KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS STUDIES

DEPARTMENT OF MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT
BBS430:BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
LECTURER:MR. M. MUNDIA
0976771261/0953629159/mmukwalikuli@gmail.com
DEFINITION
Characteristics of research
Cont.
Research Approaches
EXAMPLE
Length of Research Proposal Summary

 Length of Research Proposal

 (a) Undergraduate Degree by coursework and
proposal: 20 pages
 excluding title page, references and appendices.

 In addition, font size 12 Times New Roman and

1.5 line spacing is recommended
 Where do you start from?: The
research topic
 Comes from the area of interest
 Every researcher must have an area(s) (niche)of
interest:
 Entrepreneurship
 Marketing
 Management
 Accounts
 ICT
 Economics
TAKE NOTE

 To generate and refine your research topic

 Building on existing knowledge
 Avoiding duplication of studies
 Establishing credibility and validity.
What is the research gap?

 The research gap is the area that has not yet been explored or is under-
explored.

 Something that remains to be done or learned in an area of research.

 Every research project must, in some way, address a gap. Otherwise, it

is not novel
COVER PAGE

 The cover page shall carry the following information suitably spaced
and centred:
 Title of study
 Student’s full name
 The statement “A proposal submitted to Kwame Nkrumah University in
fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of (name of degree) in
(name of programme)”
 KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY, KABWE;
 Date (Year only)
 TITLE

The title should:

 be informative and concise
 convey to the reader the main focus of the
research
 be limited to a single statement
 link key variables
 not more than twenty (20) words
Examples

 Exploration of Students’ Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Information

and Services: A Case Study of Kwame Nkrumah University in Kabwe District,
Zambia
CHALLENGES FACED BY SMALLHOLDER MAIZE FARM ENTERPRISES IN THE MAKERTING
SEASON IN ZAMBIA: A CASE STUDY OF MAMBWE DISTRICT, EASTERN PROVINCE.

CHALLENGES FACED BY SMALL BUSINESSES IN GROCERY WHEN ACCESSING FINANCE IN

ZAMBIA: A CASE OF KALULUSHI DISTRICT

CUSTOMER AWARENESS ON INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION IN BANKING SECTOR: A CASE STUDY OF
SELECTED BANKS IN KASAMA DISTRICT OF NORTHERN PROVINCE.
 CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
A good introduction should therefore, provide:
1.1 Background
 The background should:
 stimulate interest of the reader
 provide a “picture” of the problem to be
researched.
 be informative and persuasive.
1.2 Statement of the problem

The statement of the problem should:

 clearly state the problem by indicating (The Brief background of the problem,
state the relevance of the problem, the effort done to solve the problem e.g.
by the Government so far, indicate that the problem still exist, and that as it
stands, the cause of the problem is not Known).
 be supported by source
 use simple and objective language (no poetic, comical or emotional language
use).
 The effects of not under taking the study.
1.3 Aim or Purpose of the study/
General Objective.
Aim or Purpose of study should:
 state what the study intends to test or determine.
 be linked with the study title.
1.4 Specific objectives

 In order to remain focused on the problem, objectives should between 2 and

5.
 Specific, measurable, attainable and realistic
 Indicate specific activities that researcher shall carry out for example, to
identify, determine, establish, examine …………

 Use the following Terminologies.” To Establish, Determine, Examine, Explore,

Ascertain, Describe, Understand, Identify, Assess, Impact, and Analysis
1.5 Research questions

 Each question should link to a specific study objective.

1.7 Significance of the study

 Explains importance of the study, the beneficiaries, if any, and how they shall
benefit from such a study.
1.9 Operational definitions Or
definitions of concepts/key terms
• Operational definition is different from
definition of terms or concepts
• Operational definitions should describe how the
researcher will measure or observe the
concepts used in the study
• A Conceptual definition tells the reader what
the concept means in abstract or theoretical
terms
 Examples of how to use operational and
conceptual definitions/Definition of Terms

 High self esteem might conceptually be defined as demonstration of high

degree of self worth
 Operationally, it can be defined as scoring above a certain number of a self-
esteem scale
 The concept adolescence may be conceptually defined as being in teen years
 Operationally, adolescence may refer to ages 13-19
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

The literature review section should include the following:

 Introductory statement
 2.1 Historical overview of area of study
 2.2 Provide a critique of the literature under each theme derived from study
questions
 2.3 Identify gap (s) of knowledge
 2.3 Include a statement on how the proposed study will contribute to the
knowledge base of the area of study.
 2.5 Include at least ten (10) journal articles published in the past ten (10)
years.-Empirical studies
1.8 Theoretical and Conceptual
Frameworks
 Theoretical and conceptual frameworks are frames of reference that form the
basis for observations, definitions of concepts, research designs,
interpretations and generalizations of results.

 Theoretical framework is used to guide the study by an existing theory or

theories

 The researcher constructs a conceptual framework to explain the relationship

between the concepts or variables used in the study.
 2.4 Summary of chapter
3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The methodology section should include:

 Introductory statement
 3.1 Research Methods
 3.2 Research Design
 For instance, case study, descriptive survey, experimental, correlation and cross-cultural
research designs.
 Justify choice of a particular research design
 3.3 Study sites
 Should show bounds of the study for instance,
names or pseudo names of study sites
 3.4 Study population
 Provides a description of all the intended participants. Where possible the researcher should
provide numbers.
Methodology continues

 3.5 Study sample

 Provides a description of the actual number of subjects, respondents or
participants.
 3.6 Sampling techniques
 Provides a description and justification of techniques used to select a subject,
respondent or participant.
Methodology continue

 3.7 Data collection instruments

 Provide a description and justification of instruments used to collect data.
 3.8 Data collection procedure
 Provide an explanation about how the data will be collected, its nature and
estimated time required to collect the data.
Research Process:
Data Collection (Sampling)
Types of Sampling

Random/ Non-random/ “Mixed” Sampling

Probability Sampling Probability Sampling

Convenience/ Systematic
Simple Random
Accidental Sampling
Sampling
Purposive/
Stratified Random
Judgmental
Sampling
Quota
Cluster Sampling

Snowball
Methodology continues

 3.9 Limitations of a study

Limitations are conditions beyond the control of the researcher that may place
restrictions on the conclusions of the study and generalisation of its results.
Examples include:
 Administrative policies that prohibit collecting data in some sites
 Type of research design used
 Type of tools for data collection
Methodology continues

 3.10 Limitations of a study continues

 Assure the reader that despite these limitations, the results of the study will
still be generalised, or can still be reliable or
 When limitations have adversely affected the generalisation of the results,
inform readers that, due to these limitations, the results will not be
generalised or should be generalised with caution.
Methodology continues

 3.11 Data analysis instruments and procedures

 State tools and procedures that will be used in analysing data and their
justification.
3.12 Ethical Considerations

 This section should indicate how ethical issues will be considered. For
instance:
 respect for participants
 consent from participants
 the right to understand what the researcher is doing.
 Statement that findings shall be shared with participants
 Statement that clearance will be obtained from the University Ethics
Committee (specify the committee)
REFERENCES

 All the schools in the University should use references and not bibliography.
 Kwame Nkrumah University has adopted the APA style of referencing in
exception of Master of Arts in History
APPENDICES

Appendices follow either Roman numeral or letter formatting, such as Appendix

I, appendix II and so on or Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively. Appendices
may include:
 i. Gantt Chart (Time table)
 ii. Study Budget
 iii. Maps
 iv. Instruments for data collection (such as Questionnaire, Observation
checklist, Interview guide and Focus group discussion guide)
 v. Ethical clearance letter