a research proposal on a topic that targets innovation in Nigeria. a quantitative analysis.
2 Research Proposal Topic Title Student photo Student name Student ID Country of Origin Word count Supervisor Name: Year and Block: Campus: Date submitted: Table of Contents General Administrative and Editorial Notes4 Overview4 Word count4 Quality of Content4 Structure of the Research Proposal7 1.Title of the study7 2.Introduction to research topic7 3.Focus of the study (Problem Statement)8 4.Relevant (background) literature8 6.Main research questions and sub research questions10 7.Research Objectives11 8.Purpose of the study11 9.Definitions of Key Terms12 10.Research Method and Design12 10.1.Research Method12 10.2.Research Design12 10.3.Population14 10.4.Sampling method14 10.5.Sample characteristics and size14 11.Significance of the Research14 12.Trustworthiness15 (Only for a quantitative research method)15 Internal validity15 External validity15 Internal reliability15 External reliability15 (Only for a qualitative research)15 Dependability15 Transferability16 Confirmability16 Credibility16 Triangulation16 Saturation16 13.Ethical Considerations16 14.Timetable for the Research17 15.Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations17 15.1.Assumptions17 15.2.Limitations17 15.3.Delimitations18 References18 Appendices18 General Administrative and Editorial Notes Overview To have your final project (graduation assignment) considered for registration, all master students must submit a Research Proposal (RP) that outlines their intended research. Student wishing to write a Business Plan should use feasibility analysis template to develop their proposal. The template is available on GA41 Moodle course area. All students must carefully review the relevant EEG Part 8 (Graduation Assignment/Final Project Handbook) for an effective completion of the research proposal and final project. It is also important to critically review the EEG Part 5a (Academic Writing Handbook) and 5b (Plagiarism Policy). You can find these documents in under the relevant master program EEG on Wittenborg Online (Moodle pages). RPs should be presented with the structure and content outlined in this template. To use this template, remove the content under each heading and insert the relevant content of your RP. When completed, submit your RP of review using the file name in the format below. The file name should include your name, student number, version number and last date it as updated. For example: RP_John_Doe_s1123394_Version_0.0_Updated_SP_17_20 Word count Include a word count on your title page (i.e., word count 2125 words). An indication for the expected substance of the RP is between 3000 and 5000 words. Quality of Content · To ensure continuity of presentation of an idea, or argument, make sure to begin a new paragraph for each discussion about a new topic, or subtopic. · Use the MEAL structure - Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Lead out – When developing each argument. See: http://www.thinksrsd.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MEAL-Mnenomic.pdf · Substantiated statements: Substantiate every statement with a reference. Avoid expressing your opinion, until the conclusions section of the report. · Grading Rubric: · Before developing the content of the RP, you must become familiar with the Grading Rubric for the RP which is available in the GA41 course area. Use the rubric as a guide for the development of the various elements of the RP. · Before submission of the RP for grading you must review the RP and reflect the extent to which the RP has met the requirements as set forth by the Grading Rubric as well as by the RP Check List which is part of this template -See Appendix A RP Check List · Academic sources · Use academic sources in an academic report. Academic sources are: · Journal articles published in a peer reviewed journal. · Government and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) official published reports, · Master thesis and Doctoral Dissertations · Academic Textbooks. · Non-Academic sources: Avoid using nonacademic sources as newspapers, popular magazines, blogs, marketing brochures and websites that present self-developed material, as these references may not be valid and reliable for academic quality reports. · Outdated Sources: Avoid using outdated source. Unless you quote a seminal work, you may wish to consider using sources published within five years of your expected graduation date. In 2020 it would be articles published between 2016 and 2020. As a rule of thumb, allow for at least 85% of the academic sources used to be sources published within the past five years, while the remaining 15% could represent seminal work as well as non-academic sources. · Format, Citation Style · Document Format: The RP should be formatted as per this template. · Crediting Sources. You must substantiate your statements with academic sources. · Citation Format: All citations must adhere to the Harvard System of Referencing (6th edition). Verify that all citations of references meet Harvard citation format especially if you are using a citation software such as EndNote, Zotero, Mendeley or similar program · A link to HSR can be found here: https://library.aru.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm?h · Paraphrasing: Avoid as much as possible direct quotes; paraphrase statements of the source unless the meaning may be lost due to paraphrasing. · Direct quotes: For direct quotes used, always cite the page number e.g., Smith (1995: 42). Direct quotes of more than 40 words should be indented on a separate line from the main text (as in the examples above – notice the lack of “quotation marks”). Quotes of less than 40 words should be incorporated into the text differentiated by double “quotation” marks. · Writing Style · Language: The RP should be written in fluent English. · Academic tone: Write as direct and as compact as possible. Every word, sentence or statement needs to be informative for the reader. Avoid using jargon, informal/casual language, idiomatic expressions, or cliché in formal writing. Tone · File Format: Assignments must be submitted in MS Word (. dox format only). Any other format will not be accepted. · Font type: Calibri Light · Font size: 12 for the main body with exceptions for the Title page and the Headings if any. All pages should be numbered consecutively. · Line Spacing: Single space · Spell Check: Spell check the entire document before each submission. Do not relay on WORD automated Spell check. Read carefully typographical error as well as content included in images that could be identified by the Spell check feature. Check list points: · Use of the Research Proposal template (this document) · Word Counts between 3000 to 5000. Quality Indicators and guiding notes · Writing Format and Style · The RP is written in predominantly active voice without slang, euphemisms, or anthropomorphisms. · The RP is written in future tense. The thesis will be written in past tense. · References · Of the total sources cited, a minimum of 85% must be peer reviewed (it is recommended that in business 85% should be within the past 5 years of anticipated completion date); · Ensure there is a match between the in-text citations and the reference list. Structure of the Research Proposal 1. Title of the study The title can be a working title; it can be changed at a later date. It should convey the essence of the proposed work. The title of the RP should: · Be a concise statement · Summarize the main idea of the research simply · Be index-ready. Words such as “Method”, or “Results”, should not be included · Be limited to no more than 12 words · Be typed in upper- and lower-case letters, centered and positioned in the upper half of the page Keep in mind that the title ‘sets the tone’ for the reader and should tell the reader where the research is all about. Check list points: · Title concise, meaningful and not longer than 12 words 2. Introduction to research topic Provide a clear introduction to the selected research topic. Try to focus on the research topic instead of a case/company or context. The introduction section should provide clear and concise information introducing the research topic to the reader. You should focus on the research topic and its relevance, and not on the case/company or context. Provide a brief and concise overview of the context or background of the problem that the study focuses on. The purpose of the background is to introduce the topic and problem you will address. Briefly indicate the environment in which the problem exists, explain what have been done so far in order to resolve the problem, and discuss why the problem deserves new research. This section sets the stage for the study and should comprise no more than one page in length. A research topic is broad in nature; do not narrow the focus too quickly. You want to provide the reader, especially those not familiar with the topic, time to become familiar with the topic. Transition the reader to a more a concise presentation of the specific business topic/problem under study. This component focuses on identifying why the study is important, how the study relates to previous research on the topic/problem, and gives the reader a firm sense of what your study is going to address and why. 3. Focus of the study (Problem Statement) A clear statement of the overall focus of the proposed research. It should be made clear whether the study has the primary aim of problem-solving for the benefit of one particular organization or intends to generate general knowledge As such, the Problem Statement can be written effectively in as little as four sentences: (a) hook, (b) anchor (c) general business problem, and (d) specific business problem. Include a transition statement that leads to the problem statement that will provide more specificity regarding the problem identified. A well-written transition signals a change in content. It tells your reader that they have finished one main unit and are moving to the next, or it tells them that they are moving from a general explanation to a specific example or application. A transition forms the background to the Problem Statement is often as brief as one sentence, as follows: The background to the problem has been provided; the focus will now shift to the Problem Statement. Tip: Many potential business topics/problems can be found in the Area for Future Research heading of most peer- reviewed journal articles. Based on at least three peer reviewed journal articles published with the past five years of the expected graduation date, clearly indicate a specific gap in research AND justify why in your opinion this gap mount to be a problem of interest to the academic or business communities. A clear statement of the overall focus of the proposed research. The Problem Statement should include four specific components the (a) hook, (b) anchor, (c) general business problem, and (d) specific business problem. The Problem Statement is not to exceed 150 words. Again, the Problem Statement is not to identify causes for the problem, solutions to the problem, or any other superfluous information. A well-written problem statement can be presented in four to five sentences. Check list points: · Is