The Monarch Standard Research Methodology (MSRM)
What is the MSRM?
The Monarch Standard Research Method (MSRM) is the institutional research methodology underpinning Monarch’s doctoral programs in business and management. It provides candidates with a coherent framework for conducting doctoral research by integrating the principal stages of scholarly inquiry into a systematic research process specifically designed for business-oriented investigation.
A structured doctoral research methodology developed
specifically for business and management research.
Unlike many doctoral programs that require candidates to navigate numerous competing research methodologies before commencing their research, the MSRM provides an established methodological framework that enables candidates to begin their doctoral studies with confidence while maintaining the highest standards of academic rigour.
The MSRM does not replace scholarly thinking or critical judgement. Rather, it provides the methodological structure within which candidates develop their own research questions, theoretical foundations, data collection strategies, analysis, and original contribution to knowledge.
Why Was the MSRM Developed?
Business and management research presents challenges that differ from many traditional academic disciplines. Doctoral candidates are frequently experienced professionals with substantial practical expertise but comparatively limited exposure to advanced research methodology. At the same time, contemporary business problems often require the integration of multiple theoretical perspectives, diverse sources of evidence, and research methods capable of addressing complex organisational realities.
Recognising these challenges, Monarch developed the MSRM to provide a structured doctoral research methodology specifically suited to business and management research. Rather than requiring candidates to construct a research methodology independently from a wide range of competing methodological traditions, the MSRM provides a proven framework through which rigorous doctoral research may be undertaken efficiently and consistently.
This structured approach reduces unnecessary methodological uncertainty while enabling candidates to devote their intellectual effort to the development of the research problem, theoretical contribution, and practical significance of their research.
Three Components of the MSRM
The Monarch Standard Research Method (MSRM) is founded upon three complementary methodological components that together provide a coherent framework for conducting doctoral research in business and management. Each component addresses a distinct aspect of the research process, while collectively supporting the development of academically rigorous, theoretically informed, and professionally relevant doctoral research.
Rather than viewing research methodology as a collection of independent techniques, the MSRM integrates these three components into a unified research framework that guides candidates from the initial formulation of the research problem through to the completion of the doctoral dissertation.
Literature Triangulation
Doctoral research in business and management frequently draws upon multiple academic disciplines rather than a single body of literature. Organisational problems often extend across areas such as leadership, strategy, organisational behaviour, finance, economics, sociology, psychology, public administration, innovation, and information systems. Consequently, meaningful doctoral research requires the integration of diverse theoretical perspectives.
The MSRM therefore incorporates Literature Triangulation, enabling candidates to construct a comprehensive theoretical foundation by systematically drawing upon multiple bodies of scholarly literature. This interdisciplinary approach strengthens the conceptual framework of the research while providing a richer understanding of complex organisational and managerial phenomena.
Methodological Triangulation
Contemporary business problems rarely lend themselves to a single methodological perspective. The MSRM therefore incorporates Methodological Triangulation, encouraging the thoughtful integration of appropriate research methods, sources of evidence, and analytical approaches where this enhances the quality, credibility, and depth of the research.
Rather than treating research methodology as the selection of a single methodological tradition, the MSRM recognises that robust business research frequently benefits from the careful combination of complementary methodological perspectives. This approach strengthens the validity of the research while ensuring that the chosen methodology remains aligned with the research problem and research objectives.
The Monarch 10-Step Standard Research Process
The third component of the MSRM is the Monarch Ten-Step Standard Research Process, which provides candidates with a structured sequence for planning, conducting, and completing doctoral research.
Rather than requiring candidates to design an individual research process from first principles, the Ten-Step Process establishes a logical progression through each stage of the doctoral journey, from the identification of the research problem and development of the research proposal through to data collection, analysis, dissertation writing, and the communication of research findings.
This structured process reduces unnecessary methodological uncertainty and enables candidates to concentrate their efforts on developing high-quality scholarly research while maintaining consistency and academic rigour throughout the doctoral journey.
An Integrated Methodological Framework
Although each of these three components contributes independently to the quality of doctoral research, their greatest strength lies in their integration. Literature Triangulation provides the theoretical foundation, Methodological Triangulation strengthens the research design, and the Monarch Ten-Step Standard Research Process provides the structured pathway through which the research is conducted.
Together, these three components form the Monarch Standard Research Method (MSRM), providing doctoral candidates with an integrated methodological framework specifically developed for business and management research. The result is a coherent research methodology that enables candidates to devote their intellectual effort to advancing knowledge and professional practice rather than constructing a research process from the outset.