R/602/2422 Research Methods for Strategic Managers

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LO 1 Understand how to select a research question

1.1 Select a research question

1.2 Explain the factors that contribute to the process of successful research question selection

1.3 Justify their choice of research question


LO 2 Be able to conduct a literature review

2.1 Conduct research to find literature relevant to the research question

2.2 Undertake a critical review of the key literature for inclusion in a research proposal


LO 3 Understand techniques used to interpret data in a research proposal

3.1 Evaluate techniques for use with quantitative data in a research proposal

3.2 Evaluate techniques for use with qualitative data in a research proposal


LO 4 Be able to choose the appropriate methodology to research the question

4.1 Evaluate appropriate research methodologies in terms of the research question

4.2 Choose an appropriate methodology in terms of the research question

4.3 Justify the methodology selected in terms of the research question


LO 5 Be able to conduct a literature review

5.1 Record findings on a research question, literature review and methodology in an agreed format

5.2 Summarise the findings using suitable methods

5.3 Present the findings using suitable methods

5.4 Critically analyse the findings

Scenario:Learners prepare a research project report based on a chosen area of study pertaining to any of the management functions like HR, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Logistics, etc. Research report can also be prepared on cross-functional domains or on any of the major contemporary issues of management. Learners will choose a company and actually carry out research based on collection of primary data, as well as secondary data pertaining to the area of research work. Following structural guidelines must be adhered to, while preparing the research report.

 

Note: Learners who cannot choose an organization, then should take an alternative research topic which should definitely allow the collection of primary data and seek necessary approval from the faculty.

 

 

The whole assignment will be written like a Project Report and must consist of 5 main chapters.

 

  1. The word limit for report should be between 6000-7000, excluding the abstract, cover pages, references and appendices.

The report must contain a cover page with the topic title, table of contents, brief abstract, list of tables, figures and diagrams specifying their numbers and respective page numbers

  1. The report should be concluded with a proper referencing, prepared on Harvard Referencing Style, which must be reflected in in-text citations.
  2. The appendices and/or annexures must provide the sample of the questionnaire, interview questions, used to obtain data through feedback for the purpose of the research.

The report also must contain logical conclusions and recommendations in the end.

Chapter 1: IntroductionThe first chapter must contain a brief introduction of the chosen company, including selection of aim, objectives and research question(s).

  1. The project report should start with the company particulars, leading onto specific issues/ problems the researcher wants to research upon. Draw out the main Aim of your research, give out your main Objectives (approx. 3-4), and also select your Research Questions (one or two).
  2. Explain the factors that contribute to the process of successful research question(s) selection

Based on the factors enumerated above in point 2, justify the choice of the research question(s) selected by you in context of your chosen organisation.

Chapter 2: Review of LiteratureThe second chapter must contain relevant literature pertinent to the research question(s) and the same should be critically analysed by bringing out clearly the gaps observed from the available literature and the research work objectives the researcher wants to accomplish, through his/ her basic research question(s).

1.      The review of literature should comprise both academic and non-academic literature, and should be a fair combination of literature available from academic sources such as published journals and articles, as well as other non-academic sources like reports, manuscripts, publications, etc. A proper research judgment must be applied by conducting research to find literature relevant to the research question(s). The evaluation should undertake a critical review of the key literature for inclusion in your research proposal.

The chapter can include theoretical and conceptual framework to validate the selected research context and chosen variables.

Chapter 3: Research MethodologyThe third chapter of the project will bring out the research methods and methodology chosen by the researcher to justify how these methods and methodology will help him/ her to find answers to their research question(s).  

1.      Evaluate appropriate research methodologies you could choose to help you find answers to your research question(s), and thereafter choose the most appropriate methodology which will help you to find answers to your research question(s), bringing out clearly the rationale and justification of why have you chosen the said methodology.

The process of research for collection of data can be Quantitative and/ or Qualitative. Evaluate the techniques you will use for acquisition of quantitative and qualitative data in your research proposal. Also, during collection of data, you must justify in terms of fundamental judgments like how will you collect this data, as well as bring out the population involved, sampling method and sample size you intend choosing.

Chapter 4: Data Analysis, Findings and DiscussionsThe fourth chapter of the project on the data analysis and should reflect the understanding of techniques used to effectively interpret your data in a research proposal by recording your findings.

Based on the collection of your primary and secondary data, record the findings of your research work with respect to finding answers to your research question(s), the literature review done by you, and the methodology chosen by you. The findings will be recorded and presented with the help of graphs, charts, tables and use of simple statistical tools like percentages, mean, median, etc. The findings must be critically analyzed by highlighting similarities and dissimilarities with the findings of other researches and the literature reviewed as a part of discussions.

Chapter 5: Conclusions and RecommendationsThe fifth and final chapter of the project requires you to critically analyse the quantitative and qualitative data collected by you, and thereby help you to come to firm conclusions and recommendations. 

Based on the critical analysis of the findings presented through academic debate in the last chapter, illustrate on the limitations of the present research and implications of present research should also be highlighted in brief. Summarize the key findings, come to firm conclusions and recommendations. 

 

1.1 Select a research questionResearch Methods for Strategic Managers

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