Do proposals cite quantities of participants right off the bat? Thanks

It is good if you can state a target sample size and some justification as to why (e.g., what other studies did or even better power analysis - if its quantitative that is).

It can change later but defo good to put it is as it shows you know what you're aiming for (what you need to detect an effect) and whether it can be achieved in the given time frame.

Thank you for your reply, Tudor_Queen.

The purpose of my study is to examine from a managerial perspective the effectiveness of Performance Management. The research philosophy adopted will be qualitative, interpretive in its epistemology and subjective in its ontology. Involving in-depth interviews. The research will adopt case study method with NO preconceived hypothesis. And an inductive analysis of the research problem would be applied.

Per my MBA dissertation supervisor, I shouldn't state numbers at the outset. I am really confused

Could someone please recommend a website for research proposals?

Thanks
GC

What do you mean specifically GC5?

Dear TreeofLife,

I am sorry for wording it wrong.
Could someone please suggest a website with sample proposals?

And would someone please suggest a methodology suitable to my approach? Deadline for proposal submission is fast approaching and now I think I messed up with the methodology :( I have no experience with the quantitative methodology and I think my research objectives are indicative of a quantitative, measurement, based approach

So, if I change my approach what would be ontological, epistemological and axiological bases and paradigmatic preference to resolve this matter and correctly align my approach with my aim?

PS: The purpose of this study is to examine from a managerial perspective the effectiveness of Performance Management System (PMS) of an IT training company by gauging into the degree of employee engagement and its relationship with PMS while accounting for cultural aspects unique to the Indian subcontinent, that influence the perceptions of managers.

Someone please spare a few minutes and help me.

Thanks & Regards,
GC

I had assumed quantitative. Although I imagine you would still want to give an indication of the sample size you are aiming for in your qualitative study - not for statistical purposes but at least so that the panel can see that you have thought about what is achievable within a given time frame.

Thanks Tudor_Queen, for your reply.

I'm a bit confused by your response before. You really need to be clear about the approach you want to take to address your research questions. Is this for a proposal for PhD funding? If so, I would suggest putting more time into it and going for the next deadline or a different opportunity. There is no point just throwing things together and not necessarily understanding why.

Sorry if I have misunderstood.

No, the research proposal is for (self-funded) Mphil application.

A good starting point might be to look at what other researchers in the area have done (ie what kinds of methodologies have been used to answer questions similar to yours). Also, research methods text books often list different qualitative vs quantitative approaches, and provide examples of the types of research questions that can be answered by each. You could see which ones would be appropriate for your research questions/aims.

Hi Tudor_Queen,

Thank you for your reply. I am reading a book on methodologies. Just one question..case study research can take a quantitative approach, right?

If you don't have an idea of sample size at the outset, how will you know research question is answerable??

I I know very clearly the sample size for my research, but my MBA dissertation supervisor suggested me to not state numbers at the outset.