Developing a Research Approach

Michael is a manager of a Perth council recycling centre, which enables local residents and property owners to dispose of additional general, green and e-waste and recycling, and is concerned that local residents' use of the centre is declining. He doesn't know why this is and has come to your research company for advice. Michael believes a survey of local residents is the best approach to find out why use of the centre is falling.

Outline a research design for this problem and comment on the manager's suggested approach. In your answer provide a definition of the problem, a statement of the information needed, and an outline of the design of the phases of the research (e.g., an explicit plan for the exploratory, descriptive and/or causal research that you propose should be undertaken).