BUS6017 Task 1: You are required to produce an appropriately structured research project report based on a topic of your choice, appropriate to your study programme subject area, and showing all essential elements.
BUS6017 Independent Study Report Assignment Brief 2026 | Arden University
| Word Count | 3,000 words |
|---|---|
| Assessment Type | Report |
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Assignment Brief
As part of the formal assessment for the programme you are required to submit a Independent Study assignment. Please refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and general information on preparing and submitting assignments.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module, you should be able to:
1. Carry out an independent study based on an issue/problem/challenge appropriate to the discipline related to the student's programme study area.
2. Design an appropriate research process to gather secondary data using a range of techniques and sources, and critically analyse the generated information to address the problem.
3. Develop a project report that discusses the research results.
4. Contextually innovative through applying skills of critical, creative, and evidenced based analysis and personal reflection to current real-world situations and future challenges.
All learning outcomes must be met to pass the module.
Guidance
Your assignment should include: a title page containing your student number, the module name, the submission deadline and the exact word count of your submitted document; the appendices if relevant; and a reference list in AU Harvard system(s). You should address all the elements of the assignment task listed below. Please note that tutors will use the assessment criteria set out below in assessing your work.
You must not include your name in your submission because Arden University operates anonymous marking, which means that markers should not be aware of the identity of the student. However, please do not forget to include your STU number.
Maximum word count: 3,000 words
Please refer to the full word count policy which can be found in the Student Policies section here: Arden University | Regulatory Framework
The word count includes everything in the main body of the assessment (including in text citations and references). The word count excludes numerical data in tables, figures, diagrams, footnotes, reference list and appendices. All other printed words ARE included in the word count.
Students who exceed the wordcount up to a 10% margin will not be penalised. Students should note that no marks will be assigned to work exceeding the specified limit once the maximum assessment size limit has been reached.
Assignment Task
Task 1:
You are required to produce an appropriately structured research project report based on a topic of your choice, appropriate to your study programme subject area, and showing all essential elements. The report should also include a reflective account of your professional development that reviews how you generated, developed, refined the project idea and executed the research project.
Your research report should be structured as follows:
| Report Sub-Task | Suggested word count |
|---|---|
| Introduction | 300 words |
| Ethical Statement | 300 words |
| Overview and Research Approach | 800 words |
| Analysis and Discussion | 800 words |
| Conclusion and Recommendation | 500 words |
| Reflective Account | 300 words |
| Total | 3000 words |
Important assignment Notes:
This project report is approved for a secondary research approach only. This means that you can use only already published sources to complete your research project report.
You do NOT have any approval for a primary research approach, for example, you do NOT have approval to complete any interviews or complete any survey/questionnaires as part of your research.
Any assignment that contains the use of primary research methods will not be able to achieve a pass grade.
Guidance on the development of the report is contained in the lessons and will also be provided on a weekly basis in the sessions with your lecturer. You must obtain approval for your project report title from your lecturer before you proceed to develop the final report.
Total Marks: 100
Total word count: 3000 words
(LOS: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Formative Feedback
You have the opportunity to submit a outline draft to receive formative feedback.
The feedback is designed to help you develop areas of your work and it helps you develop your skills as an independent learner.
If you are a distance learning student, you should submit your work, by email, to your tutor, no later than 2 weeks before the actual submission deadline. If you are a blended learning student, your tutor will give you a deadline for formative feedback and further details.
Formative feedback will not be given to work submitted after the above date or the date specified by your tutor - if a blended learning student.
Referencing Guidance
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system(s).
Follow this link to find the referencing guides for your subject: Arden Library
Submission Guidance
Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.
Your assessment can be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file, or, as multiple files.
If you chose to submit multiple files, you must name each document as the question/part you are answering along with your student number ie Q1 Section A STUXXXX. If you wish to overwrite your submission or one of your submissions, you must ensure that your new submission is named exactly the same as the previous in order for the system to overwrite it.
You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is available on the A-Z key information on iLearn.)
