The Research Project

Executive Programme in
Leadership and Management
A Brief Introduction
EPLM Assignment
A method to Evaluate how much
you have learnt
Ability to apply concepts and theory
learnt to business problems
To demonstrate your understanding
of the method and evidence that is
needed to establish a hypothesis or
reach a conclusion

What is a research project?
A research paper involves a quest for
knowledge, and then a thoughtful
analysis of the information and evidence
found.
A Research paper is YOUR own ideas,
backed up by the ideas and information
of EXPERTS in the field, often given to
you as Theory or Model.


Types of Research Papers
An analytic paper uses
evidence to analyze one aspect
of an issue. To analyze
means to break down the
information, becoming in a
sense, an expert yourself.
Your paper should consist
of you arranging the
material as you understand
it, and then contributing
your own opinions.

Example:
"What is the ultimate effect of music-
listening while studying on grades?"
Why is Indian Aerospace Industry so
backward?
Why despite low wages, India is not
competitive in textiles
An Argumentative paper uses
evidence to convince the
reader that your opinion is
correct about a debatable
topic. You will take a stand
on an issue, then use
evidence to back-up your
statement. (Boeing paper)

Example:
Listening to music while studying is in
fact a beneficial activity better grades
because of the way music motivates
students and keeps them alert
Outsourcing actually may raise costs,
and always destroys ability to innovate
and survive
What are the steps?
Select a topic or a problem
Give a short introduction and background.
Is there any controversy or debate? Elaborate

Formulate a thesis statement or a
hypothesis
What is your question about the topic?
What will you prove?

Steps
Conduct Research
What model or framework do I use to
answer the question? Elaborate
What data or evidence will be needed to
prove the hypothesis
What method will I use to analyse then
data and present results?
Answer your question by connecting
your results to what you already know
from literature
Conclusion and Abstract


How to Select a Topic
FIRST AND FOREMOST: MAKE SURE YOU
UNDERSTAND YOUR ASSIGNMENT!
Have you identified a topic to research or even a
thesis statement you must defend? If not, you
must THINK! Here are a couple ways to look for
inspiration:

Read articles, literature to identify an
issue of interest: Set the timer for five seven
days particular order.

Brainstorm: If you have a broad topic in mind,
make a list of everything associated with this topic.
Talk to other partners

Cluster Diagram/ Notes: Like brainstorming,
but using a web instead.
Selecting a topic cont
Once you have some ideas, take a moment
to think about possible thesis
statements. Then think logically will
this work for the assignment?
Too broad or too narrow?
Will there be enough research?
Is your choice a popular choice?
Do Not Even Think of Copying! Plagiarism is a serious offence .
Writing the Thesis Statement
Defining features of a thesis statement:
A thesis statement is a 1-2 sentence
summary of what your paper will establish
/prove.
A thesis / hypothesis statement is to your
paper, what a topic sentence is to a
paragraph.
It is placed near the end of the introduction
/ literature survey or immediately after that.
For an argumentative paper, make sure you
present both sides of the argument.
Conducting Research
With the thesis statement completed, you
now have a focus for your paper. Time to
gather material!
Brainstorm what sources could be used with your topic:
Books, newspapers, magazines, video/audio, interviews,
and the list goes on. (Google Scholar or Library)

Where can you go to gather these sources: The library,
the public library, a local college library, the Internet


Who can Assist you with Finding Materials: ANY
teacher, librarians, Computer Lab Aide, parents, friends
2/7/05 Marie desJardins -- Getting Published 11
Paper Writing: Design
Abstract summarizes the research contributions, not
the paper (i.e., it shouldnt be an outline of the paper)
Introduction/motivation what youve done and
why the reader should care, plus an outline of the
paper
Related work sometimes comes after introduction,
sometimes before conclusions
Hypothesis sections section summarizing
the research ideas youve developed and clearly posing
the questions that need research to establish
Data/results/analysis one or more sections
presenting data (secondary or primary) analysis and
results and/or supporting proofs
Future work summary of where youre headed next
and open questions still to be answered
(depends to some extent on whether youre building on
previous research, or dismissing it as irrelevant)
Conclusions reminder of what youve said and why
its important
Thinking about the paper
Once you have gathered all data, completed all of your notes,
you must draft an outline. Outlines are a list of how your
paper will be organized.

You Should:
).
Title the outline.
Main ideas are chief points. Label them with Roman numerals
Subtopics of main ideas are labeled using capital letters (A, B, C)
Details for subtopics are labeled with numbers (1, 2, 3).
Adding Internal Citations
Remember to include parenthetical, citations when you use
information from other sources. Citations go in
parenthesis at the end of your sentence, but before the end
punctuation. See a citation handbook on the internet.
The most common ways to cite your source:
1. Cite the authors last name and the page number where
you found the information = (Smith 2).
2. Use the authors last name in your sentence, and give the
page number at the end of the sentence = Edgar Wolf
says, (48).
3. For Anonymous works, use the title and page or
paragraph number = (Inherit the Wind 5).



And Finally: The Works Cited
Page
This is where your notes or source cards come into play.
Skip down five lines after the end of your paper
and center the title: Works Cited
Only list the works that you have actually cited
in your paper.
List them in alphabetical order. Cite the year of
publication