HOW TO WRITE A

RESEARCH PAPERKamran Jawaid

M.Phil (Cont.), MBA (Marketing), BBA (Hons.)

Business Faculty

Mohammad Ali Jinnah University

CONTENT OF PAPER

1.Abstract

2.Introduction

3.Background of the Study

4.Literature Review

5.Hypothesis

7.Research Methodology

8.Data Analysis

9.Conclusion

10.Recommendation

11.References

SELECTION OF TOPIC

Select the Topic by keeping an eye on the collection of “Secondary Data Availability” and “Primary Data Respondents’ Interest and Availability”.Topic is in heading form comprised of four to five words with raw clarification of direction towards research in a sense of bird eye view.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction is comprised on the reply to four Ws i.e. What, Where, When and Who.

• What? What is your topic about? Provide a 2-3 sentence explanation.

• Where? Does this topic fit into a local, regional, or global scheme? Is there a particular physical environment for this topic?

INTRODUCTION• When? Is there a certain time frame when

this topic became important or experienced change? Do you want to research the current or historical view of this topic?

• Who? Specific names or groups of people involved; consider gender, ethnicity, age groups, occupations, etc. Who does this topic affect?

BACKGROUND

Background is comprised on the reply to one Ws i.e. Why and one H i.e. How.

• Why? Why is this topic important? Why are you interested in researching this topic?

• How? How do aspects of this topic affect one another? How does this topic affect you and others? If this topic involves a process, how do aspects of this topic function?

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Developing a strong research question is essential. It will guide you all the way through your research and writing process. This process is designed to help you turn your defined topic into a well-crafted research problem and question.Problem Statement can be designed on more perfect way by answering the three questions.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

1. I am learning about (or studying/working on)

2. because I want to find out (who/what/where/when/whether/

how/why)

3. in order to understand (how/why/what/whether)

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Summarize the replies of three question and prepare one questions with clear statement about the research direction.

“

?”

OBJECTIVE

Statement start with word “To Find / Know / Inquire etc.” with direction of research.Gives a bird eye view towards the development of Hypothesis, which is required to be tested in methodology.Prepare Key Words from the Problem Statement and Objective Bullets.

LITERATURE REVIEW

It is always SECONDARY DATA. It helps to find your research variables, research models and hypothesis. Specific gap found in Literature review. Here you build your logic regarding your topic.We need to search relevant researches, articles, books with the help of key words derived from problem statement and objectives.

LITERATURE REVIEW

At least 15 research papers, whose topics are close to the problem statement or may help in resolving the problem statement.Always keep save the reference of every article / paper like web address, newspaper date and page or book edition and publisher.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Avoid to use direct quotes “ “ to avoid the plagiarism alarm raised in SPSS software.Required to rewrite the quotes in indirect form with mentioned reference comprised on Author and Year. The best way to collect the secondary data is to be registered at Mendeley.com

HYPOTHESIS

After collection of secondary data, Hypothesis will be generated to be tested after collecting primary data. Hypothesis comprised on the relationship of two variables and the level of relationship bounding. Our developed Hypothesis will create another (Negative) Null Hypothesis, if our Hypothesis isn’t proved then Null Hypotheses will proved by default.

METHODOLOGY

It involves:• Research Design• Research Approach• Research Method• Universe of the Study

RESEARCH DESIGN

1.Exploratory Research Design

2.Explanatory or Causal Relationship / Analytical Research Design

3.Descriptive Research Design

EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

To clarify the problem that can only helpful in decision making but not leads to a conclusion or result.Exploratory research is used when the data availability is insufficient to make clear a particular problem or issue.In this research the idea about existence of a particular problem or issue is determine in order to make clear that does it really exist or not.

EXPLANATORY RESEARCH

This research helps to determine the cause-&-effect relationship between the dependent & independent variables. Hypothesis formulation takes place before the literature review.Independent Variable are the cause that can be controlled or changed and Dependent Variable are the effect that can not be controlled or changed

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

In descriptive research, in comparison to exploratory research, you have a clearer idea of what is needed and are looking for answers to more clearly defined questions. Descriptive studies might tell you, for example, the size of a market, the structure of the market, developments over time, and attitudes of particular groups of people and so on.It is used to identify and obtain information on the characteristics of a particular problem or issue.

RESEARCH APPROACH

1.Deductive Approach

2.Inductive Approach

DEDUCTIVE APPROACH

Deductive reasoning is a basic form of valid reasoning. Deductive reasoning, or deduction, starts out with a general statement, or hypothesis, and examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical conclusion. The scientific method uses deduction to test hypotheses and theories.

INDUCTIVE APPROACH

Inductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning makes broad generalizations from specific observations. Even if all of the premises are true in a statement, inductive reasoning allows for the conclusion to be false.

RESEARCH METHOD

1.Qualitative Method

2.Quantitative Method

3.Combination of Both

UNIVERSE OF STUDY

1.Population Target Population for Research

2.Sample Frame Specification of Population

3.Sampling Unit More Specification of Frame

4.Sampling Methods Probability / Non Probability

UNIVERSE OF STUDY

5.Sample Size Number of Respondents

6.Research Strategy Technique of Data Collection

7.Instrument of Study Questionnaire Characteristics

8.Data Analysis Correlation / Regression

ANALYSIS

How we analyze the data, is depend on the Research Method; either quantitative or qualitative. But now SPSS Software became mandatory for the Data Analysis, which required the Quantitative Data. For putting the values of Qualitative Data, Qualitative Findings convert into Quantitative for SPSS Software.

CONCLUSION

Conclusion if the only portion, where researcher express his view but according to the finding after data analysis. Conclusion is comprised on your generated statements / results after conducting the over all research. Conclusion usually leads to the regeneration of recommendations with broader perspective for further research.

RECOMMENDATION

Recommendation shows the scope of further research on the same topic with more specific or touching the non hypothetical variables. Recommendation is helpful for the researchers, who collect your research as literature review.If recommendation closed the door for further research then your research is perceived as less useful.

REFERENCES

Bibliography of reference books, articles, newspapers and website links. The working for collecting references are started from the collection of Literature Review.There is no reference sounds authentic other than literature review.

ABSTRACT

1.Topic Intro Line

2.Research Gap

3.Variables Relationship

4.Research Design

5.Sample Size

6.Scope of Study

7.Instrument

8.Major Findings

THINGS TO BE NOTED

Topic is in broader sense, while Problem Statement is specific question for research.Objective is a statement while Hypothesis is the relationship of Variables.Literature Review is the Secondary Data and the material for References.Questionnaire is the most common tool for Primary Data Collection.