This document provides guidance on formulating and clarifying a research topic for a business research project. It discusses generating research ideas, identifying attributes of a good research topic, turning ideas into research problems with clear questions and objectives, and drafting a research proposal. Key points covered include techniques for generating topics, writing research questions and objectives, ensuring topics are feasible and worthwhile, and including necessary components in a research proposal such as background, methods, timescale, and resources.

1. FORMULATING AND CLARIFYING THE RESEARCH TOPIC Lecture 2 ISD 554: Business Research Methods [email_address] Password: isd554

15. Table 2.2: Examples research ideas and their derived focus research questions What effect has the growth of Internet Banking has upon the uses customers make of branch facilities? The use of internet banking In what ways does the use of specific aromas in supermarkets affect buyer behaviour? The use of aromas as a marketing device How effective is recruiting for new staff via the internet in comparison with traditional methods? Job recruitment via the internet How does the running of TV advertising campaign designed to boost the image of a company affect its share price? Advertising and share pricing General focus research questions Research idea

19. The importance of theory in writing research questions and objectives Figure 2.1 Grand, middle range and substantive theories

25. Figure 2.2 Gantt chart for a research project

28. End of lecture 2 Next: Literature Review