Business Research Methods Unit 1 notes

BRM UNIT I Notes by Prof. SUJEET TAMBE
Notes by Prof. SUJEET TAMBE
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
UNIT I
WHAT IS THE RESEARCH?
Any creative systematic activity undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge,
including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this knowledge to devise new
applications.
Definations
According to kurtlewin (1988)
Social Research is systematic method of exploring, analyzing, conceptualizing social life in
order to extend, correct or verify knowledge aid in the construction of theory or in the practice
of an art.
According to John W.Best (2002)
Research may to define as systematic and objective analysis of controlled observations that may
lead to development of organizations, principles & possibility ultimate control of events.
According to Kothari (2002)
Research is a systematic investigation to find solution to a problem.
Cooper & Schindler (2003)
Research in any organization is the inquiry carried out to provide information for solving
problem.
According to Fred N. Kerlinger (2004)
Scientific research is systematic controlled, empirical &critical investigation of hypothetical
propositions about the presumed relations among the natural phenomenon.

According to Wolf & Pant (2005)
Research activities are deigned to discover knowledge aid in answering specific questions or
issues.
Research has been defined in a number of different ways, and while there are similarities, there
does not appear to be a single, all-encompassing definition that is embraced by all who engage
in it.
One definition of research is used by the OECD, "Any creative systematic activity undertaken
in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society,
and the use of this knowledge to devise new applications”
WHEN IS BUSINESS RESEARCH NEEDED?
A manager faced with two or more possible courses of action faces the initial decision of
whether or not research should be conducted. The determination of the need for research centers
on (1) time constraints, (2) the availability of data, (3) the nature of the decision that must be
made, and (4) the value of the business research information in relation to its costs.
Why study Business Research?
When we think of research, we often think of analyzing scholarly information. However, if
you’re involved in any kind of business operation, research will help you gather the necessary
data for your industry to be successful. In fact, asking questions and researching answers or
recommendations is essential for making major business decisions. This may include industry
research, market research, or user research based on your business objective so that your
business plan is aligned with the right customers and does a great job executing its goals. Here
are six reasons why your company needs research:
• Define your objectives
What is the size of your industry? How have sales trended in other industries? What goals does
it make sense for your company to set? Perhaps the most important research task is to collect
initial data that will help you define your business objectives. Typically survey information is
available through secondary sources, but often companies do their own surveys as well to
measure satisfaction among customers and ensure that their business plan will meet customer’s
needs. Researching all kinds of information about the market and your potential customers will
be your best friend when defining business objectives.

• Understand your competition
Once you know your target market you can identify and research your competition. Whether
you’re a small business or a large, successful corporation, markets are often changing and new
competition is always a potential threat. Researching your market will help you assess your
category, strategize, and make the right decisions for your company to gain an edge above your
competition. This research can also help you identify what features your competition lacks so
you can add add value to your services or brand through real insights.
• Test your products or campaigns
Who are your customers and what do they want? Successful companies research every detail
regarding users including their interests, experiences with your product or services, and
potential ways to incorporate feedback. User research and testing will help you judge whether
your product, advertising, packaging, and brand communication effectively influence
consumers. This task is excellent for helping your company make informed decisions. Sample
surveys will help you test conceived ideas so you can confidently make decisions.
• Optimize your strategy
In any given industry, there may be up to hundreds of brands on the market targeted toward the
same set of customers. This makes a marketer’s job quite challenging, since every brand needs a
different positioning and strategy. Both qualitative and quantitative market research will help
guide marketers when developing a brand strategy and analyzing how your company compares
to the competition. Effective marketing comes from user research - understand what brand
features matter most to your target market and build from there.
• Keep pace with the industry
All industries change over time, so brands must innovate as the market evolves. In order to
secure your brand’s relevancy in the market, your company likely must constantly research
updates and trends in the market that will influence whether you “perform or perish.” As new
competition arises with updated features, focus your innovation efforts on growth opportunities
and respond to customer’s changing needs. Remember, if you don’t adapt to the market,
someone else will, so staying ahead of the game is a key to success.
• Solve problems and make decisions
Businesses often face loss or failure. Market research, user research, and research depending on
your industry may help you gain insight into what went wrong. Whether brand awareness is

decreasing or sales have fallen, analyzing available data can help you determine possible
alternatives to your current strategy and overcome your company’s weaknesses. Research is
critical not only for identifying problems but also for developing solutions and making
decisions regarding the best strategies to carry out.
While scholarly research may help your company make decisions (for instance, many
psychological studies evaluate the best colors to catch attention or the best font design), there
are many other types of research that can dramatically influence your company such as market
research and user research. Asking questions, evaluating sources, interviewing users, and
testing designs all fall under the research umbrella. How do you make sure your company is on
the right track? Research it!
WHAT IS GOOD REASEARCH?
Research is a procedure by which we attempt to find systematically and with the support of
demonstrable fact. This will eventually lead to the answer to a question or the resolution of a
problem.
Research has eight distinct characteristics:
• Research originates with a question or problem in the mind of the researcher;
• Research requires a clear goal;
• Research requires a specific plan or procedure;
• Research usually divides the principal problem into more manageablesubproblems;
• Research is guided by the specific research problem, questions or hypothesis;
• Research accepts certain critical assumptions;
• Research requires the collection and interpretation of data in an attempt to resolve the
problem that initiated the research; and
• Research is, by its nature, cyclical or more exactly helical.

DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS (DSS)
Decision support systems (DSS) are interactive software-based systems intended to help
managers in decision-making by accessing large volumes of information generated from
various related information systems involved in organizational business processes, such as
office automation system, transaction processing system, etc.
DSS uses the summary information, exceptions, patterns, and trends using the analytical
models. A decision support system helps in decision-making but does not necessarily give a
decision itself. The decision makers compile useful information from raw data, documents,
personal knowledge, and/or business models to identify and solve problems and make
decisions.
CharacteristicsofaDSS
• Support for decision-makers in semi-structured and unstructured problems.
• Support for managers at various managerial levels, ranging from top executive to line
managers.
• Support for individuals and groups. Less structured problems often requires the
involvement of several individuals from different departments and organization level.
• Support for interdependent or sequential decisions.
• Support for intelligence, design, choice, and implementation.
• Support for variety of decision processes and styles.
• DSSs are adaptive over time.
AdvantagesofDSS
• Improves efficiency and speed of decision-making activities.
• Increases the control, competitiveness and capability of futuristic decision-making of the
organization.
• Facilitates interpersonal communication.
• Encourages learning or training.
• Since it is mostly used in non-programmed decisions, it reveals new approaches and sets
up new evidences for an unusual decision.
• Helps automate managerial processes.

BUSINESSINTELLIGENCESYSTEM
The term 'Business Intelligence' has evolved from the decision support systems and gained
strength with the technology and applications like data warehouses, Executive Information
Systems and Online Analytical Processing (OLAP).
Business Intelligence System is basically a system used for finding patterns from existing data
from operations.
CharacteristicsofBIS
• It is created by procuring data and information for use in decision-making.
• It is a combination of skills, processes, technologies, applications and practices.
• It contains background data along with the reporting tools.
• It is a combination of a set of concepts and methods strengthened by fact-based support
systems.
• It is an extension of Executive Support System or Executive Information System.
• It collects, integrates, stores, analyzes, and provides access to business information
• It is an environment in which business users get reliable, secure, consistent,
comprehensible, easily manipulated and timely information.
• It provides business insights that lead to better, faster, more relevant decisions.
AdvantagesofBIS
• Improved Management Processes.
• Planning, controlling, measuring and/or applying changes that results in increased
revenues and reduced costs.
• Improved business operations.
• Fraud detection, order processing, purchasing that results in increased revenues and
reduced costs.
• Intelligent prediction of future.

RESEARCH APPLICATION IN FUNCTIONAL AREAS OF BUSINESS
Business research functions as a conduit to new ideas and concepts. Learning through research
is not limited to a particular department or project or a particular point in the year. It can be
conducted by reading, viewing and listening on a daily basis. Every employee has the potential
to be involved in some level of business research, and gathering research should not happen in a
vacuum but should be part of the process of managing a business.
• Management Tool
Business research ultimately functions as a management tool that can be used for creating
business strategies, managing production and managing growth. As a management tool, it
provides a descriptive function (collecting data), a diagnostic function (assessing, evaluating
and explaining) and a predictive function (forecasting and choosing a course of action).
Managers of all levels use research to shape and direct their employees and their strategies.
• Source of Information
Data collection can occur through internal reporting and financial statements, a proprietary
research study or by simply gathering or purchasing statistics and data from reliable sources.
For example, business research by The Freedonia Group identifies laminate markets and
products, outlines comparative market data for the years 1998, 2003 and 2008 and makes
projections for 2013 and 2018. With this information, a laminate manufacturer, home builder or
product sales representative can compare business goals and realities against viable market data
and put future business strategies in perspective.
• Redefining Perceptions
Business research provides an opportunity for assessment. The laminate manufacturer has the
opportunity to take the information provided and assess how and where its business fits in the
decorative laminates industry. What the manufacturer may have assumed about the industry and
the perceptions it holds about its role within it may change through this business research
assessment. The tools for diagnosing the cause of dropping sales figures or a faulty production
process grow broader when business research is included.
• Risk Management
Knowing present conditions can lower risk. Business research can provide parameters in which
a business can flourish and manage risk. Researching trends and market conditions can identify
the need for increased insurance, alternative shipping and transportation needs or the need to
assess and sell assets.
• Shape Strategies
Business research can inform and shape business strategies. Researching trends or tracking
industry data can provide or stimulate strategic planning. Knowing what competitors are doing
and the direction they are headed can inform present business strategies. Conducting business

research in the area of consumer preferences reveals what products need further development
and what features may be beneficial to add.
EMERGING TRENDS IN BUSINESS RESEARCH
• Fundamentals:
The Corporation and it Financial Processes
Human Resources and Management Processes
Innovation Processes
Supply Chain Processes and Quality
• Advanced Topics:
e-Business, Globalization, Outsourcing
Entrepreneurship, Logistics
Business Plans and Business Simulations
RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD
For a clear perception of the term research, one should know the meaning of scientific method.
The two terms, research and scientific method, are closely related. Research, as we have already
stated,can be termed as “an inquiry into the nature of, the reasons for, and the consequences of
any particular set of circumstances, whether these circumstances are experimentally controlled
or recorded just as they occur.
Further, research implies the researcher is interested in more than particular results; he is
interested in the repeatability of the results and in their extension to more complicated and
general situations.” On the other hand, the philosophy common to all research methods and
techniques, although they may vary considerably from one science to another, is usually given
the name of scientific method.

In this context, Karl Pearson writes, “The scientific method is one and same in the branches (of
science) and that method is the method of all logically trained minds … the unity of all sciences
consists alone in its methods, not its material; the man who classifies facts of any kind
whatever, who sees their mutual relation and describes their sequences, is applying the
Scientific Method and is a man of science.” Scientific method is the pursuit of truth as
determined by logical considerations.
The ideal of science is to achieve a systematic interrelation of facts. Scientific method attempts
to achieve “this ideal by experimentation, observation, logical arguments from accepted
postulates and a combination of these three in varying proportions.” In scientific method, logic
aid sin formulating propositions explicitly and accurately so that their possible alternatives
become clear .Further, logic develops the consequences of such alternatives, and when these are
compared with observable phenomena, it becomes possible for the researcher or the scientist to
state which alternatives most in harmony with the observed facts. All this is done through
experimentation and survey investigations which constitute the integral parts of scientific
method.
Experimentation is done to test hypotheses and to discover new relationships. If any, among
variables. But the conclusions drawn on the basis of experimental data are generally criticized
for either faulty assumptions, poorly designed experiments, badly executed experiments or
faulty interpretations. As such the researcher must pay all possible attention while developing
the experimental design and must state only probable inferences. The purpose of survey
investigations may also be to provide scientifically gathered information to work as a basis for
the researchers for their conclusions.
Basic Postulates of Scientific Method
The scientific method is, thus, based on certain basic postulates which can be stated as under:
1. It relies on empirical evidence;
2. It utilizes relevant concepts;
3. It is committed to only objective considerations;
4. It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e., it aims at nothing but making only adequate and correct
statements about population objects;

5. It results into probabilistic predictions;
6. Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny are for use in testing the
conclusions through replication;
7. It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as scientific theories.
Thus, “the scientific method encourages a rigorous, impersonal mode of procedure dictated by
the demands of logic and objective procedure.” Accordingly, scientific method implies an
objective,logical and systematic method, i.e., a method free from personal bias or prejudice, a
method to ascertain demonstrable qualities of a phenomenon capable of being verified, a
method wherein the researcher is guided by the rules of logical reasoning, a method wherein the
investigation proceeds inane orderly manner and a method that implies internal consistency.
FIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The scientific method is the system used by scientists to explore data, generate and test
hypotheses, develop new theories and confirm or reject earlier results. Although the exact
methods used in the different sciences vary (for example, physicists and psychologists work in
very different ways), they share some fundamental attributes that may be called characteristics
of the scientific method. Five key descriptors for the scientific method are: empirical,
replicable, provisional, objective and systematic.
Empirical Observation
The scientific method is empirical. That is, it relies on direct observation of the world, and
disdains hypotheses that run counter to observable fact. This contrasts with methods that rely on
pure reason (including that proposed by Plato) and with methods that rely on emotional or other
subjective factors.
Replicable Experiments
Scientific experiments are replicable. That is, if another person duplicates the experiment, he or
she will get the same results. Scientists are supposed to publish enough of their method so that
another person, with appropriate training, could replicate the results. This contrasts with
methods that rely on experiences that are unique to a particular individual or a small group of
individuals.

Provisional Results
Results obtained through the scientific method are provisional; they are (or ought to be) open to
question and debate. If new data arise that contradict a theory, that theory must be modified. For
example, the phlogiston theory of fire and combustion was rejected when evidence against it
arose.
Objective Approach
The scientific method is objective. It relies on facts and on the world as it is, rather than on
beliefs, wishes or desires. Scientists attempt (with varying degrees of success) to remove their
biases when making observations.
Systematic Observation
Strictly speaking, the scientific method is systematic; that is, it relies on carefully planned
studies rather than on random or haphazard observation. Nevertheless, science can begin from
some random observation. Isaac Asimov said that the most exciting phrase to hear in science is
not "Eureka!" but "That's funny." After the scientist notices something funny, he or she
proceeds to investigate it systematically.

RESEARCH PROCESS IN RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Before embarking on the details of research methodology and techniques, it seems appropriate
to present a brief overview of the research process. Research process consists of series of
actions or steps necessary to effectively carry out research and the desired sequencing of these
steps. The chart shown in Figure well illustrates a research process. The chart indicates that the
research process consists of a number of closely related activities,as shown through I to VII.
But such activities overlap continuously rather than following a strictly prescribed sequence.
Steps involved in Research Process in Research Methodology
At times, the first step determines the nature of the last step to be undertaken.If subsequent
procedures have not been taken into account in the early stages, serious difficulties may arise
which may even prevent the completion of the study. One should remember that the various
steps involved in a research process are not mutually exclusive; nor they are separate and
distinct.
They do not necessarily follow each other in any specific order and the researcher has to be
constantly anticipating at each step in the research process the requirements of the subsequent
steps. However, the following order concerning various steps provides a useful procedural
guideline regarding the research process:
1. formulating the research problem;

2. extensive literature survey;
3. developing the hypothesis;
4. preparing the research design;
5. determining sample design;
6. collecting the data;
7. execution of the project;
8. analysis of data;
9. hypothesis testing;
10.generalizations and interpretation, and
11.preparation of the report or presentation of the results,i.e., formal write-up of conclusions
reached.
A brief description of the above stated steps will be helpful.
1. Formulating the research problem: There are two types of research problems, vi., those
which relate to states of nature and those which relate to relationships between variables. At
thievery outset the researcher must single out the problem he wants to study, i.e., he must
decide the general area of interest or aspect of a subject-matter that he would like to inquire
into. Initially the problem may be stated in a broad general way and then the ambiguities, if
any, relating to the problem be resolved. Then, the feasibility of a particular solution has to
be considered before a working formulation of the problem can be set up. The formulation of
a general topic into a specific research problem, thus, constitutes the first step in a scientific
enquiry. Essentially two steps are involved in formulating the research problem, vi.,
understanding the problem thoroughly, and rephrasing the same into meaningful terms from
an analytical point of view.
2. Extensive literature survey: Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should
be written down. It is compulsory for a research worker writing a thesis for a Ph.D. degree to
write synopsis of the topic and submit it to the necessary Committee or the Research Board
for approval.At this juncture the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey
connected with the problem.
For this purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or unpublished
bibliographies are the first place to go to. Academic journals, conference proceedings,
government reports, books etc., must be tapped depending on the nature of the problem. In
this process, it should be remembered that one source will lead to another. The earlier
studies, if any, which are similar to the study in and should be carefully studied. A good
library will be a great help to the researcher at this stage.

3. Development of working hypotheses: After extensive literature survey, researcher should
state in clear terms the working hypothesis or hypotheses. Working hypothesis is tentative
assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences. As such
the manner in which research hypotheses are developed is particularly important since they
provide the focal point for research.
How does one go about developing working hypotheses? The answer is by using the
following approach:
a. Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the objectives in
seeking a solution;
b. Examination of data and records, if available, concerning the problem for possible
trends,peculiarities and other clues;
c. Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; and
d. Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a limited
scale with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater insight into the
practical aspects of the problem.
Thus, working hypotheses arise as a result of a-priori thinking about the subject, examination
of the available data and material including related studies and the counsel of experts and
interested parties .Working hypotheses are more useful when stated in precise and clearly
defined terms. It may as well be remembered that occasionally we may encounter a problem
where we do not need working hypotheses, specially in the case of exploratory or formularies
researches which do not aim at testing the hypothesis. But as a general rule, specification of
working hypotheses in another basic step of the research process in most research problems.
4. Preparing the research design: The research problem having been formulated in clear cut
terms, the researcher will be required to prepare a research design, i.e., he will have to state
the conceptual structure within which research would be conducted. The preparation of such
a design facilitates research to be as efficient as possible yielding maximal information.
In other words, the function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant
evidence with minimal expenditure of effort, time and money. But how all these can be
achieved depends mainly on the research purpose. Research purposes may be grouped into
four categories, vi.,
i. Exploration,
ii. Description,

iii. Diagnosis, and
iv. Experimentation.
A flexible research design which provides opportunity for considering many different aspects
of a problem is considered appropriate if the purpose of the research study is that of
exploration. But when the purpose happens to be an accurate description sofa situation or of
an association between variables, the suitable design will be one that minimizes bias and
maximizes the reliability of the data collected and analyses.
There are several research designs, such as, experimental and non-experimental hypothesis
testing. Experimental designs can be either informal designs (such as before-and-after
without control,after-only with control, before-and-after with control) or formal designs
(such as completely randomized design, randomized block design, Latin square design,
simple and complex factorial designs), out of which the researcher must select one for his
own project.
The preparation of the research design, appropriate for a particular research problem,
involves usually the consideration of the following:
v. the means of obtaining the information;
vi. the availability and skills of the researcher and his staff (if any);
vii. explanation of the way in which selected means of obtaining information will be organized
and the reasoning leading to the selection;
viii. the time available for research; and
ix. the cost factor relating to research, i.e., the finance available for the purpose.
Determining sample design: All the items under consideration in any field of inquiry
constitute ‘universe’ or ‘population’. A complete enumeration of all the items in the
‘population’ is known asa census inquiry. It can be presumed that in such an inquiry when all
the items are covered no element of chance is left and highest accuracy is obtained. But in
practice this may not be true.
Even the slightest element of bias in such an inquiry will get larger and larger as the number
of observations increases. Moreover, there is no way of checking the element of bias or its
extent except through are survey or use of sample checks. Besides, this type of inquiry
involves a great deal of time, money and energy. Not only this, census inquiry is not possible
in practice under many circumstances. For instance, blood testing is done only on sample

basis. Hence, quite often we select only a few items from the universe for our study purposes.
The items so selected constitute what is technically called sample.
The researcher must decide the way of selecting a sample or what is popularly known as the
sample design. In other words, a sample design is a definite plan determined before any data
are actually collected for obtaining a sample from a given population. Thus, the plan to select
12 of a city’s 200 drugstores in a certain way constitutes a sample design. Samples can be
either probability samples or non-probability samples.
6. Collecting the data: In dealing with any real life problem it is often found that data at hand
are inadequate, and hence, it becomes necessary to collect data that are appropriate. There
are sever always of collecting the appropriate data which differ considerably in context of
money costs, time and other resources at the disposal of the researcher.
7. Execution of the project: Execution of the project is a very important step in the research
process. If the execution of the project proceeds on correct lines, the data to be collected
would be adequate and dependable. The researcher should see that the project is executed
in a systematic manner and in time. If the survey is to be conducted by means of structured
questionnaires, data can be readily machine-processed. In such a situation, questions as
well as the possible answers may be coded. If the data are to be collected through
interviewers, arrangements should be made for proper selection and training of the
interviewers.
If some of the respondents do not cooperate, some suitable methods should be designed to
tackle this problem. One method of dealing with the non-response problem is to make ali st
of the non-respondents and take a small sub-sample of them, and then with the help of
experts vigorous efforts can be made for securing response.
8. Analysis of data: After the data have been collected, the researcher turns to the task of
analyzing them. The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such
as establishment of categories, the application of these categories to raw data through
coding, tabulation and then drawing statistical inferences. The unwieldy data should
necessarily be condensed into a few manageable groups and tables for further analysis.
Thus, researcher should classify the raw data into some purposeful and usable categories.
Coding operation is usually done at this stage through which the categories of data are
transformed into symbols that may be tabulated and counted.

9. Hypothesis-testing: After analyzing the data as stated above, the researcher is in a position
to test the hypotheses, if any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support the hypotheses
or they happen to be contrary? This is the usual question which should be answered while
testing hypotheses .Various tests, such as Chi square test, t-test, F-test, have been
developed by statisticians for the purpose. The hypotheses may be tested through the use of
one or more of such tests, depending upon the nature and object of research inquiry.
Hypothesis -testing will result in either accepting the hypothesis or in rejecting it. If the
researcher had no hypotheses to start with, generalizations established on the basis of data
may be stated as hypotheses to be tested by subsequent researches in times to come.
10.Generalizations and interpretation: If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it
maybe possible for the researcher to arrive at generalization, i.e., to build a theory. As a
matter of fact,the real value of research lies in its ability to arrive at certain generalizations.
If the researcher had no hypothesis to start with, he might seek to explain his findings on
the basis of some theory. It is known as interpretation. The process of interpretation may
quite often trigger off new questions which in turn may lead to further researches.
11.Preparation of the report or the thesis: Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report
of what has been done by him. Writing of report must be done with great care keeping in
view the following:
1. The layout of the report should be as follows:
i. the preliminary pages;
ii. the main text,and
iii. the end matter.
In its preliminary pages the report should carry title and date followed by acknowledgement
sand foreword. Then there should be a table of contents followed by a list of tables and list of
graphs and charts, if any, given in the report.

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
· Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain
and predict natural phenomena.
· Scientific inquiry progresses through a continuous process of questioning, data
collection, analysis and interpretation.
· Scientific inquiry requires the sharing of findings and ideas for critical review by
colleagues and other scientists.
Definition of a Research Problem
The Research Problem is one which requires a researcher to find out the best solution for the
given problem, i.e., to find out by which course of action the objective can be attained optimally
in the context of a given environment. There are several factors which may result in making the
problem complicated. For instance, the environment may change affecting the efficiencies of
the courses of action or the values of the outcomes; the number of alternative courses of action
may be very large; persons not involved in making the decision may be affected by it and react
to it favourably or unfavourably, and similar other factors. All such elements (or at least the
important ones) may be thought of in context of a research problem.
PROBLEM FORMULATION PROCESS
• Determine a topic of interest
• Determine problem dealing
• Refine the problem statement
• Clarify the problem
• Refine and Redefine Research Problem
Management Dilemma
Management Question
Research Question
Investigation Question
Measurement Question

TEN ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Writing a good proposal will help you manage your time so that you can complete the quarter
with three papers that meet your objectives. The specific format and content of these elements
may vary; they may not always appear as separate sections or in the order listed here.
1. Background of the study
2. Problem Statement
3. Objectives of the study
4. Significance of the study
5. Limitation of the study
6. Definition of terms
7. Literature Review
8. Methodology
9. Expected Result
10. References and Appendix
1. Background of the study
The main idea of the background of study is to establish the area of research in which your
work belongs, and to provide a context for the research problem. It also provides information to
the research topic.
In an introduction, the writer should create:
v reader interest in the topic,
v lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study.
2. Statement of the problem
When you start a research, you have a question that you wish to seek answer for. The question
leads to a problem that needs to be solved by the research. Begin the research with a
description of the problem or a thesis statement.
3. Objectives of the study
States what your research hopes to accomplish.
4. Significance of the study
Why your research is important and what contributions will it give to the field. It is also advised
to state how yourfindings can make a difference and why is it important that the research be
carried out.
5. Limitation of the study
It is not possible to include ALL aspects of a particular problem. State what is not included.
Specify the boundaries of you research. A too wide area of investigation is impractical and will
lead to problems.

6. Definition of terms
Terms or concepts that you use should be defined and explained unless they are familiar or
obvious. You shouldrefer to authoritative sources for definitions.
7. Literature Review
This section need not be lengthy but it should reflect your understanding of relevant bodies
of literature. List all pertinent papers or reports that you have consulted in preparing the
proposal; include conversations with faculty, peers or other experts. A well-written review
provides a sense of critical issues which form the background for your own work this
quarter.
By doing this it shows that you are aware of the literature study that is required in your research
area. Your review a substantial amount of reading materials before writing your proposal.It
shows that you have sufficient theoretical knowledge in your chosen research area.
By reviewing related literature at this stage, it will make you:
v Aware of other similar work which has been done.
v Expose methodologies that have been adopted and which you may use or adapt.
v Provide sources of information that you do not have yet.
By reviewing related literature at this stage, it will inform you:
v If a chosen area has already been researched extensively.
v Approaches that you do not know of before
8. Methodology
This section is the heart of the proposal because it provides insight into your perspective as
well as details on how you plan to carry out the project. How will you accomplish your
objective(s)? What theories or concepts will guide the study? How do they or might they
suggest the specific hypotheses or research questions? Where might you run into obstacles?
Explain the specifics of what you want present in your project (statistical data, comparisons
of historical and recent data, the evolution of a paradigm, etc.). One way to do this is by
developing a rough outline of the major topics and sub-topics that you will investigate.
Your timeline and a very rough scope (past – current – future) has been pre-
determined. If outside organizations involved, explain how you are going to get hold of the
data. Indicate why the methodology is used. If existing methodology is not to be used, explain
why you need to use an adapted methodology.
A final note about good proposals

Quality writing is critical. The proposal should be clear, concise, and free of jargon. There
should be no spelling or grammatical errors, and the proposal should be easy to read.
Start early and share ideas with peers! Incorporate feedback; gain ideas from reading other
student work.
9. Expected Result
It includes a brief discussion of the anticipated result of the research and should also highlited
those that are the most important for research.
10.Reference and Appendix
References include the name of author’s along with their details of the publication of research
work. An appendix should include a list of all material that are to be used in the study
DRAFTING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Developing Ideas logically
Determine in Depth of a proposal
Identifying Critical Points
Developing an Appealing Copy
EVALUATING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
• Clarity
• Comprehensive
• Consistency
• Accuracy

Business Research Methods Unit 1 notes

More Related Content

What's hot

Similar to Business Research Methods Unit 1 notes

More from SUJEET TAMBE

Recently uploaded

In this document

Business Research Methods Unit 1 notes