RIFT VALLEY UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

MASTESR OF BUSINESS ADMINSTRATION (MBA)

Course Title: Business Research Methods

Individual assignment

By:
Name ID

Submitted To: MohammedHussein Mama (Ass.Prof)

March, 2024

Bale Robe, Ethiopia

1
Introduction

A research proposal is a document that outlines the approach a researcher will take in order to
find a solution to a specific problem. In other words, a research proposal is a summary of what
you want to research, why you want to research the problem, as well as how you think the
problem will be solved. The research proposal usually justifies the need for the study while
presenting already existing literature and information on your topic. Students and researchers
need the research proposal to apply for either sponsorship or approval to embark on the proposed
study.

Research proposals differ in terms of their presentation depending on what each University
department requires. In other words, there is no set template for a research
proposal. Please contact your lecturer regarding the format you are expected to use for your
research proposal. Thus, the components of a research proposal include, but are not limited
to those mentioned in this guide.

The title: Try to come up with a title that is unique and at the same time easy to remember. It
should also make a lasting impression to the reader and make them want to come back and read
your proposal. The title must also capture the main concepts of the study. As the research process
is lengthy, it is important that you choose a topic that you are so curious about that you
remain motivated for the duration of the research process. Select a topic that you will be able to
complete within the time frame that you have for your research.

The research questions: The research questions must state clearly what your proposed study is
meant to address or answer. Ensure that you use simple language that is easy to
understand, while being cognizant of the level of your intended audience

Objectives of the research: It is important that the objectives are in alignment with the research
questions. The objectives must indicate what the aim of the research study is. In fact, objectives
give you a clear indication of the steps that you will take to achieve the aim of the research. The
objectives must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

2
The research questions The research questions must state clearly what your proposed study is
meant to address or answer. Ensure that you use simple language that is easy to
understand, while being cognisant of the level of your intended audience.

Research methodology / research methods: This section outlines the approach which the
researcher will follow in order to address the research problem and to answer all the research
questions from the researcher. The research design must be clearly defined, e.g., is
the research Descriptive, Correlation, Causal-Comparative/Quasi-Experimental, Experimental.

Conceptual Framework: A conceptual framework includes key concepts, variables,

relationships, and assumptions that guide the academic inquiry. It establishes the theoretical
underpinnings and provides a lens through which researchers can analyze and interpret data. A
conceptual framework draws upon existing theories, models, or established bodies of knowledge
to provide a structure for understanding the research problem. It defines the scope of research,
identifying relevant variables, establishing research questions, and guiding the selection of
appropriate methodologies and data analysis techniques. Conceptual frameworks can be written
or visual. Other types of conceptual framework representations might be taxonomic (verbal
description categorizing phenomena into classes without showing relationships between classes)
or mathematical descriptions (expression of phenomena in the form of mathematical equations).

Difference between Research title, Research Question, & research problem

We can see all three research topics, research questions, and Problem statements. These are the
fundamental components of an research upon which the entire task is built. As we can see,
academic writing and research need to have a clear emphasis and objective in order to be
effective. in addition, a research question written effectively provides context for the study you
are doing for your assignment. Moreover, doing so assists in obtaining the answer to the question
that will be written on the paper. While the research title is something the researcher is
enthusiastic about. A research title that has solid content is the first step in the process of writing
an effective project for research. And finally, the problem statement is a sentence that highlights
the primary message of the assignment. It comes at the end of the assignment. One should write
it at the end of the opening part.

3
A research subject and a research question differ in their depth. Just as a research topic is a
condensed way to display the topic you are investigating, a research question demonstrates the
focus of your investigation. Good study questions let you write in-depth about the topic. The
difference between a research question and a thesis statement is that the initial ask a general
inquiry about a topic to be looked into, while the second indicates what you will write and
discuss in the assignment. Example study question: How can daily use of social media damage
people's lives and make them doubt themselves? , and the purpose is stated in the thesis
statement,