Research Proposal: Social Networks in Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Australia

This research proposal examines the advantages and disadvantages of using social networks in the context of Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Australia. It explores the scope and concepts of social networks in business practices, identifies potential benefits, and discusses associated drawbacks. The proposal outlines both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including data collection methods such as surveys and interviews. The literature review covers the use of social networks for business, including customer service, brand awareness, and the risks of negative feedback and fraud. The research aims to answer questions about the disadvantages, potential, and scope of social networks, providing a comprehensive plan for data collection, analysis, and interpretation, including a detailed time schedule. The report includes charts illustrating the research process and tables detailing the research plan. This is a student contribution to Desklib, a platform offering AI-based study tools and past papers.

Research proposal 1
Research Proposal

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Table of Contents
Project Title.....................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Project Objective..........................................................................................................................3
Project Scope................................................................................................................................3
Literature review..............................................................................................................................4
Concepts and Scope of using social networks in businesses.......................................................4
Possible disadvantages of using social networks in business......................................................5
Potential of using social networks for business...........................................................................6
Research question............................................................................................................................7
Primary question..........................................................................................................................7
Secondary question......................................................................................................................7
Research Design and Methodology.................................................................................................7
Qualitative research......................................................................................................................7
Quantitative research....................................................................................................................9
Research Limitation.......................................................................................................................11
Time schedule................................................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................14
Chart 1: Qualitative research process……………………………………………………………..8
Chart 2: Quantitative research process..........................................................................................10
Chart 3: Quantitative data analysis process...................................................................................11
Table 1: Research plan for project completion…………………………………………………..13

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Project Title
The research issue is to assess the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Networks in
Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Australia.
Introduction
In the current business societies, social media channel is used to link people together all over the
globe by exercising the internet. The social network facilitates the business to reach on a large
number of customers. Through this social network, the customer can share their experience and
valuable data with others that get benefits to the company. Furthermore, social media channel
provides a large variety of new opportunities to the company to endorse their product, and
services (Niedermeier, et al., 2016).
This report presents the research objectives and questionnaires. It also discusses the literature
review on advantages and disadvantages of using the social network in Sigma Pharmaceuticals.
This report exemplifies the research methodology and design, and also demonstrates the time
plan for research.
Project Objective
 To explore the concepts and scope of social network in business practices
 To identify the potential of using social network in the context of Sigma Pharmaceuticals,
Australia
 To discuss the disadvantages of using social network in the context of Sigma
Pharmaceuticals, Australia
Project Scope
The scope of this project is extensive because the social network is presently trendy and its
popularity can be evaluated by a large number of journals and articles, and blogs. Another scope

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of this project is for businesses because the social network is required to communicate with each
other so companies can use the social network to share its information with a large number of
customers and its stakeholders. This project is also beneficial for users because this research will
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using the social network in Australia.
Literature review
Concepts and Scope of using social networks in businesses
According to the Benetoli, et al., 2015), the social network provides the social framework which
consists with the different social actor like individual, organization, a group of dyadic ties and
another social communication network between these actors. The social network facilitates the
set of techniques to assess the framework of entire social entities together with defines different
theories to exemplify the patterns observed in these social structures. The main scope of using
the social network in Sigma Pharmaceuticals is to assess the local and international structure, and
allocate the influential entities as well as assess the dynamic networks.
In support to this, Charles-Smith, et al. (2015) stated that social networking is the exercise of
social media curriculum which helps to make liaison with friends, customers, and client. It is also
beneficial for Sigma Pharmaceuticals to make a link with their customers and to increase the
awareness about company among customers. Social networking can be used for both purposes
social and business. It is exercised via using the Facebook, Yelp, LinkedIn, Twitter, and
classmate.com. It is also vital to target the geographic location for marketers and also engage a
large number of users towards their companies.
Batjargal et al. (2013) stated that marketers use social networking for gaining the loyalty and
brand recognition. Because, it helps the company to reach a large number of the customers and
retain the available customers. It also enables the Sigma Pharmaceuticals to encourage the

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brand’s voice and content. For instance, a frequent user of twitter may pay attention to a
company at a first time by using the news feed and make a decision to purchase a product and
services. There is a large number of customer who addresses the different company’s brand
hence social media is beneficial to increase their brand awareness among customers. It is also
beneficial to retain the new customers and increase the opportunities for growth.
Possible disadvantages of using social networks in business
According to the Luo and Zhong (2015), the social network can be disadvantageous for the
business because there are higher risks of getting the adverse or negative feedbacks. By using the
social media, people are able to direct message with respect to organizations which can be seen
by other customers and it cannot be ignored from the websites. The main factor is that how
quickly a company will react. In the social media, all companies can get the negative comment
but if they do not reply to them then it could be demonstrated as poor services. Consequently, it
could be complex for companies to recover it.
In opposed to this, Zikmund et al. (2013) stated that fraud is another disadvantage of using social
media in business. Hence, it is essential for the company to monitor social media frequently in
case they are not using it by themselves. Further, cyber squatters help for the company to pretend
to anyone on social media. But, if a company does not have social media existence then someone
can conduct fraud activities for their business and can damage the reputation of the brand.
In the view of Ellison et al. (2014), illustrated that social media is disadvantageous for the
business due to news travels quickly. It is analyzed that company cannot provide any detail on
the social media without developing the plan. There are different news channels such as BBC24,
Sky news and 24 hours news coverage which make a big story and spread the news in seconds
around the world. Hence, the company has to respond rapidly before spotlight focused on them

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because people can analyze everything in a wrong way. Moreover, social media can be
disadvantageous for the business due to lack of short term ROI. It is stated that social media plan
can take over one year to enhance the revenue and customer service. It cannot be instantaneous
quick fix and it can take a long time to influence the customers. Hence, Sigma pharmaceuticals
should make an effective plan because if it makes effective content then it will help the customer
to find its company.
Potential of using social networks for business
According to the Whiting and Williams (2013), the social network is beneficial for developing
customer service and loyalty. The direct communication between business and customer is a key
characteristic of the social media network. It facilitates the business to create a direct bonding
with the customers and builds the encouraging network. Communication through social media
enables the business to get success as well as build trust and loyalty among customers. Loyal
customers promote the brand of the company and can increase the brand awareness through
social media.
In contrast to this, Okazaki and Taylor (2013) stated that social media encourage direct
interaction with the customers on the topic of added value. It can motivate the customers to
suggest the product and services of the company to others. But, at the same time, if customers are
dissatisfied with company’s product then they will public it through the social network. Along
with this, if the customers think that their negative experience has been quickly resolved then it
will again create confidence and trust among customers towards the company’s product and
services.

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Research question
Primary question
What are the possible disadvantages of using social networks in business?
Secondary question
What is the potential of using social networks for business?
What is the scope of using social networks in businesses?
Research Design and Methodology
In this research, research design is significant to offer the appropriate guidance to gather the data
and determines the findings of the research topic. There are mainly two kinds of research design
which is used by a researcher named qualitative and quantitative research design.
Qualitative research
For conducting this research, the researcher will follow the below steps that are beneficial to get
the qualitative research.
Chart 1: Qualitative research process
(Sources: Nielsen and Schrøder, 2014).
Firstly, the researcher will make the research question regarding the research topic, then select
the appropriate subject or sites relevant to the topic. After that, it will gather the appropriate data
and interpret it in a meaningful manner. Subsequently, the researcher will make the conceptual

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and theoretical framework for conducting the research and write up the findings. These steps
would be used by the researcher to assess the advantages and disadvantages of using the social
network in Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Australia.
Approaches to reliability and Validity
For conducting this research, the inductive approach will be used by researcher due to qualitative
nature of research topic. Further, this approach would be used for this research because it will
enable the researcher to build theories and generate concepts regarding the topic. Consequently,
this research approach would be beneficial to increase the reliability and validity of the research
outcome (Rennie and Morrison, 2013). In contrast to this, the deductive approach will not be
used by researcher because there is no need to create a hypothesis. Furthermore, the deductive
approach will not be used due to subjective nature of the research topic.
Sampling and Sample Size
Sampling is a procedure to select the respondents from the targeted population to gather required
information for accomplishing the research objectives (Leonardi, et al., 2013). For this research,
non-probability sampling method will be used by researcher due to the qualitative based research
topic. However, this procedure does not facilitate the equal opportunity to each respondent.
Although, this sampling method is less expensive yet it is time consuming due to using open
ended questionnaire structure in the survey. For conducting the qualitative based survey, 10
marketing manager is selected from Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Australia with the intention of
Interview. In this interview, the researcher will ask participant regarding advantages and
disadvantages of using the social network in Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Australia.
Data Collection Method

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The primary data is the fresh data that is collected by the researcher to get the reliable and valid
outcome. It is gathered by using the survey, observation, experiment, and questionnaire. Through
this, the researcher will enable to get the information regarding research topic as it will enhance
the quality of the research (Ellison, et al., 2014). For this research, survey through questionnaire
will be used by researcher because it helps to gather a large amount of information from the
specified population. Together with, it facilitates the accurate data which helps to meet the
research goal and objectives.
Variables Specifications
For this research, two variables will be used by the researcher named independent and dependent
variable. Independent variable is a social network and the dependent variable is its impact on the
business of Sigma Pharmaceuticals.
Quantitative research
The following process will be used by the researcher to conduct the quantitative research:
Chart 2: Quantitative research process
(Sources: Okazaki and Taylor, 2013).
From the above diagram, it can be stated that firstly, the researcher will make the theory and
formulate the hypothesis. After this, the researcher will make the research design, and builds the
different concepts regarding the research topic. Subsequently, the researcher will select

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appropriate research sites and choose suitable subjects. Afterward, the researcher will gather the
data and analyze it by using different methods. After this, it will estimate findings and find out
conclusion.
Research Instrument
Research instrument is a measurement technique which is outlined to gather the information on a
research topic. For this research, the researcher will also use the secondary information to attain
the research objectives. Secondary data is gathered from different sources that are already
published on different websites and journal. These sources are an academic publication, journal
articles, company websites, and online, and offline websites (Rennie, and Morrison, 2013). This
technique will be used by researcher because it is less costly and time-consuming.
Quantitative Data Analysis Process
Following are quantitative data analysis procedure that will be used by the researcher:
Chart 3: Quantitative data analysis process
(Sources: Bolton, et al., 2013).
From the above chart, it can be stated that firstly, the researcher will prepare the data that is to be
analyzed and select the appropriate information. After that, the researcher will develop the
understanding about the means, frequencies, and recoding. Subsequently, the researcher will
analyze the data via using different techniques such as crosstabs, and statistics. Together with, it

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will use MS-excel software to present the information through the different graph, charts, and
tables (Gensler, et al., 2013). Afterward, it will interpret and discuss the result, and give a
recommendation. As a result, the researcher can accomplish the research objectives at a
predetermined period.
Sampling and Sample Size
For quantitative analyze, research will use probability sampling method because it facilitates the
equal opportunities to the respondent to give their responses. As a result, it is beneficial to
decline the biases from the research study. For conducting the quantitative based survey, 50 users
are selected who uses the digital network to buy the products and services of Sigma
Pharmaceuticals in Australia. This research would be effective to get the reliable and valid
outcome in less time due to using the close ended questionnaire in the survey.
Reliability and Validity of Data
Validity is explained as the degree by which different concept is feasibly determined in
quantitative research. For instance, the researcher will use the survey to discover the advantages
and disadvantages of using the social network in business practices. The second tool is reliability
which is used to access the quality in a quantitative research study (Fuchs, 2017). To assess the
reliability, the researcher will use same research instruments such as survey through
questionnaire due to the quantitatively based research topic.
Research Limitation
Researcher faces many issues while doing the research. These problems are the inadequacy of
resources, time, and cost constraint in data collection process. Moreover, the researcher has
different limitation while conducting the survey such as they have to focus on the questionnaire
structure and sample size. In addition to this, the researcher has a responsibility to keep the

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privacy of the participant’s information (Davenport, et al., 2014). These limitations would impact
on the reliability and validity of the research outcomes.
Time schedule
Table 1: Research plan for project completion
Activities that will be performed
Number of week for performing
these activities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1
0
Selection of appropriate research topic
Creating suitable aim and objectives
Collection of primary and secondary information
Designing of the question
Selection of sample from population by using
sampling method
Determination of findings
Report writing and final draft
Submission of report
As per the above timeline, it can be demonstrated that performing the survey through
questionnaire and collecting the information through secondary source will take more time as
compared to other activities.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that there are different advantages and
disadvantages of using the social network in business practices. Further, it can be evaluated that