Current Business Research Project

Current Business Research Project

Name

RES341

September 12, 2011

Instructor Sripathi Nilkar

Current Business Research Project

Research studies in technology can be daunting. This is no less true when the technology addresses business research, its purpose and problems. Still, technology is a useful tool in business as will be demonstrated in the research of, and the methods of, data collection.

Research and Purpose

In the article ‘Geographic Information Systems: Tools for displaying in-library use data’, written by Lauren H. Mandel, the focus was on researching the latest technology in library science and examining the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools that help libraries understand the references, information and circulation within the structure of a library.

GIS puts the data on a reference grid that allows for “a more visually appealing graphical display” (Mandel, 2010, para. 1). The purpose of Mandel’s research was to observe and measure the library’s usage so that the library could better understand its use in validating the financial support it needs to maintain and run the library as a business.

Business Problems under Investigation

The problem Mandel investigates is whether the library can justify its continued value with more people accessing the library through the internet. With the increased use of the internet, the library has to legitimize why there is still a need for a physical building to house books and periodicals for public access. Researchers must assess the need for a library facility to show that a corporeal building is still needed for its educational and social functions.

Description of Data Collection Methods

The data collection method used by Mandel is known as the seating sweeps method. This method is used to gather data for in-library use. The collected data shows what areas people are using in the library and what activities they are involved in. This involvement includes study groups, socializing, or...