RESEARCH PROPOSAL Statement of problem Objectives of the study Scope of the study Review of Literature Methodology and theoretical back- ground Benefits of the study Research Time-table 1

RESEARCH PROPOSAL Aim: to present and justify a research idea and to present the practical ways in which this research should be conducted Three big questions: what research project, why is important to know that thing and how to proceed to make that research. 2

RESEARCH PROCESS (1) Observation (2) Preliminary data gathering: interviewing and literature survey (3)Problem definition: research problem delineated (4)Theoretical framework: variables clearly identified (5)Generation of hypotheses (6)Research design (7)Data collection, analysis and interpretation (8)Deduction: hypotheses substantiated? research questions answered? 3

1. OBSERVATION Broad area of research identified, via (i)observation, or (i)sensing of the phenomena 4

2. PRELIMINARY DATA GATHERING 2.1. INTERVIEWING 2.2.LITERATURE SURVEY/REVIEW 5

2.1. INTERVIEWING Through discussion with various stakeholders, research issues can also be obtained 6

2.2. LITERATURE REVIEW “ The literature review should show that all relevant documents, both published and unpublished, have been identified and analysed. This means demonstrating that all the main concepts, theories, theorists and methodological approaches relevant to the topic have been identified, understood and critically evaluated” (Hart, 2001) References: Hart, C. (2001). Doing a Literature Review: Releasing the Social Science Research Imagination. SAGE Publications Ltd., London. 7

PURPOSES Identify and highlight the important variables Document the significant findings from earlier research that will serve as the foundation on which the theoretical framework for the current investigation can be based and hypotheses developed 8

WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED -SUBJECT SPECIFIC -RESEARCH METHODS 9

STEPS REQUIRED Identify and access published and unpublished materials on the topics of interest Extract systematically the relevant information (on the problem, the design details of the study, and the ultimate findings) Write up the literature review 10

3. PROBLEM STATEMENT A clear, precise, and succint statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an anwer or solution 11

4. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Variable: ANYTHING THAT CAN TAKE ON DIFFERING OR VARYING VALUES - differ at various times for the same object; -Differ at the same time for different objects 12

TYPES OF VARIABLES (1) Based on measurement: Discrete Continuous 13

TYPES OF VARIABLES Dependent variable (criterion/predictand/explained) Independent variable (predictor/explanatory) Moderating Intervening 14

DEPENDENT VARIABLE - primary interest to the researcher - to understand and describe the dependent variable, to explain its variability, or to predict it Note: is possible to have more than one dependent variable in a study (e.g. low cost of production and consumer satisfaction) 15

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE INFLUENCES THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE THE VARIANCE IN THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE IS ACCOUNTED BY THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE 16

MODERATING VARIABLE VARIABLE WHICH HAS A STRONG CONTINGENT EFFECT ON THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE– DEPENDENT VARIABE RELATIONSHIP - The presence of a moderating variable modifies the original relationship between the independent and the dependent variable 17

AN EXAMPLE No of books Reading abilities Parents’literacy 18

INTERVENING/INTERMEDIATE VARIABLE surfaces between the time the independent variable operates to influence the dependent variable and its impact on the dependent variable 19

AN EXAMPLE WorkforceCreativeOrganizational diversitysynergyeffectiveness Managerial expertise 20

ASSIGNMENT 1 SEARCH AND EXPLAIN BY EXAMPLES THE MEANINGS OF THE FOLLOWING VARIABLES: (i)Test variable (ii)Confounding variable (iii) Antecedent variable (iv) Suppressor variable (v) Exogenous variable (vi) Endogenous variable 21

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK A conceptual model of how one theorizes or makes logical sense of the relationships among several factors that have been identified as important to the problem Note: Identified through such processes as observation, interviews, and literature survey 22

FIVE BASIC FEATURES The relevant variables should be clearly identified and labeled State how two or more (important) variables are related to one another Indicate the nature and direction of the relationships (usually based on previous research) Explain why we would expect these relationships to exist Give a schematic diagram of the theoretical framework 23

AN EXAMPLE Communication among cockpit members Communication betweenAir- safety ground control and cockpitviolations Decentralization Training of Nervousness and cockpit crewdiffidence 24

5. HYPOTHESES GENERATION (TESTABLE) HYPOTHESIS: It must be specific, concise (one phrase) and must lead to the advancement of the knowledge in the field in some way. Note: Even if testable hypotheses are not necessarily generated (as in some applied reseacrh projects), a good theoretical framework is central to examining the problem under investigation 25

FORMATS (1) Proposition or If-Then Statement e.g. (i)Employees who are more healthy will take sick leave less frequently, or (ii) If employees are more healthy, then they will take sick leave less frequently 26

FORMATS (2) Directional hypotheses -Uses the term positive, negative, more than, less than, and the like e.g. The greater the stressed experienced in the job, the lower the job satisfaction of employess Non-directional hypotheses e.g. There is a relationship between age and job satisfaction 27

ASSIGNMENT 2 Compile a bibliography on any topic of your interest Define a problem statement that, n your opinion, would be most useful to investigate Write up a literature reviw that would seem to offer the greatest potential for developing a good theoretical framework (using about 20 references) Develop the theoretical framework incorporating its five basic features as discussed in the lesson Generate a set of testable hypotheses based on the theoretical framework 28