Research Methods Dr.

Nada Basset 2011

RM Hand-out (1) How to Choose a Research Topic

1. Pick an area of interest (OB, IT, Quality, HRM, etc) 2. Read in this area and specify your personal preference, i.e which chapter inside this book did you like the most? 3. Start your preliminary research by choosing the keywords 4. Google those keywords and read more about this topic just to doublecheck whether you still want to proceed with that topic or to consider another one. 5. Start your academic search by logging into EBSCO host. Its important to mind the keywords you use for the search, as some keywords may be misleading. You need to use at least 3 different keywords. 6. Categorize your articles into Relevant, Irrelevant and TBD. 7. To break the vicious circle of reading, start on writing the key points you have marked during your preliminary reading process.

1|Page

Dr. Nada Basset, Research Project

Research Methods Dr. Nada Basset 2011

RM Hand-out (2) Outline of the Research Proposal

Abstract Acknowledgements Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures List of Acronyms (all the above should be numbered in ROMAN page numbers).

Literature Review Introduction Problem Statement Research Objectives Research Questions (Qualitative)/Research Hypotheses (Quantitative) Conceptual Framework Argument Raised and/or defended Conclusion Main Study Implications

2|Page

Dr. Nada Basset, Research Project

Research Methods Dr. Nada Basset 2011

RM Hand-out (3) Handling My Research

Chapter 1

Introduction

This chapter consists of 2-3 pages, however it is considered the most important chapter and the hardest to construct simply because it explains the core of your research. The conceptual framework is a mind-map or a road-map describing the journey your research walks in order to reach a certain research objective.

Chapter 2

Literature Review

(20 - 30 pages)

In a literature review, the researcher simply explores the concepts previously discussed and the early research initiatives covering your same area of research.

The purpose is simply to make the previous researchs end point your own starting point. A literature review is valueless if you do not put your own critique
to it, meaning: we explore an idea either to raise an argument against it or to build

an argument to defend it. Therefore, a researcher needs to make his point

behind mentioning a certain theory/concept in his literature review. operative word is relevance. The

Each section of the literature review should start with an Operational Definition. An Operational Definition is a definition you need to put to your research elements in order to set a standard on how this concept is supposed to mean. For example, The impact of Customer Satisfaction on Organizational Performance.

3|Page

Dr. Nada Basset, Research Project

Research Methods Dr. Nada Basset 2011

Operational definitions needed: customer, customer satisfaction, organizational performance.

It is always an asset to include some figures, models and illustrations in your literature review, however, those are totally irrelevant unless you mark your own critique to those figures. Remember that anything you include in your literature is for the purpose of connecting it to your research question and to mark your own opinion about it (agree, disagree, will put to retest).

How to write Conclusion and Implications

(no specific length)

This is the core contribution of your own work. A conceptual paper is expected to: a. conclude the main points of the research study, b. explain how the research has contributed to the area of knowledge, c. address the main implications to draw based on the literature that has been reviewed.

Example: Research finding the raw finding you reached by collecting data. 65% prefer quality to price and 35% prefer price and dont care about the quality Conclusion What those findings tell you as a researcher

4|Page

Dr. Nada Basset, Research Project

Research Methods Dr. Nada Basset 2011

Quality is still considered a main criterion in a consumer buying behaviour whereas price may be the main criterion for consumers with a lesser purchasing power. Implications What are the final issues to draw out of your research? Quality should still be an important critical success factor for effective marketing and/or sales activities.

5|Page

Dr. Nada Basset, Research Project

Research Methods Dr. Nada Basset 2011

RM Hand-out (4) Research Project Time Line

The research project is comprised of six lectures (4-hours) every other week. The course work is divided as follows:

Week 1

Activity A general briefing about Research Methods, how to pick a research topic and how to get started on doing research.

2 3 4 5 6 7-8

Preparing a bibliography of NOT LESS than 20 articles Students progress presentations (5 min.) Students progress presentations (5 min.) Students progress presentations (5 min.) Last progress review report and main points recapping Oral Examinations/Presentations

6|Page

Dr. Nada Basset, Research Project