HOW TO WRITE A

RESEARCH PAPER
Kamran Jawaid
M.Phil (Cont.), MBA (Marketing), BBA (Hons.)
Business Faculty
Mohammad Ali Jinnah University
CONTENT OF PAPER
1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Background of the Study
4. Literature Review
5. Hypothesis


7. Research Methodology
8. Data Analysis
9. Conclusion
10. Recommendation
11. References

SELECTION OF TOPIC
Select the Topic by keeping an eye on the collection of
Secondary Data Availability and Primary Data Respondents
Interest and Availability.
Topic is in heading form comprised of four to five words
with raw clarification of direction towards research in a sense
of bird eye view.
INTRODUCTION
Introduction is comprised on the reply to four Ws i.e. What,
Where, When and Who.

What? What is your topic about? Provide a 2-3 sentence
explanation.

Where? Does this topic fit into a local, regional, or global
scheme? Is there a particular physical environment for this
topic?
INTRODUCTION
When? Is there a certain time frame when this topic
became important or experienced change? Do you want
to research the current or historical view of this topic?

Who? Specific names or groups of people involved;
consider gender, ethnicity, age groups, occupations, etc.
Who does this topic affect?
BACKGROUND
Background is comprised on the reply to one Ws i.e. Why and
one H i.e. How.

Why? Why is this topic important? Why are you
interested in researching this topic?

How? How do aspects of this topic affect one
another? How does this topic affect you and others?
If this topic involves a process, how do aspects of
this topic function?



PROBLEM STATEMENT
Developing a strong research question is essential. It will
guide you all the way through your research and writing
process. This process is designed to help you turn your defined
topic into a well-crafted research problem and question.
Problem Statement can be designed on more perfect way by
answering the three questions.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
1. I am learning about (or studying/working on)
2. because I want to find out
(who/what/where/when/whether/how/why)
3. in order to understand (how/why/what/whether)
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Summarize the replies of three question and prepare one
questions with clear statement about the research direction.


?

OBJECTIVE
Statement start with word To Find / Know / Inquire etc.
with direction of research.
Gives a bird eye view towards the development of
Hypothesis, which is required to be tested in methodology.
Prepare Key Words from the Problem Statement and
Objective Bullets.
LITERATURE REVIEW
It is always SECONDARY DATA. It helps to find your
research variables, research models and hypothesis. Specific
gap found in Literature review. Here you build your logic
regarding your topic.
We need to search relevant researches, articles, books with
the help of key words derived from problem statement and
objectives.
LITERATURE REVIEW
At least 15 research papers, whose topics are close to the
problem statement or may help in resolving the problem
statement.
Always keep save the reference of every article / paper like
web address, newspaper date and page or book edition and
publisher.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Avoid to use direct quotes to avoid the
plagiarism alarm raised in SPSS software.
Required to rewrite the quotes in indirect form with
mentioned reference comprised on Author and Year.
The best way to collect the secondary data is to be registered
at Mendeley.com
HYPOTHESIS
After collection of secondary data, Hypothesis will be
generated to be tested after collecting primary data.
Hypothesis comprised on the relationship of two variables
and the level of relationship bounding.
Our developed Hypothesis will create another (Negative)
Null Hypothesis, if our Hypothesis isnt proved then Null
Hypotheses will proved by default.
METHODOLOGY
It involves:
Research Design
Research Approach
Research Method
Universe of the Study

RESEARCH DESIGN
1. Exploratory Research Design
2. Explanatory or Causal Relationship /
Analytical Research Design
3. Descriptive Research Design
EXPLORATORY RESEARCH
To clarify the problem that can only helpful in decision
making but not leads to a conclusion or result.
Exploratory research is used when the data availability is
insufficient to make clear a particular problem or issue.
In this research the idea about existence of a particular
problem or issue is determine in order to make clear that does it
really exist or not.
EXPLANATORY RESEARCH
This research helps to determine the cause-&-effect
relationship between the dependent & independent variables.
Hypothesis formulation takes place before the literature
review.
Independent Variable are the cause that can be controlled or
changed and Dependent Variable are the effect that can not be
controlled or changed

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
In descriptive research, in comparison to exploratory research,
you have a clearer idea of what is needed and are looking for
answers to more clearly defined questions.
Descriptive studies might tell you, for example, the size of a
market, the structure of the market, developments over time, and
attitudes of particular groups of people and so on.
It is used to identify and obtain information on the
characteristics of a particular problem or issue.
RESEARCH APPROACH
1. Deductive Approach

2. Inductive Approach
DEDUCTIVE APPROACH
Deductive reasoning is a basic form of valid
reasoning. Deductive reasoning, or deduction, starts
out with a general statement, or hypothesis, and
examines the possibilities to reach a specific, logical
conclusion. The scientific method uses deduction to
test hypotheses and theories.
INDUCTIVE APPROACH
Inductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive
reasoning. Inductive reasoning makes broad
generalizations from specific observations.
Even if all of the premises are true in a
statement, inductive reasoning allows for the
conclusion to be false.
RESEARCH METHOD
1. Qualitative Method
2. Quantitative Method
3. Combination of Both
UNIVERSE OF STUDY

1. Population Target Population for Research
2. Sample Frame Specification of Population
3. Sampling Unit More Specification of Frame
4. Sampling Methods Probability / Non Probability
UNIVERSE OF STUDY

5. Sample Size Number of Respondents
6. Research Strategy Technique of Data Collection
7. Instrument of Study Questionnaire Characteristics
8. Data Analysis Correlation / Regression
ANALYSIS
How we analyze the data, is depend on the Research
Method; either quantitative or qualitative.
But now SPSS Software became mandatory for the Data
Analysis, which required the Quantitative Data.
For putting the values of Qualitative Data, Qualitative
Findings convert into Quantitative for SPSS Software.
CONCLUSION
Conclusion if the only portion, where researcher express his
view but according to the finding after data analysis.
Conclusion is comprised on your generated statements /
results after conducting the over all research.
Conclusion usually leads to the regeneration of
recommendations with broader perspective for further research.

RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation shows the scope of further research on the
same topic with more specific or touching the non hypothetical
variables.
Recommendation is helpful for the researchers, who collect
your research as literature review.
If recommendation closed the door for further research then
your research is perceived as less useful.
REFERENCES
Bibliography of reference books, articles, newspapers and
website links.
The working for collecting references are started from the
collection of Literature Review.
There is no reference sounds authentic other than literature
review.
ABSTRACT

1. Topic Intro Line
2. Research Gap
3. Variables Relationship
4. Research Design

5. Sample Size
6. Scope of Study
7. Instrument
8. Major Findings
THINGS TO BE NOTED
Topic is in broader sense, while Problem Statement is specific
question for research.
Objective is a statement while Hypothesis is the relationship of
Variables.
Literature Review is the Secondary Data and the material for
References.
Questionnaire is the most common tool for Primary Data
Collection.