Research Proposal in Business Wk 9.pptx

Writing a Research proposal

1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL Week 8.

2. What is a research proposal To propose means to state an intention, suggestion. It indicates a researcher’s intention to carry out a study . A research proposal is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the proposed study. It is an outline of the research process that gives a reader a summary of the researcher’s intention to carry out a study It is therefore a detailed work plan on how a research activity will be conducted. The research proposal is ones way of showing that one has an idea that is of value and can contribute important knowledge to the specific field. A research proposal is intended to convince the readers that one has a worthwhile research study and that one has the competence and the work-plan to complete it

3. Definition cont.. T he proposal should have sufficient information to convince readers that one has an important research idea , that one has a good grasp of the relevant literature and the major issues, and that methodology is sound . A research proposal should address the following questions : What one plan to accomplish, why one want to do it and How you are going to do A Research proposal is written in future tense since the study has not yet been carried out. A research study starts with a brief introductory section that narrows down to the specific problem to be studies

4. FORMAT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL A proposal is divided into the following sections:

5. Cover page This is the first section of the proposal. However it is the last to be written. It includes the following : A. Title page : ( Prelimineries ) It is often times referred to as the cover page, this section is where one indicates the title of the research , name , institutional information . This section includes: The research title Name and student number Statement- A research proposal submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of (insert the name of the Degree ) of Riara University. Month and year of submission

6. B. Declaration Page: This includes the declaration by the student and supervisor : Declaration by student declare that this research s proposal is my original work and has not been presented for a degree or any other award in any other university Name …………………Signed………………………….Date ………………………. Declaration by university supervisor (s)This research proposal has been submitted for examination with our approval as university supervisors Signed …………………….. Date……………………………Name ……………………….

7. PLERIMINARIES C. Dedication This is not compulsory and may apply to an individual who has had a major impact on the researcher. It should not exceed 25 words. D. Acknowledgement. This refers to individuals who in one way or the other have contributed to the success of the study. It should not exceed 150 words E . Abstract. This summarizes the major areas in the proposal. It should not exceed 500 words. It should be comprehensive with no paragraph.

8. F. Table of contents. This indicates all the section in the proposal. The page numbers should be included: List of tables List of figures Abbreviations and acronyms

9. THE RESEARCH PROCESS The research begins with a selection of identification of a subject/problem to be studied. Once the subject has been identified, the researcher takes the following steps : Formulating the research problem . Defining the hypothesis . Research design . Determination of the type of data to be collected . Data collection procedures and data analysis and generalizations

10. CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY: The first section of a research proposal is referred to as the introduction. This is because it indicates how the study will flow . It is the opening /beginning of the study. The main purpose of the introduction is to provide the necessary background or context for the research problem. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research. This section is divided into the following :

11. 1.0 Introduction Background of the study Statement of the problem Objectives of the study Research questions Significance of the study Scope of the study Operational definition of terms

12. 1.1 Background of the study This sections aims to create reader interest in the topic. It lays the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study. It places the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature. (Creswell, 1994,p. 42). The background should be concise, interesting and written in language which is understandable to a well-informed but non-specialist audience . It should assist the readers to understand the dependent and independent variables. It puts the topic into perspective. In writing this section one should Provide the contemporary context in which the proposed research lies Identify the key independent and dependent variables specify the phenomenon one wants to study Briefly describe the major issues and sub-problems to be addressed by the research . This section gives a background of what should be studied. It puts the topic into perspective. It should be about three pages.

13. 1.2 Statement of the problem This is the issue of concern. It is the ‘why’ of the study. It refers to what haspropelled the need for the study. < Aproblem might be defined as the issuethat exists in the literature, theory, orpractice that leads to a need for thestudy =. It is important in a proposal tha

14. 1.3 Objectives This is the ultimate goal or aim of the study. It is what the researcher hopes to achieve by the end of thestudy. It should provide a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall purpose of the study What willbe achieved at the end of the study. It is linked to the research Title. Specific Objectives These are the measurable tasks that will assist meet the purpose of the study.These are what the researchers hope to achieve by the end of the study.Active verbs are used To analyze……………..To assess…………………To find out………………To examine……………To evaluate……………..To determine

15. 1.4 Research Questions A research question poses arelationship between two or more variables but phrases the relationship asa question. These are specific objectivesin question form. When answered theresearch objectives will be addressed.

16. 1.5 Significance of the study This section indicates who will gain fromthe study and how. One should thinkabout implications—how results of thestudy may affect scholarly research,theory, practice, educationalinterventions, curricula, counseling, andpolicy. The major issues to be addressed are: What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research? Why is the study important How will results of the study be implemented, and what innovations will come about

17. 1.6. Scope of the study This refers to the parameters of the study, the area that the study will focuson. It is a general outline of what the study will cover. This helps one to remember and keep within the accepted range of one’s study. This also reminds a researcher that this method of investigation should be centered aroundtrying to solve the problem within theprovide scope.

18. 1.7 Operational Definition of Terms In this section all terms assumed to have a unique meaning should be defined

19. CHAPTER 2 RESEARCH PROPOSAL LITERATURE REVIEW

20. LITERATURE REVIEW Literature refers to the analysis of textbooks or manuscripts. the term literature means the works theresearcher consulted in order to understand and investigate the research problem. A literature review therefore is an account of what has been published on a topic by accreditedscholars and researchers. It is a critical look at the existing research that is significant to the work that the researcher will becarrying out. It involves examining documents such as books, magazines, journals and dissertationsthat have a bearing on the study being conducted. Literature is the process of reading, analyzing, evaluating, and summarizing scholarly materials bout aspecific topic. It is an analysis of textbooks and manuscripts related to ones area of study. Its purposeis to summarize, synthesize and analyze the arguments of others. In effect, a literature reviewcompiles, outlines and evaluates previously established research and relates it to ones own study. A literature review is a body of text that aims to review the critical points of current knowledge. Most areaware that it is a process of gathering information from other sources and documenting it

21. Importance of Literature Review in Research Literature review is essential in research. This is due to the following: It sharpens and deepens the theoretical foundation of the research. Literature review enables the researcher to study different theories related to the identified topic. By studying these theories, a researcher gains clarity and better understanding of the specific objectives It gives the researcher insight into what has already been done in the selected field, pinpointing itsstrengths and weaknesses. This information guides the researcher in the formulation of a theory thataims at addressing the identified gaps. It enables the researcher to know the kind of additional data needed in the study. This helps avoidduplication of work. An understanding of previous works helps the researcher to develop a significant problem which will provide further knowledge in the field of study. It also helps in delimiting the research problem. This isthrough portraying what has already been done and what would be useful to focus on in the current study

22. Purpose of lit review Ensures that you are not reinventing the wheel. Gives credits to those who have laid the groundwork for ones research. Demonstrates ones knowledge of the research problem. Demonstrates ones understanding of the theoretical and research issues related to your researchquestion. Shows the ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature. Provides new theoretical insights or develops a new model as the conceptual framework for yourresearch. Convinces reader that the proposed research will make a significant and substantial contribution tothe literature (i.e., resolving an important theoretical issue or filling a major gap in the literature)

23. Guidelines in formulating effective Literature Reviews a) Identify key issues to be addressed by the literature review: b) Identify sources of information: The researcher needs to identify books, articles, professional papersand other relevant publications that relate to the research title and the research problem. . c) Analyze critically the articles identified: d) Synthesize the information gathered: Select studies that relate most directly to the problem at hand e) Evaluation

24. Forma t: 2.1 INTRODUCTION This section briefly indicates the content to be covered in the study

25. 2.2 Theoretical orientation In this section the researcher identifies 2/3 theories related to the variables of the study and highlights the contribution of the theories to the study

26. 2.3 Empirical Review This is the longest section in the chapter. The researcher indicates what various authors have stated inrelation to each specific objective. The authors should be cited

27. 2.4 Conceptual Framework A concept is an idea. A conceptual framework is the researcher9s idea of the effect of the independentvariable on the dependent variable. It should be in diagram form and explained

28. 2.5 Operationalization In this section the researcher identifies the specific areas that will be focused on in theindependent variable. It should be in diagram form. This section should be 10-20 pages

29. CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

30. 3.1 Introduction This section should be brief and indicate the content in the study.

31. 3.2 Research design This refers to the outline/scheme or plan that will be used to collect information. The researcher should identify the design and justify why it was selected. Justify with citation. (1/2 page)

32. 3.3 Target Population This section indicates the group the researcher would like to focus on in the study. The researcher should justify why the group has been selected and its contribution to the study. The researcher should indicate the groupes characteristics including size.

33. 3.4 Sampling procedure This section indicates how the sample will be selected and the sample size. One should justify the sample design

34. 3.5 Data collection instruments and procedures In this section the researcher identifies the research instrument (s) that will be used in data collection.The researcher justifies why the instrument(s) has/have been selected. The quality of the instrument(Validity/reliability) is addressed. One should indicate the procedures of administering the research instruments. It should indicate how the authority to collect data will be sought, methods of ensuring high response rates, ethical values to be considered.

35. 3.6 Methods of data Analysis This section should indicate how the variables will be measured and presented. The statistical methodsused should be justified

36. 3.7 Research Limitation In this section the researcher highlights some of the challenges likely to be encountered during the studyand how they will be addressed

37. 3.8 Research Ethics This section indicates some of the values that the researcher will reinforce during the study