Week 2

Question 1

What is a research design?

Answer 1

Stage 2: A master plan that specifies the methods/procedures for collecting/analysing the needed info.

Question 2

When should you use exploratory research?

Answer 2

To clarify ambiguous situations or discover ideas that may be potential business opportunities.

Question 3

when should you use descriptive research?

Answer 3

To paint a picture of a given situation by addressing who, what, where & how.
When considerable understanding of the problem exists.
By it does not provide direct evidence of causality.

Question 4

When should you use causal research?

Answer 4

To identify cause and effect relationship (i.e. because of this, that happens).

Question 5

What sampling decisions need to be made?

Answer 5

Stage 3:

1. Who is to be sampled
2. How big should the sample be
3. How to select sample units (i.e. simply random sample)

Question 6

What is business ethics?

Answer 6

The application of morals to behaviour related to the exchange environment.

Question 7

What are moral standards?

Answer 7

Principles that reflect beliefs about what is ethical and what is unethical.

Question 8

What are the rights of a research participant?

Answer 8

To be informed
To privacy
Protected from harm

Question 9

What ate the obligations of a research participant?

Answer 9

To be truthful
Informed consent
Confidentiality

Question 10

What are the rights and obligations of the researcher?

Answer 10

Understand that the purpose of research is research.
Maintain objectivity
Not misrepresent research
Protect the confidentiality of both subject and client
Do not disseminate conclusions that are inconsistent with or not warranted by data.

Question 11

What are the different types of data collection?

Answer 11

1. qualitative research
2. secondary data
3. survey research
4. experiments
5. observation

Question 12

What is a variable?

Answer 12

Anything that varies or changes from one instance to another.

Question 13

How do variables link to a hypotheses?

Answer 13

A hypotheses states what is expected to be found through the study.
Names the operationalised variables.
And states the direct relationship between variables.

Question 14

What is a dependant variable

Answer 14

A variable that is predicted or explained by other variables.

Question 15

What is an independent variable?

Answer 15

A variable that is expected to influence the dependant variable.
They are determined outside.

Question 16

What are numerical variables?

Answer 16

Quantitative data (i.e. numerical numbers).
Can be either:
Discrete - whole numbers
Continuous - decimal point numbers

Question 17

What are categorical variables?

Answer 17

Qualitative data (categories - characteristics/attributes)

Question 18

What is meant by analysing the data?

Answer 18

Stage 5:

Understand the data that has been gathered.

Question 19

What is meant by “formulating conclusions and preparing reports”

Answer 19

Stage 6:
Communicating the finds.
- Interpreting the research results in simply terms
- Describe the implications
- Draw the appropriate conclusions for managerial decisions.