Section Heading Title and Contents Pages 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.

4 2 Executive Summary
[words not included in total 1 full page single spaced]

Approximate page length and number of words per section

Things to include [you may have other things too]

Proposal summary Use paragraph headings

3 pages double spaced 750 words

Research Problem Aim and Objectives Hypothesis and/or Propositions Business / Company or Sector Background or Consumer Background Sample Literature Important Relevant Research and Literature Pre-view Conclusion To Literature Pre-view

Main research or consultancy problem to be tackled, One aim, with stated objectives and research question(s) Importance of the study States any research questions, propositions and hypotheses. 4 peer reviewed references, outline of company [sector] Use Mintel database for latest new Brief overview of any similar research Relevance tree (see Saunders) minimum 22 academic references [suggestions for sub-headings - similar studies, models, relevant theories, international research, . ] also look at ABI inform and other databases Picks out the main themes from the literature pre-view and then states how these could be addressed by your research. States any research questions, propositions and hypotheses connected with the pre-view. Identifies the main themes.

5 pages double spaced

1250 words

3 4

Ethic Considerations Methodology

1 page double spaced

250 words

4.1 4.2

Research Design Research Methods: [Qualitative Methods and/or Quantitative Methods advantages and disadvantages]
3 pages double spaced 750 words

4.3

Analysis of Data

6 references, State any qualitative research and propositions that you may have at this stage State quantitative research and research hypotheses that you may have at this stage Identifies and justifies sample(s), answers the question What is the research approach? Neat questionnaire(s) [if available at this stage] for focus groups or interviews [and/or other instruments] The need for each question will in the final dissertation be explained, the concept defined and linked to references in the final dissertation Neat questionnaire(s) [if available at this stage] positive simple statements for larger number of respondents The need for each question will in the final dissertation be explained, the concept defined and linked to references in the final dissertation Research procedures, Explain how the data will be analysed in detail (possibly content analysis for qualitative data) Explain how the quantitative data will be analysed in detail and explain the statistical tests to be used

4.4

Discussion of (Potential) Results

what is the [potential] importance of the results for the company [sector] relate these to your literature review, business and management principles [Potential] Strengths and limitations of this research
3 pages (diagrams and explanations) 1 page double spaced 750 words 250 words

5 6 7 8

Work Schedule Conclusion References Appendices

Research Plan: Gantt chart, costing, resources required (data collectors, analysts, report writing), timings. Just summaries everything you will do (one or two sentences summarising all the sections above) Make sure alphabetical and to the Harvard style As you need

not included in word count not included in word count

HRMM004 Research Methods: Hand in 2pm Tuesday 24th April 2012 FML 202 One Assessment Research Proposal: 4000 to 5000 words
First gain you feedback from Dr Dave Bamber and feed-forward from an academic in your proposed area.