0% found this document useful (0 votes)

72 views

The University of Zambia: Graduate School of Business

The document describes a research problem of increased power outages in Chifunabuli district of Zambia caused by effects of climate change. This has negatively impacted socioeconomic growth. The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of reduced hydroelectric power generation from decreased rainfall on Chifunabuli's socioeconomic growth and to identify the most sustainable renewable energy alternative. The study will analyze the extent climate change has impacted Zambia and its electricity generation and the district's socioeconomic growth. Findings will help switch to sustainable power methods.

Uploaded by

Kutemwa tembo

Available Formats

Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

0% found this document useful (0 votes)

72 views

The University of Zambia: Graduate School of Business

Uploaded by

Kutemwa tembo

Available Formats

Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

You are on page 1/ 5

THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA

GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

NAME: KUTEMWA TEMBO

STUDENT #: 903205123

COURSE: GSB 5021

PROFESSOR: DR. ODONGO

ASSIGNMENT: # ONE

QUESTION:

1. Describe a problem, that leads to a possible, “Purpose of a Research Study”.

2. Define the problem and write a one page description of, “The Purpose of the Study”.

DUE DATE: 21/11/2021 at 11:59 PM

1.0 Introduction

In different societies that we live in, conducting research is essential for it helps us better our

lives and advance knowledge through the development of scientific theories, concepts and ideas.

Therefore, the aim of this paper is to describe a problem, that leads to a possible, “Purpose of a

Research Study”. In doing so, the paper will define the problem and a description of, “The

Purpose of the Study” will be written. Thereafter, a conclusion will be drawn.

1.1 What is research?

According to a study by Bhattacherjee (2012), research is considered to contribute to a

systematic and organized body of knowledge in any area of inquiry that is acquired through

scientific knowledge. Therefore, one can understand research as the method of discovering new

knowledge. The knowledge acquired can be either for the development of new concepts or the

advancement of existing knowledge and theories, thereby leading to a new comprehension that

was not initially known.

For example, Albert Einstein first published the general theory of relativity in 1915, and 100

years later, astronomers have tested the theory’s predictions using some of the most sophisticated

instruments, and the theory has passed each test (Menendez, 1920). As noted in the study,

General relativity describes the universe as a fabric of space-time that is warped by large masses.

It’s this warping that causes gravity (Einstein, 2015). Therefore, Einstein built upon, and filled

the gap where Sir Isaac Newton argued that it is an internal property of mass that causes gravity.
2.0 Problem Statement

It may be argued that all research begin with an introduction of the problem, and it is the

research problem that establishes the topic, and the significance of the research (Penrose and

Katz, 2010). For instance, there has been an increase in power outages in Chifunabuli district

caused by the negative effects of climate change in Zambia which will result in stagnant

socioeconomic growth in the district. Notably, Zambia heavily relies on hydro-generated

electricity power supply, hence the drop in rainfall levels have impacted negatively on the

country’s power supply, and Chifunabuli district has experienced the worst effects, as a result of

the power outages. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to seek for the most sustainable

renewable ways of power generation in the wake of the rising climate change effects.

3.0 Purpose of the study

A research purpose is met through forming hypotheses, collecting data, analyzing results,

forming conclusions, implementing findings into real-life applications and forming new research

questions (Penrose and Katz, 2010). For instance, in the case above, where Chifunabuli district

has been experiencing constant power outages, the cause has been identified to be climate

change. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to try and establish the best solution that can be

applied to sustainably solve this problem.

According to a study by (World Development Report, 2014), Zambia had been reported to sit in

the bottom 20% of countries in terms of risk preparation, and also among the countries with the

highest poverty risk in 2030. Findings from the economy assessment suggested that climate

variability had a pronounced negative effect on economic growth. It was further estimated that,
on average, climate variability reduced Zambia’s GDP growth rate by 0.4 percentage points per

year, which would cost the country US$4.3 billion over a 10-year period (Ibid).

3.1 General Objective

To determine if reduction in Zambia’s hydro-electric power generation affects the

socioeconomic growth in Chifunabuli district, and to what extent.

3.2 Hypothesis

The decrease in rainfall levels has resulted in a decrease in Zambia’s hydro-electric power

generation which has resulted in a stagnant socioeconomic growth as a result of constant power

outages in Chifunabuli district.

3.3 Research Questions

1. To what extent has climate change impacted Zambia negatively?

2. To what extent has climate change negatively impacted the generation of electricity in

Zambia?

3. To what extent has the reduction in power supply affected the socioeconomic growth in

Chifnuali district?

4. What is the most sustainable alternative renewable energy source?

4.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper has described a problem that leads to a possible, and given a description

of, “The Purpose of the Study. It can be noted that there have been major impacts caused by

climate change, and most of the impacts have been negative. With the increase in the climate

change debate, it is imperative to switch to sustainable methods of power generation.

REFERENCES:

Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. University
of South Florida: Florida.
Einstein, A. (1915). Relativity the Special and General Theory. Translated by Robert W.
Lawson.
Henry Holt and Company: New York.
Penrose, A. & Katz, S. (2010). Writing in sciences: exploring conventions of scientific discourse.
Longman: London.
World Development Report (2014). Managing Risk for Development.