Identifying a Research Question for the Dissertation/Project

This worksheet helps in identifying a research question for the dissertation/project. It includes possible sources of the research question, proposed research question, contextual background, aims of the research study, and supporting questions. The academic theme of the proposal is also discussed along with ethical considerations.

Identifying a Research Question for the
Dissertation/Project
WORKSHEET FOR RESEARCH DISSERTATION
PLAN
This template is to assist you in preparing your Research Dissertation Plan. Your research
Plan is the foundation of your dissertation. Please bring the sheet with you to the research
tutorials to demonstrate your progress – this is a record of your work-in-progress
Student’s Name Supervisor
Student’s Number Date Allocated
*2 What are the possible
sources of your research
question?
These may include
academic subjects you
have studied, your
(business related) personal
experience, your future
career intentions. Above all
the topic should arouse
and engage your interest.
The possible sources of the research question and that can be
collected by various sources such as personal experiences,
interviews, various perspective and related literature (Ghasemi
and et.al.,2021).
*3 What is your proposed
research question?
This states the business
problem – add a comment
– what is the anticipated
benefit that may result from
investigating the problem
The main issue is related to the level of business performance which
has majorly affected due to the pandemic. Thorough the help of this
study, the problem will be understood better. Also, the importance of
business performance also be understood in the oil and gas industry
(Wardhani and Rahadian, 2021)
*4 How has the problem
arisen?
Provide the contextual
background to the problem
The problem has arisen after the impact of the Covid-19 as all
the industries got affected by its adverse impact (Ghasemi and
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–
Summary of organization
and summary of the
problem
Valmohammadi, 2018). It has affected the prices in the oil and gas
industry due to imbalance in the supply and demand. That is why
the oil and gas industry had to bring some modifications in its
strategies to set the plan for comeback. The company is Cairn
Energy which is one of the oil and gas British company and it
was founded in the year of 1981 by Sir Bill Gammell. Along with
it, the primary concern is with the degree of corporate
performance, which has been significantly impacted by the
pandemic. The problem will be better understood with the aid of
this investigation. Also, the oil and gas industry are aware of the
significance of company performance.
What are the aims of
the research study?
One research aim
which will be
reflected in the title of
your dissertation
Title:
An investigation on the impact of Covid-19 in relation to the business
performance on the oil and gas industry.
Aims of the study:
 The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of Covid-19 on
the business performance of oil and gas industry. A study on
Cairn Energy.
Research question:
What is the level of impact on the business performance during
Covid-19 on the oil and gas industry?
Quantitative Study
What are the
objectives of your
research study?
What do you plan to
do during your
research?
For quantitative
research list up to up
to three objectives
the fourth objective is
to recommend a
course of action
(For quantitative research)
The objectives of the study are -
To explore the underlying factors that affected the business
performance of the Cairn energy.
To assess the importance of business performance in oil and gas
industry during the time of Covid-19.
To evaluate the various issues in business performance of Cairn
energy during Covid-19.
Based on the study findings it is expected to recommend the
preventive measures for improving business performance of Cairn
energy.
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Qualitative Study
What are the
supporting
questions of your
research study?
What do you plan to
do during your
research?
For qualitative
research list up to
three supporting
questions
the fourth objective is
to recommend a
course of action
(For qualitative research)
The supporting questions of the study are
….
…..
Based on the study findings it is expected to recommend
What is the main
academic theme of
your proposal?
Include an academic
definition of the key
terms, supported by
academic literature
cited using the
Harvard referencing
system
According to Lima, McMahon and Costa, (2021), maintaining
corporate practises was crucial during the Covid-19 Crisis in order to
support the oil and gas industry in making improvements in the future.
In addition to how well a corporation succeeds due to the effects of
COVID-19, other factors may also have a role. Covid-19 has a huge
impact on businesses in a number of areas, including social and
economic ones (AMBARWATI, 2022). the business's financial
performance. The COVID19 and the ensuing economic slowdown are
also to blame for the sharp drop in crude oil demand. By the middle of
2020, a number of crude oil indexes had once again fallen to their
lowest levels, which had an impact on the company's financial
performance. Additionally, the most precise monitoring of innovation in
response to COVID-19's effects on the oil and gas sector During the
COVID-19 pandemic, Offshore Technology, for example, keeps an
eye on both the patent applications and the patent applicants. The
effects of COVID-19 and the dispute over oil prices are turning out to
be a double-edged disaster for the oil, gas, and chemical sectors. Oil
prices are falling as agreements on output quotas fail, and demand for
chemicals and processed commodities is falling as a result of
industrial slowdowns and travel restrictions brought on by this global
epidemic (Kiarie and Spencer, 2020).
What Academic
theory underpins the
research question?
This is addres sed for each objective.
You should use evidence drawn from six recent academic journals
and texts to discuss the objectives; and therefore the research
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question.
You should have at least two recent journal articles supporting each
objective if you have three objectives and at least three journal articles
supporting each objective if you have two objectives.
Evidence
underpinning
Objective 1
One sentence explaining what the evidence says in relation to
objective 1
The oil and gas sector are currently the most underperforming sector
of the global economy due to Covid-19. Due to the coronavirus
outbreak, it had a major negative impact on the global economy. That
is why every aspect of human society comprises of the energy industry
and business is obstructed by this pandemic. As the pandemic has an
effect on prices, demand, supply, investment, and a variety of other
aspects of the energy sector, including the oil and gas industry.
Evidence
underpinning
Objective 2
One sentence explaining what the evidence says in relation to
objective 2:
As per the studies, the oil and gas sector has been heavily impacted
due to COVID-19. Due to the pandemic in order to being more secure,
this sector is contributing to the global effort to rebuild better. That is
why there are various tactics which can be used by the sector to make
the necessary changes to ensure a more positive future.
Evidence
underpinning
Objective 3
One sentence explaining what the evidence says in relation to
objective 3:
Serious environmental and human rights challenges are also
emerging, in addition to the COVID-19's immediate effects on the
economy and public health. Additionally, the outbreak has brought
attention to the vulnerability of particular societal social groupings.
Travel and tourism activity levels as well as oil and gas output are
currently below pre-pandemic levels.
List the academic
journal articles
Use the full Harvard
referencing system
AMBARWATI, T., 2022. Prospects of Indonesia's achievement of the
sustainable development goals number 15 “land ecosystems” in the palm oil
industry after law no. 11 of 2020 concerning job creation. Protection: Journal
Of Land And Environmental Law, 1(1), pp.18-25.
Ghasemi, B. and Valmohammadi, C., 2018. Developing a measurement
instrument of knowledge management implementation in the Iranian oil
industry. Kybernetes, 47(10), pp.1874-1905.
Ghasemi, B., Khalijian, S., Daim, T.U. and Mohammadipirlar, E., 2021.
Knowledge management performance measurement based on World-Class
Competitive Advantages to develop strategic-oriented projects: Case of
Iranian oil industry. Technology in Society, 67, p.101691.
Kiarie, D. and Spencer, F., 2020. DETERMINANTS OF EFFECTIVE
PROCUREMENT PERFORMANCE IN OIL INDUSTRY IN KENYA: A CASE OF
KENYA PIPELINE CORPORATION. Academic Journal of Social Sciences and
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Education, 8(4).
Wardhani, R. and Rahadian, Y., 2021. Sustainability strategy of Indonesian
and Malaysian palm oil industry: A qualitative analysis. Sustainability
Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 12(5), pp.1077-1107.
Ethical considerations
Consider issues of access to the participant organisation and individuals
Draft letter requesting access to the organisation;
Draft a Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form
Fill-in part of the university’s Ethics Form
Ethical Approval:
Explain how you will
obtain written
authorization to
collect research data
Compulsory for all academic research
Organisational level: Who is your contact? How do you know the
contact? At what level are they operating within the organization?
Individual level: Participant information sheet and consent form.
Issues related to implied consent (especially for survey questionnaires)
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