Lecture 2

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 AGENDA

1. Research Idea, Research Question & Research Objectives

2. Requirements of Research Proposal

3. Structure of Research Proposal

4. Link to Assignment 1
 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives
▪ It all depends on the research
question

▪ Without a reasonably defined

research question you cannot really
decide about research designs, or
data, or feasibility, but also

▪ be aware that careful consideration

of these issues will shape the final
form your question takes

Sources: O’Leary (2004); Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives
A good research topic has:
Appropriateness Capability Fulfilment
✔ Does the research topic fit the ✔ Do you have, or can you develop
specifications and meet the standards within the project time frame, the
set by the examining institution? necessary research skills to undertake
✔ Does the research topic contain the research topic? ✔ Does the research topic really
issues that have a clear link to theory? ✔ Is the research topic achievable within interest and motivate you?
✔ Are you able to state your research the available time? ✔ Will the research topic help
question(s), aim and objectives clearly? ✔ Is the research topic achievable within towards the achievement of your
✔ Will the proposed research be able to the financial resources that are likely to future aspirations or career
provide fresh insights into this topic? be available? goals?
✔ Are the findings for this research topic ✔ Are you reasonably certain of being
likely to be symmetrical: that is, of able to gain access to data you are likely
similar value whatever the outcome? to require for this research topic?

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives

A good research question is answerable and researchable

▪ Defines the investigation/research
▪ Sets boundaries
▪ Provides direction
▪ Gives context to who, what, where, when, why, how, etc.?

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives

Techniques for generating and refining research ideas

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives
Brainstorming
1. Defining the problem: This will focus on the sorts of ideas you are interested in – as
precisely as possible. In the early stages of formulating a topic this may be as vague
as, ‘I am interested in marketing but don’t know what to do for my research topic’.
2. Asking for suggestions: These will relate to the problem.
3. Recording suggestions: As you record these you will need to observe the following
rules:
▪ No suggestion should be criticised or evaluated in any way before all ideas have
been considered.
▪ All suggestions, however wild, should be recorded and considered.
▪ As many suggestions as possible should be recorded.
4. Reviewing suggestions: You will seek to explore what is meant by each as you
review these.
5. Analysing suggestions: Work through the list of ideas and decide which appeal to
you most as research ideas and why.

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives

Criteria to devise useful research objectives

Criterion
Transparency (What does it mean?)
Specificity (What am I going to do?)
Relevance (Why I am going to do this?)
Interconnectivity (How will it help to complete the research project?)
Answerability (Will this be possible?) (Where shall I obtain data?)
Measurability (When will it be done?)

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 1. Research Ideas, Questions & Objectives

Research Ideas Research Questions Research Objectives

Media campaign How effective is a media campaign The aim of this research is to assess the effectiveness
following product designed to increase consumer trust of a media campaign by [company name] designed to
recalls in [company name] following a increase consumer trust following a series of recalls of
series of product recalls? its products.
Graduate recruitment To what extent and in what type of The aim of this research is to understand situations
via the Internet context is Internet-based recruitment within which Internet-based recruitment and selection of
and selection of graduates effective graduates is effective and why.
and why?
Supermarket coupons In what ways does the issue of The aim of this research is to explore how the issue of
as a promotional coupons at supermarket checkouts coupons at supermarket checkouts affects buyer
device affect buyer behaviour? behaviour.
Challenger banks and How has the emergence of The aim of this research is to explore how the
small businesses challenger banks impacted upon emergence of challenger banks has impacted upon
small businesses’ financing and small businesses’ financing and why.
why?

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 2. Requirements of Research Proposal

Research Proposal: It refers to as a protocol or outline, is a

structured plan of your proposed research project.

Producing a research proposal is demanding: thinking through

what researchers wish to do and why, identifying and synthesising
literature and then envisaging all of the stages of the research will
be time consuming, as will the necessary revisions to create a
coherent and clearly written proposal

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 2. Requirements of Research Proposal

Coherence: The assessors will be looking for evidence of coherence

and lucidity in the way researchers have written the research
proposal, to demonstrate that it will be fit for purpose and able to
direct the research activity.

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 2. Requirements of Research Proposal

Ethical considerations: Part of the approval process for the

research proposal may involve it being considered and approved by
a research ethics committee. It may also be necessary to state how
data will be stored, whether they will be kept after the research is
completed and under what conditions, in order to ensure the
continuing anonymity of the participants and confidentiality of their
data.

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 2. Requirements of Research Proposal

Feasibility: It is a multifaceted criterion that the assessors will be

concerned about. The proposal may not be possible to achieve in
the time available to undertake the research project and report. It
may be that data collection would not be possible because
researchers would not be able to gain access to participants, or it
might not be practical.

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 3. Structure of Research Proposal

1. Title
2. Background
3. Research Questions & Research Objectives
4. Literature Review
5. Planned Methodology
6. Timescale
7. Resources
8. References

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 3. Structure of Research Proposal
Example of the Gantt chart for Research Project

Sources: Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill (2019)

 Discussion

Read articles given by lecturer and define research topic,

questions and objectives related to those studies.
 4. Link to Assignment 1

P3 - Produce a research proposal, including a defined aim and

objectives supported by a literature review
▪ Structure of a Research proposal
▪ How to write a research proposal