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Business Research Techniques > Business Research > Flashcards

Business Research Flashcards

1
Q

What is business research, and what ways are there to do business research?

A

A series of well though out activities that uses data analysis.

  • Perform
  • Steer
  • Evaluate
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2
Q

Name all 6 hallmarks of business research, and their purpose.

A
  1. Purposiveness
  2. Rigor (nauwkeurigheid/precisie)
  3. Objectivity
  4. Pasimony (eenvoud)
  5. Replicibilaty
  6. Generalizability (mostly for fundamental research!)
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3
Q

What is the difference between fundamental and applied research?

A

Fundamental research is mostly done by universities. The focus lies on generating knowledge in general (for multiple organizations). Mostly open research.

Applied research focuses on a current problem faced by a manager. It applies to a specific company and is mostly classified.

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4
Q

What is inductive research?

What is deductive research?

A

Inductive: “From the bottom up”. Start with data and form a theory.

Deductive: “From the top down”. Start with a theory and seek confirmation.

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5
Q

Name the three types of research.

A

Causal, Correlational, Explorational.

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6
Q

What strategies belong to Causal Research? And to Correlation research and explorational research?

Also state whether the strategy is a deductive or inductive form of research.

A

Causal: Lab- and field experiments (deductive).

Correlational: Big data, archival- and survey research (deductive).

Explorational: In-depth interviews, focus groups and observation (inductive).

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7
Q

Name the relevant steps when defining a business problem.

A
  1. Map your actual and desired state.
  2. Explore the feasibility. (is it doable, is the focus not too big/small, is data available, are you using variables?)
  3. Explore the relevance. (is it worthwile/important for managers or academic?)
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8
Q

What is necessary to formulate a good business problem (problem statement)?

A
  • Formulate in terms of variables and relations (between variables).
  • It is an open-ended question.
  • The question is stated clearly and unambiguously (dubbelzinnig).
  • There is managerial and academically relevance.
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9
Q

What makes a good research question? Name three factors.

A

It should adress a problem of the problem statement.

First theoretical, then practical.

Stated clearly and unambiguously.

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10
Q

Name all three types of theoretical questions.

A

Context questions (what is…) - only if elaboration is needed.

Conceptualization questions - only key variables that NEED explanation.

Relationship questions (how does..) - explain the relations between variables.

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11
Q

Name two types of practical research questions.

A

Relationship questions (to what extend does X affect Y, and how much?)

Implication questions (how to implement your results?) - Open!

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12
Q

What is the correct way to give a variable a definition? Give three factors.

A
  1. Give an informative name (simple but clear/unambiguously).
  2. Use a definition without jargon, unless very obvious (based on literature).
  3. One or two supporting variable references per definition.

EXTRA (4): ALWAYS use the exact same names throughout your report.

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13
Q

Explain dependent, independent and control variables.

A

The independent variable influences the dependent variable in a positive or negative way (when X changes, so does Y).

A control variable is not the focus of the study, but is included to better understand the effect of a dependent variable on the independent variable.

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14
Q

What is a mediator, and what kinds of mediator are there?

A

A mediator explains the mechanism between the independent variable (IV) and dependent variable (DV).

Full mediator: X ONLY has an effect on Y through the mediator.
Partial mediator: X has an indirect effect on Y through the mediator, but also has a direct effect on Y.

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15
Q

What is a moderator and what kind of moderators are there?

A

A moderator ALTERS the effect of X on Y. It can alter the strenght, and sometimes even the direction (positive to negative).

Quasi moderator: Moderates the effect of X on Y, but also effects Y itself.
Pure moderator: Affects the effect of X on Y, but doesn’t effect Y itself.

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16
Q

What is a conditional proces?

A

An IV and DV with either a moderator or mediator in between.

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17
Q

What is a conditional process model?

A

A model that contains both mediator(s) and moderator(s).

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18
Q

What makes a good hypothesis?

A

It is:

  • Testable
  • Derived from theory (not “gut” feeling).
  • Unambiguously phrased.
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19
Q

What is a directional hypothesis? And an unidirectional?

A

Directional: An indicated direction of the effect.

Unidirectional: There is an effect, but we do not indicate the direction.

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20
Q

How can you justify an hypothesis?

A

Base it on literature (academic relevance! Don’t use 1 author!)

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21
Q

What steps do you need to take when designing a research?

A
  1. Choosing between (deductive) research strategies (type and way of collecting data).
  2. Choosing between statistical techniques.
  3. Choosing between sampling designs.
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22
Q

How can you define causality? Name four things.

A
  1. X and Y: IV and DV should occur. A change in Y should be associated with change in X. There is a significant correlation.
  2. There is a logic explanation why X affects Y.
  3. X precedes Y in time.
  4. There is NO other cause that explains the co-occurence of X and Y.
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23
Q

What is the difference of desciptive and inferential statistical techniques?

A

Descriptive: Methods of summarizing data in an informative way.

  • Measures of central tendancy: mean, median, mode.
  • Measures of dispersion (range, st. d, variance, interquartile range).

Inferential: Methods to draw conclusions (testing the variables)

  • Mean difference test (t-test);
  • Chi Square test;
  • Analysis of variance (ANOVA);
  • Regression analysis;
  • Logit analysis
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24
Q

Name four types of measurement scales.

A
  1. Nominal (using non-numerical groups with no order).
  2. Ordinal (using non-numerical values that are ranked/ordered).
  3. Interval (using numerical values with no natural zero point (time, temperature).
  4. Ratio (using numerical values with a natural zero (body weight, distance, age).
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25
Q

When do you use a t-test?

A

When comparing MEANS of TWO groups.

IV: Nominal/ordinal.
DV: Interval/ratio.

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26
Q

When do you use an ANOVA?

A

When you compare MEANS between MORE than two groups.

IV: nominal/ordinal
DV: interval/ratio

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27
Q

When do you use a Chi-square test?

A

When comparing variances.

IV: Nominal/ordinal
DV: Nominal/ordinal

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28
Q

When do you use a Logit Analysis?

A

IV: Interval/ratio
DV: Nominal/Ordinal.

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29
Q

When do you use a regression analysis?

A

IV: Interval/ratio
DV: Interval/ratio

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30
Q

What is the Likert scale?

A 
Completely disagree (1)
Partly disagree (2)
Neutral (3)
Partly agree (4)
Completely agree (5)
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31
Q

What is a Semantic differential scale?

A

Organized _ _ _ X _ Unorganized

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32
Q

What is sampling?

A

The process of selecting a number of elements from the population. This results in a smaller group which we can draw conclusions for, generalizable for the entire population.

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33
Q

How does the sampling process look? Name the four steps.

A
  1. Define the population.
  2. Determine the sampling frame (physical representation of the population (e.g. database)).
  3. Determine the sampling design
    - Non probability sampling
    - Propability sampling
  4. Determine sampling size.
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34
Q

What is probability sampling? What are it’s pros and cons?

A

Each element (person) has the same chance of being selected as a subject.

Pro: Results are generalizable.
Con: Costly

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35
Q

What is non-probability sampling? What are it’s pros and cons?

A

The elements of the population do not have the same chance of being selected as a subject.

Pro: Not time and resource intensive.
Con: Less generalizable to population.

36
Q

Name four forms of probability sampling and explain.

A

Simple random sampling: each element has the same chance.

Systematic sampling: Every n-th element get’s selected.

Stratified samling: Divide the group into meaningful homogenous groups –> apply simple random sampling.

Cluster sampling: Divide the population in heterogenous groups and randomly select groups and its members.

37
Q

Name four forms of non-probability sampling. Explain them.

A

Convenience sampling: Select subjects who are conveniently available.

Quota sampling: Fixed quote per subgroup.

Judgment sampling: select people based on certain elements, form of convenience sampling.

Snowball sampling: Keep asking if participants know other (new) participants.

38
Q

When developing questions for a survey, what should you avoid? Name four things.

A

Double/ambiguous questions.

Leading questions.

Loaded questions

Double negatives

39
Q

What does the item & response model look like?

A

See summary.

40
Q

How should you decide where to hold a survey?

A

See summary.

41
Q

What factors play a role when choosing the strategy where to hold a survey?

A

Measurement (interactivity, multi-media, interviewer presence or self-administratation)

Representation (coverage quality, sampling control, response rate)

Economics (sample size, questionnaire size, survey speed, survey costs)

42
Q

What should the appearance of a questionnaire look like?

A
  1. A good introduction (and ending)
  2. Organizing questions and give guidence where necessary.
  3. Ask personal data at the end (age, gender, education, etc).
  4. Conclude the survey!
43
Q

How do you calculate the response rate?

A

participants / sample.

44
Q

How can you increase your respond rate?

A

Maximize reward of participation (appreciation, tangible).

Minimize cost of participation (time, money, feeling threatened).

Maximize trust of participation (anonimity, well known association, open communication).

45
Q

What is validity?

A

Do you measure what you intend to measure?

46
Q

What is reliability?

A

Is the data accurate and consistent? (does not have to be the right kind of data, that is validity!)

47
Q

What is external validity?

A

Generalizability. Can you generalize the results back to the entire population? (Depends mostly on the sample method)

48
Q

How can you test reliability in survey questions?

A

Cronbach’s Alpha (interrelatedness, > 0.7 is good).

49
Q

How can you manipulate an IV?

A
  1. Presence vs Abscence (e.g. bonus vs no bonus)
  2. Frequency (e.g. high bonus vs low bonus)
  3. Type (e.g. punishment vs reward).
50
Q

What is an extraneous variable?

A

Every other variable that can influence the DV, except for the IV.

51
Q

What is a cofound?

A

A variable (Z) that threatens internal validity.

You can control it by including:

  • Extraneous variables;
  • Control variables.
52
Q

What is the difference between a lab and field experiment?

A

A lab experiment is created in an artificial environment. The researchers can control the environment. A field research is a natural environment where manipulation is possible.

Lab experiment: high internal validity.
Field experiment: high external validity.

53
Q

What is the history effect?

A

Effects outside of the experiment that influence the DV (e.g. the management team has changed).

54
Q

What is the maturation effect?

A

Biological or psycological changes over time (respondent gets hungry, angry, sleepy, etc.)

55
Q

What is the testing effect?

A

Prior testing effects on the DV. Pre-measurement influences the results.

56
Q

What is the instrumentation effect?

A

The observed effect differs because of a change in the measurement.

57
Q

What is the selection bias effect?

A

Incorrect selection of the respondents.

58
Q

What is the mortality effect?

A

Drop out of participants during the experiment (e.g. due to frustration).

59
Q

Name 6 effects that threaten internal validity for lab and field experiments?

A 
History effect
Maturity effect
Selection bias
Mortality effect
Testing effect
Instrumentation effect
60
Q

Name three ways to increase internal validity.

A

Randomization

Design control (control group and extra group)

Statistical control

61
Q

How does randomization affect the internal validity?

A

It controls for the history-, instrumentation-, selection bias- and mortality effect.

62
Q

How do control groups and additional groups affect the internal validity?

A

Control: controls for history-, maturation-, instrumental- and statistical regression effect.

Additional: controls for testing- instrumental- and the statistical regression effect.

63
Q

How does statistical control affect the internal validity?

A

It controls for the history- and selection bias effect.

64
Q

Name three pre-experimental design groups.

A

One-shot case study

One-group pretest-posttest

Static group

65
Q

Name three true experimental designs.

A

Pretest-posttest control group.

Posttest-only control group.

Solomon four-group.

66
Q

Name two quasi experimental designs.

A

Time series.

Multiple time series.

67
Q

Name three statistical experimental designs.

A

Randomized blocks.

Latin square.

Factorial.

68
Q

What are strenghts of archival research? Name four.

A

Tapping into industry wisdom.

Examining effects across time & countries.

Examine socially-sensitive phenomena.

69
Q

What is the golden rule of archival research?

A

Your IV should measure at the SAME or HIGHER unit of analysis level than the DV!

70
Q

Name an example of the five unit of analysis levels.

A

Consumer - Brand - Firm - Industry - Country.

71
Q

Name three reliability problems of archival research.

A

Missing data.

Inaccurately recorded data.

Fake data.

72
Q

What is a questionable proxy?

A

Assuming the wrong measurement for a variable (small plane flyer as a measurement for thrill seeking).

73
Q

How can you validate whether an archival measurement is a good one?

A

Provide precedence (has this been done before?).

Provide sound logic.

Provide evidence of a substantial correlation.

74
Q

Name three advantages of field experiments.

A

Real world behavior –> high external validity.

It’s authentic (authenticaty) (context, treatment, participants, outcome measures).

Novel insights. Field experiments enable:

  • Long-term effects;
  • Answer questions that cannot be answered in a lab;
  • Checking lab effects in the real world.
75
Q

Name five disadvantages of field research.

A

Time consuming.

Challenging to implement.

Focus on observer behavior.

High degree of “noise”.

Ethical consideration.

76
Q

What is the problem of field research (regarding validity)?

A

Internal validity is hard to control. A bad internal validity leads to no external validity.

77
Q

Name 7 internal validity threats of field research.

A

Unexpected factors.

Poor timing.

Failure to randomize.

Non-compliance/failure to treat.

Insufficient sample size.

Spillovers

Side effects.

78
Q

Name four ways to increase validity in field research.

A

Randomization checks (prior and post-hoc).

Unit of randomization.

Power calculations.

Outcome measures.

79
Q

What is big data?

A

Big data is a field that uses enormous piles of data and systematically extracts information from that data, which is normally to large or complex for data software.

80
Q

Name 3 advantages of Big Data.

A

Enormous amounts of data lead to very specific results.

Always on: collecting data is a constant.

Nonreactive: People normally alter their behavior when they know they are being observed, which isn’t a problem with big data.

81
Q

Name 7 disadvantages of big data.

A

Incomplete: Data shows what customers do, but not why.

Inaccessible (in- and outside) due to legal reasons, other firms, ethical reasons or database that are not integrated.

Non-representative: You don’t collect data of a specific group.

Drifting: Big data often changes it’s platform of it’s users, which makes data change with it.

Algorithmically confounded: The design of a platform can influence behavior, introducing bias/noise.

Dirty: Big data is loaded with junk or spam information.

Sensitive: Some information is sensitive, making it inethical to use.

82
Q

Name three exploratory research strategies.

A
  1. In depth interview.
  2. Focus groups.
  3. Observation.
83
Q

What is an interjudge reliability?

A

Different “judges” or interviewers have a different view on matters. The interjudge reliability is the degree of agreement between judges.

Calculated by Cohen’s Kappa.

84
Q

Name two validity problems with exploratory research.

A

Interviewer- and interviewee biases.

85
Q

Name the nine differences of international research.

A

Factors:

  1. Cultural
  2. Ethnic
  3. Climate
  4. Economic
  5. Religious
  6. Historical
  7. Geographical
  8. Consumption patters
  9. Research conditions.

Business Research Techniques (1 decks)

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