research
abhilash
BUSN20016Lecture10.ppt*
Lecture 10 Overview
- In today’s lecture we will discuss:
- Refining the problem statement; and
- Assessment 3.
Refining the Problem Statement
- Introduction of the study vs. the problem statement.
- Background of the study vs. the problem statement.
- Issues vs. the problem.
- Symptoms vs. the problem.
- The topic vs. the problem.
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Refining the Problem Statement Continued…
- Identifying the problem is key for conducting research.
- It directs the researcher to identify the research aim, objectives, methodology and so on.
- This is where an understanding of the literature is critical.
- Many students struggled to identify the problem appropriately in assessment one.
- This is very important!
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Refining the Problem Statement Continued…
- Introduction: the overall purpose of the study needs to be clearly articulated here.
- Background of the study: this is about the context and issues of the study.
- Which sector?
- Which geographic area?
- Which issue?
- Which type of business?
- What types of entity? Etc.
- Specific issues need to be clearly articulated.
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Refining the Problem Statement Continued…
- Problem: what is the symptom? Why is it important for this to be addressed? What evidence is there to answer the question?
- Without evidence, it is a fruitless problem statement.
- It is important to note that the answer may be multi-faceted.
- E.g. Reasons for the symptom ‘declining sales figures’ could include:
- Staff are struggling with the leadership style of supervisors which is affecting staff motivation.
- Many companies are supplying the same product.
- The brand is not resonating with the consumer base.
- Etc.
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Refining the Problem Statement Continued…
- Now the question is ‘do you need to deal with all potential reasons for the symptom?’
- Good research mostly deals with the critical reason – one key problem.
- Consultancies:
- If you are a research consultant you need to identify the key problem.
- Once the key problem is addressed, the budget may allow for the other problems to be addressed over time.
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Refining the Problem Statement Continued…
- Academic research:
- All problems must be identified.
- An extensive literature review on studies that have focused on these problems must be conducted.
- The key problem must be identified and the ‘problem statement’ needs to be derived for this.
- Refining the problem statement: this is not a simple task.
- Don’t feel uncomfortable at the beginning of your project as it takes time to develop a good problem statement.
- The problem statement must be specific and supported with evidence!
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Assessment 3
- The topic of this assignment should be consistent with the topic of assignment one.
- Only appropriate refinements are permissible. Please discuss this with your tutor.
- The word limit is 3,000 words excluding references and appendices.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- Structure of the Assignment:
- Cover Page
- Abstract
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Problem Statement
- Research Aim and Objectives
- Justification of the Project
- Potential Research Output
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- Conceptual Framework
- Methodology
- Organisation of the Study
- Project Budget and Budget Justification
- Gantt Chart
- References
- Appendix/Appendices (if any).
Each appendix must be clearly labelled.
Appendix 1: ABS Productivity Statistics
Assessment 3 Continued…
- Abstract: must provide a succinct overview of the whole proposal.
- Introduction: must present the purpose of this assignment, highlighting the issues that will be further explored in the current study followed by the organisation of this assignment.
- Purpose of the assignment: is to write or present a complete research proposal for any business research.
- Purpose of the study: refers to the aim of the study that will be presented in the ‘aim and objectives’ section of the proposal.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- Note that the purpose of the assignment is different from the purpose of the study.
- Organisation of the assignment: is how you will organise the assignment.
- Organisation of the study: is how you will organise the whole study.
- Note that the organisation of the study is different from the organisation of the assignment.
- An effective introduction should be between ‘half a page’ and ‘one page’.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- Problem statement: students need to review the feedback on their problem statement in assignment one and make relevant adjustments.
- All students must complete a rigorous literature review on the issues or attributes of the selected research problem area and adjust the problem statement.
- The problem statement should follow:
- A discussion of current practices and knowledge of the selected issue discussed in the introduction followed by exploring the main problem within the issue.
- The problem needs to be substantiated with evidence and logical arguments.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- Research aim and objectives:
- Once you have critiqued at least 20 articles you will be in a position to develop and write your research aim.
- Once you have identified your research aim you can start to establish your research objectives which must be SMART.
- The research aim and research objectives must address your research problem.
- Justification and potential output of the research:
- Why is it important for the research you are proposing to be conducted?
- What is the potential output of the research and the contribution your research can make?
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- The Conceptual Framework comprises of an in-depth literature review on:
- Prior ‘related’ theory
- concepts and relationships that are used to represent the world
- what is happening and why?
- Prior ‘related’ research
- how people have tackled ‘similar’ problems and what they have learned.
- Other theory and research
- approaches, lines of investigation and theory that are not obviously relevant/previously used.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- There must be a logical flow between:
- the problem statement;
- research objectives; and
- conceptual framework.
- If there is not a logical flow, the problem statement, research objectives in terms of your conceptual framework need to be reviewed and revised.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- Methodology: students must elaborate on the methodology presented in assignment one and revise it based on the feedback provided.
- If you have changed the problem statement, research aim, and/or research objectives, whilst completing a rigorous literature review then the methodology must also be reviewed and amendments made.
- The methodology section should:
- Explain the proposed methodology for the study (qualitative, quantitative or a mixed methodology).
- Details of the publically available secondary data sources to be used and types of data analysis methods proposed.
- A direction about how research findings will presented also need to be discussed.
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Assessment 3 Continued…
- Organisation of the study: is the proposed outline of your research study.
- Cover Page
- Abstract
- Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Problem Statement
- Research Aim and Objectives
- Justification of the Project
- Potential Research Output
- Project Budget: the projected costings for the whole research project need to be presented. All figures must be justified.
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- Conceptual Framework
- Methodology
- Organisation of the Study
- Project Budget and Budget Justification
- Gantt Chart
- References
- Appendix/Appendices (if any).
Assessment 3 Continued…
- Gantt Chart: a simple example. All elements of the proposed study need to be presented.
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| Project name | |||
| Start date | |||
| Finish date | |||
| Task | 2019 | ||
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4--- up to Week 12 |
| Task 1----- | |||
| Task 2----- | |||
| Task 3----- | |||
| Task 4----- | |||
| Task 5----- | |||
| Task 6----- | |||
| Task 7----- | |||
| Task 8----- |
Assessment Criteria
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- All criteria are equally weighted
- Total marks = 50
| Criteria |
| A statement of the problem, research aim, objectives and research questions |
| Justification and potential output of the research |
| Conceptual framework |
| Methodology, organisation of the study, project budget and schedule |
| Accurate referencing, use of correct English and logical sequences between sentences and paragraphs and a good introduction |
Assessment Criteria Continued…
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Key to grading and corresponding marking scale:
HD (84.5% to 100% marks): Student demonstrates outstanding understanding and interpretation of all aspects of the criteria.
D (74.5% to 84.4% marks): Student demonstrates excellence in understanding and interpretation of almost all aspects of the criteria with some minor corrections or additions needed.
C (64.5% to 74.4% marks): Student demonstrates very good understanding and interpretation of most aspects of the criteria with some need for additional work, additions or improvement.
P (50% to 64.4% marks): Student demonstrates good understanding and interpretation of the criteria to warrant the award of a Pass but requires considerable additional work, additions or improvement.
F (below 50%): Student demonstrates an unsatisfactory understanding and interpretation of the criteria and requires major additional work, additions or improvement to achieve a passing grade.
Summary
- Refining the problem statement is very important.
- There are many tasks to be completed for assessment three.
- All students must begin with revising their problem statement.
- All other components build on from the problem statement.
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