RES 351

Syllabus School of Business RES/351 Version 1 Business Research Copyright © 2011 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course evaluates the process of conducting business research for improving decision making within an organization. Students will learn to apply an understanding of commonly employed business research techniques to improve a situation, solve a problem, or change a process. Other topics include problem framing, data collection, data analysis, and data presentation. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. • Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Cooper, D., & Schindler, P. (2011). Business research methods (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: Recognizing the Situation Details Due Points Objectives 1.1 Recognize a situation, problem, issue, or opportunity that needs addressing. 1.2 Determine the significance, scope, magnitude, and feasibility of finding a solution to the situation, problem, issue, or opportunity. 1.3 Identify ethical issues involved in business research. 1.4 Describe the business research process. Reading Read Ch. 1 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 2 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 3 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 4 of Business Research Methods. Participation Participate in class discussion. Any 3 Days 30 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. 1. Why must business managers understand the importance of business research and how it is used in their organizations? 2. Why are research ethics important in business? Describe the rights and obligations of the participant, researcher, and research sponsor? Day 2/ Day 4 20 Nongraded Activities and Preparation Resource: Business Research Methods Review the “Bringing Research to Life” sections of Ch. 1 & 3 of Business Research Methods. Respond to the following: • What evidence is presented that shows effort was made to understand the management dilemma? • Identify and classify all of the variables in the U.S. Army’s dud shell research. • What was Myra’s hypothesis for the U.S. Army’s dud shell research? What was the U.S. Army’s hypothesis? Nongraded Activities and Preparation Resource: Business Research Methods Review Exhibit 4.1, “The Research Process,” in Ch. 4 of Business Research Methods. Find a case study of a research example in which a clear statement of the management dilemma leads to a precise and actionable research. Explain the management dilemma, the management question, and the research question(s). Answer the following questions: • Why did you consider the research to be actionable? • Was the business research process followed in its entirety? Individual Current Events in Business Research Write a 300-word summary of the business research process by describing the business research process from your experience in the workplace or in an article you find through the University Library. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Day 7 50 Week 1 Total Points 100 Week Two: The Purpose of Business Research Details Due Points Objectives 2.1 State the purpose of the business research. 2.2 Develop appropriate research questions and hypotheses. 2.3 Identify dependent and independent variables in business research. Reading Read Ch. 5 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 6 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 11 of Business Research Methods. Reading Review Ch. 3 of Business Research Methods. Participation Participate in class discussion. Any 3 Days 30 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. 1. Explain the difference between a research question and a hypothesis. Using your current or previous place of employment as a starting point, provide one or more research questions and then develop two appropriate hypotheses. 2. Describe a management dilemma you have faced at work or with an organization for which you volunteer. Then develop the management-research question hierarchy for the management dilemma. State one of each of the following questions: management, research, investigative, and measurement. Day 2/ Day 4 20 Nongraded Activities and Preparation App Development It is estimated that it costs approximately $55,000 to generate an application (app) for the Apple® iPhone® mobile digital device. Just offering an app is not a guarantee of success. The most successful apps are sold as downloads and they offer functional value. In addition, Apple takes weeks to review an app. Based on this information, answer the following questions: • If you worked for Apple, what research would you want see in a proposal to approve a new app for the iPod® mobile digital device? Why? • What research would not be appropriate? Why? Individual Business Research Ethics Resources: The University Library or the Electronic Reserve Readings Find an article using the University Library or in the Electronic Reserve Readings that discusses unethical business research conduct that has resulted in individuals or a firm being convicted, or at least tried for, this conduct. Some examples include the following: • Asking inappropriate questions • Skewing research results • Failing to maintain participants’ confidential information • Using participant information for unintended purposes such as selling goods or services Summarize the article you researched. Write a 750-word paper in which you address the following questions: • What unethical research behavior was involved? • Who were the injured parties? • How has the unethical behavior affected the organization, the individual, and society? • How could the unethical behavior be avoided or resolved? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Day 7 60 Learning Team Reflection Collaborate with your learning team to discuss the Week Two objectives. Discuss how you can apply them to a business setting or situation. Day 7 30 Week 2 Total Points 140 Week Three: Types of Research Design Details Due Points Objectives 3.1 Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative methods of research. 3.2 Explain commonly used qualitative research designs and quantitative research designs. 3.3 Select the appropriate type of research design in a given business situation. Reading Read Ch. 7 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 8 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 9 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 10 of Business Research Methods. Reading Review Ch. 6 of Business Research Methods. Participation Participate in class discussion. Any 3 Days 30 Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. 1. Read the “Bringing Research to Life” on page 159 of your text then respond this question: “What dilemma does HealthPlus face, and why has the company turned to focus groups for insights?” How has your current or past organization handled similar dilemmas? 2. Assume you are planning to interview shoppers in a shopping mall about their views on increased food prices and what the federal government should do about them. In what different ways might you try to motivate shoppers to cooperate in your survey? Day 2/ Day 4 20 Nongraded Activities & Preparation Mastering Teacher Leadership Read the case study Mastering Teacher Leadership. Answer questions 1 and 2 at the end of the case study. Nongraded Activities and Preparation Starbucks, Bank One, and Visa Launch Starbucks® Duetto® Visa® Card Read the case study Starbucks, Bank One, and Visa Launch Starbucks Duetto Visa. Answer questions 1–3 at the end of the case study. Nongraded Activities and Preparation Yahoo Consumer Direct Marries Purchase Metrics to Banner Ads Read the case study Yahoo Consumer Direct Marries Purchase Metrics to Banner Ads. Answer questions 1–4 at the end of the case study. Individual Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 1 Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 1 Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 1. Day 7 70 Learning Team Reflection Collaborate with your Learning Team to discuss the previous Week Three objectives. Discuss how you can apply them to a business setting or situation. Day 7 30 Learning Team Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 1 Select an issue, opportunity, or problem facing your organization. Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that addresses the following questions: • What are the research questions? • What are the hypotheses? • What variables are to be considered? • What ethical considerations must you take into account? Discuss the significance, scope, magnitude and feasibility of finding a solution to the issue, opportunity, or problem. Define the purpose of the research. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Day 7 110 Week 3 Total Points 260 Week Four: Data Collection Details Due Points Objectives 4.1 Develop the data collection instruments. 4.2 Differentiate between sampling methods and their application in business research. Reading Read Ch. 12 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 13 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 14 of Business Research Methods. Reading Review Ch. 10 of Business Research Methods. Reading Review Ch. 11 of Business Research Methods. Participation Participate in class discussion. Any 3 Days 30 Discussion Questions 1. A question in your employee satisfaction study seeks to assess employee “job involvement.” 1. Which one of the following scales would you recommend for this study? Create ONE question for the scale you chose. a) A graphic rating scale. b) A multiple rating list. c) Likert-type scale d) Semantic differential scale e) Forced ranking scale f) Semantic differential scale 2. Explain why you recommend the scale you chose? 2. During the 2010 Super Bowl, the Snicker’s candy bar campaign was voted the best ad by women 18 or older, men 18 or older, and youth 17 or younger. This ad features a neighborhood football game in which one player, who has flagging energy, is repeatedly tackled. His teammates tell him, “You play like Betty White!” See the ad at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA7-31Cxc2I. If you were AdBowl.com, how would you draw the sample to measure the best "Super Bowl Commercial" among the three interest groups? Day 2/ Day 4 20 Nongraded Activities and Preparation Mastering Teacher Leadership Review the case study Mastering Teacher Leadership. Answer question 4 at the end of the case study. Evaluate the sampling strategy by responding to the following: • Was there an appropriate sampling plan? • Define the type of sampling WiottCPD obtained. • Was the sample appropriate for this research? Why or why not? Nongraded Activities and Preparation Tasty Restaurant Tasty Restaurant has hired Premium Research to obtain information regarding patrons’ dining experience. The main areas of interest include the following: satisfaction with the food, interaction with the employees, ambience of the restaurant, and reasons for dining at the restaurant. Develop 18 to 20 questions with appropriate scales to address areas Tasty Restaurant has suggested. Use a variety of scales such as the Likert, semantical differential, comparison, or simple category scales. Learning Team Instructions Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 2 Review the information collected for Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 1, completed in Week Three. Collaborate with your team to respond to the following questions. • Determine the most appropriate research design for the issue, opportunity, or problem identified in Week Three. Explain why two other research designs were not used. • What data collection instrument(s) will be used? Survey? Interview? • Will you use an existing instrument or develop a new instrument? Note. Your team is not required to submit the answers this week, but you will incorporate your answers to the Week Five Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 3 assignment. Day 7 Individual Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2 Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2 Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2. Day 7 60 Learning Team Reflection Collaborate with your Learning Team to discuss the Week 4 objectives. Discuss how you can apply them to a business setting/situation. Day 7 30 Week 4 Total Points 140 Week Five: Data Analysis Approaches Details Due Points Objectives 5.1 Prepare collected data for analysis. 5.2 Differentiate between descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. 5.3 Determine the overall data analysis approach for a data set. Reading Read Ch. 15 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Ch. 16 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Tests of Significance in Ch. 17 of Business Research Methods. Reading Read Appendix 15a of Business Research Methods. Participation No Participation Required Discussion Questions We have come almost to the end of the course. It has been a real pleasure working with you. To satisfy attendance requirements, please be sure to post to either your learning team forum or the main forum as specified in the syllabus. Another opportunity to satisfy that requirement by replying to this thread: • What three things you have learned from this course? • What would you have liked to learn? • Any suggestions for this class? I would really like to hear from you, this would earn you 10 points extra credit. Individual Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 3 Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 3 Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 3. Day 7 60 Learning Team Reflection No reflection Individual Final Examination Click the link to the Final Examination on your student website available from the end of Week Four through the end of Week Five. Complete the Final Examination. Only one attempt is allowed, which is timed and must be completed in 3 hours. Day 7 200 Learning Team Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 3 Build on Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 1, completed in Week Three, and Preparing to Conduct Business Research: Part 2, completed in Week Four. Develop or select the instruments your team will use to collect data. Describe how you will sample the population: • What is the appropriate sampling method? • What sampling frame will be used? • What is the appropriate sampling size? • How will the sample size be determined? Discuss the overall data analysis approach and result reporting: • Which statistical test will be used and why? • How will the results be displayed? Combine the three parts of the Preparing to Conduct Business Research assignment to develop a cohesive research proposal of no more than 2,450 words. Include the following elements: • Research problem and purpose • Significance, scope, magnitude, and feasibility of finding a solution to the issue, opportunity, or problem • Research question, hypothesis, and variables • Research design • Instrument you developed or selected • Sampling method • Overall data analysis approach • Result reporting • Ethical considerations Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Day 7 100 Week 5 Total points 360 COURSE POINTS Participation and Discussion Questions Points 200 Individual Papers Points 300 Learning Team Points 300 Final Exam 200 Course Total Possible Points 1000 Copyright University of Phoenix® is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Final exams contain third-party copyrighted materials. Portions are: Copyright © 2011 University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2011 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices.