Nottingham Trent University

BUSI49106 Research Methods for Managers

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

(Include allocated topic area

e.g. NBS Student Utilisation of Online Discussion Forums)

(Include here main research question

e.g. What factors do students cite as enablers or inhibitors to their
contribution to online discussion forums?)

Word Count: 2000 word count maximum (enter word count excluding title
page, reference list and appendices). Note – the word counts for the sections
are suggested word counts.
Introduction (350 words)
This should introduce the proposal – background and rationale; what it is and who it’s for,
explain your interpretation of the brief, background and context, include the research
questions and provide the scope of the proposal.

Research aims and objectives (150 words)

The research aim is a broad statement of the general intention of your research indicating
what you intend to achieve by the end of the project; the research objectives state what you
need to do in order to achieve your research aim

Literature Review and Research Questions (600 words)

This section offers a critical review of the key literature/knowledge underpinning the
research questions. You need to provide a brief discussion of the key trends in the existing
knowledge and how this relates to your research questions. Set out any conceptual
frameworks developed from your plan which helped you to decide what type of analytical
tools should be used. This section should therefore include your conceptual framework
diagram. An example of a conceptual diagram is below:

Perceived insider Motivation

or outsider to
the “group” Technical

Likelihood to - Practical
post
issues

+ Typing
Confidence
speed

+
+ -
Reflection
Intellectual Personality time

+/-
Figure 1: Example - A conceptual map of the interconnectedness of factors affecting student
participation in online discussion forums

Research Methodology (300 words)

In this section discuss your ontological and epistemological perspectives. You should be clear
on your underlying research philosophies that may influence the approach taken to data
collection and analysis.
Research Methods (400 words)
Explain the approach to the research. Is this qualitative or quantitative research? What is
your approach to collecting and analysing data? What research methods will be adopted?
Explain how the methods employed in your research will help you answer the research
questions above.

Ethics (200 words)

Note: You should present figures (such as graphs or graphical representations) with the
titles following the representation and using a figure numbering system. You may wish to
use the caption function by right clicking the graph and selecting caption in MS Word.
Research Plan (not included in word count)

References (not included in word count)

Include all references using Harvard referencing format.

Appendices (not included in word count)