RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL GUIDE FROM MANCOSA. THE REPORT IS
NOT PREPARED NOR APPROVED BY MANCOSA, RATHER REPRESENTS A
POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE TASK CONSISTENT WITH THEORY OF RESEARCH.
THIS REPORT IS INTENDED TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN GETTING STARTED WITH
THEIR ASSIGNMENT, AND IN NO CASE THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED FOR
CHEATING. WE BELIEVE THIS WILL BE A GOOD STARTING POINT AS IT WAS
PREPARED BY OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL PRIVATE TUTORS WHO ARE
EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, AND IT WAS PREPARED USING VARIOUS SOURCES. ANY
SIMILARITY WITH ANY EXISTING THEORY OR DISCUSSION BY OTHER AUTHORS
IS EXCUSED. THE AUTHORS HOWEVER DO NOT CLAIM MONOPOLY TO
KNOWLEDGE HENCE MODIFICATION OF THE ANSWERS CONTAINED IN THIS
FRAMEWORK MAY NOT BE PROHIBITED AS IT CONTRIBUTES TO EXPANSION OF
KNOWLEDGE. FOR ANY FURTHER GUIDELINE ABOUT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HERE AND THE MODULE IN GENERAL, CONTACT PASSMATE
TUTORIALS.
WE ASSIST WITH OTHER MODULES INCLUDING:
ECSs, FACs, MACs, MNGs, INTs, TRLs, HMEMS, PRMs, PROs, MNBs, DSC, QMI,
MNMs, MNO, MNPs, FIN, PUBs, MNMs, RESEARCH among others.
WE OFFER CLASSES, ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES, EXAMINATION PREPARATION,
RESEARCH AND RESEARCH PROPOSALS, DISSERTATION EDITING etc.
OTHER THAN UNISA, WE ALSO ASSIST STUDENTS AT VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS
INCLUDING MANCOSA, REGENT, REGEYNESES, BOSTON, STADIO, OLG, UJ, UP
etc
For any enquiries the following numbers can be used for calling, sms, whatsapp and
telegram
CONTACT PASSMATE TUTORIALS @061 262 1185/068 053 8213/0717 513 144 or email
,RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1 Formulate a suitable title for the study proposed by the investment analyst.
"Evaluating the Impact of Real-Time Data Integration on Financial Performance in South
African Investment Firms"
1.2 Based on the information provided about the investment analyst’s proposed
study, formulate three (3) research questions and three (3) research objectives that
the study aims to address
Research Questions
1. How does the integration of real-time data impact the portfolio performance of South
African investment firms, including returns, volatility, and diversification?
2. What is the effect of real-time data integration on risk-adjusted returns and capital
allocation efficiency in South African investment firms?
3. How does real-time data integration influence operational efficiency, including trade
execution speed and responsiveness to market conditions, in South African
investment firms?
Research Objectives
1. To assess the impact of real-time data integration on portfolio performance, focusing
on returns, volatility, and diversification in South African investment firms.
2. To evaluate the improvements in risk-adjusted returns and capital allocation
efficiency resulting from real-time data integration.
3. To determine the role of real-time data integration in enhancing operational
efficiency, including trade execution speed and responsiveness to market conditions.
1.3 Research design is fundamentally shaped by the research purpose or type, such as
exploration, description, explanation, or evaluation. Consequently, before the design of a
,RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
study can be developed, its purpose must be clearly articulated (Creswell, 2018). In this
context, critically examine how each of the research types exploration, description,
explanation, and evaluation guides the selection of an appropriate research design.
Following this, specify the purpose of the proposed study and justify the choice of a suitable
research design based on that purpose.
Types of Research and Their Impact on Research Design
Exploratory Research
Purpose: To investigate new or poorly understood phenomena, identify patterns, and
generate initial insights.
Characteristics: Flexible, open-ended, and often qualitative.
Research Design: Often uses qualitative methods like interviews, focus groups, or case
studies. It may also involve surveys with open-ended questions.
Suitability: Appropriate when little is known about a topic or when exploring new trends,
technologies, or practices.
Example in Context: If the study aimed to uncover emerging trends in real-time data usage
without predefined hypotheses, an exploratory design would be suitable.
Descriptive Research
Purpose: To provide an accurate representation of characteristics, functions, or
phenomena.
Characteristics: Structured, with a clear focus on describing what exists.
Research Design: Often involves surveys, observational studies, or case studies with
structured data collection methods.
, RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
Suitability: Suitable when the goal is to describe market trends, customer behaviors, or
industry practices.
Example in Context: Descriptive design would fit if the study sought to detail the current
level of real-time data integration in South African investment firms.
Explanatory (Causal) Research
Purpose: To establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
Characteristics: Highly structured, quantitative, and often involves hypothesis testing.
Research Design: Includes experiments, longitudinal studies, and statistical analyses to
identify causal links.
Suitability: Ideal for studies aiming to quantify the impact of specific factors on outcomes.
Example in Context: This approach is suitable if the study aims to measure the impact of
real-time data integration on financial performance.
Evaluative Research
Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of a program, policy, or intervention.
Characteristics: Focuses on assessing outcomes against predefined criteria.
Research Design: Often involves both qualitative and quantitative methods, including pre-
and post-tests, cost-benefit analyses, or impact assessments.
Suitability: Best for studies aiming to determine the success or failure of an intervention or
system.
Example in Context: This approach could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of real-time
data systems in enhancing financial decision-making.
DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT AN OFFICIAL GUIDE FROM MANCOSA. THE REPORT IS
NOT PREPARED NOR APPROVED BY MANCOSA, RATHER REPRESENTS A
POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE TASK CONSISTENT WITH THEORY OF RESEARCH.
THIS REPORT IS INTENDED TO ASSIST STUDENTS IN GETTING STARTED WITH
THEIR ASSIGNMENT, AND IN NO CASE THIS DOCUMENT SHOULD BE USED FOR
CHEATING. WE BELIEVE THIS WILL BE A GOOD STARTING POINT AS IT WAS
PREPARED BY OUR TEAM OF PROFESSIONAL PRIVATE TUTORS WHO ARE
EXPERTS IN THE FIELD, AND IT WAS PREPARED USING VARIOUS SOURCES. ANY
SIMILARITY WITH ANY EXISTING THEORY OR DISCUSSION BY OTHER AUTHORS
IS EXCUSED. THE AUTHORS HOWEVER DO NOT CLAIM MONOPOLY TO
KNOWLEDGE HENCE MODIFICATION OF THE ANSWERS CONTAINED IN THIS
FRAMEWORK MAY NOT BE PROHIBITED AS IT CONTRIBUTES TO EXPANSION OF
KNOWLEDGE. FOR ANY FURTHER GUIDELINE ABOUT THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED HERE AND THE MODULE IN GENERAL, CONTACT PASSMATE
TUTORIALS.
WE ASSIST WITH OTHER MODULES INCLUDING:
ECSs, FACs, MACs, MNGs, INTs, TRLs, HMEMS, PRMs, PROs, MNBs, DSC, QMI,
MNMs, MNO, MNPs, FIN, PUBs, MNMs, RESEARCH among others.
WE OFFER CLASSES, ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES, EXAMINATION PREPARATION,
RESEARCH AND RESEARCH PROPOSALS, DISSERTATION EDITING etc.
OTHER THAN UNISA, WE ALSO ASSIST STUDENTS AT VARIOUS INSTITUTIONS
INCLUDING MANCOSA, REGENT, REGEYNESES, BOSTON, STADIO, OLG, UJ, UP
etc
For any enquiries the following numbers can be used for calling, sms, whatsapp and
telegram
CONTACT PASSMATE TUTORIALS @061 262 1185/068 053 8213/0717 513 144 or email
,RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
QUESTION 1
1.1 Formulate a suitable title for the study proposed by the investment analyst.
"Evaluating the Impact of Real-Time Data Integration on Financial Performance in South
African Investment Firms"
1.2 Based on the information provided about the investment analyst’s proposed
study, formulate three (3) research questions and three (3) research objectives that
the study aims to address
Research Questions
1. How does the integration of real-time data impact the portfolio performance of South
African investment firms, including returns, volatility, and diversification?
2. What is the effect of real-time data integration on risk-adjusted returns and capital
allocation efficiency in South African investment firms?
3. How does real-time data integration influence operational efficiency, including trade
execution speed and responsiveness to market conditions, in South African
investment firms?
Research Objectives
1. To assess the impact of real-time data integration on portfolio performance, focusing
on returns, volatility, and diversification in South African investment firms.
2. To evaluate the improvements in risk-adjusted returns and capital allocation
efficiency resulting from real-time data integration.
3. To determine the role of real-time data integration in enhancing operational
efficiency, including trade execution speed and responsiveness to market conditions.
1.3 Research design is fundamentally shaped by the research purpose or type, such as
exploration, description, explanation, or evaluation. Consequently, before the design of a
,RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
study can be developed, its purpose must be clearly articulated (Creswell, 2018). In this
context, critically examine how each of the research types exploration, description,
explanation, and evaluation guides the selection of an appropriate research design.
Following this, specify the purpose of the proposed study and justify the choice of a suitable
research design based on that purpose.
Types of Research and Their Impact on Research Design
Exploratory Research
Purpose: To investigate new or poorly understood phenomena, identify patterns, and
generate initial insights.
Characteristics: Flexible, open-ended, and often qualitative.
Research Design: Often uses qualitative methods like interviews, focus groups, or case
studies. It may also involve surveys with open-ended questions.
Suitability: Appropriate when little is known about a topic or when exploring new trends,
technologies, or practices.
Example in Context: If the study aimed to uncover emerging trends in real-time data usage
without predefined hypotheses, an exploratory design would be suitable.
Descriptive Research
Purpose: To provide an accurate representation of characteristics, functions, or
phenomena.
Characteristics: Structured, with a clear focus on describing what exists.
Research Design: Often involves surveys, observational studies, or case studies with
structured data collection methods.
, RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
Suitability: Suitable when the goal is to describe market trends, customer behaviors, or
industry practices.
Example in Context: Descriptive design would fit if the study sought to detail the current
level of real-time data integration in South African investment firms.
Explanatory (Causal) Research
Purpose: To establish cause-and-effect relationships between variables.
Characteristics: Highly structured, quantitative, and often involves hypothesis testing.
Research Design: Includes experiments, longitudinal studies, and statistical analyses to
identify causal links.
Suitability: Ideal for studies aiming to quantify the impact of specific factors on outcomes.
Example in Context: This approach is suitable if the study aims to measure the impact of
real-time data integration on financial performance.
Evaluative Research
Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of a program, policy, or intervention.
Characteristics: Focuses on assessing outcomes against predefined criteria.
Research Design: Often involves both qualitative and quantitative methods, including pre-
and post-tests, cost-benefit analyses, or impact assessments.
Suitability: Best for studies aiming to determine the success or failure of an intervention or
system.
Example in Context: This approach could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of real-time
data systems in enhancing financial decision-making.
