Research Methods for Managers

Final Project Form: Use this form to guide you through the final project and submit it to the Final Project Assignment Module once you have filled out as much of it as you can at this point.

15 points.

Part I Project Topic Generation

Abstract

Write 150 words, outlining your ILP or Capstone Project. Naturally, you may be at the idea generation phase and not all will be clear as yet.

Working Title or Keywords:

Format: (e.g. Business Plan):

The abstract should answer such questions as:

What issue/problem does your ILP/Capstone address?

What argument did you try to prove or what solution do you give?

How did you or will you conduct this project?

What are your anticipated results/findings/conclusions (McMican, 2011)

Part II Research and Resource Plan

MMG 517You can use your ILP topic or some other area of interest to you. Make your answers as complete as possible. 1. What is your field of interest? (e.g. 'business'; 'psychology'):

2. What is your topic? (e.g. "Emotional Intelligence and the Workplace"):

3. What are some key words or phrases associated with your topic area? (e.g. "E.I., E.Q.):

4. Who are some recognized experts (authors?) in your field? (e.g. Daniel Goleman ):

5. What would be a general reference work? (e.g. Emotional Intelligence):

6. Are you aware of any research studies done on this topic? Who did them and where; what was the chief finding? (e.g. "The Marshmallow Study" at Stanford and Smith-the ability to delay gratification is a significant factor in later achievement):

7. What are some sample search phrases that you could try in the Search box of a Cambridge College online library Database? (e.g., "Emotional Intelligence and the Workplace"; "E.Q. and business"; "Daniel Goleman").

SEARCH PHRASEDatabaseRESULT NOTE

1. "E.Q. and business"EBSCO973 hitsNarrow search

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7. What was the search path that you took in the examples above? (e.g. [A] My CC Portal[B] CC Library [C] Ebsco search.

8. What are your action steps now? (e.g. [1] Get Goleman's book and look for topics and studies [2] try same phrase, different database[3] try alternate search phrases [4] log results and build preliminary annotated bibliography.

9. What have you learned from your on-line research efforts so far? (e.g., That I won't be successful doing research in one sitting. I have to think about what I found and go back again with a revised plan").

10. Attach a preliminary (draft) annotated bibliography. This is a note taking tool used for building a Literature Review (ILP Chapter 2). The actual Chapter two will look different. You should have at least five sources on your topic. You may include the on-line print out but this is your interpretation and critique of the sources you located. Steps are: [1] Search the database for relevant research [2] read the study [3] evaluate the resource [4] write up the note. An example follows:

Annotated Bibliography

Goleman, D. (1996). Emotional intelligence[Film]. (Available [On-line]: http//www.nprinc.com/catalogs/best96-97/em-intel.html). ISBN#1-887943-07-1. $89.95.

NB: Meekins Library, Williamsburg, MA has a copy. Goleman narrates the use of the E.I. principle applied to school settings in New Haven, CT and the Nueva School in California. More research support for the idea that E.I. can be more important to student success than IQ Interviews with educational experts.

PART III Your research plan for your proposed ILP/Capstone Project

DIRECTIONS:

1. The Title of the research project:

2. What is being researched (the issue, problem, etc.)?

3. What hypothesis (theory, research question) is being tested?

4. Key Terms/features and their definitions?

5. State the Central Idea of the research --use quotes if needed:

6. State the Research METHODS you will be using to gather and present your information. Examples: Experimental method (questionnaire, interviews, observation, scientific experiment, archival research, etc.), Standardized posttest.

7. Are you following an accepted format and if so which and from where? Examples: Business Plan (e.g. from SBA); Marketing Plan; Financials; IT Audit or Proposal; Project Management Proposal; Case Study. Please give details of your method.

8. Please list any size estimates for the following groups given.

Customer/audience:

Population:

Sample Group:

Sample derived by (selection method):

9. What statistical methods were used to present the data (summary statistics [mean or other averages, standard deviation, range, etc.]; T-Test; ANOVA, frequency tables, etc.)?

10. What is the experimental treatment/independent variable (the thing you are most interested in testing or finding out more about):

11. What is the dependent variable or result(the information [such as scores] you are using to draw conclusions from)? This may be an anticipated result.

12. What might be some confounding or nuisance variables (things that also could have produced the result besides the experimental variable) that you will need to control for?

13. Summary/ statement of learning: what have you learned so far in planning or executing this project?