RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
Assessment Component 1 (AC1) – 100%
Individual Research Proposal / Research Portfolio
Word Count: 3,000 words (±10%)
Submission Format: Written research proposal
Submission via: Blackboard
Assessment Brief
Individual Research Proposal for a Fashion Business
Research Project
Project Overview
Research plays a central role in advancing knowledge, informing strategic decision-
making, and developing innovative solutions within the fashion and luxury industries. At
postgraduate level, research must demonstrate intellectual rigour, critical engagement
with literature, and the ability to design an appropriate methodological framework
capable of addressing complex research questions.
For this assessment, you are required to produce a 3,000-word Research Proposal
(Research Portfolio) that outlines the proposed research project for your final
dissertation or practice-based research outcome.
The research proposal represents the foundation of your final research project and
should demonstrate your ability to:
•
Identify a clear research problem
•
Situate the research within current academic and industry debates
•
Develop a theoretically informed literature review
•
Formulate a coherent research aim and objectives
•
Design a rigorous and appropriate research methodology
•
Demonstrate awareness of research ethics and practical implementation
The proposal will act as the conceptual blueprint for your dissertation, enabling you
to develop a research project that contributes new insight to the field of fashion
business, branding, consumer behaviour, sustainability, digital innovation, or other
relevant areas of study.
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
Page
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
This assessment reflects the purpose of the Research Methods unit, which aims to
equip students with the ability to design and implement robust research frameworks for
postgraduate study.
Learning Outcomes Assessed
Knowledge and Understanding
LO1
Appraise and interpret current debates within the field of study through existing
literature and contextual resources related to the chosen research topic.
Skills
LO2
Devise appropriate research methods capable of generating primary and secondary
data for a rigorous research project.
LO3
Formulate a realistic and implementable research question with clearly defined aim
and objectives.
LO4
Present conceptual development and research methodologies in a professional format
appropriate to postgraduate academic standards.
These learning outcomes reflect the core aim of the unit: enabling students to design
and implement a structured research framework for their dissertation project.
Assessment Task
You are required to develop a 3,000-word Research Proposal that outlines the
research you intend to undertake for your dissertation or final research project.
Your proposal must demonstrate:
•
A clearly articulated research problem
•
Engagement with academic literature and theoretical frameworks
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
Page
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
•
Evidence of critical analysis and synthesis of existing research
•
A realistic research design and methodology
•
Awareness of ethical considerations in research
•
A structured and professionally presented research plan
The proposal should demonstrate the ability to translate research ideas into a
structured academic project, capable of generating meaningful insights for the
fashion and luxury industries.
Students are expected to demonstrate postgraduate-level academic writing,
including critical engagement with literature and accurate Harvard referencing.
Research Proposal Structure (Guideline)
The following structure can be used as the framework for your research proposal.
1. Introduction (Approx. 500 words)
The introduction should contextualise the research topic and clearly establish the
research problem.
This section should include:
1.1 Research Background
Provide the broader academic, industry, and socio-cultural context of the research
topic.
Students should:
•
Introduce the wider research field
•
Identify relevant industry trends or debates
•
Situate the topic within the fashion business research landscape
1.2 Research Rationale
Explain why the research is important and necessary.
This section should address:
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
Page
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
•
The significance of the topic for industry and academic research
•
The potential contribution of the study
•
Who benefits from the research
1.3 Research Aim
Provide one clear research aim that defines the purpose of the study.
The aim should clearly articulate what the research seeks to achieve.
1.4 Research Objectives
Develop 3–5 research objectives that outline the specific areas of investigation
required to achieve the research aim.
Each objective should represent a distinct analytical focus within the research.
2. Literature Review (Approx. 1,400
words)
The literature review critically evaluates existing academic research relevant to the
research topic.
This section should:
•
Analyse and synthesise relevant academic literature
•
Identify theoretical frameworks relevant to the topic
•
Demonstrate awareness of existing debates and perspectives
•
Identify a research gap
Students should organise the literature review into thematic sections aligned with
their research objectives.
For example:
2.1 Theme linked to Objective 1
2.2 Theme linked to Objective 2
2.3 Theme linked to Objective 3
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
Page
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
The literature review should demonstrate critical analysis rather than descriptive
summary.
Students are expected to use a minimum of 20 academic sources including peer-
reviewed journal articles and academic books.
FC – Research Proposal Format (…
3. Methodology (Approx. 900 words)
The methodology section explains how the research will be conducted.
This section must justify the methodological choices made in relation to the research
aim and objectives.
3.1 Research Philosophy
Explain the philosophical position underpinning the research.
Possible philosophical approaches include:
•
Positivism
•
Interpretivism
•
Critical Realism
•
Pragmatism
Students must explain how their philosophical perspective informs the research
design.
3.2 Research Approach
Identify whether the research follows a:
•
Inductive approach
•
Deductive approach
•
Mixed approach
Students must justify why this approach is appropriate for their research question.
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
Page
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
3.3 Research Strategy
Outline the research strategy and methods that will be used to collect data.
Possible methods may include:
•
Interviews
•
Surveys
•
Case studies
•
Content analysis
•
Digital ethnography
•
Netnography
•
Consumer experiments
Students must justify their methodological choices using academic literature.
The proposal must include a minimum of four planned in-depth interviews where
appropriate to ensure robust qualitative insight.
FC – Research Proposal Format (…
3.4 Ethical Considerations (Approx. 200 words)
Discuss ethical issues relevant to the research project.
Students should address:
•
Informed consent
•
Participant confidentiality
•
Data protection (GDPR)
•
Ethical considerations when working with human participants or online data
Students must demonstrate awareness of institutional ethical standards and the
ethical approval process.
4. Summary (Approx. 200 words)
The summary should briefly consolidate the key elements of the proposed research
project.
This section should include:
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
Page
RESEARCH METHODS
Research Proposal
Assessment Brief
•
Recap of research aim and objectives
•
Summary of methodological approach
•
Expected research contribution
•
Potential limitations of the study
5. Bibliographical Acknowledgements
Students must include:
5.1 Reference List
5.2 Bibliography
5.3 Image References (if applicable)
All references must follow Harvard referencing conventions (Cite Them Right, 12th
edition).
Students are expected to include a minimum of 20 academic sources.
FC – Research Proposal Format (…
6. Appendices
Students should include supporting documentation where relevant.
Examples include:
•
Interview guides
•
Survey instruments
•
Research ethics approval documentation
•
Additional data collection tools
Research Expectations
Students are expected to demonstrate strong academic research practice including:
•
Critical engagement with scholarly literature
2026
MA Fashion and Luxury Brand Management / MA Fashion Buying &
Merchandising / MA Fashion Promotion, Communication & Digital Media
