Project topic- references are already completed and in an attached document. the topic for the paper is The impact of social media and influencer marketing
Project Objective: The objective of this course project is to provide you with an opportunity to conduct thorough research on a specific aspect of the retail industry. Through this project, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the retail landscape, consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive analysis. The project will require you to apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios and develop critical thinking, analytical, and presentation skills.
Project Overview: In this project, you will choose a specific topic related to the retail industry and conduct comprehensive research to analyze and evaluate key aspects of the chosen topic. The project will be divided into several phases, each focusing on a different aspect of the research process. You will be required to submit a detailed research report and present their findings.
Project Phases:
Phase 1: Topic Selection: You will choose a specific topic within the retail industry. Examples include:
E-commerce and its impact on traditional retail stores
The role of technology in shaping the future of retail
Sustainable practices in retail and their impact on consumer behavior
The influence of social media on consumer purchasing decisions
The rise of experiential retail and its impact on brick-and-mortar stores
The challenges and opportunities of omni-channel retailing
The role of data analytics in retail decision-making
Retail supply chain management and logistics
Phase 2: Conduct comprehensive research on your chosen topic. Use a variety of sources such as academic journals, industry reports, news articles, and reputable websites to gather relevant information. Ensure that your sources are current and credible.
Phase 3: Write a research paper that includes the following sections:
a. Introduction: Provide an overview of your chosen topic and its significance in the retail industry. Clearly state your research question or objective.
b. Research & Literature Review: Summarize and analyze existing research and literature related to your topic. Identify key theories, concepts, and trends that are relevant to your research question.
Students will conduct a literature review to gain a comprehensive understanding of the chosen topic. They will review academic journals, industry reports, and relevant books to gather background information and identify key research gaps.
Students will collect both primary and secondary data to support their research. Primary data can be collected through surveys, interviews, or observations, while secondary data can be obtained from industry reports, databases, or government sources.
c. Methodology: Describe the research methods you used to gather information and analyze data. Explain why you chose these methods and discuss any limitations or challenges you encountered during the research process.
d. Findings and Analysis: Present your research findings and analyze them in relation to your research question. Use data, statistics, case studies, or examples to support your analysis. Discuss any patterns, trends, or insights that you discovered.
Students will conduct a thorough analysis of the retail market, focusing on competitors in the chosen topic area. They will evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) of key players in the industry.
e. Conclusion: Summarize your findings and provide a conclusion that answers your research question or objective. Reflect on the implications and significance of your research for the retail industry.
f. References: Include a list of all the sources you cited in your paper. Use proper citation style (e.g., APA, MLA) to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.
The report should be well-structured, properly referenced, and written in a clear and concise manner.
Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Depth and quality of research conducted
Clarity and organization of the research report
Analysis and interpretation of data
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively
Creativity and originality in approaching the research topic
