Assignment Task
Driving Change Through Globalization: Enhancing Sustainability in Small Food Businesses in the UAE
When formulating a Research title for a doctoral program, it is important to consider several factors to ensure the title effectively communicates the essence of the research. Here are some necessary factors to consider
Clarity: The research title should be clear and concise, providing a glimpse into the focus of the research. It should accurately represent the research topic and convey the key objectives.
Specificity: The title should be specific enough to clearly indicate the area of research and the scope of the study. Avoid vague or general titles that lack focus or fail to provide a clear direction for the research.
Relevance: The research title should be relevant to the field of study and contribute to the existing body of knowledge. It should address a research gap, explore a novel aspect, or offer a fresh perspective on a relevant research problem.
Originality: The title should reflect the uniqueness and originality of the research. It should highlight the innovative aspects, theoretical contributions, or methodological advancements of the study.
Alignment: The research title should align with the research interests, expertise, Alignment: and goals of the doctoral candidate. It should resonate with the candidate’s research passion and academic pursuits.
Feasibility: Consider the feasibility and practicality of the research title. Ensure that the research topic can be effectively investigated within the constraints of time, resources, and available data.
Impact: Consider the potential impact of the research. Will it contribute to knowledge advancement, address a real-world problem, or have implications for theory, practice, or policy?
Review and Feedback: Seek input and feedback from advisors, mentors, and peers. They can provide valuable insights and suggestions for refining the research title.
STRUCTURE FOR INTRODUCTION:
Start with a Hook: Begin your introduction with a captivating opening sentence or a hook that grabs the reader’s attention. This can be a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact, or a compelling anecdote that relates to your research topic.
Provide Context and Background: Next, provide a brief overview of the research area and the context in which your study is situated. Introduce the general field of study, highlight the significance of the research problem, and explain why it is important to address it.
State the Research Problem and Objectives: Clearly state the specific research problem or gap in the existing knowledge that your thesis aims to address. Identify the research objectives or research questions that will guide your study. This helps to establish the purpose and scope of your research.
Review Relevant Literature: Conduct a literature review to demonstrate your familiarity with the existing body of knowledge in your research area. Summarize key theories, concepts, and studies related to your topic and highlight any gaps or controversies that your research seeks to address.
Explain the Research Methodology: Describe the research methodology or approach you will employ to answer your research questions or achieve your objectives. Briefly explain the research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques you will use. Justify your chosen methodology and explain how it aligns with your research objectives.
Outline the Thesis Structure: Provide an overview of the structure and organization of your thesis. Briefly describe the chapters or sections and explain how they contribute to answering the research questions or addressing the research problem.
Summarize the Contributions: Conclude the introduction by summarizing the potential contributions and significance of your research. Highlight the expected outcomes, implications, and potential impact of your study.
Revise and Refine: Once you have written the initial draft of your introduction, review and revise it for clarity, coherence, and flow. Ensure that the introduction sets the stage for your thesis and provides a clear roadmap for the reader.
3.1 Introduction
This chapter should reflect the scope of the research, outlining the size of the problem, the rationale behind pursuing such an investigation, and any personal motivations prompting the investigation. It is imperative that the chapter includes clearly stated aims, which lead to a well-formulated research question, which is then interpreted through a brief selection of objectives. The objective of the chapter is to introduce the reader to the work as much as to give them an impression of what to expect. The main assumptions from the research should also be added to this part.
3.2 Literature.
This chapter should be a reworked and modified submission that research scholars have developed. Research scholars are expected to re-draft the chapter to ensure that it fits in the context of the whole thesis and is no longer a stand-alone piece. The chapter describes and defines the context of the thesis. The chapter needs to define and explain the intended meaning behind the research question. It should be focused and explore the relationships between concepts noted in the research question as well as demonstrating critical thinking drawn from the academic sources relevant to the research question. The objective of the chapter is to allow reader to recognize the broader frameworks supporting the undertaken research and the wider linkages that exist beyond the scope of the research, whilst engaging with ways these debates impact the undertaken research. The research scholar shall include at least 20 peer-reviewed journal articles in the literature review.
Peer-reviewed journals, also known as refereed journals, are scholarly publications that ensure the quality and integrity of the research articles they publish through a rigorous peer-review process. This process involves having the submitted manuscripts evaluated by a panel of experts or peers in the same field of study as the research topic.
Example of Review of Literature on Sustainability in Small Food Businesses: Challenges, Strategies, and Impacts
Introduction:
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the importance of sustainability in the food industry, particularly among small food businesses. This literature review aims to examine existing research on sustainability practices, challenges, strategies, and impacts specifically within the context of small food businesses. By synthesizing and analyzing relevant literature, this review provides insights into the current state of knowledge and identifies key areas for further investigation.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted across academic databases, industry reports, and relevant journals, resulting in a selection of peer-reviewed articles and publications published between 2010 and 2022. The search terms included “sustainability,” “small food businesses,” “sustainable practices,” and related terms. After screening and evaluating the quality of studies, a final set of 25 articles were included in this review.
Results:
The reviewed literature revealed a range of sustainability-related challenges faced by small food businesses, including resource constraints, lack of awareness and knowledge, financial limitations, and regulatory barriers. However, numerous strategies and initiatives were identified to address these challenges and promote sustainability. These strategies encompassed various dimensions, such as sustainable sourcing, waste reduction, energy efficiency, responsible packaging, and community engagement. Moreover, the literature highlighted the potential benefits and impacts of implementing sustainable practices, including improved brand reputation, customer loyalty, cost savings, and environmental stewardship.
Discussion:
The findings from this literature review underscore the significance of sustainability in small food businesses and the need for tailored approaches to address their unique challenges. It is evident that integrating sustainable practices requires a holistic approach that considers economic, environmental, and social aspects. Additionally, the importance of stakeholder collaboration, knowledge sharing, and government support emerged as crucial elements for successful sustainability implementation in small food businesses.
Conclusion:
This review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature on sustainability in small food businesses, shedding light on challenges, strategies, and impacts. The findings emphasize the importance of promoting sustainable practices within this sector to mitigate environmental impacts, improve resource efficiency, and enhance long-term viability. Future research should delve deeper into specific aspects of sustainability, explore innovative solutions, and examine the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives in small food businesses.
Structure of Review of Literature
The structure of a literature review can vary depending on the discipline, research topic, and specific requirements of your study. However, here is a common structure that you can use as a guideline for organizing your literature review:
Introduction
Provide an overview of the research topic and its importance in the field.
Clearly state the objectives or purpose of the literature review.
Define any key terms or concepts necessary for understanding the review.
Background/Context
Provide background information on the research topic and its relevance.
Discuss the historical development or key milestones related to the topic.
Identify the gaps or knowledge deficiencies that your review aims to address.
Search Strategy/Methodology
Describe the methods used to search for relevant literature (databases, keywords, inclusion/exclusion criteria, time frame, etc.).
Explain how the selected studies were assessed for quality and relevance.
Justify the rationale behind the selection of the final set of articles.
Main Body:
Organize the literature based on themes, concepts, or key research questions.
Summarize and synthesize the main findings and arguments from each selected study.
Identify any patterns, trends, or controversies within the literature.
Compare and contrast different perspectives or approaches presented in the studies.
Highlight gaps, inconsistencies, or limitations in the existing literature.
Discussion:
Interpret and analyze the findings of the reviewed literature.
Discuss the implications and significance of the literature for your research topic.
Address any conflicting or contradictory findings and propose possible explanations.
Identify areas where further research is needed and suggest potential research directions.
Conclusion:
Summarize the main findings and key points discussed in the literature review.
Emphasize the contributions of the review to the existing knowledge in the field.
Highlight the implications of the literature review for your research objectives.
Offer final thoughts or recommendations based on the insights gained from the literature.
