Research design and Proposal Writing

Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development Superior
11-Feb-13 University Lahore

Session Objectives
 After this session you will be able
to
◦ Understand what is meant by research
design
◦ What is a proposal
◦ Why to write a proposal
◦ How to write a proposal

Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development Superior University
11-Feb-13 Lahore

Session Outline
 Research design
 Introduction
 Purpose statement
 Objectives of the research
 Significance of the study
 Methodology and Methods
 Research questions and hypothesis
 limitations and delimitation
 Ethical consideration
Proposal
 why proposal
 Structure of proposal


RESEARCH
DESIGN
A plan of what data to gather, from whom, how and
when to collect the data, and how to analyze the data
obtained
 Components of Research Design
1. Introduction
2. Purpose statement
3. Objectives of the research
4. Significance of the study
5. Methodology and Methods
6. Research questions and hypothesis
7. Limitations and delimitation

1. The Introduction
Introduction is the opening part of the proposal that
justifies the problem to be researched and clarifies the
significance of the proposed study in order to establish a
base for research.

 Components of introduction
◦ Background of the study
◦ The research problem
◦ Studies that have addressed the problem
◦ Deficiencies in the studies
◦ The significance of the study

Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development
11-Feb-13 Superior University Lahore

2. Purpose Statement
The purpose statement indicates “why you want to do
the study and what you intend to accomplish”(Locke et
al, 2000)
Why Purpose Statement
It is the most important statement in an entire research study.

• It conveys the overall intention of a proposed study.
• It establishes the direction for the research.
Qualitative Research
In qualitative research we use the worlds like explore, understand,
or discover and we have focus on single phenomena.
Quantitative Research
In quantitative research we use words like determine, identify, or
compare and we have focus on comparing and relating two or
more variables.
Mixed Methods Research
In Mixed methods research we focus on both qualitative and
quantitative research and mention the design with rationale

3.Objectives of the study
Objectives are the steps you are going to take to
answer your research questions to fulfill the purpose of
the research study

Objectives can be

 Main objectives
 Sub objectives

Azra Naheed Center for Research and
11-Feb-13 Development Superior University Lahore

Significance of the study
 A significance sections elaborates on the importance
and implication of a study for
researcher, practitioners, and policy maker. In
designing the section one might include
◦ 3 or 4 ways in which the study adds to scholarly research and
literature in the field
◦ 3 or 4 ways in which the study helps improve practice
◦ 3 or 4 reasons why the study will improve policy


Methodology and Methods
The methodology includes the methods, procedures,
and techniques used to collect and analyze information.
It should generally include statements about:

◦ Site and sample
◦ Methods of data collection
◦ Data analysis procedures
Why Methodology
◦ it clarifies the procedures and methods of data
collection and analysis
◦ It increases the efficiency and authenticity of the
research


Theory
Theory is the standard principle that defines the
relationship of two or more variables

Qualitative Research:
In case of qualitative research theory is an outcome of
the whole research process by finding the answers to
the research questions
Quantitative Research
In case of quantitative research theory is used as
bases to be verified through the acceptance or
rejection of hypothesis using statistical results.
Mixed Methods Research
in case of Mixed Methods Research theory is both
developed and also verified.

Research Questions and
Hypothesis
 Research questions are interrogative
statements or questions that the researcher
seeks to answer
 Hypothesis are predictive statements that
the researcher holds about the relationship
among variables to be tested


Limitations and Delimitations
 Limitations:
possible weaknesses of the study that were not /
could not be controlled.

 Delimitations:
boundaries set by the researcher that limit the
generalizability of findings.


Ethical Considerations
Ethics are the standards of behavior to be adopted
while interacting to other people during research in a
way that
 People must be respected and seen not as
passive sources of data but as people whose
rights and welfare must be protected.
 Physical risk, psychological harm must be
minimized.
 Risks and benefits from studies should be
Why Ethical Considerations populations.
distributed fairly and evenly in
The aim of discussing research ethics is to
encourage integrity in the conduct of business
Research and practices among of
scientists, scholars, and professionals

Course Objectives
 To introduce the basic philosophical and methodological
approaches currently used as a foundation for research in
Business, Management and Social Sciences.
 To discuss critically the conventional distinction between
“quantitative and qualitative” research and its usefulness in
planning and evaluating research.
 To develop the skills of literature review and critical analysis of
research reports by giving practical exposure to locating literature
and reviewing critically by argumentation, reading analysis and
mapping.
 To provide a comprehensive knowledge about the research design
including introduction, purpose statement, research questions,
hypothesis, use of theory limitations and significance for the
development of rationale in research.
 To provide a comprehensive understanding about quantitative
research and develop their skills in different areas like
operationalization, Naheed Center for Research and Development
Azra quantitative methods and ensure the reliability

Cont….
 To make a clear understanding for the use of SPSS (which is
related to their previous course “Quantitative Techniques”).
 To provide a comprehensive understanding about qualitative
research and develop their skills in using valid and reliable
qualitative methods.
 To discuss various ways of designing research which focuses on
the purpose of research, the use of theory and the research
significance, its limitations and delimitations.
 To present a range of ethical issues relevant to the conduct and
publication of research.
 To give an introduction of Nvivo (for qualitative data analysis).


Classification Topics

At the end of this module, successful students will be able to demonstrate the knowledge
of:
A range of methodological approaches and philosophical assumptions to organizational
and professional research.
Ways of formulating and defining business and management research problems,
Knowledge and
significance or limitations.
Comprehension
Understanding of Literature Review and critical Analysis
Issues in, and methods of, research design.
The importance of ethics and values in business research.
The requirements for effective analysis and interpretation of quantitative, qualitative
data and mixed methods.

At the end of this module, the successful students will be able to:
Make informed decisions about different research approaches, strategies, design and
methods which are relevant to different purposes
To write a literature review related to business research problems.
Application and Skills To conduct interviews and interpret them to develop results.
To conduct surveys and develop analysis & interpretation of them.
Write a successful research proposal which outlines and evaluates the research process
and method(s) most appropriate to investigate the student’s own research
questions/subject.

At the end of this module successful students will be able to:
Critically evaluate the range of qualitative and quantitative data and information
Analysis and Synthesis collection strategies in a meaningful manner to solve problems.
To analyze the research and findings of other people.
Analyze the quantitative & Qualitative data for interpretation of results.

Final Assignment
TO DEVELOP A RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR AN APPROVED RESEARCH PROBLEM
Guidelines and Assessment Criteria: Write a research proposal for a specific project of research,
addressing in an analytical way, the following issues:
(a) Abstract
(b) Aims of the investigation:
Including the need for / value of the research
(c) Problem formulation:
Relevant social / business context
Main research questions / hypotheses
Brief summary of theoretical / conceptual bases of the project
Target population of interest
(d) Selective literature review:
Brief summary (max. 3000 words) of the areas to be addressed, and of illustrative resources, including
selective bibliography in recognized format
(e) Initial choice of methodological approach * and research strategy (ies)
(f) Fieldwork:
An outline (only) of plans for methods of data production / sources, and for negotiating access

(g) Research design:
Outline of plans for indicators / descriptors for key concepts
Methods for ruling out alternative explanations (or descriptions)
Sampling procedures / selection of cases (organizations or individuals)

(h) Discussion of issues of validity and reliability – or alternative criteria for research quality (to be clearly
specified)
(i) Ethical and other commitments:
Brief discussion of any major ethical or legal dilemma and political or organizational constraints etc.

Presentation
 The aim of the presentation is to allow students to gain constructive feedback from their
peers regarding their comparative reports as well as allowing them to demonstrate their
presentation skills. The structure of the presentation will largely mirror the structure of the
report and thus contain the comparison on the basis of three basic research approaches i.e.
qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods.
 Points to consider when marking presentations are:
◦ Timing of presentation.
◦ Clarity of concepts.
◦ Structure of the presentation.
◦ Quality of overheads, handouts etc.
◦ Application of theory to practice.
◦ Ability to answer questions effectively.
◦ Use of sources of information.
Criteria of Assessment
 Clarity and conciseness of your specification of various aspects of the proposal.
 The relation of details of your research design specifically to the aims of your particular
study (That is, credit will not be given for the production of generalities about research
design that are unrelated to any particular study).
 Justification of key decisions made.
 Completeness of coverage of guidelines.

Weighting: 20 Marks
◦ Guidelines (a,b,c) (5% + 5% + 15%) 25%
◦ Guidelines (d,e) 15%
◦ Guidelines (f,g) 40%
◦ Guideline (h) 10%
◦ Presentation (including bibliography in a recognized format) 10%
Length:
 Maximum 6000 words, plus references (at most 10) in selective bibliography (based on
selective literature review).
Weightage: 30% (project: 20%, presentation: 10%)
Due dates: 13th Week
Short Working Draft: 11th Week
 (This draft only: max. 2000 words, submitted electronically to module tutor by the time
announced; any draft submitted after that would not be given any feedback).
Final Draft: To be announced later.
9. Reference Material


22

Proposal
Proposal is the written document that describes the
topic, Problem, design, and methodologies to be
adopted to conduct the proposed research.

Why Proposal
The development of proposal for any research study is
essential because
• It allows the researcher to plan and review the steps
of the project.
• It serves as a guide throughout the investigation.
• It forces time and budget estimates

23

Outline of the structure of a proposal
1. Title

2. Introduction
• Background of the study (Sectoral Brief)
• The research problem
• Studies that have addressed the problem
• Deficiencies in the studies
• The significance of the study
• The purpose statement

3. Purpose
• The purpose or study, aim of the project and reasons for the
research design
• The research questions and hypotheses

4. Philosophical Foundations
worldview and philosophical assumptions for using specific
research approach.

5. Literature Review
24

Outline of the structure of a proposal

6. Methodology and Methods
• Site and sample
• Data collection procedures
• Data analysis procedures
7. Potential Ethical issues
8. Reference and appendixes

25

Research design and Proposal Writing

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