Research Proposal: Social Media Impact on SME Growth and Productivity

This document presents a comprehensive research proposal focused on analyzing the impact of social media on the overall growth and productivity of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), using Rowlinson Knitwear as a specific case study. The proposal outlines the research objectives, which include evaluating social media's role in enhancing profitability, determining its impact on organizational departments, and identifying specific social media tools used to improve performance. It details the research questions, reasons for choosing the project, and a review of relevant literature sources supporting the research. The proposal also includes a timeline of activities, a description of the research design and methodologies (descriptive and inductive approach), and ethical considerations related to human participants, data storage, and security. The document includes ethics approval forms and provides a structured plan for the research project, from the initial proposal to the final submission, including milestones and target dates. The research aims to provide insights into how SMEs can leverage social media to achieve business success.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID: ______________________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date: ___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: ______________________________________________
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Aim
“To analyse the impact of social media on overall growth and productivity of SME's. A case study on Rowlinson
Knitwear”.
Research objectives
 To evaluate the role of social media in enhancing the profitability level of Rowlinson Knitwear.
 To determine the impact of social media on organisational department of Rowlinson Knitwear.
 To identify the specific social media tools implement by Rowlinson Knitwear to improve their
performance.
Research question
 What is the role of social media in enhancing the profitability level of the Rowlinson Knitwear?
 What is the impact of social media on organisational department of Rowlinson Knitwear?
 Which specific social media tools are implement by Rowlinson Knitwear to improve their performance?
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Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Mobile technology are beneficial for achieving satisfied and loyal
customers
Digital tools helps in expanding business operations around the globe.
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are
studying, personal interest, future plans, knowledge/skills you want to
improve, why the topic is important):
Section Three: Literature sources searched
According to the Brody and Pureswaran, (2015), social media is considered as one of the important
aspect for business organization because it helps in promoting and creating awareness towards the
company and its products as well. As per high competition in market, every business organization
concerned with their advertisement. In this, Rowlinson Knitwear use concept of social media because it
positively impact on its overall profitability level at market place. If influence customers and also
encourage therm towards the its clothing. This will directly contribute in capturing larger market share
from its rivals. Along with this, social media is also beneficial for Rowlinson Knitwear to make their
brand image competitive at market place as compare to its rivals by number of customers.
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Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective
or hypothesis:
Section Four: Activities and timescales
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Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g
research, development and analysis of ideas, writing, data
collection, numerical analysis, tutor meetings, production of final
outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
 Research proposal
 Determining research aims and objectives
 Prepare research questions
 Literature review
 Research methodology
 Questionnaire
 Data analysis
 Conclusion
 Recommendations
 Final submission
How long this
will take:
7 days
4 days
5 days
7 days
8 days
6 days
4 days
5 days
4 days
5 days
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Milestone one: _________________
Target date (set by tutor): ____________________
Milestone two: _______________________
Target date (set by tutor): ______________________
Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
Research design
It is a framework which depicts the overall strategy that is required to assimilate the various components of the
report in a logical manner. It ensures effective solution of the given problems. This will generate a positive outcome
for our study. To implement a strategy in an efficient way a blue print is taken into use (Parnell, Long and Lester,
2015). Basically, it includes three types that are descriptive, exploratory and experimental. In this research, the
investigation is going to use descriptive research. This will results in execution of all the activities in a proper way.
Research approach
This section is also important in which researcher gather data by using number of approach in order to execute
research in appropriate manner. Mainly it divided in two approach such as inductive and deductive approach. Both are
effective for collecting data towards the particular topic. For this research, investigator use inductive approach it
support researcher in finding better solution towards the research problem.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for
another qualification and is appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
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Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV)
Date
Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data collected form
human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing their research. Please answer all
relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with your unit tutor. Please
complete this form in good time before your research project is due to commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
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“To analyse the impact of social media on overall growth and productivity of SME's. A case study on
Rowlinson Knitwear
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date:
Intended research end date:
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes No
 Questionnaires Yes No
 Observations Yes No
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes No
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups Yes No
 Others (Please specify) :
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: Young people aged: 17-18 Adults:
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How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are
doing:
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it
be made clear to participants that they may withdraw consent to participate at
any time?
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting
questions that do not wish to answer?
Yes No
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues
arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for
their informed consent to be observed.
Yes No
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a
brief explanation of the study)?
Yes No
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This
could be a brief summary of your findings in general)
Yes No
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with
the Data Protection Act (1998)
Yes
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Who will have access to the data and personal information?
I will be keeping data myself.
During the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be carried on my laptop.
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes No
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research:
Where will the data be stored?
The data will be uploaded on the portal
How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Will data be kept for use by other researchers?
Yes No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical
concerns? If so, please outline how you will deal with these:
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may
arise because of your research. Please consider/address all issues that may
apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not limited to the following :
 Informed consent.
 Potentially vulnerable participants.
 Sensitive topics
 Risk to participants and /or researchers
 Confidentiality/anonymity
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality
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 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including
transfer, sharing, encryption, protection).
 Reporting
 Dissemination and use of your findings.
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and
Ethics Policy:
Yes No
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit
Tutor:
Yes No
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the
ethical issues that may arise in the course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to the Cohort Leader and a copy to
your supervisor only
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