Conducting and Documenting Business Research Ch. 9 Flashcards
What is the difference between primary and secondary research?
Secondary research involves reviewing information that has already been published, such as books, journals, and electronic databases. Primary research involves gathering original data, using questionnaires, check lists, or interviews. It can also involve observational research and conducting experiments, with control and experimental groups.
What is Boolean Logic? What are the three main operators of Boolean logic?
Boolean Logic helps you to narrow your searches. Without using these operators, you’ll end up with millions of “hits” and mountains of useless data. The main Boolean operators are AND, OR, and NOT.
What is Plagiarism? Why is documentation important when you quote or paraphrase other writers’ work?
Plagiarism - If you represent other people’s unique work as your own, you are being untruthful and are guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism can occur in various ways. If you copy someone else’s text verbatim (word for word) and you don’t give due credit. If you paraphrase someone else’s work and you don’t give due credit. If you blend other people’s facts or ideas with your own facts or ideas without giving due credit.
Documentation is important for at least three reasons: to give credit to the people who created the original work, to tell people how to find the original source, and to comply with copyright law.
What are the main differences between the two types of Chicago-style documentation?
Chicago style - in-text citations meaning that within the body text you insert a brief documentation reference. Then at the end of the document you provide a complete alphabetized list of all the references. In-text should include author’s last name, year of publication, and page numbers as needed.
Chicago Alternative Form - uses footnotes or endnotes. This style includes two parts: numbered superscripts in the body text and corresponding footnotes or endnotes listed in the sequence in which they occur in the body.
What is the difference between validity and reliability? which is more important?
Validity - the first research standard, that is, research must measure what it purports to measure. Valid research provides truth about the research problem. Based on solid facts and findings. Highest research standard. No compromise should be tolerated. Research that is not valid fails at the most basic level.
Reliability. The second standard of research, that is, research must be repeatable with consistent results. Same results as the first study, if continued to research.
Validity is more important. Without validity everything fails. There must be truth, facts and findings to support the evidence.
Describe the three main types of random sampling.
Random - From a list of the entire population, randomly draw the needed sample of participants.
Stratified Random - From a list of the entire population, randomly draw the needed sample, making sure that the sample represents the total population according to certain factors. (40% women, then random must represent 40% women).
Systematic Random - From a numbered list of the entire population, randomly draw the first participant and then draw every nth sample participant after that until the needed sample size is achieved. 7, 17, 27, 37, etc.
What is an unrestricted multiple-choice question?
A question that allows you to select/mark all that apply.
What are the disadvantages of ranking questions?
- Ranking is a difficult process. 2. Ranking does not allow respondents to give two options the same value, even though the respondent might feel the same about them: and 3. a ranking can be derived from a rating-type question, simply by averaging all the respondents’ ratings and sorting them from high to low.
What are the advantages of rating questions?
Evaluate all options on a numeric or semantic differential scale. Different options may receive the same rating. Rating is generally preferred to ranking for three reasons: 1. Ranking is a difficult process. 2. Ranking does not allow respondents to give two options the same value, even though the respondent might feel the same about them: and 3. a ranking can be derived from a rating-type question, simply by averaging all the respondents’ ratings and sorting them from high to low.
List four ways to improve the response rate of a mailed questionnaire.
- Make sure your instrument has a clear title and clear instructions (give examples).
- Ensure anonymity of participants wherever possible (all info will be kept strictly confidential).
- Offer some incentive, to increase the likelihood of getting the questionnaire completed and returned.
- Make questions as easy to answer as possible.
- Organize the questions and group related questions in the same section of the questionnaire.
- Keep the instrument short, simple, and clear.
