Formulating and

Clarifying
the Research
Topic
Chapter 2

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

1. identify the attributes of a good research
topic;
2. generate and refine research ideas to choose
a suitable research topic;
3. turn their research idea into a research project
that has a clear research question(s), aim and
objectives;
4. understand the relationship between a
research question(s), a research aim and
research objectives;
5. recognise the role of theory in developing a
research question(s), a research aim and
research objectives;
6. draft a research proposal that outlines their
proposed research project.
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Is the topic something with which you are really fascinated?

 Do you have, or can you develop within the project time

frame, the necessary research skills to undertake the topic?

 Is the research topic achievable within the available time?

 Will the topic still be current when you finish your project?

 Is the topic achievable within the financial resources that are

likely to be available?

 Are you reasonably certain of being able to gain access to

data you are likely to require for this topic?

Box 2.2 Attributes of a Good Research Topic

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
  Does the topic fit the specifications and meet the standards set by the
examining institution?

 Does your topic contain issues that have a clear link to theory?

 Are you able to state your research question(s), aim and objectives
clearly?

 Will your proposed research be able to provide fresh insights into this
topic?

 Does your topic relate clearly to the idea you have been given (perhaps
by an organisation)?

 Are the findings for this topic likely to be symmetrical: that is, of
similar value whatever the outcome?

 Does the topic match your career goals?

Box 2.2 Attributes of a Good Research Topic (Continued)

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Dr Valérie Sabatier, Deputy Director of the
Doctoral School at Grenoble Ecole de Management
in France
Hot Research Topics

Globalization
Managing Technology & Innovation
Resource Management & Sustainable Development
Social Entrepreneurship
Corporate Responsibility, Ethics & Accountability,
The financial crisis of the end of last decade

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

 WHY did you choose the
topic? What interests you about
it? Do you have an opinion about
the issues involved?

INTERESTING WHO are the information providers

on this topic? Who might publish
information about it? Who is
affected by the topic? Do you know
of organizations or institutions
affiliated with the topic?
DEVELOPMENTAL
FLEXIBLE EXERCISE WHAT are the major questions for
this topic? Is there a debate about
RESEARCH the topic? Are there a range of
TOPIC issues and viewpoints to consider?

WHERE is your topic important: at

the local, national or international
level? Are there specific places
affected by the topic?
RELEVANT CURRENT
WHEN is/was your topic
important? Is it a current event or
an historical issue? Do you want to
compare your topic by time
periods?
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Rational thinking Creative thinking

Examining your own strengths and Keeping a notebook of your ideas

interests

Examining staff research interests Exploring personal preferences

using past projects

Looking at past project titles Exploring relevance to business

using the literature

Discussion Relevance trees

Searching existing literature Brainstorming

Scanning the media

Table 2.1 More frequently used techniques for Generating and Refining Research Ideas
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Using an informal group of
Organisation/ people who are interested in
Manager may initial idea, to generate
provide the The Delphi related ideas, evaluate and
research topic. to arrive at the consensus
Technique
around a specific research
idea,

Refining Topics
The Preliminary
Given by Employing
Inquiry
Organisation

“Working up & Narrowing

down”
Classifying each research Searching &
idea into its area, field Evaluating relevant
and finally precise aspect Integrating Ideas literature
of your interest Informal discussion

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
Turning Research Idea into
Research Project

Writing Research
Questions

Writing Research Aim &

Set Research Objectives

The Importance of Theory

in Writing Research
Questions & Objectives

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

 Writing Research Aim & Set
Research Objective
Research
Idea
Media campaign following
product recalls
Supermarket coupons as a
promotional device
Challenger banks and small
businesess
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
Research
Question
How effective is a media
campaign designed to increase
customer trust in (name of
company) following a series of
product recall
In what way do the issue of
coupons at supermarket
checkouts affect buyer
behaviour?
How has the emergence of
challenger banks impacted
upon small businesses’
financing and why?
Research
Aim
The aim of this research is to
assess the effectiveness of a
media campaign by (name of
company) designed to increase
consumer trust following a
series of recalls of its product
The aim of this research is to
explore how the issue of
coupons at supermarket
checkouts affects buyer
behaviour.
The aim of this research is to
explore how the emergence of
challenger banks has impacted
upon small businesses'
financing and why?
 The Importance of Theory in Writing
Research Questions & Objective

• What are the

What
Theory is
composed of variables/concepts that the
four elements:
theory examines?
What
How
Why
Who; Where &
How • How are these
variables/concepts related?
When

Whetten (1989) Why • Why are these

variables/concepts related?

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

 An idea or set of ideas that is
intended to explain facts or events
www.merriam-webster.com “A statement of
relationships between
concepts”

“A generalization
about a phenomenon
that explains how or "A theory is a way of making sense
why the phenomenon of a disturbing situation"
occurs." Kaplan, 1964
Frey, Botan, Friedman, & Kreps (1991)
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Theory guides research and organises its ideas. i.e.
bricks lying around haphazardly in the brickyard:
‘facts’ of different shapes and sizes have no meaning
unless they are drawn together in a theoretical or
conceptual framework.

 Empirically relevant

 Becomes stronger as more supporting evidence is

gathered; provides a context for predictions

 Has the capacity to generate new research.

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
To DESCRIBE, EXPLAIN, PREDICT,
or CONTROL human phenomena
in a variety of contexts.

Explain

Predict

Establish causality
AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Research Proposal =
Protocol or Outline, is a
structured plan of your
proposed research project

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

 Demanding!

Creating a clear specification to guide

your research project
Coherence
Meeting the Requirements of those Ethical
who approve and assess your project Clearance
Feasibility
Ensuring your research project isn’t
based on preconceived ideas

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

1. Title
2. Background of Study
3. Research Questions, Aims and Objectives
4. Research Methodology
5. Timescale
6. Resources
7. References

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

Case 2 Gantt Chart AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
Step 1: Brainstorm for ideas. ...
Step 2: Read General Background Information. ...
Step 3: Focus on Your Topic. ...
Step 4: Make a List of Useful Keywords. ...
Step 5: Be Flexible. ...
Step 6: Define Your Topic as a Focused Research
Question.

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018
 Practitioners/
Academic
Industry
Gap
GAP

AP Dr Yuhanis Abdul Aziz 2017-2018