Business Research Methods

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Business Research Methods

• Problem Definition

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Selection of exploratory research technique
Problem discovery
Problem Discovery and Definition
Sampling
Selection of exploratory research technique
Probability
Nonprobability
Secondary (historical) data
Experience survey
Pilot study
Case study
Collection of data (fieldwork)
Data Gathering
Data Processing and Analysis
Editing and coding data
Problem definition (statement of research
objectives)
Data processing
Selection of basic research method
Research Design
Conclusions and Report
Interpretation of findings
Experiment
Survey
Observation
Secondary Data Study
Report
Laboratory
Field
Interview
Questionnaire
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Problem Definition

• The indication of a specific business decision
  area that will be clarified by answering some
  research questions.

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Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research
Objectives
Symptom Detection
Exploratory Research (Optional)
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The Process of Problem Definition
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Ascertain the Decision Makers Objectives

• Decision makers objectives
• Managerial goals expressed in measurable terms.

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The Iceberg Principle

• The principle indicating that the dangerous part
  of many business problems is neither visible to
  nor understood by managers.

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Understand the Background of the Problem

• Exercising judgment
• Situation analysis - The informal gathering of
  background information to familiarize researchers
  or managers with the decision area.

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Isolate and Identify the Problems, Not the
Symptoms

• Symptoms can be confusing

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Symptoms Can Be Confusing

• Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming
  association
• Membership has been declining for years.
• New water park -residents prefer the expensive
  water park????
• Demographic changes Children have grown up

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Problem Definition Organization Symptom
s Based on Symptom True Problem
Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association
in a major city.
Membership has been declining for years. New
water park with wave pool and water slides moved
into town a few years ago.
Neighborhood residents prefer the expensive water
park and have negative image of swimming pool.
Demographic changes Children in this 20-year-old
neighborhood have grown up. Older residents no
longer swim anywhere.
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Determine the Unit of Analysis

• Individuals, households, organizations, etc.
• In many studies, the family rather than the
  individual is the appropriate unit of analysis.

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Determine the Relevant Variable

• Anything that may assume different numerical
  values

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Types of Variables

• Categorical
• Continuous
• Dependent
• Independent

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Hypothesis

• An unproven proposition
• A possible solution to a problem
• Guess

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State the research questions and research
objectives
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If you do not know where you are going,any road
will take you there.
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Statement of business problem
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Influences of definition
Feedback
Specific Objective I
Statement of Problem
Broad Research Objectives
Specific Objective II
Research Design
Results
Exploratory Research (Optional)
Specific Objective III
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The Process of Problem Definition
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Basic Questions - Problem Definition

• What is the purpose of the study?
• How much is already known?
• Is additional background information necessary?
• What is to be measured? How?
• Can the data be made available?
• Should research be conducted?
• Can a hypothesis be formulated?

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Basic Questions - Basic Research Design

• What types of questions need to be answered?
• Are descriptive or causal findings required?
• What is the source of the data?

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Basic Questions - Basic Research Design

• Can objective answers be obtained by asking
  people?
• How quickly is the information needed?
• How should survey questions be worded?
• How should experimental manipulations be made?