I have a 6000 word research proposal on “an investigation on the impact of COVID-19 on the growth and sustainability of SMMEs”.

It is to follow the following structure:

i. Introduction
(Provide some background to the proposed study)
ii. Problem Statement
(State your problem: the problem that this study intends to address is … the
background of this should have been tackled in the previous submission)
iii. Aim of the Research
(Focus on the desired outcome of the proposed study, include the variables
your study will focus on)
iv. Research Objectives (minimum of 3)
(Unpack the aim to form a minimum of 3 objectives, include the variables your
study will focus on)
v. Research Questions
(Focuses on the problem statement, and is derived from the objectives)
vi. Literature Review
(Provide some context for the proposed study; provide a conceptual and
theoretical framework; ensure you include various authors views and debates
into the review; compare similar investigations to your study; review the
methodologies used by similar studies; identify the need for the proposed
study; 5-6 pages minimum)
vii. Research Methodology – Quantitative vs Qualitative vs Mixed Methods
Approach
(Discuss the philosophies available, which philosophy do you propose and
substantiate why)
viii. Research Strategy
(Discuss the strategies available, which strategy do you propose and substantiate
why)
ix. Target Population and Sample Size
(Describe and define both your target and sample population of the proposed
study, ensure you include who they are and why they are important to your
study. Include the actual figure/number of people your target and sample is
made up of)
x. Sampling Strategy & Process
(Discuss the sampling strategies available, which strategy you propose and
substantiate why, expand on your proposed process of sampling)
xi. Data Collection Method, Instrument & Process (Discuss the methods
available, which method you propose and substantiate why. Describe your
instrument, and how you will collect the data, i.e. the process)
xii. Validity, Reliability, Credibility & Trustworthiness of Research
(Discuss the various methods available, then indicate which one you propose,
and state how you will ensure that the findings of the proposed study is
believable)
xiii. Data Analysis & Process
(Discuss the methods available, which method you propose and substantiate
why. Explain how you will analyse the data, i.e.: process)
xiv. Ethical Consideration
(Discuss the various ethical considerations, then state how your research
study has taken into concern)


I have generated 2 streamlined structures for it and i want you to combine them to generate a better structure.

First structure is
### i. Introduction (600 words)
- Background Information: 300 words
- Importance of Study: 150 words
- Study Context: 150 words

### ii. Problem Statement (400 words)
- Description of the Problem: 200 words
- Justification for the Problem: 200 words

### iii. Aim of the Research (300 words)
- Main Aim: 100 words
- Variables of Study: 200 words

### iv. Research Objectives (450 words)
- Objective 1: 150 words
- Objective 2: 150 words
- Objective 3: 150 words

### v. Research Questions (200 words)
- Main Research Question: 50 words
- Sub-Questions (for each objective): 150 words

### vi. Literature Review (1200 words)
- Context and Background: 200 words
- Conceptual Framework: 200 words
- Theoretical Framework: 200 words
- Review of Previous Studies: 400 words
- Methodologies Used: 200 words

### vii. Research Methodology (600 words)
- Philosophies (Quantitative/Qualitative/Mixed): 200 words
- Chosen Philosophy and Justification: 400 words

### viii. Research Strategy (400 words)
- Overview of Strategies: 100 words
- Chosen Strategy and Justification: 300 words

### ix. Target Population and Sample Size (350 words)
- Target Population Description: 150 words
- Sample Size and Justification: 200 words

### x. Sampling Strategy & Process (450 words)
- Overview of Sampling Strategies: 150 words
- Chosen Strategy and Justification: 150 words
- Proposed Sampling Process: 150 words

### xi. Data Collection Method, Instrument & Process (500 words)
- Data Collection Methods Overview: 100 words
- Chosen Method and Justification: 150 words
- Description of Instrument: 100 words
- Data Collection Process: 150 words

### xii. Validity, Reliability, Credibility & Trustworthiness (400 words)
- Methods Overview: 100 words
- Chosen Methods and Justification: 300 words

### xiii. Data Analysis & Process (450 words)
- Analysis Methods Overview: 150 words
- Chosen Method and Justification: 150 words
- Analysis Process: 150 words

### xiv. Ethical Consideration (250 words)
- Ethical Considerations Overview: 100 words
- Approached Ethical Concerns: 150 words

### Conclusion (200 words)
- Summary of the Proposal: 100 words
- Significance of the Study: 100 words



Second Structure is

## Research Proposal Structure: Impact of COVID-19 on SMMEs

Total Word Count: 6000 words

I. Introduction (500 words)

Briefly introduce Small, Medium & Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and their significance to the economy (100 words).
Highlight the emergence of COVID-19 and its global impact (100 words).
Discuss the potential disruption COVID-19 could cause for SMMEs (200 words).
* State the importance of investigating the impact of COVID-19 on SMME growth and sustainability (100 words).

II. Problem Statement (200 words) (This section should have been addressed previously)

* Briefly restate the problem this study aims to address (e.g., Lack of understanding of the specific impact of COVID-19 on SMME growth and sustainability).
* Mention the consequences of this limited knowledge (e.g., Difficulty in formulating effective support strategies for SMMEs).

III. Aim of the Research (150 words)

* Clearly state the desired outcome of the study (e.g., To investigate and understand the impact of COVID-19 on the growth and sustainability of SMMEs).
* Briefly mention the key variables you’ll explore (e.g., growth indicators, sustainability factors, specific challenges faced by SMMEs due to COVID-19).

IV. Research Objectives (3 x 100 words each)

* Break down the research aim into three specific objectives.
* Each objective should focus on a specific aspect of the impact of COVID-19 on SMMEs.
* Clearly mention the variables you’ll examine within each objective (e.g., Objective 1: Analyze the impact of COVID-19 on revenue growth of SMMEs).

V. Research Questions (4 x 50 words each)

* Formulate clear and concise research questions that directly address each research objective.
* Ensure the questions guide data collection and analysis (e.g., RQ 1.1: How has COVID-19 impacted revenue generation for SMMEs in specific sectors?).

VI. Literature Review (5-6 pages - 3000-3600 words)

* Provide context for the study by reviewing relevant academic literature.
* Discuss existing conceptual and theoretical frameworks relevant to SMME growth and sustainability (500 words).
* Include diverse perspectives from various authors on the impact of crises on businesses (300 words).
* Identify similar studies investigating the impact of COVID-19 on businesses, particularly SMMEs (500 words).
* Compare and contrast methodologies used in similar studies (300 words).
* Highlight the gap in knowledge that your proposed study aims to address (300 words).
* Briefly discuss the limitations of existing research (200 words).

VII. Research Methodology (Quantitative vs Qualitative vs Mixed Methods Approach) (300 words)

* Discuss the different research philosophies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods).
* Justify your chosen research philosophy (e.g., quantitative for measurable data on growth and sustainability) and explain how it aligns with your research objectives.

VIII. Research Strategy (300 words)

* Discuss various research strategies (e.g., case studies, surveys, experiments).
* Explain the most suitable strategy for your study (e.g., survey to gather data from a large sample of SMMEs).
* Justify your chosen strategy and explain how it aligns with your research objectives and chosen philosophy.

IX. Target Population and Sample Size (200 words)

* Define the target population (e.g., all registered SMMEs in a specific country/region).
* Explain why this population is relevant to your research question.
* Determine a feasible sample size that represents the target population (consider statistical power and resources).
* Briefly discuss sampling techniques you might use (e.g., stratified random sampling).

X. Sampling Strategy & Process (200 words)

* Explain the chosen sampling strategy (e.g., stratified random sampling to ensure representation of different sectors within SMMEs).
* Describe the sampling process in detail, including data collection methods for identifying potential participants.

XI. Data Collection Method, Instrument & Process (300 words)

* Discuss various data collection methods (e.g., online surveys, interviews).
* Justify the chosen data collection method based on your research objectives and sample size.
* Describe the data collection instrument (e.g., a structured questionnaire).
* Explain the data collection process, including pilot testing and data security measures.

XII. Validity, Reliability, Credibility & Trustworthiness of Research (200 words)

* Discuss methods to ensure the validity (accuracy of inferences), reliability (consistency of findings), credibility (believability for target audience), and trustworthiness (ethical conduct) of your research.
* Mention specific strategies you’ll employ for each (e.g., pilot testing for instrument validity, clear question wording for reliability, triangulation for credibility, informed consent for trustworthiness).

XIII. Data Analysis & Process (300 words)

* Discuss available data analysis methods (e.g., statistical analysis for quantitative data, thematic analysis for qualitative data).
* Explain the chosen data analysis method based on your research questions and data type.
* Describe the data analysis process in detail, including software you might use.

XIV. Ethical Consideration (200 words)

* Discuss various ethical considerations in research (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity).
* Explain how your research will address these considerations (e.g., obtaining informed consent through participation forms, ensuring data anonymity during analysis and reporting).

XV. Timeline and Budget (200 words)

* Briefly outline the research timeline, including key milestones and estimated duration for each stage (e.g., literature review completion, data collection, analysis).
* Provide a preliminary budget breakdown for anticipated research expenses (e.g., survey platform fees, travel costs, data analysis software).

XVI. Dissemination Plan (200 words)

* Discuss how you plan to disseminate your research findings (e.g., academic journals, conferences, policy reports).
* Specify the target audience for each dissemination method (e.g., academics, policymakers, SMME owners).

XVII. Conclusion (200 words)

* Briefly summarize the research problem, objectives, and methodology.
* Highlight the significance of your study and its potential contribution to knowledge and practice.
* Briefly mention future research directions based on your findings.