Business research methods analysis
1-1 Part One INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS RESEARCH 1-2 McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2003 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,All Rights Reserved Chapter One RESEARCH IN BUSINESS 1-3 What is Business Research? • A systematic Inquiry whose objective is to provide information to solve managerial problems 1-4 Why Study Research? • Research provides you with the knowledge and skills needed for the fast-paced decision-making environment 1-5 Why Managers need Better Information • Global and domestic competition is more vigorous • Organizations are increasingly practicing data mining and data warehousing 1-6 The Value of Acquiring Research Skills • To gather more information before selecting a course of action • To a high-level research study • To understand research design • To evaluate and resolve a current management dilemma • To establish a career as a research specialist 1-7 Types of Studies Used to Research • • • • 1-8 Reporting Descriptive Explanatory Predictive Different Styles of Research • Applied Research • Pure Research/Basic Research 1-9 What is Good Research? • Following the standards of the scientific method – Purpose clearly defined – Research process detailed – Research design thoroughly planned – Limitations frankly revealed – High ethical standards applied 1-10 Steps in Cluster Analysis • Select sample to be clustered • Define measurement variables • Compute similarities among the entities through correlation, Euclidean distances, and other techniques • Select mutually exclusive clusters • Compare and validate the clusters 19-15 Interdependency Techniques • Factor analysis • Cluster analysis • Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) 19-16 Multidimensional Scaling • Creates a special description of a participant’s perception about a product, service, or other object of interest 19-17 20-1 Part Four ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF DATA 20-2 McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2003 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,All Rights Reserved Chapter Twenty PRESENTING RESULTS: Written and Oral Reports 20-3 Written Research Report • Short report – For well-defined, limited-scope problems with straight-forward methodology – Usually or fewer pages – Formats • Findings summary (graphical or tabular) attached to letter of transmittal • Business letter • Internal memorandum 20-4 Written Research Report • Short Report (Memorandum) – Reason for writing – Answer direct inquiry with specific answer and supporting detail – Expository style with brevity and directness – Attach detailed materials as appendices when needed 20-5 Written Research Report • Long report – Technical report – Management report 20-6 Long Report Components • Prefatory Items – – – – – Letter of transmittal Title page Authorization letter Executive summary Table of contents • Introduction – Problem statement – Research objectives – Background 20-7 • Methodology – – – – – Sampling design Research design Data collection Data analysis Limitations • Conclusions – Summary conclusions – Recommendations • Appendices • Bibliography Written Report Considerations • Order of report – Sentence outline – Topic outline Comprehensibility – Readability indices – Pace – Tone 20-8 Presentation of Statistics • • • • 20-9 Text paragraph format Semi-tabular format Tabular format Graphical format Graphical Formats • • • • • • 20-10 Line graphs Area charts Pie charts Bar charts Pictographs/Geo-Graphics 3-D graphics Oral Presentations • Preparation – Length – Content – Style • Scripted • Extemporaneous – Audiovisuals • Type • Role 20-11 • Content – Opening – Findings and conclusions – Recommendations • Delivery – Vocal characteristics – Physical characteristics Audiovisual Aids • • • • • • • • 20-12 Chalkboards Whiteboards Handout materials Flip charts Slides Overhead transparencies Computer-drawn visuals Computer animation ... One INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS RESEARCH 1-2 McGraw-Hill/Irwin © 2003 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,All Rights Reserved Chapter One RESEARCH IN BUSINESS 1-3 What is Business Research? • A systematic... as a research specialist 1-7 Types of Studies Used to Research • • • • 1-8 Reporting Descriptive Explanatory Predictive Different Styles of Research • Applied Research • Pure Research/ Basic Research. .. Develop a creative research design – Provide answers to important business questions 1-12 Manager-Researcher Conflicts • Management’s limited exposure to research • Manager sees researcher as threat