dentify to what point pay and pay progression is an issue in staff retention in British secondary schools (annual salary, including any allowances)

Contents page

I. Introduction (approx. 500words)

1.1 The rationale for undertaking this project

-Explain what the problem that you have identified is.
-Explain why this is an important problem and what other studies have been conducted on this problem.
-How does this relate to your studies?
-What your reasons for selecting this topic are?
-Who could benefit from your findings and how?

1.2. Aim and Objectives.

II Literature review (approx. 2000 words)

Introduction to the chapter explaining in one or two sentences:
a. What the aim of the literature review is.
b. What is the theory that underpins your research.

2.1. Subchapter-give it a title that contains the first key concept of your dissertation or your first objective

Outline the problems in the specific area (What is it we don’t know). Present a brief history of the problem

Develop arguments to support YOUR point of view regarding this topic by combining the concepts used by other authors in a flowing discussion. The direction of the written argument is determined by YOU, the author of the literature review.

- The flowing discussion could include: An explanation of the theory that underpins your research; a critical analysis of previous studies; an outline of previous studies’ conclusions; a discussion of their findings and conclusions; or an explanation of the link between previous studies and yours. 

2.2. Subchapter-give it a title that contains the second key concept of your dissertation or your second objective

Outline the problems in the specific area (What is it we don’t know). Present a brief history of the problem

Develop arguments to support YOUR point of view regarding this topic by combining the concepts used by other authors in a flowing discussion. The direction of the written argument is determined by YOU, the author of the literature review.

The flowing discussion could include: An explanation of the theory that underpins your research; a critical analysis of previous studies; an outline of previous studies’ conclusions; a discussion of their findings and conclusions; or an explanation of the link between previous studies and yours.

2.3. Subchapter-give it a title that contains the third key concept of your dissertation or your third objective

Outline the problems in the specific area (What is it we don’t know). Present a brief history of the problem

Develop arguments to support YOUR point of view regarding this topic by combining the concepts used by other authors in a flowing discussion. The direction of the written argument is determined by YOU, the author of the literature review.

The flowing discussion could include: An explanation of the theory that underpins your research; a critical analysis of previous studies; an outline of previous studies’ conclusions; a discussion of their findings and conclusions; or an explanation of the link between previous studies and yours.

• Repeat the above for each objective.

2.4. Conclusion

Concluding paragraph where you explain how each of the subsections above has assisted you in developing your research and how these will help you with the data analysis.

II. Methods (approx. 1500words)

Consult the following manuals in the library:

Library: Bell E, Harley, B & Bryman A (2022) Business Research Methods:  Sixth Edition. OUP (chapters 8 to 16);

Library and online: Saunders, M.N.K. et al. (2019) Research methods for business students [electronic resource] (chapters 5, 7, 9 and 13).

2.1 What is the philosophical underpinning and the approach of your research?

Compare research philosophies: Positivism, Critical Realism, Interpretivism, Postmodernism, and Pragmatism along with their preferred research approach of Abduction, Deduction, and Induction.

Explain why you have made your choice (Saunders et.al. 2019-Chapter 4) 

2.2 What research methodology choice will you be using and why?

-Explain what research approach you will be using and why you selected it. 

Research approaches: qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods. 

Explain the Qualitative Perspective (has problems with reliability and generalizability, but it possesses good ecological validity) while the Quantitative Approach (possesses strong reliability and generalizability, but it has low ecological validity) and justify your choice.

2.3 What research design will you be using and why

Describe and compare research designs and explain why you have chosen either:  Experimental design, Cross-sectional design, Longitudinal design, Case study design, or comparative design. 

2.4 What research strategy will you be using and why?

-Describe what research strategy you will be using and why you selected it by referring to research methods texts and lecture notes.

Strategies: experiments, semi-experiments, survey, archival, case study, ethnography, action research, grounded theory or narrative inquiry.

Compare and explain why you selected your preferred design and strategy. 

(Saunders Chapter 5).

2.5. What methods of data collection will you be using and why?

- Method: E.g., survey questionnaires, or semi-structured interviews. Justify your choice by pointing to these methods’ advantages and disadvantages.

- Explain, referring to research methods texts, what methods you have decided to use and why you think these methods are the most appropriate methods for your research.  Justify your choice by pointing to the advantages of these methods.

-If you are using questionnaires, then present here (not in appendices) the questionnaire form

-If you are using an experiment, then present here the modality in which you will be measuring the variables.

(Saunders et.al. 2019-Chapter 5) 

2.4 Participants

-Explain who are they? Explain why did you select them? Explain how many there are?

-If you are conducting a questionnaire, explain:

What sampling method you are using and why (Saunders et.al. 2019-Chapter 7)?   Convenience (non-random) sampling (whoever is available), self-selected (volunteer) sampling or random sampling. Give some advantages of your chosen sampling system.

What is the proposed size of the sample that you intend to use?  80-100 minimum in quantitative research.  Who are your gatekeepers?

2.5 Validity and reliability (if you are conducting quantitative research)

Validity. Explain what problems regarding collecting valid data you might encounter and what will you be doing to tackle this.

-If you are using an existing questionnaire then explain the source, why you are using this questionnaire, and how it is appropriate for your research.  Add it here.

-If you are designing your own questionnaire, explain, how did you develop it, what sources you have used for inspiration, how did you pilot your questionnaire and what modifications have you made as a result of piloting.  Will it answer what you intended to investigate in your objectives? How valid will be to the wider population?  Add the questionnaire here.

-If you are organising an experiment then explain why the test you are using to measure the variables is valid (Saunders et.al. 2019-Chapter 5).

Reliability. –Explain what problems with collecting reliable data you might encounter and what will you be doing to tackle this?  Explain how it can be replicated by others successfully.

-If you are conducting an online questionnaire what you will be doing to ensure the anonymity of the data collection.   

-If you are using a paper-based questionnaire, explain how the collection of data is organised.

2.6. Ethical aspects

-Respect for the autonomy, privacy, and dignity of individuals and communities. Explain what procedures you are going to put in place for valid consent, confidentiality, anonymity, and fair treatment. These could include the Participant information form; Participant Consent form;

-Scientific integrity. Explain what measures you will be taking to ensure that your research is based on authentic data that you have collected from the participants described in your “methods” section.

-Social responsibility. Explain how your research supports and reflects respect for the dignity and integrity of the persons and organisations involved. Explain how your research contributes to the “common good”.

-Maximising benefit and minimising harm. Explain what you will be doing to avoid potential risks to personal values, invasion of privacy, and risk to the psychological well-being of your participants and organisations.

See the University´s Ethical Policy and Saunders chapter 6. 

2.7. Data analysis.

-Explain, making reference to research methods texts, what methods of data analysis you will be using and why?

-If you are conducting questionnaires, it is likely that you will be using descriptive or correlation statistics (Saunders et al, 2019, pp. 527-541).  

-If you are using experiments and inferential statistics explain what tests you will be using and how will you be measuring the “normality” of data distribution.

III References

-Present a list, using Harvard standard, containing the texts that you have used to support the development of your proposal and to which you referred to in the above text.

Appendices

-Include here the Ethics Form and the participant information sheet(s).