Research Methodology

MGT602

Assignment No.2

The second assignment is Continuation of First Assignment; where you have Chosen Topic/Title for your research. The Second Assignment is about submitting Background/Literature Review, Problem Statement, Research Objectives, Research Questions and Theoretical Framework for your Chosen Topic/Title.

Background/Literature Review (2 pages) - this should cover a comprehensive review of literature on aspects surrounding the research topic (research problem/business/management problem) in a logical

and sequential manner, discuss the findings/results of previous research studies, the consistency of findings/results among the previous studies, the inconsistencies/differences in the findings/results in

previous studies, the reasons for the inconsistencies/consistencies in the findings/results, your observations on critical review of the findings and the current industry practices (with appropriate

illustrations/examples).

Please include description of the current industry practices relating to the research area (based on personal interviews or/and published business/management literature) together with case

studies where appropriate. A critical analysis of the methodologies used in the earlier studies, the gaps in the previous research studies. These should form the basis for justification of your

proposed study.

Problem Statement (Half Page from general to specific) - the research problem/question is arguably the most important part of any research study plan. It guides the entire research Thesis or study and getting

it right is really worth the effort. For this purpose you may need to provide:

Background information to the practical problem or major issues you intend to look at in your research study (e.g., unresolved issues, organizational or social concerns), and it

should indicate what will be the likely research questions (for qualitative research) or hypothesis (for quantitative research).

Description of the research problem (explication of relationship among variables or

comparison to be considered).

Make a convincing case that you have understood the problem and make sure the problem is definable in terms such that research can provide insights into its resolution.

It should demonstrate the worthiness of the proposed research with respect to gaps or

conflicts in present knowledge or understanding. Statement of the problem situation (basic difficulty–area of concern, felt need) and this

statement should be clearly under-pinned by the statement of objectives below.

Few simple rules about the wording of problem statement (which, like all rules, can be broken if necessary). In problem statement - try not to formulate a research problem that can be

resolved with the words YES or NO.

For example:

o Does classroom layout affect student learning outcomes? Start to write this question with the words “to what extent …’” (or similar

exploratory words) makes them both much more researchable questions.

Be careful and avoid in the writing process of research problem to start with the word CAN or

SHOULD.

Research Objectives and Questions (under separate headings) - list specific, clear and succinct statements of intended outcomes from your research, for example search and review of the literature

and assessment of a debate. In this section:

Clearly demonstrate that you have identified a potentially solvable or re - solvable problem and has a plan of action whereby this will be achieved.

It may be in the form of a general statement and/or a list of more specific aims that will lead to accomplishing the general objectives. You should make certain that research objectives or

questions follow logically from the research problem and that you will be able to find out the answers.

As a set of research objectives, which are more specific goals and often articulated in bullet points. Generally the statement is likely:

To develop ……;

To identify …….; To explore ……; to measure …..;

To explain …... to describe ….; To compare ……; to determine …..; etc,

In management and business literature you are likely to come across “SMART” (Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Relevant/results-

focused/realistic, and Time-bounded). Theoretical Framework (2 pages) - through a critical analysis of the methodologies used in the earlier

studies, the gaps in the previous research studies. You develop a theoretical framework of the proposed study (thesis/project). Here you will also list the different variables (that are relevant to the problem

area) that have been identified from the literature, discuss the relationships (if any) among these variables, reasons, hypothesis (where required/necessary), etc. In this section of the proposal the

researcher should develop testable hypothesis, which should present the relationship of dependent, and independent variables (as mentioned) or any other variables if you have.

Note: Plagiarized assignment would be marked as “Zero”