Research Methods

AGENDA

• What is business research • The research process • Research approaches

INTRODUCTION THE RESEARCH PROCESS

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HAZEL TAY L O R

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BUSINESS RESEARCH

• A process of determining, acquiring, analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating relevant business data, information, and insights to decision makers in ways that mobilize the organization to take appropriate business actions that, in turn, maximize business performance

PULSEPOINT: RESEARCH REVELATIONS

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The percent of employees who never consider what their bosses, clients, or colleagues think before posting to a blog, discussion forum, or social network.

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THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Problem? What do we already know?

IDENTIFY THE RESEARCH PROBLEM REVIEW THE LITERATURE Purpose? Questions? Variables? Hypotheses?

PROBLEM STATEMENT

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DEVELOP A RESEARCH DESIGN PLAN DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

COLLECT DATA ANALYZE, INTERPRET, AND REPORT DATA

How to code? What about missing data? What analysis methods? What data displays?

What method? What procedures?

What measures? What instruments? Validity & reliability?

Sampling strategy? Representativeness? Practicality?

What audiences? What report formats?

DESIGN SPECIFICATION

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ANALYSIS EXERCISES

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SKILLS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH?

• • • • Curiosity to solve puzzles Sustained attention span Perseverance Ability to use library and computer resources efficiently and effectively • Writing and editing skills

RESEARCH APPROACHES

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BASIC RESEARCH

• Typically investigates what things happen and why across multiple organizations • Aims:

• Continuous improvement of current practices across organizations • Confirmation or disconfirmation of “common sense” beliefs about people, technology, information, policies, or procedures

APPLIED RESEARCH

• Has a practical emphasis, usually within a single organization •...