The motivation for a new study according to the article, $$Markets will become more concentrated and the position of incumbents more entrenched. The business world will look different after the pandemic, and it will most likely fall on governments to regulate the new $$alphas$$ to ensure better competition. If it should do so$,$ and how it should be achieved, remains to be seen.$$ As a business researcher with a keen interest in mergers and acquisitions across the Southern African business landscape, you are proposing a study with the aim of assessing the determinants and consequences of JSE$-$listed companies$$ Post$-$COVID$-19$ mergers and acquisition intentions $($M&A$).$

Having adopted a positivist stance for the proposed study, you have formulated the following research objectives: $1.$To identify JSE$-$listed alpha companies; $2.$To determine whether a significant difference exists in post$-$COVID$-19$ M&A intentions between JSE$-$listed alpha companies and other JSE$-$listed companies; $3.$To assess the potential unilateral and coordinated effects of the post$-$COVID$-19$ M&A intentions of JSE$-$listed alpha companies; and $4.$To identify the economic sectors where market concentration is most likely to be a matter of concern after the COVID$-19$ pandemic.

Answer ALL the questions in this section. QUESTION $1$ Please outline how you would go about conducting the proposed study with reference to the following:

$1\mathrm{.}1$ On the basis of the motivation for a new study, suggest a suitable title for the proposed study.

$1\mathrm{.}2$ Formulate FOUR $(4)$ research questions that your study will attempt to answer. $(4$ marks$)$

$1\mathrm{.}3$ Propose and briefly discuss a research design for your study and rationalise the choice of this particular design.