AP3EX3-Agribusiness Group Project 2

Module Provider: Agr & Food Econ
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn and Summer
Module Convenor: Mr NF Beard
Pre-requisites: AP2EQ3
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: n.f.beard@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The aim of this module is to provide an opportunity for students - working in groups - to participate in a consultancy project for a client company or organisation (private and public sector) in order to apply and further develop consumer / market research. In carrying out the project students will also acquire skills in team working, project management, and effective communication (report writing and oral presentation). The project is split into two parts with the first part (AP2EQ3) taking place in Part 2 and this, the second part, largely in the Autumn Term of Part 3 (AP3EX3).

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of this part of the project students will have demonstrated their ability to carry out market research in order to address the research brief set by the client company or organisation. This includes the collection of appropriate quantitative and qualitative data through a variety of methods; the analysis of this data using relevant techniques and computer software; the writing of a project report in a business style; the production of a project poster summarising the key aspects of the project; and delivery of a presentation on the outcomes of the project.

Additional outcomes:
The ability to work in a team.

Outline content:
• Execution of research plan including collection, entry, and analysis of appropriate market research data.
• Writing of project report combining information gathered from both primary and secondary research to address the brief set by the client.
• Preparation and delivery of project presentation.
• Design of research poster to highlight the aim, methods, key finding, conclusions and recommendations.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The projects will be conducted by students working in groups of 4 or 5. Groups are expected to meet at least weekly to progress the project and to keep minutes of these meetings on file. A supervisor is allocated to each project to provide academic guidance and groups should liaise with their supervisor at regular intervals (fortnightly is a suggested norm).
Research skills development lectures also take place at intervals during the term.

Contact hours:

	Summer Year 2	Autumn Year 3
Lectures	4	4
Tutorials/seminars	5	5
Practicals	10	10
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours	19	19
Number of essays or assignments		3
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework:
• Project report 70% of module mark
• Presentation 20% of module mark
• Research poster 10% of module mark

Relative percentage of coursework: 100%

Penalties for late submission:
Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.

Examinations:
None

Relative percentage of Examination: 0%

Requirements for a pass: An overall mark of 40%

Reassessment arrangements
By Coursework: Project Report re-submission