Assessed Learning Outcomes
- Ability to conduct background research in the subject area
- Ability to evaluate background research critically
- Ability to propose a new solution or predict future development trend in the subject area
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly to the subject-familiar audience
Main steps
- Understand your topic
- Plan your report structure
- Research your subject
- Develop your argument
- Use relevant evidence
- Develop your academic writing style
- Think how to present your work
1. Understanding your topic
- The topics are intentionally broad
- You need to narrow down your topic to focus on a particular aspect or trend
- Questions to ask yourself:
- Why did I choose this topic?
- What difference my research report would make for people with interests in this area?
- Can I see any new/alternative solutions to the problem?
- Can I predict future developments or trends in the subject area?
Interpreting the topic
- Make sure, to interpret the topic within the framework of the EBECS Learning Outcomes, i.e.:
- How technology affects business models
- What opportunities new technological developments can bring to the way of doing business
- How businesses can respond to current and future challenges with the help of technology
- What challenges technology itself might introduce to the business
2. Planning your report structure
- Abstract: provides short overview of the entire report with main ideas and findings
- Background: provides introduction to the problem domain, current views and findings, i.e. “state-of-the-art” on the subject
- Problem scope and research questions: identifies main focus of your research
- Discussion: considers main arguments in support of your research question(s); introduces possible counter-arguments
- Recommendations: makes resulting recommendations for action / trend predictions
- Conclusion: summarising your main idea and findings
- References and Bibliography
3. Research your subject
- Select acknowledged authorities rather than self-proclaimed ones:
- Peer-reviewed academic publications
- Impartial independent analytical reports
- Case studies
- Cite unbiased and objective sources, avoid motivated opinions
- Use a recently published report over the older one
- When possible, select an authority known to your audience
- Keep careful track of used sources from the beginning
