School of Business and Technology
Track 3 Research Plan – QUANTITATIVE
Learner information
Learner Name
Learner e-mail
Learner Phone Number
Section 1. Research Problem, Significance, Question(s), Title
1.1 Research Problem
State the research problem, gap in the literature, or opportunity your study will investigate. Include a brief
background to set the context. See the Acceptable Dissertation Guidelines for more detail
(drjohnlatham.com)
1.2 Purpose of the Research
Write a brief statement that fully describes the purpose of the study. The purpose of most studies is to
make an original contribution to the body of knowledge.
1.3 Significance of the Problem
Describe the significance of your study’s investigation of the research problem. Include a statement of the
study’s particular significance to the field of Business Management or Technology.
1.4 Proposed Dissertation Title
Titles will most likely change as you progress through the development of the dissertation proposal
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1.5 Literature Review
Provide a brief overview of the theoretical framework upon which your study is based. Identify the seminal
research and theories that inform your study. Discuss the topics and themes that you will use to organize
your literature review.
1.6 References
Provide an annotated bibliography for the seminal research about your topic, and key theorists/researchers
associated with the selected methodology. Use proper APA formatting.
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Section 2.
Overall Methodology and Approach: QUALITATIVE
2.1 Research Design
Describe your research design in words. See Instructions.
2.2 Methodology Approach
Quantitative approaches include experimental, quasi-experimental, or non-experimental. Please state
the approach, then how it is consistent with your research problem/question. See Instructions.
2.3 Methodology Model
If using a particular quantitative model (e.g., structural equation modeling or a specific kind of
regression analysis), describe it here. If not, type N/A. See Instructions.
2.4 Rationale
Discuss how your design is suited to answering your research question. See Instructions.
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Section 3. Framework, Constructs, Phenomena: Qualitative
3.1 Theoretical Framework
Describe the business theory base that guides or focuses this study or defines the constructs it will
investigate. See Instructions.
3.2 Unit(s) of Analysis
Describe the unit(s) of analysis for this study. Typically, the unit of analysis will be individual or group.
Multiple research questions may require different units of analysis. See Instructions.
3.3 Constructs
Define each construct required by the research question and title. Provide citations showing your
theoretical framework. Number each construct. See Instructions.
3.4 Variables (Definitions of Constructs as variables)
Define each construct (in Item 3.3) as a variable. Provide citations to theoretical framework or previous
research supporting the selection of variable type. See Instructions.
3.5 Operational Definitions
Present an operational definition for each construct you will measure (with citations for published
measures). See Instructions.
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3.6 Relationships among Variables
State the relationships between or among variables. Ensure consistency with research question and
title. See Instructions.
3.7 Contributions to the Field.
Your study should make a contribution to your field based on the approach used to conduct the
research. Describe how your study is grounded in and/or adds to knowledge in the field of organization
and management or information technology.
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Section 4 Population and Sampling: Qualitative
4.1 The Population
Describe the larger group (population) of people, or data in which your study is interested. Do NOT
describe the actual sample here. See Instructions.
4.2 The Sample Frame and Sample
Describe the characteristics of your Sample Frame, sample, including (A) demographics, (B) inclusion
criteria if any; (C) exclusion criteria if any. See Instructions.
4.3 Sampling Procedures
Describe in detail the (A) recruiting, (B) selecting, and (C) assigning-to-groups procedures you will
follow for obtaining participants (your sample). Include citation(s) supporting the sampling methods.
See Instructions.
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4.4 Sample Size
Provide anticipated sample size, how it was calculated, and why it is appropriate for your research
question. See Instructions.
4.5 Rationale
Describe how selection procedures and sample size are consistent with research question. Indicate
resources consulted to make these decisions. See Instructions
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4.6 Ethical Considerations
(45 CFR 46; APA Ethical Principles). Identify ethical issues involved in sampling procedures. (Key
Belmont principle: equity) (IRB Application will describe how they are dealt with.) See Instructions)
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Section 5. Hypotheses and Data Types: Quantitative
5.1 Restate research question(s).
Copy and paste Item 1.3. Include each sub-question, numbered sequentially.
5.2 Quantitative Hypotheses
For each quantitative sub-question (sub-Q), list hypotheses for their investigation. Give nulls and
alternates for each sub-Q. Copy from Item 1.5. See Instructions.
5.3 Type(s) of Data
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Hypothe
Independent
Data
Independent/M
Data type
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Complete the table rows
for each hypotheses-set
numbered in Item 5.2.
Insert cursor in first cell,
type #, then simply
“Tab” from cell to cell. If
more rows are needed,
use “enter” key to add
rows within the last row.
sis #
Variable Name
type
(nomin
al,
ordinal,
interval,
or ratio)
oderating/Medi
ating Variable
Name
(categorical
, ordinal,
interval, or
ratio)
Section 6. Measures, Field Tests, Data Collection, and Analysis: Quantitative
(Chapters One, Section F & Chapter Three, Sections E, F, )
6.1 Measures
T2
List (by sub-question
number) and describe
each data collection
instrument or
measurement tool you
will use. Include (A)
citations for published
measures, (B) data
type(s) generated by
each measure, and (C)
available information
(including validity &
reliability coefficients).
See Instructions.
6.2 Field Testing
Describe any field test of
any instruments. Field
tests must be done (A)
for new instruments, and
(B) with expert panelists.
Field tests require no IRB
review required. (Pilot
studies with participants
DO.) See Instructions
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6.3 Pilot Testing
Describe how you will
conduct a Pilot test of
any instruments. (Pilot
studies require IRB
approval.) See
Instructions
6.4 Data Collection
Procedures
List and describe the
procedures you will use
to collect your data. See
Instructions.
6.5 Ethical
Considerations
(45 CFR 46; APA Ethical
Principles)
Describe any ethical
issues about data
collection procedures.
(How they will be
managed will be
discussed in IRB
Application.) (Key
Belmont principle:
beneficence, i.e.,
risk/benefit analysis). See
Instructions.
6.6 Statistical Analysis
Describe the statistics to
be used for each
hypothesis or research
sub-question. Number
each according to the
hypothesis numbers in
Item 5.2. See Instructions.
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Section 7. Researcher’s Critical Analysis of Design
7.1 Procedures Diagram
Diagram the step by step
procedures from sample
recruitment through data
analysis. Ensure that
there are no procedural
confusions. (A standard
design diagram is allowed
as an alternative to
procedures diagram) See
Instructions.
7.2 Assumptions
Identify the key (A)
theoretical, (B) topical,
and (C) methodological
assumptions of the study;
provide citations to
support their adoption.
See Instructions.
7.3 Strengths
Evaluate the strengths of
your study. See
Instructions.
7.4 Limitations
Evaluate the weaknesses
of your study at this time.
Indicate areas to be
improved before start of
study and areas that
cannot be improved. Give
reasons for not
redesigning any
limitations, if any. See
Instructions.
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Section 8. References
In the field below, provide your references for the seminal research about your topic, and key
theorists/researchers associated with the selected methodology. You will continue to build on this list
of references for your Chapter 1 Background of the Problem, Chapter 2 Literature Review and Chapter
5, where you will discuss your findings in the context of the literature.
Use proper APA formatting.
Learner: Stop here and submit to your Mentor for final approval. Continue working on your final
literature review while you wait for SMR approval.
Mentors
Your submission of the
MRF for SMR review
indicates your approval
of the mentee’s work
along with the committee
member approvals.
Signature
Date
Mentor: This form must be approved by all committee members prior to submission for SMR review.
Please send completed and approved MRF to Compdisssupport@capella.edu for SMR review.
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