Topic is: Factors influences the academic performance of the students. Task 1 Research Background. After choosing a topic, you will need to locate introductory sources that give basic background information about the subject. Finding background information at the beginning of your research is especially important if you are unfamiliar with the subject area or not sure from what angle to approach your topic. • Broad overview of the subject • Definitions of the topic • Introduction to key issues Instructions • The research background should be approximately 4-5 paragraphs long. • Fully and accurately cite all references and resources used • Each group should submit the work for discussion on Tuesday 18 April 2017 Task 2 1. How to write your Research Problem Statement Your Research Problem statement is the foundation and focus of your research report. It is a clear, stand‐alone statement that makes explicit what it is you are aiming to discover or establish. Writing your Research Problem Statement a. First select your research topic ( selected ) b. Describe the business or management problem based on your topic that you intend to research. Do this right at the beginning of your research proposal or report as laid out in the templates (remember to reference any facts that you are basing your research on). This will set the scene for your Research Problem statement, so that you can write a clear, stand-alone Research Problem. c. A Research Problem is not the same as a business problem, i.e. it is not a “problem” in the normal sense of the word; it is research jargon that happens to be a bit confusing. You can think of your Research Problem as the unknown part of your business problem. d. We prefer Research Problem statements to have an outcomes based verb at or near the beginning. Some good outcome based verbs are: Identify, define, describe, review, indicate, formulate, explain, compare, contrast, interpret, construct, apply, demonstrate, illustrate, categorize, create, conceptualize, clarify, and criticize. Verbs such as “understand”, “explore”, and “discuss” are poor verbs as they describe processes, not outcomes, e.g. you can discuss something endlessly without ever having to make recommendations, draw conclusions or offer a result. 2. Writing your Research questions What is a Research Question? • The uncertainty that you want to resolve • Defines the area of interest to be addressed in your study • Forms the foundation of your study • Must be specified before you begin your analysis A research question guides and centers your research. It should be clear and focused, as well as synthesize multiple sources to present your unique argument. The research question should ideally be something that you are interested in or care about. 3. What are the research objectives? The objectives of a research project summarize what is to be achieved by the study. These objectives should be closely related to the research problem. The general objective of a study states what researchers expect to achieve by the study in general terms. It is possible to break down a general objective into smaller, logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific objectives. Specific objectives should systematically address the various research questions. They should specify what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose. Research objectives may be linked with a hypothesis or used as a statement of purpose in a study that does not have a hypothesis. A statement of research objectives can serve to guide the activities of research. Consider the following examples. • Objective: To describe what factors farmers take into account in making such decisions as whether to adopt a new technology or what crops to grow. • Objective: To develop a budget for reducing pollution by a particular enterprise. • Objective: To describe the relationship between 2008 world economic crisis and real-estate sector in UAE Instructions • The research problem, questions, objectives should be approximately 2 to 3 pages long.