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Business Research
- a process of determining, acquiring, analyzing, synthesizing, and disseminating relevant business
data or information to decision makers
- provides information to guide business decisions
The Process:
1. Research Dilemma
2. Research Proposal
3. Data Collection & Analysis
4. Policy Decisions
Reasoning Process
1. Deductive theory observations
2. Inductive observation theory
Testing Theory
A genuine test of a theory is an attempt to falsify or refute it (Popper)
We look for disconfirmations rather than confirmations (Ho and Ha)
Null Hypothesis (Ho)
- Statement of the status quo
- Conventional (observed by majority)
Alternative Hypothesis (Ha)
Research Sequence
Proposal Defense
Research Problem
A felt need, a question thrown forward for solution
A situation where a gap exists between the actual/existing and desired ideal state
A hypothesis or question of interest to business people and managers that can be tested and
answered
Purpose: the exact purpose of a critical literature review depends on the research approach that is taken
Variables
Any concept that varies or changes in value
Main types of variables:
1. Dependent Variables (DV) is the primary interest to the researcher. The goal of the research
project is to understand, predict, or explain the variability of this variable.
2. Independent Variables (IV) influences the DV in either positive or negative way. The variable
in the DV is affected by the IV.
3. Moderating Variables relationship of IV and DV is contingent on the presence of moderating
variables
- Moderator is qualitative (eg gender, race, class) or quantitative (eg level of rewards)
variable that affect the direction and/or strength of relation between IV and DV
Ex:
IV DV
Moderating Variable
4. Mediating Variables (Intervening Variables) surfaces between the time the IV start operating
to influence the DV and the time their impact is felt on it
Ex:
Hypothesis
A proposition that is empirically testable
An empirical statement concerned with the relationship among variables can be:
o Directional
o Non-directional
Null Hypothesis
Alternative Hypothesis
Format of Statement of Hypothesis
o Descriptive Format
o Relational Format
Explanatory/Causal Format
Correctional Format
Classifications of Design:
1. Degree of Crystallization
2. Power to Produce Effects
3. Time Dimension
4. The Tropical Scope
5. The Research Environment
6. Purpose of the Study
7. Explorative Techniques
Sampling
Unit of analysis depends on:
What is the research problem ie on what level do you look for answers?
At what level do we need information, what do we measure?
At what level do we want to implement the answers found?
Nature of Sampling
SAMPLE
SAMPLE
SAMPLE
POPULATION
POPULATION ELEMENT
Probability sampling
- a controlled, randomized procedure that assures that each population element is given a known,
nonzero chance of selection.
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
SIMPLE RANDOM
Easy to implement with random dialing Requires list of population elements
Time consuming
Larger sample needed
Produces larger errors
High cost
SYSTEMATIC
Simple to design Periodicity within population may skew
Easier than simple random sample and results
Easy to determine sampling distribution Trends in list may bias results
of mean or proportion Moderate cost
CLUSTER
Provides an unbiased estimate of Often lower statistical efficiency due to
population parameters if properly done subgroups being homogeneous rather
Economically more efficient than simple than heterogeneous
random Moderate cost
Lowest cost per sample
Easy to do without list
STRATIFIED
Control of sample size in strata Increased error if subgroups are selected
Increased statistical efficiency at different rates
Provides data to represent and analyze Especially expensive if strata on
subgroups population must be created
Enables use of different methods in strata High cost
DOUBLE
May reduce costs if first stage results in Increased costs if discriminately used
enough data to stratify or cluster the
population
Nonprobability sampling
- an arbitrary and subjective sampling procedure where each population element does not have a
known, nonzero chance of being included
- commonly used in qualitative research
- no need to generalize
- limited objectives
- cost
- time
- feasibility