Writing Research Proposal

IBC 484

Structure of Research • Most research projects share the same

general structure. http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/

strucres.php

Problem Formulation

• "Well begun is half done" --Aristotle, quoting an old proverb

• Where do research topics come from?• So how do researchers come up with the idea fo

r a research project? • Probably one of the most common sources of re

search ideas is the experience of practical problems in the field?

• The Literature Review

Concept mapping is a structured process, focused on a topic or construct of interest, involving input from one or more

participants, that produces an interpretable pictorial view

data analysis

• The data analysis involves three major steps, done in roughly this order:

• Cleaning and organizing the data for analysis (Data Preparation)

• Describing the data (Descriptive Statistics)http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/statdesc.php

• Testing Hypotheses and Models (Inferential

Statistics)

Key Elements • http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/guideelements.php • Formatting http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/formatting.php • Title Page • Abstract (on a separate single page) • The Body (no page breaks between sections in the body)

– Introduction (2-3 pages) – Methods (7-10 pages)

• Sample (1 page) • Measures (2-3 pages) • Design (2-3 pages) • Procedures (2-3 pages)

– Results (2-3 pages) – Conclusions (1-2 pages)

• References • Tables (one to a page) • Figures (one to a page) • Appendices

• Sample Paper http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/sampaper.php

Researching a company

• US Census Bureau http://factfinder.census.gov/home/saff/main.html?_lang=en

• http://www.census.gov/• http://www.fedstats.gov/

• Company profile : Volksvagen http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/companyinfo?vid=5&hid=109&sid=acdcd865-ac6f-431f-aad7-8199f4ddf760%40sessionmgr108

• LexisNexis https://www.lexisnexis.com/ap/auth/

Business research proposal

• Business research proposal is like doing a real business.

• In a real business you have to be confident in yourself, be good in persuading people and be able to make effective advertising of your goods or services.

• Your major goal, while writing a business research proposal, is to persuade the members of a committee that your business research will be the most valuable and fascinating.

• First of all, you should have a clear idea in your mind that your business research is really going to be the most precious one.

• Second, you should develop the exact strategies for writing a business research proposal. You have to know every step that you will make when writing this task.

• In the business research proposal tell about the expected outcomes of your work, possible difficulties and time limits.

• This will persuade the committee that you have thought over the whole research thoroughly. You know what you want to achieve, what can bother you and how you can overcome it.

• Your business research proposal should be detailed. Tell about the methods you are going to use for achieving the results. Say why these exact methods are suitable for that aim.

• Do not forget that it is extremely important here to sound confident. Give the reasonable arguments that will support your every point of view.

How to prepare a research proposal?

• Normally a proposal should be between 1500 and 2000 words and will include the following:

• A working title of the topic area• This should do more than convey the key words

associated with the proposed research.• General overview of area• This should take the form of a brief abstract of

the general area of study and identify the discipline(s) within which it falls. You might also refer to the way in which your own background gives you competences in your chosen area.

Literature review

• Identification of the relevant literature• In this section you should develop your proposal

to demonstrate that you are aware of the debates and issues raised in relevant bodies of literature. References to key articles and texts should be made to show that you appreciate their relevance to your research area. A PhD is an original piece of research and so you should demonstrate that your proposed area has not been studied before. So you need to identify your niche which will lead on to the thesis preparation.

• Key research questions• Since you need to demonstrate that the topic can be

completed within the normal time period allowed, you need to demonstrate that it is manageable, and so focus on key questions within your niche area.

• Methodology• You need to demonstrate an awareness of the

methodological tools available to you and show some understanding of which would be suitable for your research. It may be that qualitative methods, including the analysis of interviews, is appropriate. Alternatively your approach may involve forecasting or statistical, financial or econometric modelling. In other cases you may be combining methodologies. You need to specify the approach you feel will be most appropriate.

• Timescale/research planning

• You need to demonstrate an awareness of the need for planning and the timescale of the research.

• Bibliography

• You should include a short list of references to key articles and texts included in the application.

Questions

• 1.If you want to set up a coffee shop near the university and school, what is your research topic?

• 2.Identify the problem statement.

• 3.Identify the objectives

• 4.The hypotheses

• 5. The research methodology.

• 6. The examples of the questionaireใ