Q: Can you guide me in my MBA thesis and advice me about conducting qualitative research?

Detailed Question -

I want to work on my MBA thesis. The topic is Impact of Agriculture Credit on Agriculture Productivity.  I don't know how to start, so please guide me. I want to do qualitative research but don't know how to collect data through questionnaire or any other method.

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Answer:

The purpose of an MBA thesis is for the students to explore a concept that they find particularly interesting, combine the knowledge you have gained through your course with your own research, analysis, and arguments to demonstrate your understanding of the concept. It is indeed a complex task, but if you go about it systematically and consult your advisor for his/her inputs on a regular basis, you should be able to complete it successfully.

Here are some tips that will help you start off:

  1. Select your topic with care: The topic that you choose should definitely be one that interests you. But apart from that, you also need to consider feasibility when selecting a topic. Is there adequate information available on your topic? Look up Google Scholar to check if there are enough research papers on the topic for you to base your work on.
  2. Come up with a research design: Your research design should be creative as well as practical. You have mentioned that you wish to conduct a qualitative study but don’t know how to collect data through a questionnaire. If you are unsure about data collection, think of a design that is not entirely dependent on data. For instance, you could use a study design that collates data with your observations and personal experiences.
  3. Think of ways to collect data: Here’s another area where you need to think creatively. Think of a target segment of research participants. Why would they want to invest their time in completing your questionnaire? Think of ways to pitch it to them in an attractive manner. Today, thanks to technology, there are a variety of ways through which you can reach out to people and many platforms where you can engage in discussions.

As mentioned earlier, discuss your ideas with your advisor first and consult him/her from time to time. This will ensure that you are on the right track.

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