Chapter 3

The Business Research Process: An Overview

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Learning Objectives

Understand that research is decision- and dilemma-centered The clarified research question is the result of careful exploration and analysis and sets the direction for the research project

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Learning Objectives
How value assessments and budgeting influence the process for proposing research, and ultimately, research design What is included in research design, data collection, and data analysis Which research process problems to avoid

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The Research Process

The primary purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk of a business decision

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Exhibit 3-1 The Business Research Process

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Stage 1 Clarifying the Research Question

Management-research question hierarchy Begins with management dilemma

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Exhibit 3-2 ManagementResearch Question Hierarchy

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Exhibit 3-3 Formulating the Research Question

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Types of Management Questions

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The Research Question

Examine variables Break questions down

Determine necessary evidence

Fine-Tuning

Set scope of study

Evaluate hypotheses
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Investigative Questions
Performance Considerations

Attitudinal Issues

Behavioral Issues

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2002 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Stage 2 Proposing Research

Exhibit 3-7 Budget Types Rule-of-thumb Departmental Task

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Exhibit 3-6 Gantt Chart

MindWriter Project Plan

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Evaluating the Value of Research

Option Analysis
Decision Theory Prior or Interim Evaluation Ex Post Facto Evaluation
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The Research Proposal

Purpose Legallybinding contract Methods Extent

Written proposals establish

Timing

Obligations

Delivery Budgets
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Stage 3
Research Design
Designing the Research Project

Sampling Design
Pilot Testing
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Stage 4 Data Collection

Data Characteristics Abstractness Verifiability Elusiveness Closeness

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Stage 5 Data Analysis and Interpretation

Reducing data to manageable size

Developing summaries

Looking for patterns

Applying statistical techniques

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2002 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Stage 6 Reporting the Results

Research Overview

Executive Summary

Research Report
Technical Appendix Implementation Strategies
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The Research Overview

Problems background

Summary of exploratory findings

Research design and procedures

Conclusions
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Research Process Issues

The Favored-Technique Syndrome Company Database StripMining Unresearchable Questions Ill-Defined Management Problems Politically Motivated Research
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Everything must have a beginning Source: Cooper R. D. & Schindler, S. P. (2006). Business Research Methods 9e. McGraw.Hill

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