1. Introduction (up to 300 words)
Introduce your topic area (an organizational / business related issue or problem – past or present).
2. Analysis of the organizational / business related issue or problem (up to 1,400 words).
Provide a critical analysis of the issue/problem – by reviewing and discussing a range of industry/ practitioner and media sources: (e.g. media reports, statistics, news articles, policy documents, public opinion as expressed online/in print, online blogs, quotes, industry / practitioner reports, trade magazines, newspapers etc.).
You should not include academic journal or textbook references in this section of your Initial Proposal.
Explore the conventional wisdom on your topic, without using academic research evidence. In relation to your business/organisational problem or issue – analyse the different views, perspectives, explanations and opinions that exist in the world.
Avoid description. You will need to be critical of the sources you review (e.g. how reliable, biased, or valid are they?). Consider: What the sources tell us, and what don‟t they tell us. Identify and discuss the main issues and debates relating to your question.
Make connections, compare, evaluate, assess and express your own voice – using the evidence, your analysis of the sources, and the arguments you make within your work. Think critically about what the sources mean and what can and cannot be inferred – e.g. are there contradictions or confusions when comparing reports, quotes, accounts, media reports, statistics etc? Consider what questions your analysis of the sources raise about the problem/issue.
Clearly state your research question and your (closely related) sub-questions. Your questions should logically and clearly flow from your analysis of the organizational / business related issue or problem. You should make it clear how your analysis led to these questions.
3. Practical rationale (up to 900 words)
Offer a practical rationale (i.e. from the perspective of industry, business, employees, policy makers) indicating why your questions are worth exploring further. You should aim to address the question: Why would industry (e.g. you may refer to businesses/managers/employees/policy makers) be interested in your questions?
Think about the usefulness, importance and interest of your questions to industry, organisations and/or employees (you could also include policy makers). To what extent is your chosen area topical? Why is this worth exploring in more detail?
4. Exploring the topic further using academic research literature (up to 400 words)
Provide a summary of how you will explore your topic further using academic research literature. Within your summary, aim to mention at least 7 academic journal papers you feel are relevant to your chosen topic – that will help you explore the topic further in the Final Report.
Identify whether there is „enough‟ literature on the subject to review in the Final Report – in the Final Report you will review the academic literature in more detail.
* Please make sure the sub questions are not broad and relates to strategy….
*Do not use books or journals just websites for reference.
