RM501 ESAMI EXECUTIVE MBA

RM501 RESEARCH METHODS PROJECT

1. Consider the business environment of your organisation or any other organisation familiar to you. Make a careful observation of the business and/or organisational problems/issues in the organisation and generate a research idea using known techniques; or alternatively, identify a broad research area. 2. Refine your research idea or broad area using known techniques including a comprehensive literature review and Delphi methods. 3. Write down the problem statement starting with a general focus research question, and then explain and explore it further. Your general focus research question should be followed with several specific research questions (not exceeding five). Name the problem and discus it further: what exactly is the problem? Why is it a problem? What facets are there to it? What has been done to address it before, if anything, and why is that not satisfactory? Write down the purpose statement as part of your problem statement. 4. Write down your research objectives (not exceeding five). These are the specific issues within the scope of your purpose statement that you want to focus on and examine in your study. Write down each objective and explain each one of them so that the reader can understand exactly what you mean. 5. Write down your hypothesis (or hypotheses if there are several variables) for testing. Make sure that there is a clear link between the hypothesis and your problem statement and research objectives. 6. Write a detailed research proposal making sure it includes a clear title and sections on:

The introduction to your research, giving the background, defining the problem (problem statement), stating the purpose of the study, research objectives, hypotheses, and state why the research if of significance; The literature review. Give a critical analysis of major research studies already conducted and other key contributions relating them to, and making a case for your research. Your theoretical or conceptual framework. State the theories and assumptions you are using. Should follow logically from the literature review and introduction chapter. The method you intend to use. Demonstrate how you will answer the research questions. Explain why you have selected your research design(s), methodology, data collection methods, and data analysis methods. State any weaknesses in the design and how you intend to cope with them.

Lecturer: Prof. J. Mumba, Ph.D. Email: josephmumba@yahoo.com

2 The timescale for your research. The resources you require, e.g. research staff, skills, equipment, computers and computer software packages, vehicles, budgets, research permits, etc. References to any literature to which you have referred, using the Harvard system. Appendix of questionnaire(s) and interview checklists (if applicable).

7. Submit a neatly typed and bound copy of your research proposal to your tutor at the start of the next quarter. Length: 15-20 pages.

Lecturer: Prof. J. Mumba, Ph.D. Email: josephmumba@yahoo.com