Background and Content: Problem definition and the research process The purpose of any market research is to collect data to meet a particular objective. Quality of the research design is pivotal in leading the research and clarifying objectives of any research. Looking at the structure of a research design will reveal that defining objectives, having an updated literature review, and implementing a right methodology could go a long way in terms of validity and reliability of a research. In the absence of clear objectives a research design could be deviated from the target and could end up collecting misleading data. Ethics and ethics approval are factors that should always be considered when it comes to dealing with human being in research. In this respect a variety of research design and proposal may be available for a researcher or an organisation. Some may knowingly consider ethics in research and some may inadvertently ignore it. Topics of serious nature in particular should be handled with extreme care so that they do not cause mental, emotional, or physical stress to the participants. Ignoring these points could cause some serious consequences for the person or the organisation who is conducting the research. As an example participants of the research could sue the responsible people if anything goes wrong. Considering this an educational consultant has been employed by a Victorian primary school to conduct a study on the school's core values, offer a proposal and research design and consider ethical issues in the research design. Children in years 4-6 will be surveyed using self-completion questionnaires, while parents will attend a forum where their views on school values will be heard. The study's stated aim is to look into the students' relationship to the school's core values, however, its real purpose is to reduce bullying behaviour in the playground. The cost of the research is $700. A values training program will be developed in the school in response to its results. Q3. Comment on research proposal and design in above scenario. Are there any ethical issues involved? (10 Marks)