METHODS OF BUSINESS
RESEARCH
Choosing a Research Topic
• The reasons for choosing a research topic for a thesis or
dissertation may vary, depending on the academic discipline of the
researcher; his professional or personal interests; and, his ability to
contribute to the welfare of society and the entire populace, as the
case maybe. The ultimate end of this decision of course is that the
choice must not only reflect the ability of the researcher to conduct
the study but with more reasons to be able to finish it as a course
requirement in the masters or doctorate degree.
Three reasons relevant to the researcher’s choice of a research
topic (Blaikie, 2000:47-48):
A. Personal reason: The personal reason may include but not
limited to:
• Satisfying the researcher’s curiosity of the proposed topic;
• Seeking credentials and/or pursuing career goals;
• Trying to solve a personal problem; and
• Pursuing personal interests and commitments.
B. Academic reason: for academic reason, it may centers around
making a contribution to the discipline or disciplines in which
one works. These may include but not limited to:
• Contributing to knowledge in a particular field;
• Seeking answers to current intellectual puzzles;
• Participating in intellectual debates; and,
• Developing social theory.
C. Contribution to society: in contributing to society the
researcher’s motive in choosing the topic may include:
• Contributing to the solution of a social problem;
• Helping some group, community or organization achieve its
goals;
• Assisting in the development of social policy; and,
• Contributing to public or private sector decision-making.
The Research Proposal
• Title Page
• Guidelines in writing the title page
• The endorsement page
The research Proposal
• Is an action plan that justifies and describes the proposed
research study.
• It refers to a work plan, prospectus, outline, statement
intent, or draft plan (Leedy, 1980:79)
• It should be communicate clearly and concisely the object or the
phenomenon being studied.
• The research proposal tells us what, why, where, and to whom the
research will be done. It is likewise intended to convince the reader
that the proposed research is significant, relevant, and interesting,
that the design of the study is sound, and the researcher is capable
of successfully conducting the study (Marshall and Rosmman,
1995)
Title page
• It is considered as one of the most important parts of the
“front matter” of a thesis or dissertation.
• Its importance lies on the fact that as the page of a thesis or
dissertation, it clearly introduces and presents the graduate
student’s thesis or dissertation.
• It carries the meaning of the thesis or dissertation into the
professional community.
Three elements of title page
• The variables included in the study;
• The type of relationship among variables;
• The population to which the results may be applied.
Title Page content includes the following:
• The author’s name and his/her academic credentials;
• the degree granting academic discipline or faculty and
department;
• The name of School or institution;
• The date of graduation
• Universal copyright.
Guidelines in Writing the Title Page
1. The title page of a thesis or dissertation should be simple and
clear. In a quick study conducted by the author “on how to
write a title of a thesis or dissertation” it showed that most
respondents are initially attracted to a title that is simple and
clear. The shorter the title the more attractive it appears to them
as it catches the eye of the reading public.
2. The title of a thesis or dissertation should be written in a
declarative form. Being so enables the title to show a bold
statement and power. A bold statement or claim, as the case
may be, gets also the interest of the reader’s attention.
3. The title of a thesis or dissertation should be written with some
style. However, punctuation marks should not be placed at the
end of the title.
Endorsement Page
• The endorsement page basically shows that the first three
chapters of a thesis or dissertation proposal is being
endorsed by the graduate student’s adviser for proposal
evaluation.
Sample Research Format A
Table of Contents
Title Page
Abstract
Acknowledgment
List of Figures
Chapter 1 Introduction
Background of the Study
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis of the Study
Assumptions of the Study (when applicable)
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations of the study
Definition of Terms
Chapter 2 Review of Related Literature
Foreign Literature
Foreign Studies
Local Literature
local Studies
Chapter 3 Research Methodology
Research Design
Population and Sampling Plan
Research Instrument
Statistical Treatment
Chapter 4 Analysis of Data
Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations
Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
Bibliography
Appendices
Sample Research Format B
Table of Contents
Title Page
Abstract
Acknowledgment
List of Figures
Chapter 1 The Problem and A Review of Related Literature
Review of Related Literature
Synthesis of the Review
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Statement of the Problem
Hypothesis of the Study
Definition of Terms
Scope and Limitations of the Study
Significance of the Study
Chapter 2 Research Methodology
Research Method/Design
Participants
Instruments
Procedure
Data Analysis
Chapter 3 Results and Discussions
Significant Research Results (Presentation of Data)
Discussions (Analysis of Data)
Chapter 4 Summary of Findings, Conclusions and Recommendations
Findings
Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Appendices
Evaluation Checklist
1. What is your research topic?
2. Is your research topic related to your interests,
job or field of specialization?
Yes No
3. Do you have access to data that you will need in
pursuing your research topic?
Yes No
4. if your answers are all “yes”, stick to your chosen
research topic. You are on the right track.
Continue.