Dissertations should focus on research methodology to ensure high ratings.
With a global weighting of approximately 20%, the importance of Variables is self-evident, directly affecting the overall quality of the thesis and constituting a difficult part of the thesis.
Methodology is a theoretical framework that supports specific research methods. It contains the methods and theories or principles of the field of study, and not only affects the choice of specific research methods, but also is determined by the Research Question and Research Hypothesis.
Methodology
Research Methods are specific methods of obtaining data that help us answer the research question and achieve the research objectives. Different research methods also include Interview, Questionnaire, Observation, Content Analysis, Focus Groups, Experiments and so on.
Referring to existing literature and research and portraying the academic rationale for the choice of methodology and research methods will enhance the reliability and validity of the study, and provide the reader with a clear picture of the purpose of the study and the process of implementation, which is also addressed in the chapter on Methodology.
A book entitled “Research Methods for Business Students” is recommended as a reference.
Structure: What are the components of Methodology?
1. Introduction
This part should summarise the content of the Methodology, such as the research design, the means of data collection, the way to analyse the data, the selection of the sample, and so on. For example, this chapter contains five parts – the research question, the research participants, the research instrument, the research process, and the data analysis.
2. Articulate the philosophical foundations of research (Research Philosophy)
Academic research schools of thought are mainly divided into three kinds of positivism (Positivism), Interpretivism (Interpretivism), Post Positivism (Post Positivism).
Positivism emphasises the importance of data, using rigorous data analysis to validate conclusions or hypotheses, and is often applied to natural sciences such as business dissertations. Quantitative analysis required.
Describe the research approach used and the reasons for it, as well as its advantages and disadvantages.
3. Describe the research design (Research Design)
Qualitative Research (Qualitative Research) is to deduce theories by collecting and accumulating facts in a natural situation, based on the accumulation of facts.
◆Quantitative Research
It refers to describing, explaining and predicting the research object on the basis of possessing a large number of quantitative facts, and putting forward theoretical views through logical inference and relevant analysis. Commonly used methods are content analysis method, questionnaire survey method and experimental method.
◆Mixed research is the use of both qualitative and quantitative research.
Whether using Qualitative, Quantitative or Mixed methods, the choice of research approach here needs to be consistent with Philosophy, explaining why qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods are used and why these methods can answer the research question.
4. Introduction to data collection tools
This section describes in detail the source of the data, whether it is primary data (data obtained through surveys) or secondary data (company annual reports, stock data, bond data, etc.), and describes the specific method of collecting the data, including the reasons for choosing the method, its advantages, and limitations can also refer to the literature to select the source of the data, paying attention to the authority and validity of the data. Authoritative and effective. Various databases, such as statistical yearbook, China Economic Network, more authoritative social surveys, such as China Social Survey, will be used to collect data.
Various databases such as statistical yearbook, China Economic Network, more authoritative social surveys such as China Social Survey (CSS), China General Social Survey (GSS), etc. are also important channels for data collection.
5. Introduce the research samples (Sampling) and participants (Research Participants)
Whether it is quantitative research or qualitative research, it is impossible to include all of a particular research object in the study, so it is necessary to sample, quantitative research follows the principle of randomness, and qualitative research follows the principle of representative sampling. In these sections, it is necessary to describe whether sample sampling is random or non-random. Also, the selection of subjects or participants and the reasons for the selection should be described in detail, including basic information such as the time, place, name and sample size of the study.
