Typical Structure of Business Research Project The Structure of a Business Research Project described below provides a general recommended guidance. This should be used in conjunction with the instructions or Cover/Title Page This should provide cover page details, and a brief title of the project. Table of Contents The contents page should list the different chapters and/or headings together with the page numbers. Your contents page should be presented in such a way that the reader can quickly scan the list of headings and locate a particular part of the report. You may want to number chapter headings and subheadings in addition to providing page references. Whatever numbering system you use, be sure that it is clear and consistent throughout.

QUESTION

Typical Structure of Business Research Project

The Structure of a Business Research Project described below provides a general recommended guidance. This should be used in conjunction with the instructions or

Cover/Title Page

This should provide cover page details, and a brief title of the project.

Table of Contents

The contents page should list the different chapters and/or headings together with the page numbers.

Your contents page should be presented in such a way that the reader can quickly scan the list of headings and locate a particular part of the report.

You may want to number chapter headings and subheadings in addition to providing page references. Whatever numbering system you use, be sure that it is clear and consistent throughout.

Chapter 1: Research Background

1.0 Introduction

The introduction sets the scene for the main body of the report. This should provide reasons/rationale of selecting the topic/research area, paying attention to some of the following questions:

What is the problem and why is it important to carry out research about the chosen topic?

What specifically are you focusing on in your investigation?

What is already known about the topic, and any gaps?

An overview of the research methods to be applied, sources of data and any other relevant background details should be included in your introductory section.

The research aims and objectives are part of the key terms of reference to be included in this Chapter.

Research Aim (Only one aim recommended)

This project aims to……………………..

Or

The purpose of this research project is to………………………..

Research Objectives (2- 4 recommended)

To…………………………

To…………………………….

To……………………………

Chapter 2: Literature Review

Provide a critical review of existing literature from secondary sources such as books, journal articles, business reports, websites (online based sources) etc.

Identify and critically review some major themes and theories relevant to your selected research area (topic) including the relevant industry trends linked to your research area.

Remember: that literature review is an ongoing process which should be carried out systematically from the moment you start your research project and continue throughout the research process.

All sources used should be acknowledged and correctly referenced in correct Harvard format in both citations and the reference list.

Chapter 3: Methodology

The following areas are normally covered in the methodology chapter of your Research Project:

Is your research methodology qualitative or quantitative? Justify selection of the research methodology highlighting the advantages and disadvantages.

Sampling considerations of your data sources/ research participants) should be clearly explained. Specify the sampling technique applied (e.g purposive, random, non-probability etc)

Data collection methods (what methods are you using to collect primary data? (e.g interviews, questionnaires, observations, document analyses, focus group etc). Justify selection of the methods highlighting the advantages and disadvantages.

Data analysis methods (what methods are you using for analysing your data?). e.g Microsoft Excel and or SPSS for quantitative data collected from questionnaire survey. Qualitative data collected from interviews can be analysed using e.g Content Analysis and/or software such as Nvivo. Justify selection of the methods highlighting the advantages and disadvantages.

Ethical considerations – such as how issues of confidentiality and anonymity are handled in your research.

Research Limitations

Chapter 4: Findings, Analysis and Discussion

This section should present your results from data collected using appropriate tools and techniques such as diagrams, graphs and tables in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and/or any other relevant software such as SPSS (for quantitative data from questionnaire survey) and software such as Nvivo for qualitative data from interviews.

Present your results clearly in a logical order followed by detailed analysis and discussion

The evidence you have gathered from primary and secondary data should be analysed and discussed with specific reference to the research problem.

If your discussion section is lengthy you can divide it into subsection headings. Your points should be grouped and arranged in an order that is logical and easy to follow.

Use headings and subheadings to create a clear structure for your presentation of results and analysis.

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendations

This is a brief section providing the conclusion that draws from the key findings highlighted in Chapter 4 including the overall significance of what has been achieved by your research project.

You may want to remind the reader of the most important points that have been made in the project. This should highlight what you consider to be the most central points from your findings and how the research objectives have been addressed.

However, no new material should be introduced in the conclusion.

This section should also include recommendations particularly e.g for consideration in future research in the same area of study. What are the implications of your research on practice/ industry/business/management?

6.0 List of References

Provide a list of all sources cited in your project and use correct Harvard format.

7.0 Appendices

Under this heading you should include all the supporting material which you do not want to include in your main body of the project.

This might include e.g data collection instruments used (e.g questionnaire, interview guide) and any other additional illustrations/diagrams/pictures/tables, etc.

Make sure appendices are correctly cross-referenced in the main body of your project.

ANSWER