How can United Kingdom banks implement online banking strategies in order to achieve competitive advantage?: case study of HSBC bank.
The purpose of the background is to inform the reader of the current status in the industry relating to the issue at hand.
There should be a comprehensive discussion.
Focus on the follow aspects:
a) What is the current situation in the industry at hand?
b) What makes the research necessary?
c) What situation created an interest into the research? (Here you need to begin strong arguments that relate to the formulated problem statement).
d) Ensure that this section provides a broad focus on the current scenario in the industry, to a narrower focus on the specific companies selected to a direct linkage with the formulated problem statement.
1.1 Statement of the Problem
The problem statement should identify briefly the state of uncertainty or dissatisfaction with present knowledge in the field. Then it should clearly and precisely identify the purpose of the study in terms of how it will help to advance our knowledge in that field.
1.2 Rationale of Research
You must include a rationale: an explanation of why you are studying the topic and of why it is important. You will need to show evidence that specialists in the field do find it important. It is not good enough to say that you find it personally interesting (you shouldn’t be studying it otherwise!). Think of your reader(s).
1.3 Research Question
A research question is a clear, focused, concise, complex and arguable question around which you center your research. You should ask a question about an issue that you are genuinely curious about.
Evaluate your question.
◦ Is your research question clear? With so much research available on
◦ any given topic, research questions must be as clear as possible in
◦ order to be effective in helping the writer direct his or her research.
Sample Research Questions
Unclear: Why are social networking sites harmful?
Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook?
The unclear version of this question doesn’t specify which social networking sites or suggest what kind of harm the sites are causing. It also assumes that this “harm” is proven and/or accepted. The clearer version specifies sites (MySpace and Facebook), the type of harm (privacy issues), and who the issue is harming (users). A strong research question should never leave room for ambiguity or interpretation.
Unfocused:What is the effect on the environment from global warming?
Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in the Arctic Circle?
The unfocused research question is so broad that it couldn’t be adequately answered in a book-length piece, let alone a standard college-level paper. The focused version narrows down to a specific cause (glacial melting), a specific place (the Arctic Circle), and a specific group that is affected (penguins). When in doubt, make a research question as narrow and focused as possible.
Too simple: How are doctors addressing diabetes in the U.S.?
Appropriately Complex: What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in America, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in prevention of the disease?
The simple version of this question can be looked up online and answered in a few factual sentences; it leaves no room for analysis. The more complex version is written in two parts; it is thought provoking and requires both significant investigation and evaluation from the writer. As a general rule of thumb, if a quick Google search can answer a research question, it’s likely not very effective.
1.4 Research Aim and Objectives
Aims:
• Are broad statements of desired outcomes, or the general intentions of the research, which ‘paint a picture’ of your research project
• Emphasize what is to be accomplished (not how it is to be accomplished)
• Address the long-term project outcomes, i.e. they should reflect the aspirations and expectations of the research topic.
Once aims have been established, the next task is to formulate the objectives. Generally, a project should have no more than two or three aims statements, while it may include a number of objectives consistent with them.
Objectives are subsidiary to aims and:
• Are the steps you are going to take to answer your research questions or a specific list of tasks needed to accomplish the goals of the project
• Emphasize how aims are to be accomplished
• Must be highly focused and feasible
• Address the more immediate project outcomes
• Make accurate use of concepts
• Must be sensible and precisely described
• Should read as an ‘individual’ statement to convey your intentions
Examples of Aim and Objectives:
Aim
• To critically assess the collection and disposal operations for bulky household waste in order to identify factors, which contribute to performance and technical efficiency.
Objectives
• To critically assess bulky waste operations by local authorities, including volumes/types of materials arising and current disposal/recovery routes.
• To classify and evaluate the operation of furniture recovery schemes nationally.
• To make recommendations to improve the operational effectiveness of, and to maximise recovery opportunities of bulky waste collection.
1.5 Research Methodology (snapshot)
Remember to do the following when writing your Methodology:
• explain what methods you intend to use when researching and developing your report.
• use a descriptive writing approach. It is important to explain what research methods you used to collect your info.
• Do not include your questionnaires, interview transcripts, etc. -these go in the dissertation’s appendices.
Example of a methodology statement
The following sample statements are intended to give a flavour of the approach one could take but they are not to be assumed to represent a complete methodology.
Literature survey
Secondary data will be reviewed initially through the university library using a range of information sources such as the OPAC system, academic and commercial abstracts, bibliographic databases, and Internet search engines.
To aid the search, a table of key terms will be constructed and the sources located will be correlated with this. A secondary cross-reference table will be developed so that data can be viewed from different perspectives.
Data collection and sampling
To test current practice against the historical record an on-line survey will be conducted to gather primary source data from companies currently engaged in the export of goods related to heavy engineering projects.
The survey will collect quantitative data on the range of goods requiring an end-user licence. A systematic yet random sample of companies will be drawn from members of the British Business Register.
Data analysis
As the number of companies, engaged in the defined activity, has yet to be established the data analysis method has not yet been decided. However, it is anticipated that a commercial spreadsheet package such as MS Excel would be suitable, although more sophisticated analysis software such as SPSS is available within the university’s IT centre should this be required.
