Research Methods – Dr.

Nada Basset 2010

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 preferences
3. Start your academic search by logging into EBSCO host. It’s important to
mind the keywords you use for the search, as some keywords may be
misleading.
4. To break the vicious circle of reading, start on writing the key points you
have marked during your preliminary reading.

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 Research Methods – Dr. Nada Basset 2010

RM Hand-out (2)

Outline of the Research Proposal

Chapter 1 - Introduction to Research

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Problem Statement

2.3 Research Objectives

2.4 Research Questions (Qualitative)/Research Hypotheses (Quantitative)

2.5 Conceptual Framework

Chapter 2 - Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Definitions

2.3 (the normal flow of your literature

2.x Conclusion

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 Research Methods – Dr. Nada Basset 2010

Chapter 3 - Research Design

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative)

3.3 Research Method (Survey/Case-Study)

3.4 Research Instruments (Questionnaires/Interviews/ etc…)

3.5 Sampling Method

3.6 Data Collection Plan

3.7 Data Analysis

3.8 Research Ethical Considerations

3.9 Research Limitations

3.10 Conclusion

Chapter r4 - Research Findings

Chapter 5 - Conclusion and Implications

Appendices

Bibliography

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 Research Methods – Dr. Nada Basset 2010

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 (15 – 20 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 research’s 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. The
operative word is relevance.

Another important factor in chapter 2 is known as 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.

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 Research Methods – Dr. Nada Basset 2010

Operational definitions needed: customer, customer satisfaction, organizational

performance.

Chapter 3 - Research Design (5 – 8 pages)

It explains how you intend to do research. Choosing a research methodology is

not a matter of personal preference, but it depends on the type of research
question you address which then determines the appropriate methodology.

Chapter 4 - Research Findings (no specific length)

An exploration of your main study findings, which are better expressed in the
forms of tables, pie charts, statistics, etc.

Chapter 5 - Conclusion and Implications (no specific length)

This chapter is the core contribution of your own work. A researcher is expected
to:

a. conclude the main points of the research study,

b. establish the link between the literature review and the study findings,
c. explain how the research has contributed to the area of knowledge,
d. address the main implications to draw based on those findings.

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