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WHAT IS GRP?

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What is GRP?

The word thesis came from Greeklanguage, meaning position.

A GRP is a original, research-based text. It is a carefully argued scholarly paper.

It should present an original argument.

It literally demonstrates mastery: that you haveunderstood the subject.

Difference between thesis and

dissertation.

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A GRP is:

An argument on the issue

Independent critical power

Contribution to knowledge Original piece of work

A GRP generally extends ourunderstanding of the subject; takes

the subject further in some way.

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What A GRP MayInvolve? Carrying out empirical work that has not

been done before.

Using already known material but with a

new interpretation. Trying out something that previously only

been done in other countries.

Bringing new evidence to bear on an old

issue. Being cross-disciplinary and using different

methodologies.

Adding to knowledge in a way that has notbeen done before.

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Qualities of a Successful GRP

A successful GRP has four qualities: It identifies a good question.

It asserts that the question remains

unanswered. It argues why this question is worth answering

at all.

It provides a satisfactory answer to that

question.

By raising a good question andanswering it, you prove the point that

you have made a significant original

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What Makes a Good

Research Question?

It must have remained unanswered.

Its answer must serve as acontribution to knowledge.

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Where do such questions comefrom?

Your dissatisfaction with existingconceptual explanations.

You may have questions aboutexisting policies or practices.

You may be concerned to address

problems of day-to-day life. You may be interested in a problem at

work or in your community.

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Background of Research

Social researcher has a variety ofoptions.

There is no one right direction to take.

Pay attention to the following: Feasibility of studying the issue

Relevancy of the topic

Your willingness and capability Look for the possibility of making some

contributions

Look for your career goals

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Things to be Considered

while Selecting a GRP Topic

Universitys requirements

Your strengths and weaknesses

Financial and time resourcesavailable

Availability of literature

Access to data

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Preparing a GRP Proposal

Before you approach your supervisor,prepare the following:

A 2-3 page abstract.

A preliminary bibliography.

A brief outline.

These will help you to convince your

supervisor of the value of your work.

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Format of the GRP Report Prefatory Materials

Title pageApproval sheet

Acknowledgements

Table of contents

List of tables and figures

Executive summary Body of the Report

Introduction

Review of literature and theoretical framework

Research methodology

Results and discussionSummary and conclusion

Supplementary MaterialsReferencesAppendixes

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Nature of GRP

Exploratory

Descriptive

Correlational and causal-comparative

Surveys

Case studies

Documentary studies

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Exploratory

Family-friendly policy of Nepaleseorganizations.

Vegetable market

Mineral water market

Consumers groups

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Descriptive

Footpath business

Street vendors

Call centers

Mineral water market

Music industry

Publication industry

Food adulteration

Grievance hearing through Hello

Sarkar

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Surveys

Shop-keepers

Restaurant diners

Shoppers

Students

Employees

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Case Studies

Policy analysis

Social institutions

Organizations

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Suggested Topics for GRP

Buying preference of women with reference to clothing in Pokhara Quality of work life: A study of Nepalese managers

E-commerce strategy of Nepalese business firms

Profit strategy of restaurant industry

Banking industry: A case study in diversification

Moving from investment to retail: A case study of Nepalesebanking industry

Microfinance: Its impact on women empowerment

Differentiation in Nepalese Banking industries: Analyzing the basison which industries compete

Budgeting and strategy: A comparative study of public and private

firms Customer preferences for financial services: A study of

households

Internet recruitment in Nepalese organizations

Brand preference of beer among consumers in Pokhara

Climate for creativity in Nepalese organizations Job search behaviour of Ne alese business raduates

S d T i f GRP

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Suggested Topics for GRP Corporate governance and the role of internal auditing

Attitude of Nepalese bank employees toward the

performance appraisal system The financial management of small and micro enterprises in

Nepal

Consumer retention in retail financial services

Financial services industry In Nepal: A study of

environmental scanning practices

Credit risk management in Nepalese banking system

Work-life balance: A study of Nepalese employees

Customer relationship management in Nepalese commercial

banks Public-private partnership in micro hydro projects

Marketing strategy for promoting domestic tourism

Consumers brand preference for television sets: An analysis

of Pokhara market

After-sales service: The satisfaction level in the context of

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Common Problems in Writing GRP

Reports

Topic selection Problem definition

Review of literature section is unorganized andbulky

Inappropriate application of researchinstruments

Sampling

Mixing facts and opinions

Confusion in findings and conclusions

Use of inappropriate statistical tools

Defective citation and referencing

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Common Problems in Writing GRP

Reports

Language

Sweeping remarks

Without interpretation Careless presentation and proofreading

Generalization

Unsupported recommendations Poor organization of materials

Window dressing

Researchers ethics

G l Q ti th t i i

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General Questions that arise in

the Process of GRP Report

Writing Can a researcher choose a topic by

himself?

How long should the GRP report be? Should we begin writing from the first

chapter? Should we wait until all work associated

with the research is completed beforebeginning to write it up?

Which section of the report should wewrite first?

What should be done to ensure the quality

R f

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References For a book

Harrison, A. (2006). Just-in-time manufacturing in perspective. NewYork: Prentice Hall

Peppard, J., & Rawland, P. (2006). Business process re-engineering.New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.

For an edited book

Singh, R., & Manandhar, N. (Eds.). (2007). Human psychology at

work. Kathmandu: Sastoma Kitab Publishers.

For a journal article

Joshi, P. (1998). Labour management: A cross-country overview ofSouth Asian countries. The Nepalese Management Review,3(1), 1-14.

For a newspaper

The Rising Nepal. (1996, July 15). P.2

For an Internet site

Tribhuvan University (online) (cited 2008, January 7). Available

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Examples of CitationDirect Quotation

Block and Indented Quotation

The UNDP (2007) makes an assessment of the current status of technologytransfer in Nepal in the following words:

Foreign aid has played a major role in the source and value of technologyimports including those in the manufacturing sector. Much of the technologytransfer under the category has been the turnkey type. The percentage offoreign technical personnel has assisted in acquiring operational

competence. However, it does not seem to have led to the development ofindigenous capabilities for technological innovation and upgradation (p. 44).

Within-sentence Quotation

According to UNDP (2007), Foreign aid has played a major role in the source andvalue of technology imports in Nepal (p. 44).

Paraphrase and Summary

UNDP (2007) argued that the increasing use of foreign technical personnelworking in Nepal does not lead to the development of local capabilities fortechnical innovation.

GeneralizationThere is wide agreement that the presence of foreign experts would ultimatelyaffect the capability-building of the local people. The increasing use of such foreign

experts in Nepal has increased the countrys dependence on them fortechnological innovation and upgradation (Gurung 1997; Tuladhar & Thapa 2007;