Research Proposal:

Learning outcomes:

1) Reflect critically on theoretical and methodological issues in research, including critically evaluating published journal articles;

2) Understand research design issues, frame appropriate research questions, and employ appropriate research methods;

3) Appreciate the historical, social and political contexts of business research choices;

4) Critically evaluate existing literature in order to produce a reflective, critical literature review for a research project;

5) Choose, justify, and, where necessary, design appropriate research methods to collect empirical data for a research project. Hand-out date: 2 October 2014 Hand-in date: 15 December 2014, 14.00. Word length: 2.000 This is intended to form the foundation for a final year business research project or dissertation. The proposal is expected to address a business-related problem of practical and academic interest. Structure of the Research Proposal A full descriptive title for the business-related research problem to be investigated. This may be related to your research questions but you can also make it interesting! Or have an interesting title and a more prosaic sub-title. ?

1. Introduction: Scene-setting, why the problem matters, why you have chosen this topic. (If your research design involves a case study, this section may also include information regarding the case study organization). (approx. 100 words)

2. Literature review: Reporting the state of the art in this field as a preliminary to asking your research questions. It is important the literature you discuss relates directly to what you are trying to measure to add weight to your question(approx. 1000 words)

3. Research questions: Explanation of the research problem and detail of the research questions (approx. 350 words)

4. Method: How you will answer your research questions. This will cover the following areas (approx. 450 words): • Research approach: Qualitative/Quantitative (or mixed), as well as justification for the chosen research design • Research instruments, data collection techniques and procedures • Sampling • Pilot study or testing of interview/questionnairetechnique (optional)

5. Access and Ethics: Indicate that you have considered the ethical implications of your work and explain how you will gain access to the research field, i.e. how you will find the information you need (approx. 100 words).

6. References: A list of works cited, following Roehampton Harvard referencing style (not included in the word-count).

7. Appendices: Preliminary draft of questionnaires, interview or observation structures and so on will be included as Appendices. (not included in the word-count) A pilot survey may be carried out, and resulting improvements (e.g. to your questionnaire/interview guide) discussed. (notincluded in the word-count)