Sample Research Paper On Small-Scale Qualitative Research Project

Application 1: Evaluation of Doctoral Study—Foundation of Study

The Background
There are over four million registered small businesses that are owned by people from minority communities in the United States of America. Since 2007, these businesses have provided employment opportunities for over 4.5 million people. Additionally, the small businesses owned by people from minority communities have generated over 660 billion dollars in terms of revenue (Minority Business Development Agency, 2010).

Problem Statement

Numerous statistics have been published regarding the failure rate of new small businesses. According to Engel (2013), 50% to 70% of new startup businesses fail within eighteen months of operation. The statistics are even direr for businesses owned by people from minority communities. The biggest challenge for these businesses is access to capital (Weltman, 2007). Nonetheless, some businesses owned by people from minority communities are resilient and operate to success. This is against the gradient where the probability of failure for small businesses owned by minorities is high (Hillman, 2001).

Purpose Statement

Against the backdrop high failure rates, some businesses owned by minority communities navigate the challenges they face and succeed into big entities. The purpose of this study is to explore local businesses owned by minorities and have been in operation for over five years in order to understand the source of their resiliency (Tirrell, 2009).

Central Research Question

The central research question for this doctoral study is as follows:
How did you manage the startup challenges you faced as a minority small business owner in order to grow your business into the thriving entity it is today?

Conceptual Framework

The gestation of a startup business is influenced by numerous factors. The conceptual framework below shows the interplay of these factors (Greene & Owen, 2004).

Application 2: Small-Scale Qualitative Research Project—IRB Requirements and Identifying Interviewees

Two respondents have been identified to take part in the small-scale qualitative research project. The two respondents are minority business owners in the local town. One of the respondents is called Cleo Stewart while the other respondent is called Loyd Burnett. Cleo Stewart owns a small daycare business in the local town. On the other hand, Loyd Burnett owns a mechanic shop and a car dealership. I know these two individuals personally.
For over fifteen years, I have watched these two businessmen navigate various socioeconomic challenges to nurture their businesses into the sturdy entities they are presently (Williams, 2008). Their input through in-depth interviews will help build perspective and shed light into the resilience of businesses owned by minorities even in the context of numerous and potentially crippling challenges and high rates of failure (Berman-Rubera, 2012). Information from these two successful entrepreneurs is vital in explaining the resilience of small businesses owned by minorities in the face of adversity (Dana, 2007).
The two respondents identified above are cleared based in the simplified requirements of the Institutional Review Board. More precisely, they are of sound mind, aged above eighteen years and are not imprisoned. I do not hold any supervisory obligations on either of the respondents. In collecting information from these respondents, the doctoral study will further adhere to the requirements of the Institutional Review Board, with special focus on the confidentiality of the information collected from the respondents.

References

​Minority Business Development Agency. (2010). Access to capital is still a challenge for ​ minority business enterprises . Retrieved 22 Jan. 2015 from http://www.mbda.gov/ node/357
Berman-Rubera, S. (2012). 100 Tips to Small Business Results: Tips and Case Studies to Grow Business Owners and Propel Revenue. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
Dana, L. P. (2007). Handbook of research on ethnic minority entrepreneurship: A co- evolutionary view on resource management. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.
Engel, P. (2013). Small Business Owners Don't Fear The Devastatingly High Failure Rate. Retrieved 22 Jan. 2015 from http://www.businessinsider.com/small-business-owners-are- optimistic-2013-6
Greene, P. & Owen, M. (2004). Race and ethnicity. Handbook of entrepreneurial dynamics. Retrieved 22 Jan. 2015 from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/5007_Gartner_Chapter _3.pdf
Hillman, R. (2001). Small business: Efforts to facilitate equity capital formation. Collingdale. Diane Publishing.
Meek, A. (2015, 01). Minority-owned businesses still face challenges. Retrieved 22 Jan. 2015 from ​ ​http://www.memphisdailynews.com/editorial/ArticleEmail.aspx?id=28797
Tirrell, R. (2009). The wisdom of resilience builders: How our best leaders create the world's most enduring enterprises. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
Weltman, B. (2007). The rational guide to building small business credit. Rollinsford, NH, USA: Rational Press.
Williams, I. (2008). Strategic Planning in Small Businesses: A Phenomenological Study Investigating the Role, Challenges, and Best Practices of Strategic Planning. Ann Arbor. ProQuest