Chapter 2: Generating a Research Idea and Developing Your Research Proposal
This chapter is a practical guide to the crucial first steps of your research project: finding an idea
you are passionate about and then systematically developing it into a formal, feasible plan.
2.1 Introduction
Choosing your own research topic is one of the most exciting parts of your studies. This chapter
emphasizes the importance of selecting a topic that will sustain your interest over many months. The
process is compared to Alice in Wonderland's conversation with the Cheshire Cat: if you don't know
where you want to go, any path will do. Generating a research idea is rarely a single moment of
inspiration; it is an iterative process of formulating, clarifying, and refining an idea into a focused
research question.
2.2 Characteristics of Good Research Ideas
A good research idea should be evaluated against three key criteria:
Appropriateness: The idea must meet your university's specific requirements (e.g., collecting primary
data, being applied research). It must have a clear link to existing theory and be capable of being
expressed as a clear research question. It should offer the potential for symmetry of potential outcomes
(the findings will be valuable regardless of the result) and provide fresh insights into the topic.
Capability: You must have, or be able to develop, the necessary skills to undertake the research. The
project must be achievable within the available time and financial resources. You must also be
reasonably certain you can gain access to the required data.
Fulfilment: The idea must genuinely interest and motivate you, as you will be working on it for a long
time. It can also be helpful if it aligns with your future career aspirations.
2.3 Generating Research Ideas
Ideas can come from anywhere, often when your mind is clear (e.g., through mindfulness). Techniques
are divided into rational and creative thinking.
Rational Thinking Techniques:
Examining your own strengths and interests: Look at past assignments you did well in and enjoyed.
Examining academic staff research interests: University staff profiles can spark ideas and guide
initial reading.
Looking at past project titles: Scanning dissertation titles can reveal interesting areas to explore.
Discussion: Talking to colleagues, friends, tutors, and practitioners can generate ideas.
Searching existing literature: Review articles, academic journals, and reports are excellent sources.
Look for sections on "further research" or gaps in the literature ("gap spotting").
Scanning the media: News stories can provide directly relevant ideas or suggest related topics.
Creative Thinking Techniques:
Keeping a notebook of ideas: Jot down ideas as they occur to you.
Exploring personal preferences using past projects: Analyze what you like and dislike in previous
projects to understand your own preferences.
Exploring relevance to business: Consider how esoteric academic theories could be applied or
tested in a practical business setting.
Relevance trees: Use mind-mapping to break a broad concept into more specific topics and sub-
topics.
Brainstorming: A structured group technique for generating a large number of ideas without criticism.
2.4 Refining Research Ideas
Your initial idea needs to be narrowed down and focused.
The Delphi technique: Using a group of knowledgeable people to anonymously provide feedback on
your idea over several rounds to reach a consensus.
Preliminary inquiry: Conducting initial literature searches and informal discussions to test and refine
the idea's feasibility.
Integrating ideas: Using a process like "working up and narrowing down" to classify your idea from a
general area to a specific field to a precise aspect.
Refining ideas from your organization: If an employer gives you an idea, you may need to isolate a
manageable and interesting element of it for your academic project, while being mindful of
organizational politics.
2.5 Developing Your Overarching Research Question
This is the central, key question your research will answer. It is crucial because it determines your
literature review, research design, data collection, and analysis. A good question should:
* Be clear and focused.
* Not be too simple (merely descriptive) or too difficult ("Goldilocks test").
* Generate new insights.
* Use the Russian Doll Principle to strip away unnecessary layers until you find the core question.
* Follow the AbC rule: include one or two Abstract concepts (e.g., employee engagement) and the
Context (e.g., a tech company).
2.6 Writing a Research Aim and Set of Research Objectives
Research Aim: A broad statement of the purpose of your research (e.g., "to evaluate...").
Research Objectives/Investigative Questions: These break the aim down into specific, actionable
steps. They must be:
* Transparent, Specific, and Relevant.
* Interconnected (together they complete the project).
* Answerable and Measurable.
They operationalize your research question, providing a clear roadmap for your project.
2.7 The Importance of Theory
What theory is: A systematic body of knowledge used for explanation or prediction. A good theory
explains “what” concepts are involved, “how” they are related, and crucially, “why” they are related (the
causal mechanism). It also defines its limits (who, where, when it applies). Theory is not just
references, data, lists of variables, diagrams, or hypotheses.
Why theory is important: Theory is not just academic; it is implicit in all our everyday decisions and
actions. Making it explicit in research allows for deeper understanding, explanation, and prediction.
How theory informs research: It helps you formulate research questions that seek explanation, not
just description. It allows you to connect your work to existing knowledge and demonstrate your
project's contribution.
Types of theoretical contribution: Don't worry about creating a "Grand Theory." Most business
research develops substantive theories (limited to a specific context) or contributes to middle-range
theories (broader but not world-changing).
2.8 The Need for a Research Proposal
The proposal is a structured plan for your project. It is essential because it:
* Provides a clear specification to guide your work.
* Ensures your project meets the assessment criteria.
* Demonstrates coherence (a logical plan), addresses ethical consideration, and proves feasibility (it
can be done with your resources and time).
* Ensures your research is a genuine inquiry, not based on preconceived ideas.
2.9 Structuring Your Research Proposal
A standard proposal structure includes:
1. Title: A concise summary of the research question.
2. Background: Introduces the research problem, provides a rationale (why it's important and
interesting), and grounds the study in relevant academic literature.
3. Research Question, Aim, and Objectives: A clear statement of what the research will achieve.
4. Method: The longest section, detailing:
* Research philosophy and design.
* Data needs, participants, and sampling strategy.
* Data collection and analysis techniques.
* Ethical considerations.
5. Timescale: Often presented as a Gantt chart, showing how you will allocate time to each project
stage.
6. Resources: A realistic assessment of the costs, data access, and equipment (e.g., software) needed.
