Discuss each step in the marketing research proposal to determine whether online shopping has increased in South Africa as a result of the high fuel prices.

• Discuss the plan and framework of the planned research proposal by choosing the most suitable research design (based on the sample size), and provide a detailed discussion of why this research design is the most suitable to use for your topic.

• Discuss the types of secondary data sources that should be consulted (based on your topic) before deciding on the research process to follow. 

• Identify and discuss the population from which the sample will be selected.

• Identify and explain who the sample units will be.

• Identify the most suitable sample method and type based on the sample size and topic, and provide a detailed discussion of why this method and type are the most suitable for your research topic.

• Based on the research design, primary data collection method and sample size, you need to identify the most appropriate data collection method, and provide a detailed discussion of why the data collection method you have chosen is the most suitable to use.

• Based on the research design, primary data collection method, sample size and secondary data collection method, you need to identify the most suitable scales (structured vs unstructured and comparative vs non-comparative) to use, and provide detailed reasons for your choice.

• Based on the primary data collection method, you need to determine the type of validation method (trustworthiness vs reliability and validity) to use, explain it, and provide a detailed discussion of why this validation method is the most suitable to use.