MODULE ONE - BUSINESS RESEARCH PROCESS AND PRINCIPLES Flashcards
The Research Process
- Planning
it is necessary to carefully consider what the purpose of the reasrch is and create a well-thought out plan for how you will go about conducting your research
The research process - 1 Planning
1.1 Define the problem statement
involves narrowing down a larger problem or oppertunity to specifically relate to what is to be researched.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.2 Develop a research question
directs the organisation toward knowing what data to gather and how the data should be analysed, as different types of questions require different types of data analyses.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.3 Develop a hypothesis or hypotheses
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a tentaive statement that stands to be supported or not supported by the research findings; the hypothesis is an assumed answer for one of the research questions, and is tested for it’s validity through research.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.3 Develop a hypothesis or hypotheses
Hypotheses
A hypotheses is a supposition that stands to be accepted or refuted. Hypotheses help clarify research questions for the researcher, and provide focus for the study.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.4 Plan research method and design
Developing a clear and detailed research plan is an essential part of conducting purposeful research.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.4 Plan research method and design
Should detail the following aspects 1
What to measure - identifying the relevant variables is an essential aspecct of data design. This involves asking what data you need to collect to answer your research question.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.4 Plan research method and design
Should detail the following aspects 2
How to measure it - the design should include clear guidelines for how the data will be gathered, taking into account the time and cost involved.
The research process - 1 Planning
1.4 Plan research mthod and design
Should detail the following aspects 3
Research methos - is largely dependent on the type of data needed to meet the objectives of the study. (number of methids: secondary data studies, survesy, experiments and observations)
The research process
- Execution
After research goals have been clearly defined, and a research plan has been developed, the researcher can start collectiong and working with the date.
The research process - 2 Execution
2.1 Gather Data
Data collection is a process in and of itself, as data can come in a variety of sources and in a number of different forms. One has to determine what type of data will answer the questions at hand, how much data is enough, and how the data will be collected, compiled, and stored
The research process - 2 Execution
2.1 Gather data - Primary Data
refers to the raw data that has been collected directly from the source for the purposes of the research study. Experiments, surveys and observational data are like;y to generate new primaty data.
The research process - 2 Execution
2.1 Gather Data - Secondary Data
is data that has been collected by someone else at another time, and is, therefore, readily available. Databases are a form of secondary data.
The research process
2.2 Prepare data for analysis
2 Execution
involves evaluating, editing, and arranging data before running a statistical analysis. Verifying the data, and looking for inconsistencies and errors that could negatively impact the research.
The research process 2.2 Prepare data for analysis
Organising data
One of the activities in preparing the data
2 Execution
Once data is gatheres, it is necessary to enter the data into a logical and useful format or database. The same format should be used throughout to avoid confusion and difficulty later on.
The research process 2.2 Prepare data for analysis
Coding
One of the activities in preparing the data
2 Execution
is the process of allocating symbols or numerical values to different sets of responses when working with unstructured data, such as survey data. Coding process is done so that the data can be easily interpreted using quantitative methods.
The research process 2.2 Prepare data for analysis
Data cleaning
One of the activities in preparing the data
2 Execution
includes activties such as removing or correcting spelling mistakes or inconsistent phrasing, handling missing data, removing insensible informtion or double-entered data, and removing out-of-range values.
The research process 2.2 Prepare data for analysis
Statistical adjustments
One of the activites in preparing the data
2 Execution
Data may require weighting or scale adjustment, especially in cases where two or more sets of data are to be compared.
The research process
2.3 Analyse Data
2 Execution
a set of procedures or methods that can be applied to data that has been collected in order to obtain one or more sets of results. The process of bringing structure, order, and meaning to masses of collected data is not always a linear process, and can be ambiguos and time-consuming.
The research process
2.4 Interpret data
2 Execution
The interpretation of data involves selecting significant results, presenting the results in a meaningful way and putting the results into the relevant context to generate a set of findings. Interpretation involves putting the outcomes of the analysis in context, and drawing actionable inerences from the results.
The research process
3 Report preparation and presentation
One the data has been interpreted, and the researcher has come up with a set of findings and recommendations, the final (and imporatnt) phase of the research process is the preparation of results for presentation. Findings can be presented in either written format as a research reports, or an oral formant in the form of a presentation.
The research process
3 Report preparation and presentation
continued
However, it may be necessary that you need to write a report and do a presentation.
The research process
3 Report preparation and presentation
continued
Research report must contain: A concise account of the research questions and hypotheses. An overview of the research design. A summary of the relevant findings. The recommendations. An account of the research limitations. When preparing a report or presentation it is important to keep the purpose of the research study in mind.
The research process
4 Cyclical nature of research process
There are several different ways to conceptualise the research process. When the process is conceptualised as a linear process, it denotes a step-by-step, ordered approach to research. From this perspective, each step that precedes the next is to be completed fully before progressing to the next step.
Researcher must move consecutively through each phase