Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION (10 Pages)
1.1 Chapter Overview
1.2 Introduction
1.3 Background of Study
1.3.1 Background of (Focus
Area)
1.3.2 Background of (Industry/Sector)
1.4 Current Situation of
Study
1.4.1 Current Situation of
(Focus Area) in the (Context, such as Malaysia)
1.4.2 Current Situation of (Industry/Sector) in the (Context,
such as Malaysia)
1.5 Research Problem
1.6 Research Method
1.7 Research Objectives
1.8 Research Questions
1.9 Significance of the study
1.10 Scope of the study
1.11 Definition of the key terms
1.12 Chapter Summary
(15%)
Chapter 2: LITERATURE
REVIEW (20 Pages)
2.1 Chapter Overview
2.2 Introduction
2.3 Historical Literature Review
2.3.1 History of (Focus Area)
2.3.2 Recent Issues and Development of (Focus Area)
2.3.3 History of (Industry/Sector)
2.3.4 Recent Issues and Development of (Industry/Sector)
2.4 Empirical Review
2.4.1 Definition and Literature Review (General and Specific)
of Phenomena and Key Concepts / Variables of Interest – identification of
patterns / relationships related to phenomena
2.4.2 Critical Literature Review – critique of existing
empirical
studies, identification of gaps and justification for research
focus on Phenomena and Key Concepts / Variables of Interest
2.5 Empirical Literature Matrix and Meta-Analysis (Empirical
Review
Table)
2.6 Summary of Empirical Review
2.7 Theoretical Review
2.7.1 History, Philosophy, Concepts and Explanations related to
Theories and Models Used
2.7.2 Theoretical Development (Theory development over time),
gaps – unpacking and critique of theoretical concepts – challenging the value
of a theory and exploring its weaknesses and problems in terms of explaining
the phenomena
2.7.3 Theoretical Justifications – proposing possible
directions for rethinking, developing or adding to theory, theoretical concepts
(in terms of being better able to explain the phenomena and relationships
between the Key Concepts / Variables of Interest)
2.8 Theoretical Literature Matrix and Meta-Analysis
(Theoretical
Review Table)
2.9 Summary of Theoretical Review
2.10 Empirical and Theoretical Literature Gaps of (Focus Area
and Industry/Sector)
2.11 Chapter Summary
(15%)
Chapter 3: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY (10 Pages)
3.1 Chapter Overview
3.2 Theoretical Framework
3.2.1 Theoretical lens and theoretical concepts used in the
study – visual representation encouraged
3.2.2 Application of theoretical lens to phenomena of interest
– explain the way specific aspects of theory will be used in the study
3.3 Research Strategy
3.3.1 Research Approach
3.3.2 Research Paradigm – Philosophical Assumptions
3.3.3 Qualitative Research Design
3.3.4 Research Methods & Justification
3.3.5 Data Sources
3.3.6 Role of Researcher
3.4 Sampling Design
3.4.1 Study Population
3.4.2 Unit of Analysis and Unit of Observation
3.4.3 Sampling Frame and Sampling Technique & Justification
3.4.4 Sample Size and Data Saturation
3.5 Instrument Development
3.5.1 Instrument Development (Interview Protocol /
Observational Protocol / Documentary Review Protocol)
3.5.2 Qualitative approaches to Reliability and Validity
3.5.3 Instrument(s) (Protocols) for data collection
3.6 Data Collection and Analysis
3.6.1 Data Collection
3.6.2 Data Analysis
3.6.3 Ethical Considerations
3.7 Chapter Summary
References