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							              Basic questions – Problem
      Definition/Research Aims and Objectives
         What is the purpose of the study?
         How much is already known?
         Is additional background information necessary?
         What is to be measured? How?
         Can the data be made available?
         Should research be conducted?
         Can a hypothesis be formulated?


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Business Research
          Basic questions – Basic Research
                       Design
         What types of questions need to be answered?
         Are descriptive or causal findings required?
         What is the source of the data?
         Can objective answers be obtained by asking people?
         How quickly is the information needed?
         How should survey questions be worded?
         How should experimental manipulations be made?


CBEB2105                                                        2
Business Research
               Basic questions – Selection of
                         Sample
         Who or what is the source of the data?
         Can the target population be identified?
         Is a sample necessary?
         How accurate must the sample be?
         Is a probability sample necessary?
         Is a national sample necessary?
         How large a sample is necessary?
         How will the sample be selected?
CBEB2105                                             3
Business Research
          Basic questions – Data Gathering
         Who will gather the data?
         How long will data gathering take?
         How much supervision is needed?
         What operational procedures need to be followed?




CBEB2105                                                     4
Business Research
            Basic questions – Data Analysis
       Will standardised editing and coding procedures be
        used?
       How will the data be categorised?
       What statistical software will be used?
       What is the nature of the data?
       What questions need to be answered?
       How many variables are to be investigated
        simultaneously?
       Performance criteria for evaluation?
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Business Research
           Basic questions – Type of Report
         Who will read the report?
         Are managerial recommendations requested?
         How many presentations are required?
         What will be the format of the written report?




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Business Research
      Basic Questions – Overall Evaluation
       How much will the study cost?
       Is the time frame acceptable?
       Is outside help needed?
       Will this research design attain the stated research
        objectives?
       When should the research be scheduled to begin?




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Business Research
                    Research Timeline
       Work program: This section contains also a
        diagrammatic work plan, called a Gantt
        chart. The Gantt chart or diagrammatic work
        plan should also be accompanied by a written
        description.




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Business Research
                                             Example of Gantt Chart
                                              (Research Timeline)
                                                                           Year 1                                                                  Year 2                                                                  Year 3

                             Months




                                                                                       May




                                                                                                                                                               May




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       May
                                                                                                         Aug
                                                                                                               Sep




                                                                                                                                                                                 Aug
                                                                                                                                                                                       Sep




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Aug
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Sep
                                                   Nov
                                                         Dec




                                                                                                                           Nov
                                                                                                                                 Dec




                                                                                                                                                                                                   Nov
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Dec
                                                                           Mar




                                                                                                                                                   Mar




                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Mar
                                                                     Feb




                                                                                                                                             Feb




                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Feb
                                                               Jan




                                                                                             Jun




                                                                                                                                       Jan




                                                                                                                                                                     Jun




                                                                                                                                                                                                               Jan




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Jun
                                                                                 Apr




                                                                                                                                                         Apr




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Apr
                                             Oct




                                                                                                                     Oct




                                                                                                                                                                                             Oct
                                                                                                   Jul




                                                                                                                                                                           Jul




                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Jul
        Activities

        Literature review & identifying
        research gaps

        Develop research
        questions/objectives

        Prepare & present 1st year report

        Complete initial literature search

        Finalise conceptualisation

        2nd year report and Transfer panel

        Pilot Study & refinement

        Revise research methods in light
        of pilot

        Carry out research

        Analyse findings

        Write-up and conclusions

        Conference / publication

        Prepare thesis & submission




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          Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

       Allow plenty of time;
       Start by writing a summary of your proposed project;
       Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of your field;
       Present your proposal in terms of the aims and
        objectives of the funder;
       Avoid jargon – say what you mean in clear, simple
        language;
       Don’t be afraid to state the obvious;

CBEB2105                                                       10
Business Research
         Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

       Anticipate questions that may arise, before they arise;
       Ask a colleague to review your proposal; and
       Be enthusiastic about your idea – if you don’t sound
        interested, why should anyone else be?




CBEB2105                                                          11
Business Research