Content Page

Page 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 Title of the research.2 Background of the research.2 Research Problem3 Objectives of the research...4 Benefits of the research...4 Methodology of the research 6.1 Research Design..4 6.2 Research Method.5 6.3 Research Tools....6 7.0 8.0 9.0 Time Schedule (Gantt chart)...7 Scope and Delimitation of the research...8 Limitations of the research..............................................................................8

10.0 Notes to the Research..8 11.0 References9

Research Proposal

1.0

Title of the research The Impact of Diversity on Business Studies and Performance in Business

Department of HELP University College (HUC).

2.0

Background of the research HUC, incorporated in 1986, is one of the leading private university colleges in

Malaysia. Meanwhile, the Business Department of HUC, located along Jalan Dungun was formed in the same year. The department offering eight majors business studies programs including the likes of Accounting, Finance, International Business and etc. Diversity is defined as a mix of people of different socially relevant group identities working or living together in a defined social system (Cox & Beale, 1997). Whereas, the performance can be defined as the accomplishment of a given task measured against preset standards of accuracy, completeness, cost, and speeds (WebFinance, Inc., 2011). Throughout this research, the Social Cognitive Theory of Gender Development will be applied. This theory concerns about the rules of gender-role conduct vary to some degree across social contexts and at different periods in life (Bussey & Bandura, 1999).

Research Problem

3.1

How does diversity impact on business studies? Sub-problems: 3.1.1 How does gender impact on business studies? 3.1.2 How does age impact on business studies? 3.1.3 How does culture impact on business studies?

3.2

How do business studies impact on performance? Sub-problems: 3.2.1 How does International Business major impact on performance? 3.2.2 How does Human Resource Management major impact on performance? 3.2.3 How does Entrepreneurship major impact on performance?

3.3

How does diversity impact on performance? Sub-problems: 3.3.1 How does gender impact on performance? 3.3.2 How does age impact on performance? 3.3.3 How does culture impact on performance?

3.4

How does performance impact on business studies? Sub-problems: 3.4.1 How does performance on the ground of lecturer impact on business studies? 3.4.2 How does performance of students impact on business studies? 3.4.3 How does performance of the post-graduates impact on business studies?

4.0 Objectives of the research 3

y y

To investigate the impact of diversity on business studies. To determine the impact on the relationship between business studies and performance.

To study the impact of diversity on performance.

5.0 Benefits of the research y The management of business department may able to identify the factors that affect students preference in choosing the course to study. y The research can be a guide for the staffs to improve the performance of business department in HUC. y Provide the business department a better inside from the students' perspective and also an advantage over other departments in HUC.

6.0 Methodology of the research

6.1 Research design Survey will be the method to use in this research. This method typically relies on the questionnaires distributed to a sample of people selected from a larger population. The reason for choosing survey is because it provides an easily quantifiable data. No other method of observation can provide this general capability and very large samples are feasible, making the results statistically significant even when analyzing multiple variables (TutorVista.com, 2010). Using survey, it can help us to obtain data on how does diversity impact on business studies among the students in HUCs Business department.

6.2 Research Method Primary sources: Questionnaires will be used in conducting our survey. The research sample will be the students from HUCs Business department and the size of the sample will be around 20-30 students. There will be a set of questions in the form of multiple choices, fill in the blank, and scales for students to answer. However, the questionnaire sometimes may not be completed by the right respondent since it required motivated respondents (Pawar, 2004). Hence, an interview method will be used to gain better a response rate from the interviewees. It can be conducted either by face-to-face or over telephone, for the interviewer to ask questions and the interviewee to responses.

Secondary Sources: As an alternative and procedure to recognize the primary data, scholarly journals, magazines and books are among the acknowledgment materials to be used. They can also provide an insight and help in clarify the problems that may be facing. Electronic database resources will be used as it provides some official statistics which can be downloaded to further strengthen the validity of our primary data. For instance, we can obtain relevant statistical data online about the students performance on business studies in other universities to help in interpreting our primary data.

6.3 Research Tools y Library For finding any useful information from textbooks, journals, articles and other reference books. y Laptop and its software Software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and SPSS can be use to processing or presenting the data we collected. Other than that, laptop enables members to online search for materials, and also, to exchanging information with each other via e-mails.

Languages For the purpose of communicating with targeted group in order to gain or collecting useful information during survey and interview.

Statistics To describe, summarize, or explain the data that we obtained.

The humans mind Collaborate with others to figure out the points or suggestions about the research.

Cell phones To contact and communicate with potential interviewees to arrange for interview. It can also be used to communicate with each other for exchanging information among the members.

7.0 Time Schedule (Gantt chart)

Particulars 1 Identify research areas Formulate research strategies Selection of research strategies Completing the proposal Submission of proposal Complete chapter 1 and 2 Submission of chapter 1 and 2 Complete chapter 3 Submission of chapter 3 Prepare questionnaires Conduct interview Gathering and analyse data from surveys Complete chapter 4 Submission of chapter 4 Revise and finalise the final research project Submission of final research project 2 3 4 5 6

Week 7 8 9

10

11

12

13

14

Important dates: 1. Submission of research proposal 2. Submission of research progress report chapter 1 and 2 3. Submission of research progress report chapter 3 4. Submission of research progress report chapter 4 5. Submission of final research project 6. Presentation 11th March 2011 25th March 2011 22nd April 2011 13th May 2011 27th May 2011 15th June 2011

8.0

Scope and Delimitation of the research The scope revolves around the diversification of students and business studies in

the HUCs business department. The delimitation would be nationality and also the students education background which are not cover by our research as more detailed analyses are needed and we do not have the sources and data to do so. Furthermore, business studies such as Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Business Psychology, and Diploma in Business are also the delimitation in this research.

9.0

Limitations of the research Biased data and inaccurate information are gain as a result from non-responsive of

students and staffs. Questionnaires given out to collect data from students are not positively responded. Some interviewer refused to be interviewed hence limiting our research.

10.0 Notes to the Research The word Jalan in the term of English means Road.

(930 words)

11.0 References Cox, T. & Beale, RL. (1997). Developing competency to manage diversity; reading, cases & activities. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, page 13.

WebFinance, Inc. (2011). Performance. Retrieved March 7, 2011, from Business Dictionary.com: <http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/performance.html>

Bussey, K. & Bandura, A. (1999). Social Cognitive Theory of Gender Development and Differentiation, Psychological Review, page 2.

TutorVista.com. (2010). Data Collection Surveys. Retrieved March 8, 2011, from TutorVista.com: < http://www.tutorvista.com/math/data-collection-surveys>

Pawar, MS. (2004). Data Collecting Methods and Experiences, Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd, page 28.