Research Methods- Applying Methods

Research Methods- Applying Methods

Type of document           Essay     7 Pages  Subject area     Business              Academic Level Master

Style      Harvard                references         10

Order description:

Assignment Task

The assignment requires you to:

  1. identify an area of potential research
  2. specify clear objectives of the research
  3. identify an appropriate methodology that may be used to achieve the objectives
  4. identify strengths and weaknesses associated with the chosen methodology

These tasks are similar to what you will have to undertake for your dissertation. If you have already formulated some dissertation ideas, then you can apply them in this assignment.

The task has four clear areas with word limits for each. The sections below give more guidance on what should be included. Please also look at the marking criteria below for each section.

Assignment Details and Instructions

Use the following section headings:

Section 1: Rationale for research in this area (250 WORDS)

State the overall aim of the research. Then explain the context of why this research topic may be of particular significance and importance to you or others engaged in your professional area. Explain briefly the links with research in other related areas. Identify and explain briefly any links with relevant academic concepts and theories.

Section 2: Specific Objectives (150 WORDS)

State in more specific terms what you will be trying to achieve. Identify clearly the objectives of the proposed research. This may also include any specific hypotheses that you wish to test.

Section 3: Research Methodology (1400 WORDS)

In this section, you will explain the methodology you propose to apply in order to achieve your stated objectives.

You should address the following:

  1. The research design you intend to adopt e.g. secondary/primary research; quantitative analysis / qualitative analysis; sampling technique. You should outline the main reasons for adopting this approach including a brief critical review of three journal articles that adopts a similar design to that which you are proposing.
  2. The philosophical underpinning of this approach.
  3. How you propose to gather evidence/data (methods for data collection)
  4. How you propose to analyze the evidence/data (methods for data analysis)

Section 4: Research problems / potential weaknesses (200 WORDS)

Identify and explain the main problem(s) you think you will encounter throughout the research process and the potential weakness of any conclusions that you draw. This might include firms not being prepared to release sensitive information; a difficulty in identifying/gaining access to a representative sample of the population; a time constraint that may limit the amount of data you will be able to collect; concerns about the validity and reliability of the data collected.