Topic: Research proposal (business-marketing)

Order Description Develop a research proposal based on one of the key international business issues faced?by the visiting company to make research-based recommendations to address the selected issue. Business-Marketing area. LOCATION Where the study to be is conducted e.g. Australia , New Zealand (Illawarra area) PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Write a paragraph on the events leading up to the research and what research has been previously conducted on the market, category, product and any market learning that will aid the researcher. Also identify what the research is trying to solve. ( Refer to the research brief) THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK/ LITRATURE REVIEW Theories are formulated to explain, predict, and understand phenomena and, in many cases, to challenge and extend existing knowledge within the limits of critical bounding assumptions. The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory that explains why the research problem under study exists. A theoretical framework consists of concepts and, together with their definitions and reference to relevant scholarly literature, existing theory that is used for your particular study. The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your research paper and that relate to the broader areas of knowledge being considered. The theoretical framework is most often not something readily found within the literature. You must review course readings and pertinent research studies for theories and analytic models that are relevant to the research problem you are investigating. The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of application, and explanatory power. The theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways: An explicit statement of theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them critically. The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge. Guided by a relevant theory, you are given a basis for your hypotheses and choice of research methods. Articulating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you to address questions of why and how. It permits you to intellectually transition from simply describing a phenomenon you have observed to generalizing about various aspects of that phenomenon. Having a theory helps you identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest and highlights the need to examine how those key variables might differ and under what circumstances. RESEARCH PROBLEM AND QUESTIONS When determining the research or business problem, ensure that it is the causes of the business problem and not the symptoms that are addressed. When defining the problem, be specific and identify the problem and then develop five key research questions related to the problem you are investigating ( see lecture notes for definitions.) Should including one research problem and five research questions. DATA COLLECTION Identify and list the general questions that can be explored or answered to solve the research problem. The following question should be addressed here: “What information is needed in order to solve the research problem?” MEASUREMENT PRIMARY DATA 1, Find secondary data to do the primary analysis. 2, If possible, do the survey or focus group as well. The measurement process will depend on the data needed (interviews, questionnaires, observation, eye tracking are some examples of methods). Usually in market research qualitative methods (e.g. focus groups) are used as an initial investigation process to highlight the key variables. For in-depth analysis of key variables quantitative methods using questionnaires are common. Ultimately, you are asking questions, regardless if you are observing or using a questionnaire. The questions are structured or unstructured. Structured questions have pre-specified answer choices, for example “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree”. Unstructured questions have open-ended answers, for example, the respondent simply writes what s/he observes or thinks. SECONDARY DATA This is syndicated data you can use in your research, Secondary data comes from other sources and does not require a specific questionnaire method RESEARCH DESIGN There are three types of research design: Secondary and Primary data collection 1. Exploratory research: collect data in an unstructured and intuitive process (usually qualitative or observational research). Secondary data is also used in observational research 2. Descriptive research: describes the consumers’ attitudes, intentions, and behaviours (usually quantitative with qualitative and observational research as the base). 3. Causal research: this is a scientific method and used primarily in regression analysis. It requires that you explore whether one particular independent variable has an effect on the dependent variable while all else is constant. THE SAMPLING PLAN There are three main issues regarding the sampling plan: Determine who or what is to be sampled. This comes from defining the research problem. Determine the unit of the entity to be sampled, called the sample element. Determine sample size. Not true that the larger the population, the larger the sample must be. ANALYSIS AND STISTICAL METHODS TO BE USED TO ANALYSE THE DATA Describe the type of quantitative or qualitative methods you will be utilizing to analyse the data you have collected and why you have selected these types of methods. , TIMING Outline the milestones and time frame for each component of the project. Develop a detailed timetable outlining key activities you are going to conduct during the research process. Specify when you are going to collect your data.