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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

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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.

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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?

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1. OBSERVATION

Broad area of research identified, via

(i) observation, or

(ii) sensing of the phenomena

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2. PRELIMINARY DATA GATHERING

• 2.1. INTERVIEWING

• 2.2.LITERATURE SURVEY/REVIEW

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2.1. INTERVIEWING

Through discussion with various stakeholders, research issues can also be

obtained

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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“The literature review should show that all relevant documents, both published and unpublished, have been identified and analysed.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.

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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

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WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED

-SUBJECT SPECIFIC

-RESEARCH METHODS

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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

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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

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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

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TYPES OF VARIABLES (1)

Based on measurement:

• Discrete

• Continuous

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

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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)

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INDEPENDENT VARIABLE• INFLUENCES THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

• POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE

• THE VARIANCE IN THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE IS ACCOUNTED BY THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

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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

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AN EXAMPLE

No of books Reading abilities

Parents’literacy

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INTERVENING/INTERMEDIATE VARIABLE

surfaces between the time the independent variable operates to influence the dependent variable and its impact on the dependent variable

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AN EXAMPLE

Workforce Creative Organizationaldiversity synergy effectiveness

Managerialexpertise

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ASSIGNMENT 1SEARCH 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

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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

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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

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AN EXAMPLE

Communication amongcockpit members

Communication between Air- safetyground control and cockpit violations

Decentralization

Training of Nervousness and cockpit crew diffidence

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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

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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

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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 hypothesese.g. There is a relationship between age and job satisfaction

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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