...Assignment Guide Lines on Research Methods for Management PROPOSAL ASSIGNMENT Course code: MGMT 362 Instructor: Abera D. Proposal Outline Each group needs to prepare a paper of at least 15 pages and not more than 20 pages on any of the business areas. It is the duty of the group to add some relevant sub-topics to be included in the report. In fact, your instructor believes that an exemplary group will have gone through various literatures by the time it needs to distinguish the relevant sub-topics from the irrelevant ones, and will be better informed of the essential sub-topics to be addressed. Hence, the evaluation includes, among other things, assessment of the extent to which issues presented in the report neatly fit with the major topic. Moreover, the group shall identify a real organization and report about the practice of the organization with respect to the research topic given in the proposal topic’’ The structure of a research proposal’’ as hereunder sub-topic 2. RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1. Introduction Research proposals are important in research. They serve many different functions. The most important function is to make explicit a reasoned argument about the need for the proposed study on practical and theoretical grounds and how it will be carried out. Other functions include: ▪ To convince other people, like other researchers, research funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors that your research is worth spending...
Words: 2376 - Pages: 10
...DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY MA (Sociology) MA (Social and behavioural studies in HIV-AIDS) (Delete the one that is not applicable) A RESEARCH PROPOSAL BY: Full names: Student no: Postal address: TITLE: (See notes on page 4) Telephone number: E-mail: Date of submission: SUPERVISORS: (Fill out the details above) I declare that the work I am submitting for assessment contains no section copied in whole or in part from any other source unless explicitly identified in quotation marks and with detailed, complete and accurate referencing. …………………………………….. (Signature) CONTENTS PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 The research problem. 4 1.2 Rationale or purpose of the study. 4 1.3 The objectives of the study. 4 1.4 Research question(s). 4 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 5 3. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY 6 3.1 Research design. 6 3.2 Data sources 7 3.3 Data collection techniques. 7 3.4. Issues of reliability and validity. 8 3.5 Sampling techniques. 8 3.6 Definitions of key terms, concepts and variables. 9 3.7 Data analysis and interpretation. 9 3.8 Ethical considerations. 10 3.8.1 Confidentiality. 10 3.8.2 Informed consent 10 3.8.3 Provision of debriefing, counseling and additional information. 10 3.9. Pretest or pilot study. 11 4. MY PERSONAL WORK PLAN 12 LIST OF SOURCES 12 From here on, please use 1, 5...
Words: 2248 - Pages: 9
...RESEARCH PROPOSAL THE CONTENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL A research proposal is an overall plan, scheme, structure and strategy designed to obtain answers to the research questions or problems which constitute your research project. A research proposal should outline the various tasks that you plan to undertake to fulfil your research objectives, test hypotheses or obtain answers to your research questions. It also should state your reasons for undertaking the study. Broadly a research proposal’s two main functions are to: * Outline the operational plan for obtaining answers to your research questions * Specify and ensure the methodology for control of variance. (This is a technical function and is important for those studies that are designed to investigate a causal relationship.) In order to achieve its first function, a research proposal must tell you, your research supervisor and a reviewer: * What you are proposing to do * How you plan to proceed * Why you selected the proposed strategy Therefore it should contain: * A statement of the objectives of the study * A list of hypotheses. If you are testing any * The research design which you are proposing to use * The setting for your study * The research instrument(s) that you are planning to use * Information on sample size and sampling design * Information on data processing procedures * An outline of the proposed chapters from the report * The study’s...
Words: 3858 - Pages: 16
...DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY MA (Sociology) MA (Social and behavioural studies in HIV-AIDS) (Delete the one that is not applicable) A RESEARCH PROPOSAL BY: Full names: Student no: Postal address: TITLE: (See notes on page 4) Telephone number: E-mail: Date of submission: SUPERVISORS: (Fill out the details above) I declare that the work I am submitting for assessment contains no section copied in whole or in part from any other source unless explicitly identified in quotation marks and with detailed, complete and accurate referencing. …………………………………….. (Signature) CONTENTS PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION 3 1.1 The research problem. 4 1.2 Rationale or purpose of the study. 4 1.3 The objectives of the study. 4 1.4 Research question(s). 4 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 5 3. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY 6 3.1 Research design. 6 3.2 Data sources 7 3.3 Data collection techniques. 7 3.4. Issues of reliability and validity. 8 3.5 Sampling techniques. 8 3.6 Definitions of key terms, concepts and variables. 9 3.7 Data analysis and interpretation. 9 3.8 Ethical considerations. 10 3.8.1 Confidentiality. 10 3.8.2 Informed consent 10 3.8.3 Provision of debriefing, counseling and additional information. 10 3.9. Pretest or pilot study. 11 4. MY PERSONAL WORK PLAN 12 LIST OF SOURCES 12 From here on, please use 1, 5...
Words: 2248 - Pages: 9
...Ads by Google This hub discusses some of the common elements in a research proposal. Whether you are doing quantitative or qualitative research, it is important that you outline the reasons why you propose doing the study and what process or procedures you will follow to complete the proposed study. Some of the important parts of a good quantitative or qualitative research proposal include: 1. Determining the general topic; 2. Performing a Literature review on the topic; 3. Identifying a gap in the literature; 4. Identifying a problem highlighted by the gap in the literature and framing a purpose for the study; 5. Writing an Introduction to the study; 6. Framing research hypotheses and or research questions to investigate or guide the study; 7. Determine the method of investigation 8. Outline the research design 9. Define the Sample size and the characteristics of the proposed sample; 10. Describe the procedures to follow for data collection and data analyses. Determine a General Topic The first step in writing an academic research proposal is to idenitfy a general topic or subject area to investigate. Usually this first point is the easiest because the research proposal will be tied to the overall theme of a course. In such a case, the the general subject for investigation is normally determined by a professor who is leading the class, the school's department chair, or academic advisory committee. Perform a Literature Review ...
Words: 4817 - Pages: 20
...This part focuses on the research designs, methods, sampling and data collection procedures for the study. 3.1 STUDY SITE This study will be conducted in Mahalapye in the Central District of Botswana. 3.2 STUDY DESIGNS The study utilised the descriptive research design. According to Barbie (2010) descriptive design focuses on describing situations. The descriptive designs in a social research are geared to answer the “what, where, when and how” questions normally asked in research. Furthermore, Bickman and Rog (1998) also suggest that descriptive studies can answer questions such as “what is” or “what was.” This research design was therefore chosen as most of the questions in this study are the “what” questions. For instance the study will...
Words: 1414 - Pages: 6
...course is designed to support students in developing their research proposal and to assist them in defining their mode of enquiry. The course has been constructed to guide students through a range of issues and considerations which should inform their general approach to research. It will give students a general introduction to scientific research, its methodologies, its challenges and its organization. This course permits an understanding of the various decisions and steps involved in preparing a research proposal which includes the problem and its background, literature review, research methodology as well as a critically informed assessment of published research. Also, students will be introduced to a range of research tools, data analysis and will be equipped to plan and organize their research, as well as develop their data collecting instrument. B. COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES: | | | |Course Objectives |On completion of this course, students will be able to: | | |Understand the concepts, approaches and procedures underlying the conduct of research. | | |Develop a research problem, select the appropriate tools and construct data collecting...
Words: 1540 - Pages: 7
...Answer: http://workbank247.com/q/psy-302-complete-course-psy302-complete-course/22110 http://workbank247.com/q/psy-302-complete-course-psy302-complete-course/22110 PSY 302 Module 1 Assignment 1: Autobiography * A brief paragraph introducing yourself to your classmates. Include information such as your name, location, profession, how long you have been at Argosy, and your favorite psychology course so far. * From the list below, select a topic you would like to conduct a study on. If you wish to explore a topic that is not on this list, please check with your instructor for permission. * A short discussion of the topic area, such as the meaningfulness of the topic, how the topic might be embedded within a larger conceptual framework (e.g., a topic such as how the size of the jackpot affects lottery decisions might be under the broader umbrella of risk-taking behavior), where to go to find out more when researching the topic, and how you could elaborate on a topic by looking at moderator variables or exceptions. List of potential topics: * Media's influence on aggression * Media's influence on body image * Effective treatments for chemical dependency * Driving safety and types of distractions * The role of introversion/extraversion on marital bliss or employee performance * Suggestibility: do television ads change behavior? * Factors affecting career choice * Effect of peer pressure on conformity * Influence of music on...
Words: 2133 - Pages: 9
...Vol. 2, no 6, 2009 | www.surveypractice.org The premier e-journal resource for the public opinion and survey research community Special Issue on Non-probability Samples This issue covers only one topic – nonprobability sampling. Andy Peytchev selected the articles and edited the issue. Some articles have formulas and the content of many articles is too complex for display using the software we use to publish SP, so we are experimenting with PDFs. The articles span a broad spectrum, including the evaluation of bias in a nonprobability sample, the review of assumptions in a nonprobability sampling method that provide the potential for bias, the conditions under which a nonprobability sampling design can lead to valid conclusions in comparative research, case studies on the use of nonprobability methods and samples to facilitate a probability-based study, and a proposed method to combine probability and nonprobability samples under certain conditions. Gerty Lensvelt-Mulders and colleagues use a probability-based web survey with telephone follow-up and propensity score matching in order to evaluate bias in a nonprobability web panel survey. This design and analytic approach allow them to attempt to separate bias due to self-selection from bias due to undercoverage in the panel survey. Although not nearly as much in the survey literature, Respondent Driven Sampling has received considerable attention as a nonprobability sampling method that claims to produce...
Words: 591 - Pages: 3
...COMPONENTS OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL (Source: Brynard & Hanekom (1997): Introduction to research in Public Administration and related academic disciplines; J L van Schaik Academic Publishers, Pretoria, pages 24- 26) Research encompasses various components which need to be explained or described in a research proposal. The term "research proposal" indicates that a specific course of action will be followed. The following components can be regarded as steps in the writing of the research proposal. They are important and should be followed for the actual composition of the proposal: 1. Title page of the research proposal A research proposal should be submitted with a title page on which full particulars pertaining to the following appear: the name of the researcher; student number; course; and the following wording: Research proposal in preparation of a research project with the following proposed detail:"..... " (For example: "The education in Public Administration of chief directors employed in provincial government departments") 2. Introduction Emphasise the importance of the proposed research and describe the research topic or theme. This is usually done in one or two paragraphs. In all cases it should be stated whether a relationship exists between the proposed research and research undertaken before. If no such research has been undertaken previously, this should be pointed out. 3. Motivation Present, as clearly as possible, the source of interest...
Words: 1010 - Pages: 5
...CHAPTER 2 The Marketing Research Process: 11 Processes ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Establishing the need for marketing research Define the problem Establishing research objectives Determine research design Identify information types and sources Determine methods of accessing data Design data collection forms Collect data Analyze data Prepare and present the final research report Differences between managers and researchers ü ü Custom marketing research should begin with a thorough problem definition. Managers’ and researchers’ backgrounds differ markedly. Area of difference Organizational Position Responsibility Training Disposition toward knowledge Research motivation Line To make profit General decision making Wants answers to questions To make symptoms disappear ü ü Despite their difference, managers and researchers must develop a working relationship. The manager and researcher should develop a partnership. To find the truth Managers Staff To generate information Technique applications Wants to ask questions Researchers Research brief A research brief is a document prepared by an organisation commissioning research. Typically it contains the following sections: 2 ü ü ü ü ü ü ü Background Rationale Budget Timescale Objectives Methods Reports Hague (2004) suggest using a series of questions as a framework in order to make sure a through brief. ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü ü These are: Why do this research? What action will be taken when the research is completed? What has caused...
Words: 3434 - Pages: 14
...Evans(Psychology)-3589-03.qxd 6/15/2007 6:23 PM Page 21 3 CHOOSING A TOPIC AND THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL Objectives On reading this chapter you should: • • • • • • • • understand the importance of choosing a research topic that lends itself to a ’do-able’ project; be able to evaluate potential topics; be able to formulate a valid research question (and hypothesis); understand the importance of creativity, and its relationship to innovation in formulating your research question; understand the integral role played by the research question; understand the vital role of the research proposal; be aware of the common pitfalls to be avoided in writing a successful proposal; and be able to write a logical and persuasive research proposal. Overview Chapter 3 deals with the practical issues of choosing an appropriate topic for your research project, and with the all important task of developing a research proposal. Section 3.1 deals with the practicalities of evaluating topics from your potential list, in order to choose the most appropriate for your project. Section 3.2 focuses on how to formulate a good research question. The role of the research question and different types of questions are dealt with in Section 3.3. Section 3.4 highlights the functional importance of the research proposal, which is often neglected by undergraduate students. The proposal acts as an exercise in thought, a reference point for supervision, and also as a motivational device. Section 3.5 deconstructs the...
Words: 5192 - Pages: 21
...The Origin of the Moon: discussion on the gradual perfection of proposed hypotheses Introduction The Moon is the easiest and most familiar object that human can catch in the clear night. The Moon as known as our Earth’s only natural satellite is indicated by Rick Carlson in recent research to have an age of between 4.40 and 4.45 billion years, which is not long after the origin of the Earth. However, the origin of the Moon is still not defined and further research on this topic is continuous. The exploration of formation of the Moon is gradually per fected by the various proposed theories started from 1878 to nowadays. This research essay will discuss both the past and present hypotheses of origin of the Moon. The past hypotheses also known as “The Big Three” referring to Fission, Capture and Accretion hypotheses are popular in different times and centuries before the Apollo mission flew in 1972 (Tyson, 2000). However, the study on the moon rock brought by Apollo’s program gives unavailable clues for “The Big Three”(Tyson, 2000). Nowadays, the Giant Impact Hypothesis is regarded as the most leading theory that is most accepted in present. Nevertheless, it is widely accepted, some studies supported this theory; others may create new theory to challenge this Giant Impact Hypothesis, which make this hypothesis still arguable. However, whatever these hypotheses failed or will achieve, they bring a better understanding on the formation of planet’s satellites in our Solar System (Zhong...
Words: 1805 - Pages: 8
...Week 1 Chapter 1: The selection of a research design Three types of design: Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. Although it is difficult to separate the first two, often a research study tends to be more quantitative than qualitative or vice versa. Mixed methods is somewhere in the middle, a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. In detail: Qualitative research is about exploring and understanding the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social or human problem. Quantitative research is a means for testing objective theories, deriving hypotheses from these theories, and examining the relationship among variables. Mixed methods research associates both research design. Often, in qualitative research, the researcher needs to interpret the data (evidence) collected during the research process. The final report may have a flexible structure. With quantitative research, the final report is more or less structured; introduction, literature survey and theory, data description, methods, results and discussion (for future research). These models pretty much cover the available areas to researchers in selecting the type of research design. In each research design, it helps to identify, list and associate the three components of the research design. The first component is the way the research views the problem of interest. This is called under different names, research paradigm, epistemologies (the origin) and ontologies (how you know what you know), etc...
Words: 6507 - Pages: 27
...MGT-491 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH FOR MANAGEMENT Submitted to: Prof. OSMAN BIN SAIF Research: The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search. “Re” is a prefix meaning again, a new or over again. “Search” is a verb meaning to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to probe. Together they form a noun describing a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish facts or principles. Research is basically based on primary and secondary sources. In primary source we collected original data via research "instruments" (surveys, interviews, questionnaires, "focus groups," etc.) to produce new knowledge on a particular topic. In addition to primary sources and original instruments another source is secondary data. The secondary sources are used to provide an overview of existing published knowledge on a topic and possible current debates about the topic. It also defines how the new knowledge described in a paper differs from what is already known. Definition: “The process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis” (Sekran, 2006) “Systematic inquiry that provides information to guide decision” (Cooper & Schindler, 2001) “Studious study of a subject that is intended to discover new facts or test new ideas, the activity of finding information about something that one is interested in or need to know about” Research is a process of collecting, analyzing...
Words: 704 - Pages: 3
