the_dissertation_guidelines version january 19_docx (1)

7/24/2019 The_dissertation_Guidelines Version January 19_docx (1)

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APPENDICES AND TEMPLATES

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QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT

a. Title/TopicThe title clearly describes what the study is about. This should be done in 20 words or less.

b. Background/IntroductionThe rationale of the study and explanation of the existing situation. The purpose is to make thereader feel the urgency of the problem and the need to study it.

c. Research problem/statement of the problemThe specific research question (s); it should clearly state what the research sets out to find.

d. Objective/Aim/Purpose

Why the research is being conducted and what it aims to accomplish. In general, quantitative businessresearch papers are about finding relationships between variables of interests, not just about collectingdata on one variable, like market share.

e. Significance/justification

Why is the problem interesting/important? Who will benefit and who will be theusers of information created by this research?

f. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework(i) Theoretical Framework

This section gives a discussion of the theory or theories that are useful in understanding, proposing

and testing a solution to the problem. This has to be supported by one or more references to original

scientific literature that are relevant for the chosen topic. Such an article may be a review or follow-

up article.

and/or

(ii) Conceptual Framework or Model

A scheme of concepts that the researcher will use to find a solution to the problem. Thiscan be presented graphically (diagrammatically)

g. Limitations, Scope and anticipated problems

The scope establishes the boundary of the research in terms of depth of investigation, samplesize, geographical and theoretical coverage. It clarifies what the research will and will notinclude. The anticipated constraints imposed by methods/locations/situation of research. It alsoconsiders potential sources of bias in the proposed study.

h. Hypotheses

Statements following from the theoretical framework, the conceptual framework of the modelthat are testable. The researcher must show in the research if the hypothesis is supported or notsupported by means of a correct statistical analysis.

i. Methodology.A description of Research Methods to be used. The methods chosen should be appropriate toshow if the hypothesis is supported. It comprises:

Research design, which describes the nature and pattern the research intends to follow

e.g., whether it is depending on surveys or on other data (either to be collected by thestudent, or secondary data), and if applicable, if the research is experimental or quasi-

experimental.

Description of the geographical area and where population of the study


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exists (optional). Description of the population from which samples willbe selected.

Sampling strategies, by which the researcher will select elements/subjects from thepopulation. Both random and non-random methods can be acceptable, dependingon the research question

Data collection methods; including instruments and procedures to be usedin the research described.

Data quality control, which refers to reliability and validity of instruments. Measurements, which refer to the formulae or scales in the study.

Data analysis, which involves organization and interpretation of the data generated.

j. ReferencesA list of all works cited in the proposal and should be written according to the approved format.

k. Appendicesi Explanatory Notes

Include research approval letters, maps and lists of areas to be visited, and a letter of approval from thesupervisor.

ii Instruments

These are details of tools used in the research e.g. equipment, questionnaire, interview, schedule, scalesand tests etc.


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QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORMAT

A qualitative research paper can in principle be a case study, a narrative, a paper using grounded

theory, a phenomenological paper, or ethnographic (participatory research). Also Action Research is

possible, this is discussed separately under Project.

The format for a proposal follows as closely as possible the format for a quantitative proposal.Differences are highlighted

a. Title/Topic

The title clearly describes what the study is about. This should be done in 20 words or less.

b. Background/Introduction/Approach

The rationale of the study and explanation of the existing situation. The purpose is to make the readerfeel the urgency of the problem and the need to study it.

In general, qualitative papers can be classified as case study, a narrative, a paper using groundedtheory, a phenomenological paper, or ethnographic (participatory research). Mixed approaches are alsopossible, as well as mixed qualitative/quantitative work. Mention here what approach is being taken

c. Research problem/statement of the problem

The specific research question (s); it should clearly state what the research sets out to find.

d. Objective/Aim/Purpose

Why the research is being conducted and what it aims to accomplish.


Why is the problem interesting/important? Who will benefit and who will be the users ofinformation created by this research?

f. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

(i) Theoretical Framework

This section gives a discussion of the theory or theories that are useful in understanding, proposingand testing a solution to the problem. This has to be supported by one or more references to originalscientific literature that are relevant for the chosen topic. Such an article may be a review or follow-uparticle.

and/or


A scheme of concepts that the researcher will use to find a solution to the problem. This can bepresented graphically (diagrammatically).

Some qualitative work, like Grounded Theory, builds theory inductively from the data. In such casesthe proposal needs to list what kind of data will be collected and what kind of theory-building is aimedat.


The scope establishes the boundary of the research in terms of depth of investigation, sample size,geographical and theoretical coverage. It clarifies what the research will and will not include. Theanticipated constraints imposed by methods/locations/situation of research. It also considers potential


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sources of bias in the proposed study.

h. Hypotheses

Much, if not most, qualitative work does not use hypotheses. In the rare cases that they are used, theyare statements following from the theoretical framework, the conceptual framework or the model thatare testable (this is usually a problem in qualitative research). Describe the way such statements aretested, in general this is not by statistical means.

i. Methodology.

A description of Research Methods to be used. The methods chosen should be appropriate to show if

the hypothesis is supported. It comprises:

Research design, which describes the nature and pattern the research intends to follow e.g.whether it is depending interviews, other literature, business or government publications orother data (either to be collected by the student, or secondary data), if the research isexperimental or quasi- experimental and location (optional).

Description of the geographical area and where po pulation of the study exists (optional).

Description of the population from which samples will be selected.

Most qualitative work aims for saturation, to reflect all possible aspects of the research

question. Describe how saturation will be achieved (if applicable)

Data collection methods; including instruments an d procedures to be used in the researchdescribed.

A description of how the data is coded and if software like NVivo is being used for that.

j. ReferencesA list of all works cited in the proposal and should be written according to the approved format.


Include research approval letters, maps and lists of areas to be visited, and a letter of approvalfrom the supervisor.

ii Instruments

These are details of tools used in the research e.g. equipment, interview, schedule, scales and tests etc.


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PROJECT PROPOSAL FORMAT

Note: two types of projects are in principle possible for BUSN 6250.

A qualitative scientific project: Instigating change in a company. The student must have

had substantial influence in the formulation and introduction of the change. The

emphasis is on describing effects of the change by documenting initial and posterior

situation. The size of the change is usually moderate (at department level). The

scientific framework is Action Research. The emphasis is on the employee level. This iscalled here a scientific process proposal

A non-scientific project in which the BUSN 6250 paper proposes changes in processes.

This should be a sizable change. Usually either a deep knowledge of the companys

processes is necessary or a sufficiently qualified mentor inside the company must guide

this. The emphasis is at the process level. This is called here a non-scientific process

proposal

PROPOSAL FOR A SCIENTIFIC PROCESS

CHANGE RESEARCH PAPER


b. Background/Introduction

The rationale of the project and explanation of the existing situation. The purpose is to make thereader feel the urgency of the problem and the need to study it.

c. Research problem/statement of the problem

The specific research question (s); it should clearly state what the research sets out to find. For a

project this is usually a research question like: What is the influence of applying shock X to system Y

and what explanations are there?

d. Objective/Aim/PurposeWhy the research is being conducted and what it aims to accomplish. In general, projects are aboutdescribing a current situation and its problems, coming up with a solution for change, anddescribing and analyzing the situation and attempting to improve it


Why is the problem interesting/important? Who will benefit and who will be theusers of information created by this research?

f. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

Projects are about implementing change in an existing environment. They should be based on good

research or business insight. A theoretical basis for a project is based on the idea of Action Research,

developed by Kurt Lewin. Action Research is about applying a systemic shock and then scientifically

researching what happened. Such research is usually qualitative, but not necessarily so. Here are the

steps for such Action Research:

a.

Formulate the goal of the shock and why it is necessary.

b. Identify the stakeholders. Everybody affected is a stakeholder

c. Interview the stakeholders about their feelings, attitudes, concerns and support for the

shock. Document thoroughly. Or survey them, if there are many stakeholders (usually

there are not enough stakeholders for quantitative research). Descriptions should

show the formal and informal relationships between the stakeholders and focus on the

support or resistance that can be expected for the project. The researcher should also

be aware of the possibility of sabotage of the change.

d. The previous step requires to mentally step out and become an observer instead


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of somebody advocating the choice. This is not as easy as it seems, and should be

discussed.

e. Get the stakeholders to support the goal or at least not actively undermine it.

This step usually makes it necessary to adjust parts of the project. That is

perfectly fine.

f. Develop a detailed plan for the project

g.

Discuss again with the stakeholders.h. Carry out the (modified) plan

i. Interview/survey the stakeholders about how they experienced the shock and

what the result is

j. Analyze what happened. Try to make an interpretation in terms of existing theory or

formulate a new theory (grounded theory). This analysis is usually done by

classifying the unstructured answers. This requires again a role change from

advocate to impartial observer.

k. Formulate what was learned, either in terms of new knowledge (active and tacit)

for the company or in terms of wider applicability (the latter is usually

speculation).

This section of the proposal describes the planned steps to develop issues a-f during the

development of the BUSN 6000 project. This section should also contain a short

discussion of the feasibility to carry out steps g-k

It depends on the project what additional theoretical frameworks will be needed. A

short discussion of the expected areas needed for the analysis should also be in this

section.


The scope establishes the boundary of the project research in terms of depth of investigation,sample size, geographical and theoretical coverage. It clarifies what the research will and will notinclude. The anticipated constraints imposed by methods/locations/situation of research. It alsoconsiders potential sources of bias in the proposed study.

h. Hypotheses/

Statements following from the theoretical framework, the conceptual framework of themodel that are testable. The researcher must show in the research if the hypothesis issupported or not supported. Not all qualitative work uses hypotheses.

i. Methodology.

A description of Research Methods to be used in the analysis of the changes. The methodschosen should be appropriate to show if the hypotheses are supported if hypotheses are used.It comprises:

Research design, which describes the nature and pattern the research intends to followe.g. whether it is qualitative or quantative and which kind of qualitative research is used,

and if it is depending on interviews or other data (either to be collected by the student,or secondary data)

Description of the geographical area and where population of the study exists (optional).Description of the company where the research will be carried out.

Data collection methods; including instruments and procedures to be used in theresearch described.

Data quality control, which refers to reliability and validity of instruments.


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PROPOSAL FOR NON-SCIENTIFIC PROCESS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT



The rationale of the study and explanation of the existing situation. The purpose is to make thereader feel the urgency of the problem and the need to study and change it. Note: the BUSN6250 paper is a proposal of the deficiencies of the current processes and methods and a proposalfor improving it, usually within one particular company. The goal is to benefit that company.The round table document for which this is a template describes the preliminary work that isneeded to carry out the BUSN 6250 paper

c. Statement of the problemThe specific process or processes that are proposed to be changed

d. Objective/Aim/PurposeWhy the research is being conducted and what it aims to accomplish. In general, BUSN 6250proposals try to identify errors or inefficiencies in the current way things are done inside a companyand have a detailed proposal how to improve them. The round table document describes what tools

and methods will be used to make writing the BUSN 6250 paper possible.


Why is the problem interesting/important? Who will benefit and who will be theusers of information created by this research? Describe in this section also who willbe the sponsor inside the company and what kind of support and commitment thestudent can expect.

f. Theoretical/Conceptual FrameworkWhile the BSN 6250 dissertation is not a science paper, proposed solutions are expected to be an

application of existing sound business research.

(i) Theoretical Framework

This section gives a discussion of the theory or theories that are useful in understanding, proposing

and testing a solution to the problem. This has to be supported by one or more references to original

scientific literature that are relevant for the chosen topic. Such an article may be a review or follow-

up article.

and/or


A scheme of concepts that the researcher will use to find a solution to the problem. Thiscan be presented graphically (diagrammatically)


The scope establishes the boundary of the research in terms of depth of investigation, samplesize, geographical and theoretical coverage. It clarifies what the research will and will not

include. The anticipated constraints imposed by methods/locations/situation of research. It alsoconsiders potential sources of bias in the proposed study.

h. Hypotheses

Usually there is no statistical testing in the work for such a BUSN 6250 paper.

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i. Methodology.

A description of Research Methods to be used.

Research design, which describes the nature and pattern the research intends to follow

e.g. whether it is depending interviews or other data (either to be collected by the student,

or secondary data), based on sources from inside the company or also from outside, etc.

Description of the company it concerns, its geographical area and where population ofthe study exists (optional).

Data collection methods; including instruments and procedures to be used in the research

described.

Data analysis: how will the collected data will be analyzed and presented

A summary how the success of a possible implementation would be measured

A time line for implementation in the company

A rough estimate of financial consequences (both costs and gains).

Data quality control, which refers to reliability and validity of instruments.

j. References

A list of all works cited in the proposal and should be written according to the approved format.


Include research approval letters, maps and lists of areas to be visited, and a letter of approval from thesupervisor.

ii Instruments

These are details of tools used in the research e.g. equipment, questionnaire, interview, schedule, scalesand tests etc.


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FORMAT FOR A PROPOSAL FOR A BUSINESS PLAN

An explanatory note about the Format for a Proposal for a Business Plan.

If the title sounds confusing, replace in mind the word BUSINESS PLAN by Pitch (a pitch made to

persuade others about the feasibility of starting or expanding a business).

The proposal for the pitch discusses the tools and strategies that will be used for the development of thepitch and to write it. This proposal for the pitch is the document that will be presented at the round

table.

a. Title/TopicThe title clearly describes what the business proposal is about. This should be done in 20 words or less.


The rationale of the study and explanation of the existing situation. The purpose is to make thereader feel the feasibility of the business proposal. The business proposal can be for a newbusiness of for a new endeavor of an existing business.

Describe in this section what the new business or the additional venture is about, what kind ofbusiness it is, where it will be located, and other information that can be helpful for understandingthe new venture.

c. Statement of the opportunityThe specific opportunity; it should clearly state what the new business sets out to accomplish

d. Objective/Aim/Purpose/Mission StatementWhy the new business is being founded, what mission does it have?


Why is developing this business interesting/important? Who will benefit and who willbe the users of information created by the research needed to write the businessproposal?

f. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework(i) Theoretical Framework

This section gives a discussion of the theory or theories that are useful in the development of thebusiness proposal. This has to be supported by one or more references to original scientific literaturethat are relevant for the chosen topic. Such an article may be a review or follow-up article.

and/or


A scheme of concepts that the developer will use to find a solution to the problem of establishingthe new business. This can be presented graphically (diagrammatically).

Examples are theories from marketing, finance, and other areas from business research

The business proposal is a capstone; this means that it should explicitly show the contributions of the

various courses in the MBA program and other learning, and be in agreement with accepted scientific

principles.


The scope establishes the boundary of the research in terms of depth of investigation, samplesize, geographical and theoretical coverage. It clarifies what the research will and will notinclude. The anticipated constraints imposed by methods/locations/situation of research. It alsoconsiders potential sources of bias in the proposed study.


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h. Hypotheses (if applicable)

Statements following from the theoretical framework or the conceptual framework/model thatare testable. The researcher must show in the research if the hypothesis is supported or notsupported by means of a correct statistical analysis. This can be a part of the development of abusiness proposal. In practice, business proposals rarely contain testable hypotheses.

i. Methodology.A description of the research methods considered to establish the feasibility of the differentaspects of the business plan, and what provisional decisions have been made about theseresearch methods. For most new startup venture, the following points are relevant:

What is the plan/approach to establish what the company's product or service solves?

What is the plan/approach to establish what niche will it fill?

What is proposed to establish how viable the company's solution to the problem is?

How will market research been done to see who will be the company's potential customers,

and how will be researched how the company will market and sell its products to them?

How will be during the development of the business proposal be established what the size of

the market is for the intended solution?

How will during the writing of the business plan be established what the business model for

the business (what techniques/tool will be used to estimate the feasibility that the proposedbusiness is able to make money)?

Who will during the development of the plan be researched who the competitors of the

proposed business are and how will the company maintain a competitive advantage (in the

sense of Michael Porter)?

How will a plan be developed during the writing of the proposal about managing its

operations as it grows?

How will the selection procedure be researched for who will run the proposed company and

to see what makes them qualified to do so?

How will during the writing of the proposal be researched what the risks and threats are

confronting the business and what can be done to mitigate them?

How will during the writing of the proposal be researched what the company's capital andresource requirements are?

What kind of additional supporting information will be collected during the writing stage?

For instance, how will projected financial statements be developed?

What will be the planned business plan design which describes the nature and pattern the

plans author intends to follow e.g. , what supporting information will need to be collected

Description of the geographical area of relevance for the plan.

Proposed pilot studies and strategies, by which the business plans author will select

elements/subjects from the population. Both random and non-random methods can be

acceptable, depending on the plan. Examples are proposals for pilot projects, surveys, focus

groups, and other marketing tools.

Data collection methods; including instruments and procedures to be used in the developmentof the business plan.

Data quality control, which refers to reliability and validity of instruments and estimates used

in the development of the plan.

What is the first step that you would take and mention when you would have only a few

minutes to pitch your plan to an outsider like a potential investor? How will you decide on what your exit strategy is in case the start-up business or the

expansion of the company fails?

If useful for your purpose, how will you develop a scenario plan?

How are you going to develop estimates for the maximum amount you are going to risk

before the start-up is considered a failure and the exit strategy needs to be started

the_dissertation_guidelines version january 19_docx (1)

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