Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
2. Finding and evaluating sources
3. Planning and referencing
4. Writing a business research report

What you will be able to do

• 1.1 Analyse the importance of performance measurement to organisations.
• 1.2 Explain the main functions of performance measurement systems.
• 1.3 Determine appropriate sources of information and data to carry out performance measurement.
• 1.4 Analyse external factors that impact on performance measurement.
• 2.1 Outline the systems and processes involved in performance analysis in for-profit organisations.
• 2.2 Outline the systems and processes involved in performance analysis in not-for-profit and the public sector.
• 2.3 Explain why divisional performance is measured in organisations.
• 3.1 Evaluate the usefulness of activity-based costing.
• 3.2 Assess how target costing and life-cycle costing are used by business organisations.
• 3.3 Evaluate the relationship between throughput and environmental accounting.
• 3.4 Explain the rationale for transfer pricing.
• 4.1 Explain why performance measurement is measured reported in organisations.
• 4.2 Evaluate the needs of different audiences when reporting performance.

Activity

Start with this week’s video, then: Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Videos

• Writing a business research report · YouTube · RMIT University Library Videos · 9 min · for registered students

Further resources

• Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students
• Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
• Harvard Referencing quick guide 2025 (York St John University) · PDF · Other, report · for registered students