Discussion and Practice
Your Research Proposal
Start writing your research proposal – Chapter 1
Refer to the following for help
1. The template – copy attached
2. Relevant Textbook
3. The Notes
4.
Video Recording
Contents of Proposal
Title:
The title (topic) of the proposal should 'accurately reflect the scope and content of the study in not more than 15 words. The title should be concise, precise and outline core Issues of study.
The parts in the research proposal are as follows:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduce the topic, the sector of business/industry concerned, and how the project relates to it. Define the context of the problem and identify the research required to solve it.
This section includes the following:
1.1 Background
The research topic proposed to be studied is introduced in this section. It should help the reader to acquaint with the topic. This is a broad overview of the topic, and this is where you explain the context of your proposal and describe in detail why it is important.
1.2 Problem Statement
A research problem is an educational issue or concern that an investigator presents and justifies in a research study. Discuss the issue that you intend to study in a problem statement and show that there is an issue that needs to be addressed or a “gap” in the body of knowledge that you want to fill.
1.3 Research Questions
Research questions (RQs) are refined statements of the specific components of the problem. The research questions must be in line with the objectives and should indicate the variables under investigation. They should be clearly and unambiguously framed as they will influence research methodology and the type of data analysis to be conducted.
1.4 Objective/Purpose
A specific result that a person or system aims to achieve within a time frame and with available resources. Ask yourself what you hope to uncover through your research, and then say it in a way that the reader will understand.
1.5 Significance of study
Present the rationale of your proposed study and clearly indicate why it is worth doing. Briefly tell the reader the significance of the study (justify doing the study). You can argue the significance of your study from managerial, theoretical, and academic perspectives.
1.6 Scope
Set the boundaries of your proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. Where appropriate, state not only what you will study but what is excluded from the study.
1.7 Limitations
The limitations of the study refer to elements that are beyond the control of the researcher. Some common limitations faced by researchers are, for example, limitations due to the small sample size, measuring instruments, or generalizability of the results. Do not be intimidated by the limitations of the study because it is not possible to expect every research conducted to be perfect. They merely indicate to the reader that you are aware of the limitations and that the findings should be interpreted in light of these limitations.
1.8 Definition of Key Terms
If necessary, provide definitions of key concepts or terms. Provide operational definitions of key terms, especially the variables investigated in the study. It would be best to define the variables in your study so that readers know more exactly what is meant by the terms and other researchers can replicate the research. Again, this is only possible if you provide operational definitions of the variables.