Description

Research Methods CA_TWO (50%) Research Proposal 2,500 words (10% + or -) Suggested Structure: Submission deadline 19th of July 2020

q Cover Page (3%): Including, title, course, student name, lecturer names, institution

q Title or Working Title (5%): A working title, encapsulating the aims, scope and strategy of your study. The Title should be concise and descriptive. For example, the phrase, "An investigation of . . ." could be omitted. Often titles are stated in terms of a functional relationship, because such titles clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables. However, if possible, think of an informative but catchy title. An effective title not only picks the reader's interest, but also predisposes him/her favourably towards the proposal.

q Introduction (25%): A good introduction sets the tone and direction of the proposal and the dissertation. It informs the reader what the research is about, presents the overall research objective and specific Research Questions and Research Problem – and why these have been selected and pursued. In particular, you need to make it clear what specific business related problem or issue is being addressed.

q Establishing the context, background and/or importance of the topic

q Identifying a problem, controversy or a knowledge gap in the field of study

q Explaining the significance or value of the study

q Defining certain key terms

q Providing an overview of the proposal structure

q Research Questions and Research Objectives, Hypothesis for Quantitative Research(20%): Specific aims and objectives for your study, stating the aim(s) of the research and the research questions or hypotheses (for quantitative research).

Objectives: are the steps you are going to take to answer your research questions or a specific list of tasks needed to accomplish the goals of the project emphasize how aims are to be accomplished must be highly focused and feasible address the more immediate project outcomes make accurate use of concepts and be sensible and precisely described are usually numbered so that each objective reads as an 'individual' statement to convey your intentions. For each specific objective you must have a method to attempt to achieve it.

The development of a realistic time schedule may help to prioritize your objectives and help to minimize wasted time and effort.

Remember: At the conclusion of your project you will need to assess whether or not you have met your objectives and if not, why not. You may not however always meet your aims in full, since your research may reveal that your questions were inappropriate, that there are intervening variables you could not account for or that the circumstances of the study have changed etc.

Whatever the case, your conclusion will still have to reflect on how well the research design that was guided by your objectives has contributed to addressing your aims.

q Literature Review (10%) (small sample) A critical literature review of your research area, out of which you may be expected to derive research questions. At least 3 key researches.

q Methodology: Pproviding a Synopsis of the Research Design and Method(s) (20%): How you would intend to gain access to appropriate sites, data or informants for your study the methods of data collection you intend to use and a justification of their appropriateness, strengths and weaknesses in relation to your study, including relevant references to the literature how you would construct your sample frame and an outline of your sampling strategy an indication of what type of analysis you would wish to perform on your data any problems you might anticipate (e.g. in access or sampling, etc.) and how you might resolve these a consideration of any ethical or professional issues raised by your proposals.

q Time Scale (5%): A research timetable or timeline.

q Resources (2%): Resources you may anticipate you will need for conducting your research.

q Bibliography/References (5%):

q Overall Presentation (5%)

General advice on writing proposals: A 'What, Why, and How' Framework for Crafting Research

1. You should avoid making your research ideas too vague as this generally leads to too wide a range of issues to cover - your overall task will probably be to present a coherent review which should enable you to refine your possible research ideas into specific and viable research questions.

2. Just because you don't yet have a clear idea of what you want to do does not mean you cannot write a clear research proposal, you can still present a coherent plan which should enable you to address your questions realistically.

3. Though it may be impossible for you to accurately predict levels of access available to you and consequently to determine a precise sample frame, you should still be able to propose what kinds of access would be needed and rough estimates of the ideal sample frame and sampling strategy needed in order to collect the kind of data you propose.

Helpful hints for writing papers: Writing mechanics

1. Double-space everything.

2. Set margins at 1 inch.

3. Always make backup copies of the paper on the cloud, hard copy, etc.

4. Number the pages.

5. Use 12 point Times New Roman to prepare the paper.

6. Use titles correctly

7. Use Harvard referencing style

8. Follow a structure

Common problem areas

1. Spelling and grammar should be checked to ensure accuracy.

2. A sentence must include only one basic idea.

3. A paragraph must contain at least two sentences.

4. A paragraph must include only one basic topic.

Structure as per above

1. Include cover page with title, module name, student name and number.

2. Write in complete sentences. Do not write sentence fragments or run-on sentences.

3. Do not attempt to convey too much information in one sentence. Rather than write one long, wordy sentence, write several short, clear ones.

4. Avoid writing in the passive voice.

5. Do not begin a sentence with a number.

6. Spell numbers less than 10. Write as a numeral those 10 or greater.

7. Write percentages with a number and percentage sign (58%).

8. Personal pronouns must agree with their antecedents (the nouns they represent) in gender and number.

9. A verb must agree with its subject in person and number.

10. Use headings, sub-headings, sub-sub-headings, etc. whenever you change the topic.

11. Always include bibliography and References.