Research Methods for Business

Learning outcome 1: A knowledge of the research process in its wider context.

Learning outcome 2: An ability to critically evaluate the robustness of different research approaches and their strengths and limitations

Learning outcome 3: An ability to design research proposals in terms of methodology and approach

Learning outcome 4: The practical skills to administer a range of research techniques particularly in relation to data collection and analysis

Assessment Task: Choose a topic and submit for approval before engaging into the topic. There should be NO duplication of topic in the same class. Choose the topic that is aligned to your specialisation. Inform your research supervisor (tutor) if you change your topic to get approval of the new topic. Start working on the topic which was approved.

Topic - Methods of selection

The research proposal should follow the following contents and structure.

1. Introduction. (150 words)
• Write a brief but substantial background and description of the chosen topic
• Cite certain scenario or conditions that necessitate and inquiry or investigation on that topic.
• Highlight the reasons that prompted you to take on the topic. Justify your choice.

2. Statement of Research Problem. (100 words)
• Clearly state research question/statement based on the topic or research idea being proposed.
• The research question/statement should clearly mention the focus of the study
• The research question/statement should lead to the identification of the research objectives.

3. Research Objectives (50 words)
• Research should be based on the research question/s.
• Objectives should be specific to give clear answer to the research problem/s.
• Two or three research objectives would be enough unless it requires more for clarity. Consider the limitations of the words.

4. Review of Related Literature. (1000 words)
• Literature reviews should be based or anchored on the research objectives
• Use different sources of information for the related literature (i.e., Journals, books, e-books, websites & other relevant secondary sources).
• Follow the sequence of the research objectives as presented in the previous section. Present the reviews of literature chronologically as presented in the previous section.
• Clearly cite or recognise the source of the information/data using the proper format (i.e. author's last name, year of publication)

• Citation could be at the beginning, middle, or at the end of the paragraph where appropriate.
• Summarise or paraphrase the literature but maintain the main idea/s of the author and cite.
• Use appropriate transition or connecting words to maintain coherence and smooth and logical presentation of the reviews.

5. Research Philosophy. (100 words)
• Clearly state the research philosophy followed in the proposed research
• Explain the basis of the research philosophy

6. Research Methodology: (400 words)
• Use the future tense while presenting the sub-headings below.
• Write a short statement about this section before presenting the subheadings.
• Clearly discuss the essence and significance of the methodology in the proposed study.
o Research Design and Strategy. (100 words)
o Participants of the Study. (100 words)
o Data Collection. (100 words)
o Statistical Analysis. (100 words)

7. Ethical Consideration. (100 words).
• Clearly discuss the actions and procedures undertaken to maintain the integrity and in safeguarding the rights of the sources of information.
• Be specific of the actions taken of protecting and maintaining integrity of the information

8. Conclusion. (100 Words).
• Highlight the main points mentioned at each section of the paper.
• No need for citations in this section
• Write the number of words right below the conclusion.

9. References
• Use at least10 varied sources of information following the standard format (Harvard)
• Use recent editions of sources (i.e. 2010 onwards)
• Presented in a separate page

In addition, the assessment will test the following learning outcome:

1. Gain knowledge of the research processes and apply in wider context.
2. Identify and evaluate the robustness of different research approaches and their strengths and limitations
3. Design and write research proposals applying different methodology and approaches
4. Develop skills in administering different techniques in data collection and analysis