RIFT VALLEY UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

MASTESR OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION (MBA)

Course Title: Business Research Methods

By:
ID NO: RVUBBGBAMR/ /15

Submitted To: MohammedHussein Mama (Ass.Prof)

March, 2024

Bale Robe, Ethiopia

Business Research Method | Introduction 1

Introduction
A research proposal typically consists of several components. These include the title, abstract,
introduction, objectives, methodology, timeline and milestones, ethical considerations, budget,
appendices, and references. The statement of the problem is an important component, which
describes the purpose and intended accomplishments of the study. The conceptual framework is
another key component, which is developed from a comprehensive analysis of literature in the
field. The research design is also crucial and should clearly describe the methodology, study
subjects, sampling scheme, step-by-step procedure, timeframe, proposed budget, projected
outcomes, dissemination, impacts, follow-up study, and policy implications. Additionally, the
research proposal may include a background to the research problem, literature review, and list
of references. Overall, a well-structured research proposal is essential for obtaining approval and
funding for a research project.

Research Title
It sounds somewhat obvious when we say that your research proposal with a title. To say the
least, you already know you should. But perhaps the most common mistake that many people’s
make is to write general titles that lack focus. Instead of writing a long title that’s hard to read or
a short title that fails to highlight the theme of your research, write a clear and concise headline
that tells your reader what your research proposal is about at a first glance.

Research Objectives
Aims and objectives are what you wish your research proposal to accomplish. Your aims will be
your overall outcome or what you want the research to achieve. Objectives tend to be narrower and
more focused. More often than not, you need to provide an explanation for each of your objectives to
show how they will help to meet the aims of your study. Unless required, you don’t really have
to include a hypothesis that your research proposal looks forward to test.

Research Problem: A problem statement is a concise description of an issue to be addressed or

a condition to be improved upon. It identifies the gap between the current (problem) state and
desired (goal) state of a process or product. Focusing on the facts, the problem statement should
be designed to address the Five Ws. The first condition of solving a problem understands the
problem, which can be done by way of a problem statement

Business Research Method | Introduction 2

The research question

is the central question that guides the research process. It identifies the main problem or issue
that the research aims to address and guides the researcher's exploration of the topic. The
research question is usually posed as a question, which helps to clarify the focus of the research
and provides a framework for investigating the issue. In many cases, the research question will
inform the choice of research title. The title should reflect the main research question, as well as
the scope and purpose of the research. A well-crafted title can attract readers and provide a clear
indication of what the research is about, which can help to generate interest and support for the
project. The research question, on the other hand, is a specific and focused inquiry that the
research study seeks to answer. The research question should be clear, well-defined, and relevant
to the research topic. It should also be specific enough to guide the research process and help the
researcher to focus their efforts.

Research Methodology
Methodologies are simply the research methods you will use to conduct your study and they
must appear in your research proposal whether or not you’re conducting an experimental
research. The methodologies include analysis and sampling techniques equipment, research
approaches, and ethical concerns. Make sure your explanation for each methodology is clear and
precise. It helps to justify why you’ve chosen to use a certain methodology over an alternative.
This will go a long way to show that you took your time to think about your methodologies
before picking them.
It’s important to explain how you will collect data, the sample size you plan to consider for your
research investigation, and the techniques you consider the most appropriate to analyze the data.

Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework sets forth the standards to define a research question and find
appropriate, meaningful answers for the same. It connects the theories, assumptions, beliefs, and
concepts behind your research and presents them in a pictorial, graphical, or narrative format.
True research begins with setting empirical goals. Goals aid in presenting successful answers to
the research question at hand. It delineates a process wherein different aspects of the research are
Business Research Method | Introduction 3
reflected upon, and coherence is established among them. A conceptual framework is an
underrated methodological approach that should be paid attention to before embarking on a
research journey in any field, be it science, finance, history, psychology, etc.

A conceptual framework sets forth the standards to define a research question and find
appropriate, meaningful answers for the same. It connects the theories, assumptions, beliefs, and
concepts behind your research and presents them in a pictorial, graphical, or narrative format.
Your conceptual framework establishes a link between the dependent and independent variables,
factors, and other ideologies affecting the structure of your research. A critical facet a conceptual
framework unveils is the relationship the researchers have with their research. It closely
highlights the factors that play an instrumental role in decision-making, variable selection, data
collection, assessment of results, and formulation of new theories.

Consequently, if you, the researcher, are at the forefront of your research battlefield, your
conceptual framework is the most powerful arsenal in your pocket.

In General, there is a clear connection among the research title, research problem, research

question, objectives, and research methodology in a research study. These components work

together to ensure that the study is well-defined, focused, and methodologically sound. The

research title sets the tone for the study, the problem identifies the issue to be addressed, the

question guides the direction of the study, the objectives outline the goals of the research, and the

methodology details how the study will be conducted. By carefully aligning these components,

researchers can effectively plan and execute their studies to achieve meaningful results.

Business Research Method | Introduction 4