create a a research proposal? include the mapping $,$Simply put, a research proposal is a structured, formal document that

explains what you plan to research $($your research topic$),$ why it$$s worth

researching $($your justification$),$ and how you plan to investigate it $($your

methodology$),$The purpose of the research proposal $,$What goes into a research proposal?,A good proposal needs to cover the $$what$,$why$$ and$$how$$ of the proposed study. Let$$s look at each of these

attributes in a little more detail:

The WHAT

Your proposal needs to clearly articulate your research topic. This needs to be specific and unambiguous. Your

research topic should make it clear exactly what you plan to research and in what context,Research proposal guideline

$1.$TITLE OF PROPOSED ARTICLE

The title $($or working title$)$ should preferably not be more than $15$ words. It is possible, however, that the title

can change or be adapted during the course of the study. A title should include the following two aspects:

What $($exactly$)$ will be researched, specifying the relevant concepts that will be investigated; and the

context$/$domain$.$

$2.$PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The research proposal is the work plan, outline, statement of intent or draft plan describing what, why, how,

where, and when the research will be done. A well$-$planned and adequate research proposal is essentially a

road map, showing where the journey begins; the destination to be reached; and the method of getting there.

$3.$REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROPOSAL

The research proposal should comply with the following: It should be a well$-$structured, easy to read document

containing only the relevant information for the proposed study. Literature references that substantiate the

rationale or need for the research should also be included. $($See $4\mathrm{.}3$ Literature Review.$)$ The research

proposal should follow a logical sequence indicating the process as to how the research problem$/$question will

be addressed,THE RESEARCH PROPOSAl

$4\mathrm{.}1$Problem statement

The problem statement must be clear and the use of unnecessary idioms or clich$$s should be

avoided. The background to the problem $($i$.$e$.$ the problem or phenomenon in practice, that is

the management problem$)$; sub$-$problems $($if any$)$; the consequences thereof; the necessity to

solve the problem or improve the status quo; how the study or research can contribute to solve

the problem; and the contribution towards the expansion of scientific knowledge, are aspects

that should be discussed in this section.

$4\mathrm{.}2$Research questions, objectives and hypotheses

The purpose of the research must be stated clearly in the form of research questions,

objectives and$/$or hypotheses, depending on the problem or phenomenon that is investigated.

$4\mathrm{.}3$Literature review

The literature review forms an integral part of the draft $/$ final research proposals as well as of

your final research script. The literature review examines, summarises and critically debates

recent $($and historically important$)$ research studies and other information sources that are

relevant to a proposed study,Research proposal guideline

A literature review should always address the following issues:

$$ Conceptual and operational definitions of all the key concepts$/$constructs which are relevant

to the proposed study.

$$ A focused summary of relevant previous research involving the concepts$/$constructs which

are relevant to the proposed study. Previous research may indicate:

$$ Possible relationships between the chosen constructs $($e$.$g$.$ a correlation between

communication satisfaction and job satisfaction$)$

$$ Possible differences between groups on the chosen constructs $($e$.$g$.$ differences

between males and females with regard to sensation seeking$)$

$$ The context in which the constructs have previously been tested $($e$.$g$.$ among MBA

students or in a specific industry$)$

$$ The results of previous hypothesis tests involving the selected constructs$/$concepts

$$ Possible untested hypotheses$/$propositions involving the constructs

$$ Different approaches to the measurement of the constructs.

Research proposal guideline

Many of the theoretical concepts$/$constructs in Communication Management are abstract$,$

complex and multi$-$dimensional. Think of concepts$/$constructs such as perceived value,

perceived service quality, brand loyalty, brand image, perceived risk, variety seeking tendency,

corporate reputation, corporate social responsibility, communication satisfaction, and two$-$way

symmetric communication style. To measure these concepts$/$constructs$,$ one has to use

reliable and valid measurement scales. A literature review must always provide a summary of

existing approaches to the measurement of the relevant concepts$/$constructs$.($Note that there

may be different schools of thought when it comes to defining and measuring a specific

concept$/$construct$.$ Your literature review should always summarise the points of view of

different schools of thought where applic