Research design:

This section identifies the way in which you are going to investigate the issue or problem - the nature of the data you intend to collect, the enquiry methods, and the approach to the analysis of the data gathered. Initially you need to set out the way in which you will research the problem or issue identified as the subject of your dissertation. You should refer back to your overall aim and objectives and identify your use of primary and secondary data, and quantitative and/or qualitative data. Primary data might result from interviews, questionnaires and/or observation. Secondary data might include company policies or statistics. Explain how you might gain the information (where, from whom) and identify why this particular data (or types of data) is appropriate to your needs.

You might also identify the particular research strategy - for example, survey, case study, experiment, etc., and how you are going to carry it out. You also need to show that you understand the different types of research methodology and explain why your chosen strategy is appropriate for your project aims. The whole research design needs to be both appropriate to the investigation of your chosen problem or issue, and realistic in terms of being an achievable body of work in the timescale you have determined.