This paper must cover the first three chapters of the research as follows:
Chapter 1:Definition of the Problem
Chapter 2: Literature Review
Chapter 3: Methodology
Once the proposal is approved I will be submitting a request for chapters 4 and 5 which will involve a survey and analysis.
Please see details below.
Guidelines
The MSA 699 project report is a decision oriented research paper which addresses an issue in an existing organization. In doing the paper, the student applies the knowledge that he or she has gained in the MSA program to determine appropriate administrative action.
For purposes of the MSA 699 project, research refers to any systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem or issue. That problem/issue must be a practical one (related to the concentration and, ideally, the work place). Generally the researcher must:
1. Know what she or he wants to study.
2. Gather information about what has occurred and was said (written) in the past.
3. Define a methodology by which the problem can be studied.
4. Collect the data from appropriate sources.
5. Analyze, interpret, draw conclusions and make recommendations on the basis of the findings.
The problem/issue to be used for MSA 699 research should meet three criteria. It should:
1. Be a problem identified by the student and defined in researchable terms.
2. Be concentration related or work related with a focus on the student’s concentration — it does not have to be from the student’s immediate job or work but should be from that organization or company.
3. Be administrative in content. It must deal with a management/administrative problem — resource allocation and/or utilization.
MSA 699 students who are not employed should focus on developing concentration related projects with an administrative focus.
The goals of the MSA 699 research project are to:
1. Provide the student with an opportunity to create a synthesis of the concepts, information and methodologies learned in the MSA core and concentration courses. 2. Challenge the investigator to apply theory to the world in which he or she functions. 3. Produce a document that demonstrates professional competence and warrants the awarding of the MSA degree.
THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
The research proposal consists of the following components: Title Page Table of Contents Chapter 1: Definition of the Problem Chapter 2: Literature Review Chapter 3: Methodology References Appendices An explanation of each of these follows.
Title Page The title page contains the following essential information: title of the proposal project, name of the student, date of submission, and the instructor’s name. The title should be brief, but descriptive and suggest the project’s purpose. An example of a title page is given on page 18.
Table of Contents The table of contents shows the location of all the structural elements of the report, that is, the location of chapter headings and major topics within chapters, the references and various appendices. If a section continues for a number of pages, only the initial page is given.
Chapter 1: Definition of the Problem
Problem Statement The administrative problem, its organizational context and its significance should be described. The problem statement is a description of the organizational problem or issue the student is studying. Generally it is accepted that if the researcher cannot state the issue or problem clearly and succinctly, she or he does not understand what she or he is attempting to study. It provides fundamental direction to the project. Chapter 1 focuses on WHAT is to be researched.
The research objective flows from the problem statement. It explains what research question(s) should be examined to address the organization’s administrative problem. The research question(s) can be broken down further into more precise sub-questions or research proposition statements.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
The proposal should contain all major research studies that are relevant to the student’s research question(s). Literature that can be used falls into three categories. One is information from published articles in academic and trade journals and from books. Most issues are not totally new and other managers have encountered and coped with them. The published literature gives their experiences and prevents duplication of effort. Another source is the organization’s formal and informal written documentation. This includes policy and procedures manuals and the correspondence and various papers which, in one form or another, set the norms, policies and practices of the organization. A third source, which should be used sparingly, is preliminary interviews with experts on the topic. Chapter 2 focuses on WHAT OTHERS have found that relates to the topic being researched.
Chapter 3: Methodology
The methodology chapter addresses how the researcher will study the problem that has been identified. It includes, as a minimum, the research approach, procedures, decision criteria, and reliability and validity of instruments. Some studies may require a hypothesis statement. These topics include the respondents, how and why these were chosen, the type of data that will be collected, the sources of these data, and how the information collected will be analyzed. Descriptions are chronological and so detailed that, if someone wishes to do so, she or he can replicate the study exactly. Also, if a questionnaire or survey is utilized, the reasons for inclusion of each question and the reliability and validity of the instrument are described. The section usually concludes with a scope and limitations statement. A timetable for completing the work can be given if the student or instructor so desires. Chapter 3 focuses on HOW the research is to be done.
Research A number of methodological approaches are available to the researcher. Included are feasibility study, benefit/cost or cost effectiveness approach, hypotheses testing, operations research, policy analysis, and program design or evaluation (see page 19). The methodology should be appropriate to the study of the problem chosen. Students should consult with their instructor before selecting the methodology for their projects.
Because this is an integrative paper, at least one application of a quantitative technique is required. A technique appropriate to the research may be one of the many covered in MSA 600, MSA 602, MSA 634, MSA 635, MSA 640, MSA 675, MSA 603, HSC 544, or other quantitative course. Many MSA 699 projects involve a survey or questionnaire of some sort. One method to apply quantitative techniques would be to provide statistical validity to the interpretation of questionnaire results, using such common concepts as measures of central tendency, dispersion, significance levels, confidence levels or intervals.
Data Collection In the data collection portion of the methodology statement, it is customary to include any or all of the following: • Categories of data to be collected • Likely sources of these data • How the information is to be collected • Objectives and rationale for questionnaires, surveys, interviews, and other data gathering instruments (and for the various parts or questions) • Whether individuals, groups, or other types of units will be utilized in the research, if respondents or participants are to be used • How many respondents will be utilized • How respondents will be selected and assigned • The underlying reasoning for this selection or assignment
Note: Before collecting data, students must obtain either Research Application Review approval or IRB approval. See Part 2 of this Guide for information about the Research Review Application process. See the MSA Student’s Guide to IRBNet, Part 1 and 2, for information about the IRB process and the use of IRBNet.
Data Analysis and Synthesis In the data analysis and synthesis portion, it is customary to include the following: • Tools and techniques of analysis (e.g., t-tests, ANOVA, economic forecasting, trend analysis, etc.) and their limitations • Models to be used in interpreting data • Appropriate degrees of rigor in validating conclusions • Anticipated cause-effect or chain sequences, if any
Reliability and Validity Generally, students do not have too much difficulty in developing methodologies which identify data they will collect. Many, however, have difficulty describing how they are going to acquire reliable and valid data. Reliability describes the accuracy or precision of the research instrument (questionnaire, survey, etc.) and validity describes the extent to which the instrument measures what it is presumed to be measuring. A watch, for example, can be reliable or not reliable (it keeps time accurately or inaccurately). The watch also is accepted as an instrument for telling time; it, therefore, is valid for this purpose. A barometer, which measures pressure, also can be reliable (be precise and accurate in measuring pressure) or not reliable. It, however, would not be a good instrument to use for telling time. If a researcher reported that he had used a barometer for telling time, this research instrument would lack validity. A sundial, on the other hand, would be a valid instrument for telling time; it, however, would be less reliable than a watch. The same principle applies with research instruments. Some measure the concept under study very accurately; that is, they are reliable. If they measure what they are supposed to be measuring, they are valid instruments.
Scope and Limitations The scope and limitations statement describes: the limits and boundaries within which data will be collected, analyzed and interpreted; the ability to generalize the research results; and other information that in any way limits or controls the way information is collected, interpreted and presented.
Appendices Anything which might be distracting, or which is not needed in the body of the proposal, is placed in the Appendices. Included are copies of questionnaires, models, computer programs designed for the researcher’s study, analytical formulas and calculations, and detailed descriptions of tests or equipment used.
References Each proposal must have a list of references — a listing of the books, articles and other sources that the researcher has used, and which are cited by name within the proposal.
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