Define the population you are studying and explain why this population is relevant to your research question.
Introduction (40%)
henomenon: What is your observable fact, event, occurrence, or circumstance? (NB: This shoPuld be context neutral)
Research Setting: Where are you studying this phenomenon (e.g., charity and location)?
Quantitative Research Question (with labels): Write a research question based upon either the ‘Experimental Schema’ or the ‘Co-relational Schema’.
Conceptual Framework: What is your theory/evidence-based prediction of your findings (stated as a hypothesis/hypotheses, with a referenced paragraph that informs your hypothesis/hypotheses)?
Practical Importance & Timeliness: Who cares about this study and how will it help them manage? Why is this study important now?
Qualitative Research Question (with labels): Write a research question based upon the ‘Case Study Schema’.
Theoretical Framework: What existing theory (e.g., The Resource-based View of the Firm, Wernefelt, 1982) will serve as a theoretical ‘lens’ to enhance the understanding of your phenomenon? Summarise the theory in a single paragraph and justify its relevance to your study.
Practical Importance & Timeliness: Who cares about this study and how will it help them manage? Why is this study important now?
Quantitative Methodology (20%)
Quantitative Research Rationale: How do the strengths of the quantitative research approach enhance your study?
Population: Define the population you are studying and explain why this population is relevant to your research question.
Sample: How will you ensure that your sample is representative of your population?
Research Design: How will you implement your study (i.e., when will you collect data and for what variables are you collecting data at each time point) and why?
Data Collection: What instrument will you use to collect your data and why?
Data Analysis: What technique will you use to analyse your data and why?
Qualitative Methodology (20%)
Quantitative Research Rationale: How do the strengths of the qualitative research approach enhance your study?
Population: Define the population you are studying and explain why this population is relevant to your research question.
Sample: How will you ensure that your sample is representative of your population?
Research Design: How will you implement your study (i.e., when will you collect data and for what variables are you collecting data at each time point) and why?
Data Collection: What instrument will you use to collect your data and why?
Data Analysis: What technique will you use to analyse your data and why?
Draft Research Instruments (20%)
Draft Survey: Draft your survey and identify any separate scales that you have used (referencing the original author(s)) for your research variables.
Draft Interview/Focus Group Guide: Draft your interview or focus group guide and identify how these correspond to your theoretical framework.
