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CHAPTER 1 (start at new page)

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Background of the study tells the prevailing issue or problem that needs to be
addressed. This problem is often denoted by either independent or dependent
variables (which so ever is most valuable – thus start background with IV or DV
discussion). Here use facts and figures, if possible. After discussing the
aforementioned contents of background, now it’s time to tell who all have addressed
the prevailing issue/s and what is left unaddressed (also called research gap/s).
1.2 Current scenario in Pakistan (related to your field of investigation)
What is level of investigation in Pakistan, what is the unattended area (gap) in
literature?
1.3 Problem statement
In problem statement highlight what gap you are going to fill and why that gap needs
to be filled. Here justification is needed for selecting the specific issue/problem/gap
to address. Here get support from both section 1.1 and 1.2. Section 1.1 will tell you
have your study will theoretically/conceptually fill the gap, while section 1.2 tells how
you are filling gap empirically (providing new evidence).
1.4 Research Questions
Your research questions (open or closed ended RQs) are drawn from your problem
statement. RQs tell how you are going to investigate your problem statement.
Research questions are most important part of introduction section as they set
baseline for your preceding chapters i.e. literature review (here linked with theoretical
framework and propositions/hypotheses), research design (qualitative or
quantitative), research methods (sampling, data collection, measurement and
analysis methods).
1.5 Research Objectives
Your research question and objectives are based on same premise, only their writing
style is different. Often both are used interchangeably but could still contain
difference.
1.6 Significance of the Study

How your study is going to contribute by filling the gap/s. It has two basic
considerations, (i) theoretical significance: how your study will contribute in existing
body of knowledge i.e. the gap it is going to fill, or unattended area it is going to
cover, and (ii) practical significance: how your study will help in solving the issue
highlighted in your sections 1.1 and 1.2

CHAPTER 2 (start at new page)

LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction of chapter
(what all this chapter covers??)

2.2 Variables of the study

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How many variables are under consideration for this study? Introduction all of
them:

2.2.1 Independent variable

Give one or two definitions of variables, tell their background that when the
idea emerged, what theory is at its background and how much important is that
variable (literature on introduction of each variable shouldn’t exceed one or 11/5 page)

2.2.2 Mediating or moderating variable if any

Same as above

2.2.3 dependent variable

Same as above

2.3 Theoretical Framework & Hypotheses Development

This section covers the relationship between variables of study constructed

with the help of theory (often called theoretical framework) and past studies (who all
have investigated the relation between variables). Remember that both these sources
help research assuming possible relation among variables, but if there is no past
study on any relationship (often called conceptual gap), researcher should generate a
discussion showing possible relation with the help of theory (this is often called
conceptual framework – that tells how researcher uses theory to build the possible
association among variables)

2.3.1 Variable A & Variable X

Here you are supposed to provide their relation. You have to tell that what
relation is evident in literature (positive, negative, significant, insignificant, strong or
weak). You are also required to tell theory/ies that can explain that relation (More
than one theories can also be used – which is termed as theoretical triangulation).

On the basis of aforementioned discussion, on relationship among variables,

you should be able to understand direction of relation among variables and it should
be expressed in hypotheses

H1: Variables A is positively or negatively related with variable X

2.3.2 Variable & Variable

(same as above) – here generate H2

2.3.3 Variable and Variable

(same as above) – here generate H3 and so on……..

When all hypotheses are formulated its time to draw your conceptual
model or schematic diagram over here
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CHAPTER 3 (start at new page)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction of Chapter

Write a paragraph mentioning what all is there in the chapter

3.2 Research Design

Which design is used in this study (qualitative or quantitative, define that design,
and tell why to use this design). Here use past studies as reference that support use
of your design and tell you the suitability of your design. You should put following
details as well:
 Research strategy
 Unit of analysis
 Time horizons
 Research interference
 Research setting etc.
3.3 Research Methodology

3.3.1 Population & Sample of the Study

Here mention size of population (if known – if possible try to calculate the size
of population). Also provide population/sample frame (it becomes basis for sample
selection)

3.3.1.1 Sample & Sampling Strategy

Here highlight the size of population and also who were parts of sample. Also
highlight which sampling strategy was used (probability or non-probability)

3.3.4 Data Collection Method

How data was collected, what was the tool/s used for data collection? They
were developed or adopted/adapted?? Why to use that specific tool of data collection?

3.3.4.1 Measures

Variable-1

(source of measures, exemplary item, who all have used it in previous studies,
reliability in previous investigations)

Variable-2 (same as above)

Variable-3 (same as above)

3.3.4.2 Response

How many responses were received back, out of sample. Calculate response
rate and report
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3.3.5 Data Analysis

How data was analyzed (which techniques were used, don’t mention the
software here)

CHAPTER 4 (starting at new page)

DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

4.1 Introduction of Chapter

4.2 Preliminary Analysis

4.2.1 Demographical Analysis

Report the demographical division of respondents here (make one table for all
demographics)

4.2.2 Data Normality Analysis

Report that your data was normal or not (Data collected through questionnaire
should be checked for their skewness and kurtosis or any other useful tool of
testing data normality)

4.2.3 Reliability and Factor Analysis

Tell here, what was the reliability of the measure and how each factor loaded at
its dimensions

4.2.4 Descriptive Statistics

Provide the mean, median and standard deviation scores for the computed
scores of all the variables

4.2.5 Correlation Analysis

Report the results of correlation analysis (put all the variables including
demographics in correlation analysis)

4.3 Hypotheses Testing

4.3.1 H1 (what was the hypothesis)

Explain its results here, quote the statistical values, tell the level of significance
and strength, and also explain that a hypothesis is accepted or not

4.3.2 H2 (what was that hypothesis)

(same as above)

4.3.3 H3 (hypothesis??) (same as above)

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CHAPTER 5 (start at new page)

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Introduction of Chapter

5.2 Discussion of Results

Here discuss your results. It is desired that discussion should be made against each
research question.

RQ-1: (what was that question??)

How many hypotheses are made to investigate this question and what are the results
for each hypothesis. Don’t provide statistical figures for results, rather tell that what
were the exact findings (supporting or not). Moreover explain that how your results
are consistent or different from previous studies and theoretical framework.

RQ-2: (what was that questions??)

(same as above)

RQ-3: (what was that question)

(same as above)

5.3 Implications of the study

5.3.1 Theoretical Implications

How your study is contributing in existing body of knowledge, it is based on the gap
your study has filled.

5.3.2 Practical Implications

Here you should tell that how your study can be applied to help management in work
setting. How it can solve work related problems and can improve the conditions

5.4 Limitations and Future Directions

What were the limitations of your study, how these can be improved and what future
researchers should do to enhance the level of investigation or your study

5.5 Conclusion of the Study

Overall conclude your study by providing the results in a snapshot. Try to tell what
study all about is and what message it is conveying

REFERENCES (start at new page)

APPENDICES (start at new page)