1. Identify a Topic and Develop a Specific Research Question
• Topic Selection: Choose a subject that genuinely interests you and that could be relevant to Management or Marketing.
• Research Question: Turn this topic into a focused, researchable question. Consider its relevance to current issues in management or marketing.
• Justification: Explain why this question is important and how answering it would contribute to better knowledge in these fields. Think about its potential impact on both business and academic knowledge.
2. Review Existing Academic Research
• Literature Review: Conduct research to see if this question has already been explored. What does existing literature say about it?
• Feasibility: Assess whether your question is viable, and if not, adjust your question based on what you find in the literature.
• Exploration of Angles: Consider whether there are unexplored aspects or new angles that could be approached within this research area. Alternatively, are there reasons why this question hasn’t been asked before?
3. Information Gathering and Strategy
• Information Needs: Identify what kind of data you need to answer your research question. Will you need qualitative or quantitative data, or a mix of both?
• Methodology: Consider various methods for collecting this information, such as surveys, interviews, or secondary data analysis.
• Justify Methodology: Explain why you have chosen a particular strategy for data collection and how it connects to answering your research question. Consider the strengths and limitations of your approach.
Reference and Citation
• Harvard Referencing: Ensure you properly cite any academic sources or references in your assignment, including a bibliography at the end. Any source that is improperly credited or uses generative AI without proper acknowledgment can result in an academic violation.
A research diary is essentially a reflective journal documenting your thought process throughout the research development. You will:
• Track how your ideas evolve from initial concept to a refined research question.
• Reflect on how existing literature shapes and informs your thinking.
• Record the strategies you consider for data collection and justify your choices.
• Discuss challenges, adjustments, and insights during your exploration.
