Reference no: EM133067313

BE955 Research Methods - University of Essex

Research Proposal: For this individual essay, you are expected to write the research proposal for your MSc Dissertation or Business Plan. The latter can be a comprehensive business plan (CBP), international marketing plan (IMP) or international business plan (IBP). The research proposal is a projection of or idea of what you intend to pursue later at the dissertation stage (after the examinations). You can choose a topic following your interests, however the topic chosen should relate directly to your programme of studies. For example, if you study on the MSc International Marketing and Entrepreneurship, the topic emphasized should be on an international marketing and/or entrepreneurship issue although you will be able to use knowledge from other areas such as on logistics and supply chain management, international business, and other disciplines as appropriate for your topic.

Learning Outcome 1: Understand different methods of investigation, data collection, and statistical analysis

Learning Outcome 2: Identify appropriate secondary sources of information, and access several publicly available databases

Learning Outcome 3: Critique the research methodology of published papers

Learning Outcome 4: Select appropriate methods for the design, collection, and analysis of statistical data

1. Introduction (about 150 words)

- You will link your topic briefly to your master's programme
- The focus of your study and how it is placed in a research context in terms of your discipline.

(E.g. international marketing - customer relationships - branding - India to China - service sector)

2. Rational for the research (about 200 words)

- Justification for the dissertation research: Given what is already known on the specific topic, what is the knowledge gap that deserves a study? For an applied research project that does not address a knowledge gap in the literature, please establish the strategic importance of the concerned practical problem to an organisation or a population.
- Significance of the study: Why do you believe the proposed study is important? (e.g. the research problem is of strategic importance to an organisation, or potential impact on the society)

3. The objectives and scope of the research

(about 150 words) - Research aim: Overarching statement on what the study aims to achieve in one or two sentences
- Research questions: What is the research question or questions? The research question or questions should directly address the identified knowledge gap or practical problem.
- Research objectives: List at least two or three specific objectives. E.g. to find out what enables or hinders a circular economy, etc.

If necessary, provide additional information to define the scope. For example, the context of the study is the UK, or this study only considers the perspective of consumers and excludes other stakeholders, etc.

4. Literature review (theories, concepts, definitions, the most relevant studies on your chosen topic and their key findings)

(about 800 words) - In relation to your disciplinary area, in general (e.g. consumer behaviour, supply chain management, etc.)
- In relation to your chosen topic, more specifically (e.g. brand management)
- What others have studied on the most relevant topics in a same context or different contexts, and what are their key findings?

A short paragraph at the end of this section to summarise the knowledge gap on your chosen topic, which will be addressed by your proposed study. For an applied research project, please summarise the potential solutions to your practical problem.
5. Methodology (about 400 words) Describe your methodology, data collection procedures, data analysis methods, and justify each of them briefly. The justification should be related to the nature of your research and your research questions/objectives.

- 5.1. Research philosophy, approaches and design 1. Research philosophy (positivism, critical realism, interpretivism, ...)
2. Approach to theory development (Induction, deduction or abduction. Not applicable to an applied research project.)
3. Methodological choice (Qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods)
4. Research strategy (Survey, case study, grounded theory, action research, ...)

5. Time horizon (cross-sectional or longitudinal)
- 5.2. Main data collection and analysis techniques Describe how you will collect and analyse data. You should explain if you will use primary or secondary data or both.
- Quantitative: e.g. questionnaire survey + correlation analysis
- Qualitative: e.g. interviews + thematic analysis
- Mixed methods: e.g. questionnaire survey and interviews

6. Expected outcomes/contributions

(about 150 words) ‘Wrap up' as to how all aspects above fit together and will be relevant. It should link back to the introduction by saying e.g. ‘this study is innovative; this study will generate new knowledge on...; this study will solve an important practical issue faced by ...' etc.

Expected outcomes: e.g. empirical data that can help to understand:
- The what (variables; experiences; perceptions, attitudes, behaviours; actions)
- The how (processes, practices, systems, etc.)
- The why (internal and external conditions, causation, correlations, etc.)

These should be in relation to your research questions(s)/objectives:
e.g. the link between networking behaviour of Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs and their business chances in the town of Southend;
e.g. a robust NHS staff scheduling heuristic to cope with the unpredictable demand in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Potential contributions: e.g. to support policymaking; a model or framework to improve environmental sustainability; to improve operational efficiency of an organisation.

7. Timeline for completion (about 150 words) Draw a Gannt chart or something similar considering the following:
- Most research works will be done in the Summer
- Ethical approval is required before primary data collection
- Including the deadline for submitting the draft to the supervisor!
- Set a time for your fieldwork (in the UK or abroad of about 2-3 weeks in July, on average)
- Set a time for your analysis and write up after the fieldwork
- Practical issues: assess likely contingencies; calculate the time of any potential holiday breaks or other commitments (this must be subtracted from any activity in the plan to make it viable.

Contingency plan: You should also highlight potential challenges which may prevent you from carrying out the proposed study, and your contingency plan.

Reference:
APA 7th edition referencing style.

Attachment:- Research Methods.rar