SOBT Research Plan
Learner Name
Learner e-mail
Learner Phone Number
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SOBT Research Plan
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.
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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SOBT Research Plan
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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SOBT Research Plan
2.1 Research Design
Describe your research design in words. See Instructions.
2.2 Methodology Approach
Qualitative approaches include generic qualitative, case study, ethnography, grounded theory, phenomenology, or heuristic. If proposing an alternative approach, include information about researcher’s and dissertation committee members’ training in the alternative model. See
Instructions.
2.3 Methodology Model
Within the approach, describe the model of that approach adopted for this study. Include references to primary sources for that model. See Instructions.
2.4 Rationale
Discuss how your design is suited to answering your research question. See Instructions.
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SOBT Research Plan
3.1 Theoretical Framework
Demonstrate how the study (a) will advance the scientific knowledge base; (b) is grounded in the field of organization and management or information technology; and (c) addresses something that is not known, something that is new or different from prior research, something that extends prior research, or something that fills a gap in the existing literature. Describe precisely how your study will add to the existing body of literature on your topic.
3.2 Units of Analysis
Describe the unit or units of analysis for this study. Typically, the unit of analysis will be individual, small group, large group, or objects (such as photographs, etc.). Multiple research questions may require different units of analysis.
3.3 Constructs, Phenomena, Issues, or Elements of Interest
List the specific constructs or phenomena that are the focus of the study reflected in the research question and title. Provide citations to the relevant theoretical framework. Number each construct and phenomenon.
3.4 Conceptual Definitions
Define (describe fully) each construct or phenomenon listed in Item 3.3 with references to relevant theoretical framework, if any.
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SOBT Research Plan
3.5 Observational Definitions (Qualitative)
For each item in 3.3 and 3.4, describe how it will be identified and observed during data collection.
3.6 Rationale
Show how the observational data (Item 3.5) will provide data appropriate to the unit of analysis
(Item 3.2) to answer the research question (Item 1.3) properly.
3.7 Contributions to the Field
Your study should make a contribution to your field based on the approach used to conduct the research:

Ethnography.

Case Study.

Grounded Theory.

Phenomenology.

Heuristics.

Delphi Technique.

Generic Qualitative Research.
Describe how your study is grounded in, or adds to knowledge in, the fields of organization and management or information technology.
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SOBT Research Plan
4.1 The Population
Describe the larger group (population) of people or data in which you are interested. Do not describe the actual sample here.
4.2 The Sample Frame and Sample
Describe the characteristics of your sample, including (a) demographics, (b) inclusion criteria, if any; and (c) exclusion criteria, if any.
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SOBT Research Plan
4.3 Sampling Procedures
Describe in detail procedures for (a) recruiting, (b) selecting, and (c) assigning-to-groups you will follow for obtaining participants (your sample). Provide citations supporting the sampling methods.
4.4 Sample Size
Describe your intended sample size and how you determined it. Provide citations (primary sources) to support it. If you are investigating more than one group (e.g., with a larger survey and small number of interviews), describe all relevant groups.
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SOBT Research Plan
4.5 Rationale
Describe how selection procedures and sample size are consistent with the research question.
Indicate resources consulted to make these decisions.
4.6 Ethical Considerations
Identify ethical issues involved in sampling procedures. (Key Belmont principle: equity.) (IRB
Application will describe how they are dealt with.)
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