Business Research Methods William G. Zikmund Chapter 4: The Business Research Process

Information Reduces uncertainty Helps focus decision making

Types Of Research Exploratory Descriptive Causal

Uncertainty Influences The Type Of Research CAUSAL OR DESCRIPTIVE COMPLETELY CERTAIN ABSOLUTE AMBIGUITY EXPLORATORY

Degree of Problem Definition Exploratory Research Descriptive Research Causal Research (Unaware of Problem) (Aware of Problem) (Problem Clearly Defined) “Our sales are declining and “What kind of people are buying “Will buyers purchase more of we don’t know why.” our product? Who buys our our products in a new package? competitor’s product?” “Would people be interested “Which of two advertising in our new product idea?” “What features do buyers prefer campaigns is more effective?” in our product?” possible situation

Exploratory Research Secondary data Experience survey Pilot studies

Exploratory Research Initial research conducted to clarify and define the nature of a problem Does not provide conclusive evidence Subsequent research expected

Descriptive Research Describes characteristics of a population or phenomenon Some understanding of the nature of the problem

I keep six honest serving men, (they taught me all I knew), their names are what, and why, and when, and how, and where and who.” --Rudyard Kipling

Descriptive Research Example Weight Watchers average customer Woman about 40 years old Household income of about $50,000 At least some college education Trying to juggle children and a job

Descriptive Research Example Men’s fragrance market 1/3 size of women’s fragrance market But growing at a faster pace Women buy 80 % of men’s fragrances

Causal Research Conducted to identify cause and effect relationships

Identifying Causality A causal relationship is impossible to prove. Evidence of causality: 1. The appropriate causal order of events 2. Concomitant variation--two phenomena vary together 3. An absence of alternative plausible explanations

Stages of the Research Process Problem Discovery and Definition Discovery and Definition and so on Research Design Conclusions and Report Sampling Data Processing and Analysis Data Gathering

Research Stages Cyclical process - conclusions generate new ideas Stages can overlap chronologically Stages are functionally interrelated Forward linkages Backward linkages

Problem discovery Selection of exploratory research technique and Definition Sampling Selection of exploratory research technique Probability Nonprobability Secondary (historical) data Experience survey Pilot study Case study Collection of data (fieldwork) Data Gathering Data Processing and Analysis Editing and coding data Problem definition (statement of research objectives) Data processing Selection of basic research method Research Design Conclusions and Report Interpretation of findings Experiment Survey Observation Secondary Data Study Report Laboratory Field Interview Questionnaire

The Business Research Process Problem Discovery Selection of Sample Design Exploratory Research Collection of the Data Selection of the Basic Research Method

The Research Process (cont.) Editing and Coding Report Data Processing Interpretation of the Findings

Stages In The Research Process Problem Discovery and Problem Definition Research Design Sampling Data Gathering Data Processing and Analysis Conclusions And Report

Problem Discovery And Definition First step Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations Discovery before definition Problem means management problem

“The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution” Albert Einstein

State the research questions and research objectives

Hypothesis A statement that can be refuted by empirical data

If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there.

Exploratory Research Experience Case Survey Study Secondary Pilot (historical) Data Exploratory Research

Exploratory Research Techniques Two Examples Secondary data (historical data) Previously collected Census of population Literature survey Pilot study A number of diverse techniques

Focus Group Interview

Research Design Master plan Framework for action Specifies methods and procedures

Basic Research Methods Surveys Experiments Secondary data Observation

Selecting a Sample Sample: subset SAMPLE of a larger population.

Sampling Who is to be sampled? How large a sample? How will sample units be selected?

Data Gathering Stage

Data Processing and Analysis

Conclusions And Report Writing Effective communication of the research findings

Research Proposal A written statement of the research design that includes a statement explaining the purpose of the study. Detailed outline of procedures associated with a particular methodology

Research Program Strategy

Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research Objectives Symptom Detection Analysis of the Situation Exploratory Research (Optional) Problem Definition Statement of Research Objectives