What’s in Chapter One Yuserrie Zainuddin School of Management 25 th April 2005

Research Endeavor Is a cycle Starts with a problem and ends with a solution to the problem. Chapter One is the thrust of your research endeavor i.e. summary of the entire thesis

The Outline of Chapter One INTRODUCTION  Background of the study  Research Problem/ Problem Statement  Research Questions  Research Objectives  Significance of the study  Definition of variables/ or key terms  Organization of the thesis

Background of the study Preamble or introduction about the research problem. State clearly and concisely. General feelings about one specific issue under study. What’s the symptoms? If it exists therefore the problem may exists.

Background of the study Why it is important to highlight the issue? – to portray the importance of the phenomenon of interest. Generally – this section requires information – statistically, statements or gaps in the previous studies or concerned by somebody (e.g. professionals, industries or government). Not more than 5 – 6 pages.

Research Problem/ Problem Statement Is the situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused or interested to know more. Sources of problem identification:- Own experience or the experience of others Observation

Research Problem/ Problem Statement Literature – gaps Theory IDENTIFICATION OF PROBLEM Keep this in mind: Outline the general context of the problem area (background of the study).

Research Problem/ Problem Statement Highlight the key theories, concepts and ideas in this area. What appear to be some f the underlying assumptions in this area? Why are these issues identified important?

Research Problem/ Problem Statement What needs to be solved? Read around the area (subject) look for controversies or unanswered questions

Research Problem/ Problem Statement Research problem must be stated clearly with one or two sentences: For example: This study is trying to identify the role of organisational commitment on job satisfaction among the managers in manufacturing industry. The role of perceived environmental uncertainty in moderates the relationship is also investigated. Not more that one to two pages.

Research Questions Questions about the problems – that you would like to know more by solving this problem. What are the issues would you like to know / understand or highlight. There are three types of questions –

Research Questions What ….(descriptive – frequency or test of differences) – Apa? How…(relationship – influence, effect etc) – Bagaimana? Why…. (causal relationship - experimental) – Kenapa? What’s wrong with does, do or other types of questions?

Research Objectives The purpose of your study. To solve the problem – to find answers to the research questions. This will be a guide to your research hypotheses and conceptual framework.

Research Objectives Should be stated in the form that can answer your research questions. For example: To identify….. (Untuk mengenalpasti..) To investigate….. (Untuk menyiasat…) To examine…..(Untuk mengkaji…) To explore … (Untuk mengetahui…) etc.

Significance of the study What is your contribution from this study? Theoretically and practically… Spell it clearly and precisely how your study push the boundary of knowledge? Theoretically – what new concept/s you use?

Significance of the study New measurement? New conceptualisation? New theory and conceptualisation? New relationship with new conceptualisation?

What is theoretical contribution Where previous model have not predicted an outcome well, What is the additional explanation and moderating conditions of the theory ( or third variable that alter the relations of the theoretical framework) Different level of conceptualisation and implications Different measurement and methodology

Practical Contributions How your study can help the subjects of your concerned (people in the organization)? What precisely that your study can help the subject to overcome the problem that you have identified? Not more than 5 – 6 pages

Definition of Variables/Key Terms Your definition in this study. How do you define the variables in your study precisely – not other definitions. Key terms can be included but it must have it significant to your study that the readers might interested to know.