations.
Please refer to the research activities datelines in Appendix I.
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E. Evaluation Breakdown
No. Component Title Percentage (%)
1. Proposal Report 50
2. Data Analysis and Discussion 30
3. Presentation 20
TOTAL 100
F. Task(s)
1. PROPOSAL REPORT (INTRODUCTION, LITERATURE REVIEW AND
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY)
Students are required to write a research proposal that covers three (3) chapters, namely i)
Introduction, ii) Literature Review, and iii) Research Methodology. The chosen research
topic must be relevant to the program and for future used during Thesis course. The details
are as follows:
i- Cover Page (university format)
ii- Research Title
iii- Table of Content
iv- CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
• Introduction
• Background of the Study
• Problem Statement
• Research Questions
• Research Objectives
• Significance of the Study
• Scope of the Study
• Definition of Terms
• Organization of Project Paper
v- CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW
• Introduction
• Literature Review
o Xxxx (Dependent Variable)
o Xxxx (Independent Variable 1)
o Xxxx (Independent Variable 2)
o Xxxx (Independent Variable 3)
o Xxxx (Independent Variable 4)
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o Xxxx (Independent Variable 5)
(The subsection must include all the variables being use in your
study).
• Theory
• Conceptual Framework
• Hypothesis
• Chapter Summary
vi- CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
• Introduction
• Research Design
• Population and Sample
• Types of Data Use
• Data Collection Method
• Measurement of Variables
• Proposed Data Analysis
• Chapter Summary
vii- References (APA Format 7th Edition)
viii- Please refer to the assignment rubric for the marks distribution (Appendix
II)
FORMAT: -
• Line spacing: 2.0 Spacing
• Font size: 12
• Font color: Black
• Font: Times New Roman
• Page number: Bottom of the page (center)
• No of pages: 25 – 30 pages
• Please follow the university cover format as the front page and attach the related rubric
on the second page.
2. DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION (30%)
Students are required to write: i) Data Analysis, and ii) Discussion and Conclusion chapters
that include the following elements:
i- CHAPTER 4 DATA ANALYSIS
• Introduction
• Demographic Data
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• Reliability Test (Questionnaire Survey – Cronbach Coefficient Alpha)
• Correlation
• Regression Analysis
• Chapter Summary
ii- CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
• Introduction
• Overview of the Study (Indicate research questions and research
objectives)
• Discussion of Result
• Contribution of the Study
• Recommendation for Future Research
• Limitations of Study
• Conclusion
• Chapter of Summary
iii- References (APA Format 7th Edition)
iv- Appendices (eg. Questionnaire)
v- Please refer to the assignment rubric for the marks distribution (Appendix III)
FORMAT: -
• Line spacing: 2.0 Spacing
• Font size: 12
• Font color: Black
• Font: Times New Roman
• Page number: Bottom of the page (center)
• Number of pages: 25-30 pages
• Please follow the university cover format as the front page and attach the related rubric
on the second page.
3. PRESENTATION (20%)
Students need to prepare a presentation based on the completed research project. The
presentation content includes:
a. Student’s particular and research project title.
b. Introduction
c. Problem statement
d. Research questions and research objectives
e. Significance of study
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f. Research framework and hypotheses
g. Research design
h. Measurement of variables
i. Results
j. Discussion
k. Contribution
l. Limitation
m. Future Research
Please refer to the assignment rubric for the mark’s distribution. (Appendix IV).
FORMAT: -
• No of slides: 10 slides – on content.
• Time allocation: 10 minutes (maximum).
• Please follow the university cover format as the front page and attach the related rubric
on the second page.
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APPENDIX I
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
End of
Week
Research Activity Chapter
1 Identification of research area and variables based on
previous recent articles
1
2 Completed write up on introduction, background of study,
problem statement, research question and research
objective
1
3 Completed write up on significance of study and organization
of project paper
1
4 Completed write up on literature review (including theory),
research framework and hypothesis
2
5 & 6 Completed write up on research methodology (research designs,
measurement of variables, proposed data analysis techniques -
based on previous studies).
3
7 Preparation of questionnaire layout 1-3
7 Data collection – preliminary study 3
8 Submission of Chap 1 – 3 to lecturer
Data Collection – preliminary study
1-3

3
9 Data Collection – preliminary study 3
10 Completed analysing data using SPSS 4
11 Completed write up on data analysis chapter 4
12 Completed write up on discussion and conclusion chapter
Submission of Chapter 4 Data Analysis & Chapter 5
Discussion and Conclusion to lecturer
5
13 Checking on references format and appendices 1-5
14 Submission of completed research project to lecturer
Presentation of completed research project to lecturer
1-5
15 Presentation of completed research project to lecturer 1-5
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Name: Matrix No: Group:
Criteria 1-Poor 2- Need
Improvement
3- Satisfactory 4- Good 5- Excellent
Establishing the
research context
(problem statement,
research questions
and research
objectives)
Research problem is
vaguely stated while
Research questions and
research objectives are not
stated
Research problem is
too broad. Research
questions and
objectives are not
aligned with stated
problem
Research problem is
stated but there is
lack of coherence
between research
purpose, problem/
opportunity and
objectives.
Research problem, research
question and objectives
are stated but one or more
are not stated in a clear and
concise manner
Research problem is stated
very clearly. Manageable
numbers of objectives that
is clear and aligned with the
stated problem
Discussion on
significance of study
Significance of study is not
discussed.
Significance of study
is minimally
discussed which
covers theory, body
of knowledge and
practical.
Significance of
study is generally
discussed which
covers theory, body
of knowledge and
practical.
Significance of study is
adequately discussed which
covers theory, body of
knowledge and practical.
Significance of study is
thoroughly discussed which
covers theory, body of
knowledge and practical.
Incorporates relevant,
recent and
authoritative literature
review
More like article summary.
Demonstrates partial
knowledge base to
understand the
significance or scope of
the problem; conceptual
misunderstandings.
More of article
summary
Demonstrates
general knowledge
base to understand
the significance or
scope of the
problem; conceptual
misunderstandings.
Demonstrates
adequate
understanding of
the scope and
significance of the
problem and its
conceptual basis;
uses scientific
terminology
Provides enough
relevant resources to
justify the research
question(s)
Occasionally uses
the cited literature
to draw conclusions
that justify the
proposed research
as a logical next
step.
Conceptual
framework is
poorly structured.
Hypotheses are
poorly
formulated.
Clearly demonstrates the
relationships among cited
sources that help define
the problem (indicate
research gap in the
discussion of literature),
set up the research
question(s) and/or
formulate hypotheses
Demonstrates an extensive
grasp of the conceptual
basis, scope, and
significance of the problem;
uses scientific terminology
appropriately.
Frequently uses the cited
literature to draw
conclusions that effectively
justify the proposed
research as a logical next
step.
Conceptual framework is
adequately structured.
Hypotheses are adequately
formulated.
Exceptionally
demonstrates the
relationships among cited
sources that help define
the problem (indicate
research gap in the
discussion of literature),
set up the research
question(s) and/or
formulate hypotheses.
Demonstrates a thorough
grasp of the conceptual
basis, scope, and
significance of the problem;
uses scientific terminology
appropriately.
Always uses the cited
literature to draw
conclusions that clearly
justify the proposed
research has a logical next
step.
Conceptual framework is
well structured.
Hypotheses are well
formulated.
Does not state how the
cited literature contributes
to or justifies the research
questions(s).
Conceptual framework
is not presented.
Hypotheses are not
formulated.
Rarely uses the
cited literature to
draw conclusions
that justify the
proposed research
as a logical next
step.
Conceptual
framework is
poorly structured.
Hypotheses are
poorly formulated.
APPENDIX II
MARKING RUBRICS
SEM212 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RUBRIC FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL (50%)
SEMESTER April 2024
XMUM.OAA - 100/2/8-V2.0 Page | 9
Identifies an Methods for collecting Methods for Methods for Methods for collecting and Methods for collecting and
appropriate research and analyzing data to collecting and collecting and analyzing data are analyzing data are
design to carry out support research analyzing data are analyzing adequately discussed thoroughly discussed relative
research project objectives are not minimally discussed data are generally relative to the research to the research objectives
discussed. relative to the
research objectives
discussed relative to
the research
objectives.
objectives
Incorporating
variables into research
design
Variables and/or unit(s)
of analysis are not
relevant to the research
problem or objectives.
Variables and/or
unit(s) of analysis
are somewhat
incorporated into
the research design
Variables and/or
unit(s) of analysis
are incorporated
into research
design
Key variables and/or unit(s)
of analysis relevant to
the research problem and
objectives are adequately
incorporated into the
research design
Key variables and/or unit(s)
of analysis relevant to the
research problem and
objectives are succinctly
incorporated into the
research design.
Sampling method Sampling method,
instrumentation and time
frame of the research
project are poorly
identified
Sampling method,
instrumentation and
time frame of the
research project are
vaguely identified
Sampling method,
instrumentation
and time frame of
the research
project are
identified
Sampling method,
instrumentation and time
frame of the research project
are clearly identified
Sampling method,
instrumentation and time
frame of the research
project are very clearly
identified.
Variables
measurement
Does not provide
description of variables
measurement.
Does not state any cited
literature to support the
measurement of
variables.
Partially provides
description of
variables
measurement.
Rarely uses the
cited literature to
support the
measurement of
variables.
Adequately
provides
description of
variables
measurement.
Occasionally uses
the cited literature
to support the
measurement of
variables.
Substantially provides
description of variables
measurement.
Frequently uses the cited
literature to support the
measurement of variables.
Thoroughly provides concise
description of variables
measurement.
Always uses the cited
literature to support the
measurement of variables
Format of references Does not follow APA
guidelines
Reflects minimal
knowledge of APA
guidelines
Reflects incomplete
knowledge of APA
guidelines
Uses APA guidelines with
minor violations to cite sources
Uses APA guidelines
accurately and consistently
to cite sources
Language There are a number of
major errors in
punctuation, grammar
and/or spelling which
make it difficult to read
There are major errors
in punctuation,
grammar and/or
spelling which
interrupt the flow for
the reader
There are minor
errors in
punctuation,
grammar and/or
spelling which
somewhat break
the flow for the
reader
There are minor
grammatical, spelling or
punctuation errors
There are no grammatical,
spelling or punctuation
errors
Organization
and structure
The organization is
problematic or non-
existence
The organization of
ideas is quite unclear
or ineffective
The organization of
ideas is not always
clear or does not
follow the thesis
argument
Shows a logical
organization of ideas, but
may have minor problems
Shows a logical
organization of ideas in
constructing the overall
argument. The pieces flow
together well to produce a
convincing line of reasoning
TOTAL MARKS:
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Name: Matrix No: Group:
Criteria 1-Poor 2- Need
Improvement
3- Satisfactory 4- Good 5- Excellent
Data analysis
techniques
Utilize inappropriate data
analysis technique(s) to
address the research
objectives
Utilize the less
appropriate data
analysis technique(s) to
address the research
objectives
Utilize the
appropriate data
analysis
technique(s) to
address the
research
objectives.
Utilize the appropriate
data analysis technique(s)
to address the research
objectives
Utilize the most appropriate
data analysis technique(s) to
address the research
objectives
Uses graphics (charts,
tables, graphs) to
provide visual
presentation of data
and results
Diagrams and illustrations
are not used to clarify the
content
Diagrams and
illustrations are neither
neat nor entirely
accurate and they don’t
add much to the content
Diagrams and
illustrations are
somewhat accurate
Diagrams and illustrations
are accurate
Diagrams and illustrations
are neat, accurate and
provide additional insight to
the content
Discussion of findings Discussion and conclusions
are not related to the
literature and findings.
Not all discussion and
conclusions somewhat
related to the literature
and findings.
Discussion and
conclusions
somewhat related to
the literature and
findings.
Appropriate discussion and
conclusions which relate to
the literature and findings.
Effective discussion and
conclusions which relate to
the literature and findings
Contribution of study Contributions of study are
not presented
Contributions of
study are unclear
Contributions of
study are presented
but less clear
Contributions of study are
presented
Contributions of study are
clearly presented
Limitation and
recommendation for
future research
Limitation/s of the
research is/are not
addressed.
Recommendations for
future research are not
presented
Limitation/s of the
research is/are not
addressed.
Recommendations
for future research
are unclear
Limitation/s of
the research is/are
adequately
addressed.
Recommendations
for future research
are presented but
less clear
Limitation/s of the
research is/are adequately
addressed.
Recommendations for
future research are
presented
Limitation/s of the
research is/are well
addressed.
Recommendations for
future research are clearly
presented
Format of references Does not follow APA
guidelines
Reflects minimal
knowledge of APA
guidelines
Reflects incomplete
knowledge of APA
guidelines
Uses APA guidelines with
minor violations to cite sources
Uses APA guidelines
accurately and consistently
to cite sources
Language There are a number of major
errors in punctuation,
grammar and/or spelling
which make it difficult to
read
There are major errors
in punctuation,
grammar and/or
spelling which
interrupt the flow for
the reader
There are minor errors
in punctuation,
grammar and/or
spelling which
somewhat break the
flow for the reader.
There are minor grammatical,
spelling or punctuation errors
There are no grammatical,
spelling or punctuation errors
APPENDIX III
MARKING RUBRICS
SEM212 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RUBRIC FOR DATA ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION (30%)
SEMESTER April 2024
XMUM.OAA - 100/2/8-V2.0 Page | 11
Organization
and structure
The organization is
problematic or non-
existence
The organization of
ideas is quite unclear
or ineffective
The organization of
ideas is not always
clear or does not
follow the thesis
argument
Shows a logical organization
of ideas, but may have minor
problems
Shows a logical organization of
ideas in constructing the
overall argument. The pieces
flow together well to produce a
convincing line of reasoning
TOTAL MARKS:
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Name:
Matrix No:
Group:
Criteria 1-Poor 2- Need Improvement 3- Satisfactory 4- Good 5-
Excellent
Significance of
study, research
question and
objectives
Subject and objectives are
not well justified, not
achievable, not clearly stated
and do not match the
purpose of study.
Research questions are not
addressed.
Attempts to define
purpose and subjects.
The objectives are vague
and unclear, or may not
achievable.
Research questions are
not addressed.
May need to refine
major significance of
the study. The
objectives for the
proposal are generally
clear, logical and
achievable.
Research questions are
addressed but not
answered.
May need to refine
significance of the study. The
objectives for the proposal are
clear, logical and achievable.
Research questions are well
formulated and answered.
Major ideas summarized
and audience left with full
understanding of presenter’s
study.
Research questions are well
formulated and answered.
Objective are achievable,
clear, logically developed
and match the proposal
well.
Subject
knowledge
Student does not have grasp
of information. Do not use
citations to support
information/argument but all
from non-credible sources.
Students is uncomfortable
with information. Use a
very few credible
citations to support
information/argument.
Students is not
always comfortable
with information.
Use a few credible
citations to support
information/argument.
Student is at ease with
information. Use relevant and
credible citation to support
information/argument
Student demonstrate
adequate knowledge to
deliver information. Always
supports information/
argument with relevant and
credible citations.
Format Audience cannot understand
the presentation at all. No
sequence of information.
Fail to increase audience
understanding or knowledge
of the topic.
Audience has significant
difficulty in following
presentation because
student jumps around.
Fail to raise audience
understanding on most of
the points
Audience has fair
difficulty in following
presentation because
student jumps around.
Manage to raise
audience
understanding on
most the points
Student presents information in
logical sequence which
audience can follow.
Manage to raise audience
understanding and awareness
of most points
Student presents
information in logical,
interesting sequence which
audience can follow.
Manage to increase
audience understanding and
knowledge of the topic.
Visuals Visuals (powerpoint
presentation) poorly
prepared, difficult to
understand, full sentences
and not in point form.
Contain numerous typo and
grammatical errors.
Most of the visuals
(powerpoint presentation)
are difficult to understand
Contain significant typo
and grammatical errors.
Visuals (powerpoint
presentation) mixture
of easy and difficult to
understand
Contain some typo and
Grammatical errors.
Visuals (powerpoint
presentation) are easy to read
with most in relevant point
form.
Contain few typo and
grammatical errors.
Visuals easy to read for all
slides with relevant graphic
to elaborate.
Hardly contain typo and
grammatical errors.
APPENDIX IV
MARKING RUBRICS
SEM212 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RUBRIC FOR PRESENTATION (20%)
SEMESTER April 2024
XMUM.OAA - 100/2/8-V2.0 Page | 13
Time Frame (max 10
min) & no of slides
(max 10 slides)
1.Title
2.Introduction
3.Problem Statement
4.Research question
and research objectives
5.Significance of Study
6.Framework and
hypotheses
6.Research Design
8.Measurement of
variables
9.Results
10.Discussion
Too short/Too long.
5 or more minutes below or
above allocated time.
Exceed the time allocated
for presentation (10 min)
for more than 3 minutes
Exceed the time
allocated for
presentation (10 min)
for more than 1 minute
Barely exceed the allocated
time for presentation (10 min)
Presentations falls within
required time frame.
TOTAL MARKS: