SLPStudy.docx

SLP Study:

This SLP will span the first 5 modules of the course.  You will start thinking about a topic for your Doctoral Study and how you might go about conducting the study.  Don’t worry that the topic you choose at this early date will obligate you to keep that topic when it comes time to begin your research.  It can, and probably will change and evolve as you grow in your understanding and knowledge throughout the doctoral program. 

Here we provide the big picture of what you will put together throughout the course.  Note that the “deliverables” are listed for each module.

In thinking about a possible topic for your Doctoral Study, consider the following questions:

Module 2: Have I done any reading of the academic literature on this business topic?  Do I know how much research has been done concerning this topic? Find and skim 5 or 6 peer-reviewed academic studies/dissertations and books that relate to research conducted on this topic. What theoretical bases do these studies employ? What are the findings of these studies? What would my study add to this body of research? (3-4 pages)

Write up a 4-page mini-proposal for the Doctoral Study you are thinking about doing at this point in time.

· What is the tentative title of your study?

· Explain what is driving your interest in your business research topic.

· Define the business problem you have identified that your research might address or help resolve.

· What puzzle about your area of interest do you want to solve?

· Propose a set of RQ’s (5-10) which you will eventually reduce to 1 or 2.

Although the SLP is a less formal document than a case study, it is expected that you follow APA convention at the doctoral level. Also, although you are asked for your opinion, remember that it is good practice to avoid writing in the first person. Instead, focus on stating the facts as you perceive them to be while writing in the third person—and cite supporting sources.

Required Reading:

Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications: Design and methods (6th ed.). Sage Publications.

Stage 5: Collecting Data (pp. 55-68),Stage 6: Analyzing Data (pp. 69-82), andStage 7: Interpreting Data (pp. 83-92) in:Gagnon, Y. (2010). The case study as research method: A practical handbook. Les Presses de l'Université du Québec.

Data Collection (pp. 65-83) andManaging and Analysing Data (pp. 84-99) in:Farquhar, J. D. (2012). Case study research for business. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Optional Reading:

Beverland, M., & Lindgreen, A. (2010). What makes a good case study? A positivist review of qualitative case research published in Industrial Marketing Management, 1971-2006. Industrial Marketing Management, 39(1), 59-63. 

Easton, G. (2005). Critical realism in case study research. Industrial marketing Management, 39(1), 118-128.

Johnson, P., Buehring, A., Cassell, C., & Symon, G. (2006). Evaluating qualitative management research: Toward a contingent criteriology. International Journal of Management Review, 8(3), 131-156.

Gillham, B. (2000). Case study research methods. Continuum.