Reference no: EM133125217

MBA7004 Research Methods

Topic: CRM, An evaluation of the selection and implementation of CRM tools with a focus on challenges for SMEs.

Aim: Following an introduction to research, the module will move on to explore the major paradigms and debates in business research. It will help students to build appropriate strategies for reviewing literature and developing a coherent set of aims and objectives for a research study.

The module will cover major research methods (observation, surveys, case studies, interviews and action research), the implications of using them as well as the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and presentation of findings.

Learning Outcome 1: Interpret existing research as a prelude to carrying out further investigation, demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of a range of research designs and their appropriate utilisation;
Learning Outcome 2: Source, evaluate and appropriately reference information from a range of sources;
Learning Outcome 3: Integrate the findings of existing research to ask a new research question;
Learning Outcome 4: Engage in critical thinking when reading and comprehending research articles;
Learning Outcome 5: Critically evaluate a range of quantitative and qualitative research paradigms;
Learning Outcome 6: Conceptualise a problem; formulate hypotheses and objectives; design a research strategy, collecting, analysing, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data as appropriate;
Learning Outcome 7: Apply theoretical principles underlying descriptive and inferential statistics;
Learning Outcome 8: Select and justify the most appropriate analyses, interpret the results, and write up the results accurately and completely;
Learning Outcome 9: Develop a robust research proposal appropriate for an MBA dissertation.

Dissertation Proposal

Use the headings in the marking scheme to structure your proposal. The marking scheme is shown overleaf. Your proposal should be 3000 words +-10%, excluding references.

SECTION ONE (approximately 1500 words) Working Title:
Introduction including

• rationale,
• literature review,

• aim and objectives
• research question(s) and
• scope:

SECTION TWO (approximately 1500 words) Research methodology including
• research strategy,
• sampling strategy,
• data collection and analysis methods and
• validity and reliability:

Access:

Gantt Chart:

References:

1. Does the study have a working title?
Defining the subject/ topic/ variables of the title and reflecting the dissertation's content?

2. Introduction: Conceptual underpinnings, purpose, questions and scope: Is the study rationalised/ justified? (Is there an economic/ social/ environmental and/ or political benefit and who might be interested in the
research?)

3. Literature review:
Is the study based on appropriate concepts/ ideas/ theories?

4. Is the study based on relevant and up-to-date literature (e.g. academic journals and books)?

5. Research questions:
Does the study specifically state what is to be found out on the subject? (E.g. 1-2 general research questions, like, what or how etc)

6. Aim and Research Objectives
Does the study have a clear single aim and appropriate research objectives

7. Scope: Is the scope of the research defined and rationalised? (e.g. whose perspective/ viewpoint/ position is to be considered [employer, employee, government, industrial sector, size of company, etc])

8. Research methodology including research strategy, sampling strategy, data collection and analysis methods and validity and reliability:
Has the study identified and rationalised an appropriate methodology (e.g. approach [deductive or inductive reasoning] and strategy [e.g. case study])

9. Has the study identified and rationalised an appropriate sampling procedure (e.g. judgemental or non-judgemental/probability sampling)?

10. Has the study identified and rationalised an appropriate data collection method procedure (desk study [review of documents], interviews, questionnaires and/ or observations)?

11. Has the study identified and rationalised an appropriate data analysis procedure (e.g. techniques for reducing, displaying and conclusion drawing/ verification)?

12. Has the study addressed the issue of validity and reliability?
(How will the student check the research for correctness/ credibility, for instance)?

13. Will the study be able to negotiate and gain access to the participants?

14. Is the study feasible on "what" and "when" things are to be done? (e.g. Gantt Chart)

15. Does the proposal conform to Harvard referencing?

Attachment:- Research Methods.rar