For a project management topic of your choice produce a research proposal which addresses the key elements required to ensure the research is considered credible.
Topic: Role of accrual accounting in the U.K. oil industry
Format: Include Headings, Introduction, and Conclusion.
 Introduction This should be kept very brief and outline what is to be addressed, what the purpose of the proposed research is, and where the research is located (context).
 Research Questions & Objectives A clearly specified research question providing a focus for the research. The research question should be narrow and deep. One research question is preferred, but a maximum of two may be suitable if the questions are closely related. Objectives should be specified using the SMART or similar criteria.
Question: What is the role of accrual accounting in enterprises in the U.K. oil industry?
Objectives:
– To determine whether incorporation of accrual accounting fosters accountability and transparency in the U.K. oil industry.
– To determine some of the challenges linked to the use of accrual accounting in businesses.

 Literature Review This should be a mini literature review which seeks to identify the current state of knowledge of the literature in the area within which your research question is located. You should identify key themes, strengths and limitations of existing literature and communicate understanding of where your research fits within this wider context.
 Methodology This section needs to identify the key area areas that a methodology should address. This includes: research philosophy (ontology and epistemology), the research approach, the research design, the research strategy, time horizons and the data collection and analysis methods to be adopted. The work also needs to consider issues relating to reliability and validity (or their qualitative equivalents) and ethics.
 Reflections You should provide a brief reflection concerning how you have developed during the construction of your research proposal.
 Conclusion
Illustrations: include practical illustrations, tables etc. as Appendix
Originality: no more than 8%. Less is better.
Sources: 25-30 – academic sources only. Material should be for management, not for students. One of source should be: Saunders, M., Thornhill, A. & Lewis, P. Research methods for business students.
Word count: 2,500-2,600 words.