PURPOSE

The purpose of this assignment is to develop the learners ability to write a scientific research proposal. This assignment comprises two tasks. Task 1 is designed to develop the learners ability to write a problem statement based on actual facts and figures on a specific research topic. Based on the research topic and problem statement, learners will learn to formulate the research questions and objectives. Task 2 is designed to develop the learners ability to write a literature review on the selected research topic and develop the conceptual framework, and finally, write on the research methodology. A combination of these two tasks should produce a good research proposal.

REQUIREMENT

TASK 1

The first stage of research is to identify problems or issues in business and management (or in the learners field of study) and to justify the need for research. To this end, you are required to choose a research topic in a field of study that is of interest to you. Then, you need to formulate the problem statement related to the chosen topic. To ensure that the problem that you have identified exists and it is significant, you need to provide actual facts and figures to support it. You are also required to determine the research questions and objectives suitable to the research problem. Finally, you must explain why it is important to do the research. Your report for Task 1 should include the following:

Introduction and Research Background

Problem Statement, Research Question(s), and Research Objectives

Significance of the Research

TASK 2

Based on your research topic chosen in Task 1, review some research articles relevant to the topic and write a literature review. From the literature review, identify the potential study variables and develop the conceptual framework. Finally, write the research methodology. Your report for Task 2 should include the following:

Literature Review

Conceptual Framework and Hypotheses

Research Methodology

To guide you through the research proposal, ensure that you answer the following questions that carry a specified weightage of the marks:

What is the research background and why is the research significant? (12%)

State your problem statement and construct the possible research question(s) and research objective(s). (18%)

Review some literature on your chosen topic. Based on the literature, identify and define the variables of your research and develop a conceptual framework and construct the possible hypotheses. You need to refer to at least EIGHT (8) recent published articles on your chosen topic. Use APA format for in-text citations and references. (30%)

Suggest a particular research design and your justification for choosing it. (15%)

Detail your sampling design and the possible statistical analysis that you will use. (12%)

List down all your references according to the APA format. (3%)