Professional Documents
Culture Documents
SET 1
Business Research
SNO.
TOPICS Covered
1.
2.
SET 1
Business Research
SET 1
Business Research
SET 1
Business Research
SET 1
1. Preamble/ Introduction
Proposal should start with an introduction to include some of the information listed below
In writing this section , literature review is of central importance as it serves two main
functions:
1. Acquaints you with the available literature in the area of your study, thereby broadening
your knowledge base
2. Provides you with information on methods and procedures other people have used in
similar situations and tells you what works and what does not
3. The type, extent and quality of literature review are mostly dependent upon the academic
level for which you are writing the proposal
4. The contents of this section may vary greatly according to the subject area under study
a) An overview of the main area under study;
b) Historical perspective (development, growth, etc. ) pertinent to the study area
c) Philosophical or ideological issues relating to the topic;
d) Trends in terms of prevalance, if appropriate;
e) Major theories, if any;
f) The main issues, problems and advances in the subject area under study;
g) Important theoretical and practical issues relating to the central problem under study;
h) Main findings relating to the core issue(s)
Example
-
Suppose that you are conducting a study to investigate the impact of immigration on the
family. Introduction should include:
Business Research
SET 1
2. The Problem
Identify some of the gaps in the existing body of knowledge
Identify some of the unanswered questions
Knowledge gained from other studies and the literature about the issues you are
proposing to investigate should be an integral part of this section. This section should
include:
a) Identify the issues that are the basis of your study
b) Specify the various aspects of/ perspectives on these issues
c) Identify main gaps in the existing body of knowledge
d) Raise some main research questions that you want to answer through your study
e) Develop a rationale for your study with particular reference on how your study will
fill the identified gaps
Example:
What settlement process does a family go through after immigration?
What adjustments do immigrants have to make?
What types of change can occur in family members attitudes?
What is the possible impact of settlement on family roles and relationships? Etc.
Business Research
SET 1
Sub objective:
To determine the impact of immigration on husband/wife roles as perceived by
immigrants
To find out the impact of immigration on marital relations
To Ascertain perceived changes in parental expectations of childrens academic and
professional achievement
4. HYPOTHESES TO BE TESTED
Hypothesis is a statement of your assumptions about the prevalence of a phenomenon or
about a relationship between two variables that you plan to test within the framework of
the study.
When formulating a hypothesis you have an obligation to draw conclusions about it in
your text report. Hypotheses should have a particular style of formulation
You must be acquainted with correct way of wording them
In a study, you may have as many hypotheses as you want to test
However, it is not essential to have a hypothesis in order to undertake a study
A perfectly satisfactory study without formulating a hypotheses can be conducted
Example:
H1 = In most cases there will be a change in husband/wife roles after immigration
H2 = In a majority of cases there will be change in parents expectations
Hi = etc.
5. STUDY DESIGN
Describe the study design you plan to use to answer your research questions. For eg- it is
a case study, longitudinal, cross-sectional etc.)
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your study design
Include details about the various logistical procedures you intend to follow while
executing the study design
One characteristic of a good study design is that it explains the details with such clarity
that, if someone else wants to follow the proposed procedure, she/he will be able to do
exactly as you have done.
Business Research
SET 1
6. THE SETTING
Briefly describe the organisation, agency or community in which you will conduct your
study. If the study is about a group of people, highlight some of the salient characteristics
of the group (e.g. its history, size, composition and structure) and draw attention to any
available relevant information
If your research concerns an agency, office or organisation, include:
The main services provided by the organisation
Its administrative structure;
The type of clients served
Information about the issues that are central to your research.
8
Business Research
SET 1
If you are studying a community, briefly describe some of the main characteristics:
The size of the community
A brief social profile of the community (i.e. the composition of the various groups within
it);
Issues of relevance to the central theme of your study
7. Measurement procedures
This should contain a discussion of your instrument and the details of how you plan to
operationalise your major variables. To start with, justify your choice of research tool,
highlighting its strengths and pointing out its weaknesses. Then outline the major
segments of your research tool and their relevance to the main objective under study.
Discuss the availability of evidence on reliability and validity. Also, discuss the scales
used
8. Ethical Issues
All academic institutions are particular about any ethical issues that research may have
To deal with them, all institutions my have some form of policy on ethics
You need to be acquainted with your institutions policy
It is imperative that you identify any ethical issues and how you propose to deal with
them in your proposal.
9. Sampling
It should include:
The size of the sampling population (if known) and from where and how this information
will be obtained
The size of the sample you are planning to select, and your reasons for choosing this size
An explanation of the sampling design you are planning to use in the selection of the
sample (simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, quota sampling, etc.)
Business Research
SET 1
Age;
Education;
Occupation;
Number of children;
Duration of immigration, etc.
Example:
It is proposed that the report will be divided into the following chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: The socioeconomic- demographic characteristics of the study population
Chapter 3: The impact on husband/wife roles
Chapter 4: The impact on marital relations
Chapter 5: The impact on expectations of children
Chapter 6: The impact on attitude towards marriage
Chapter 7: The impact on expectations of children
10
Business Research
SET 1
13. Appendix
As an appendix, attach your research instrument and a list of references.
11
Business Research
SET 1
Most Professions have an overall code of conduct that governs the way they carry out
research. Many research bodies have developed the code of conduct specifically for research.
Medicine, business , law, education, psychology and other social sciences have well
established code of ethics for research .
Acc. to Collins Dictionary, ethical means in accordance with principles of code of conduct
that are considered correct, especially those of a given profession or group.
What are these principles of conduct?
Who determines them?
In whose judgement must they be considered correct?
Are they universal principles of conduct that can be applied to all professions?
Do these change with time?
Should they?
What happens when a professional does not abide by them?
Business Research
SET 1
Researcher
Anyone who collects information for a specific purpose, adhering to the accepted code of
conduct, is a researcher. She/he may represent any academic discipline
Funding organisation
One who provides funds such as business organisations, service institutions, research bodies
and/or academic institutions.Funds are given for specific purposes.
1. Collecting information
2. Seeking consent
3. Providing incentives
4. Seeking sensitive information
5. The possibility of causing harm to participants
6. Maintaining confidentiality
13
Business Research
SET 1
14
Business Research
-
SET 1
(e.g. selecting a highly biased sample, using invalid instrument or drawing wrong
conclusions.
4. Incorrect reporting
-
- To use an appropriate methodology, but to report the findings in a way that changes or
slants them to serve your own or someone elses interest is unethical