Business and Management Research WELCOME

Lecture 9

Data Analysis, Discussion and Conclusion

Report structure 1.Title page 2.Abstract 3.Introduction 4.Related work 5.Method 6.Data analysis and Results 7.Discussion 8.Conclusion 9.References 10.Appendices

Data Analysis Once the data have been collected, the next important phase in the research process is analysing and evaluating the data. The interpretation of the data that have been collected by using different analytical techniques according to the requirements of the management is called analysis. The reason for analysing the data is to obtain research results and to prepare the research report. Several mathematical and statistical models are used to evaluate the quantitative data such as regression and t- test.

Data Analysis Technological advances have made it possible for data to be collected and directly fed into computers, removing the possibility of human error. Questionnaire results must be reported using tables and graphs Avoid first-person pronoun Use passive voice (It is shown / suggested that…)

Questionnaire results must be reported using tables and graphs Avoid first-person pronoun Use passive voice (It is shown / suggested that…) Data Analysis

Example - Categorical Variables

Example

Conducted questionnaire questioned random

Example respondents interviewees

mentioned majority slightly minority

questions common generally

sample

In the previous exercise:

Highlighting your findings Begin a new paragraph Use different language If possible, use we and active form Use shorter than normal sentences Keep the paragraph short

Discussion and Conclusion

In Discussion / Conclusions it is essential to: 1)be clear what you did and what other authors have done 2) highlight your unique contribution 3) discuss limitations of your findings 4) state what the applications and implications of your research are. 5) Tie discussions to the literature and recommendations for practice.

Discussion and Conclusion

Not making the distinction clear between what YOU did and what OTHERS have done causes more confusion for the reader than any grammatical or vocabulary mistake Discussion and Conclusion

Exercise Describe one limitation of your research, and counter any reason for this limitation Discussion and Conclusion

Don’t end your Discussion or project proposal by talking about your limitations. End with something very positive – this will be the reader’s final impression Discussion and Conclusion

Excersise Write ONE sentence each for these questions. 1) Why is my research so important? 2) What is the main limitation in the literature (previous research )? 4) What is the main limitation of my results so far?

Discussion and Conclusion What are your research limitations? Unfortunately, the sample size was small … Show the positive side of your limitations, and highlight that other published papers also had their limitations

Don’t present your limitation in a negative way. Instead say Although the sample size was small it was nevertheless representative of the population Discussion and Conclusion Unfortunately, the sample size was small

Exercise State the implications and possible applications of your research. Talk also about future work.