10. Research design

Clear justification why study is located in a particular research paradigm/approach.

Appropriate to the problem statement and able to accomplish research objectives.

Clearly stated empirical research questions/ postulates/ hypotheses with clear link to problem statement, research objectives, literature.

Well mapped, coherent, achievable research process

Population, sample, sampling unit, and sampling strategy/methods are appropriate to the research paradigm chosen.

11. Research Methodology/25 Sampling approach:

Study population adequately explained.

Sampling methodology explained and an appropriate sampling method has been selected and motivated for.

Sample size is clearly stated justified. Data collection approach:

Research instrument justified - and aligned with prevailing paradigm.

Data collection methodology explained.

A short description of the protocol of data collection should be provided.

The stated data collection method allows for suitable data to answer the research questions formulated in section 7.

The issues pertinent to the quality of the research instrument has been highlighted. Data analysis approach:

Chosen method of analysis is consistent with the research paradigm/approach.

Data analysis strategy and techniques addresses empirical questions to be answered as stated in section 7.

Data analysis will yield answers suitable to answering the research questions, achieving objectives, and ultimately aim.

Necessary tests etc. adequately explained and justified for the purposes of the study

The description of data analysis should include the design of the analysis form, plans for processing and coding the data and the choice of the statistical method to be applied to each data. What will be the procedures for accounting for missing, unused or spurious data?

A useful way to identify a potential scientific research project in business and management is to look for a "pain point" - a thorny problem plaguing a set of people in an organisation and requiring an urgent solution. A research proposal is then prepared, demonstrating how the research project will be carried out. A research proposal is a detailed description of a proposed study designed to investigate a given problem (Traenkel and Wallen, 2008). It is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. In this regard, you are required to develop a research proposal meant to showcase how you would approach a research project relating to a "pain point" you have observed within a business or management context. Your proposal is expected to address key questions relating to the research project and should be written using the following broad guidelines on the next page: