Research Methodology 

Bus 817

Question 1: Critically discuss these main sections of Literature Review chapter of Higher Degree Thesis and explain the importance and contribution of each to the entire research report:

a) Conceptual Framework: A conceptual framework is an analytical tool with several variations and contexts. It can be applied in different categories of work where an overall picture is needed. It is used to make conceptual distinctions and organize ideas. A conceptual framework is a synthetization of interrelated components and variables which help in solving a real-world problem. It is the final lens used for viewing the deductive resolution of an identified issue. 

b) Empirical Literature: Empirical literature is reported in such a manner that other investigators understand precisely what was done and what was found in a particular research study—to the extent that they could replicate the study to determine whether the findings are reproduced when repeated. An empirical literature review, also known as a systematic literature review, analyzes previous empirical studies. 

c) Theoretical Framework:  A theoretical framework is a foundational review of existing theories that serves as a roadmap for developing the arguments you will use in your own work. Theories are developed by researchers to explain phenomena, draw connections, and make predictions.  In a theoretical framework, you explain the existing theories that support your research, showing that your work is grounded in established ideas.

Question two: Primary and secondary data are used in different research situations and the type of research problem as do population and sample.  Show clearly, when these are more appropriate and the type of objects is required in the sample for each of them. 

Solution: Primary research data is most often used when they need accurate results on a specific topic. Secondary data is information that was part of a previous study and became accessible to everyone. Secondary data is inexpensive to use and is readily available.  For instance, your research questions will determine if primary data should be collected or not.  Same applies to the secondary data.   However, secondary data is a must in every research because, the literature reviews aspect involves the use of secondary data. Put for primary data, a research would decide not to use primary data for his research based on the questions of his or her research. 

Question three:

Write short notes on the following:

a) Communicating Research Results:  Traditional methods of communicating research include oral presentations, poster presentations, publishing abstracts and peer-reviewed research papers. Understanding your audience and the purpose of your dissemination are key to effectively communicating your research findings.

b) Regression Analysis: Regression analysis is a powerful statistical method that allows you to examine the relationship between two or more variables of interest. While there are many types of regression analysis, at their core they all examine the influence of one or more independent variables on a dependent variable.

c) Descriptive Statistics and University Analysis: A descriptive statistic is a summary statistic that quantitatively describes or summarizes features from a collection of information, while descriptive statistics is the process of using and analysing those statistics. Descriptive statistics are used to describe the basic features of the data in a study. They provide simple summaries about the sample and the measures.

d) Determination of Sample Size:  Sample size determination is the act of choosing the number of observations or replicates to include in a statistical sample. The sample size is an important feature of any empirical study in which the goal is to make inferences about a population from a sample.

e) Measurement Scale:  Scales of measurement is how variables are defined and categorized. Psychologist Stanley Stevens developed the four common scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio.  Scales of measurement in research and statistics are the different ways in which variables are defined and grouped into different categories.

Question Three:  A good research thesis will have clear link from Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.  Critically discuss typical thesis showing how these links are established and hwy the links are important for High Degree Theses of Business Research. 

(This question has been treated in the VN )