Ethical Dimensions of Business Research: Research Proposal Report

This report presents a research proposal focused on the ethical dimensions of business research. It begins by outlining the background of business research, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in information gathering, especially in competitive environments. The proposal highlights the potential for unethical practices, such as acquiring confidential information. The rationale underscores the need for ethical frameworks to guide business research activities, including market research. The research aims to address key questions regarding unethical information, corporate behaviors, and ethical frameworks. The methodology involves qualitative data analysis from secondary sources like books, journals, and articles. The timeframe for the research is set at three months. In conclusion, the study aims to address the growing importance of ethical considerations in the competitive corporate landscape, providing valuable insights for business research practices.

Running head: PROPOSAL: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PROPOSAL: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
Introduction
The study is brought forward to provide a research proposal in regards to the subject of
ethical dimensions of business research. The various aspects that are related to the ethical
frameworks that are needed to be maintained for business research are provided through the
proposal.
Research background
The background of the research is in regards to the various aspects of business research.
Business research refers to the process through which detailed information is acquired in regards
to all the significant areas of businesses. The information is acquired to maximize the prospects
for profitability of the businesses (Bell et al.). The information includes acquiring essential
information such as regional analysis, competitor analysis and situational analysis. Many times
unethical approaches are made to acquire business information such as acquiring confidential
information of the competitors or customers. Thus, it becomes important that the various
dimensions of the ethical factors of business research are examined to establish a proper ethical
research standard.
Rationale
In the present environment of strong competition across the various corporate sectors, it
has become important that the ethical dimensions of business research are considered
importantly (Campbell and Cowton). This is because business research encompasses many areas
that rely on effective information gathering. The information that are gathered can be
confidential at times. This can vary from being the confidential information of the customer to
confidential information of the competitors (Ferrell et al). It is important to know just how much
and what type of information can be gathered by any organization by staying within the limits of

2PROPOSAL: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
the essential aspect that are related to corporate ethics. Hence, the research becomes important as
it would discuss exactly the areas of ethical understanding that need to be considered while
engaging in business research activities. Market research is also such an area that needs to be
considered in light of the subject.
Research questions
 What are the various types of information that can be classified as unethical in the
corporate world?
 What are the various corporate behaviors that can be considered to be unethical in any
corporate environment?
 What are the ethical frameworks that can be established considering the ethical
information and the ethical behavioral aspects that govern corporate interactions?
Research methodology
The research would consider qualitative data in order to assess the various factors related
to business research. The ethical standards that are important while engaging in business research
would be found through the various books, journals and articles that are relevant and timely
considering the subject matter. The research would consider only secondary sources of
information as this would be better in analyzing the subject matter.
Timeframes
The timeframe of the research would be three months in total considering all the data
collection processes and analysis that are to take place.
Conclusion

3PROPOSAL: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
In conclusion it can be said that the chosen subject is significant in view of the
competitive corporate environments that are currently present globally. The study would help in
evaluating a subject matter that is growing in importance in view of the present market growth
that is being witnessed throughout the corporate business environments.

4PROPOSAL: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
References
Bell, Emma, Alan Bryman, and Bill Harley. Business research methods. Oxford university press,
2018.
Campbell, David, and Christopher J. Cowton. "Method issues in business ethics research: finding
credible answers to questions that matter." Business Ethics: A European Review24
(2015): S3-S10.
Ferrell, O. C., et al. "Business ethics, corporate social responsibility, and brand attitudes: An
exploratory study." Journal of Business Research 95 (2019): 491-501.
Sekaran, Uma, and Roger Bougie. Research methods for business: A skill building approach.
John Wiley & Sons, 2016.