1. © 2006 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., All Rights Reserved.McGraw-Hill/Irwin 3-1 Chapter 3 The Business Research Process: An Overview

2. 3-2 Understand that research is decision- and dilemma-centered that the clarified research question is the result of careful exploration and analysis and sets the direction for the research project Learning Objectives

3. 3-3 Learning Objectives how value assessments and budgeting influence the process for proposing research, and ultimately, research design what is included in research design, data collection, and data analysis which research process problems to avoid

4. 3-4 The primary purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk of a business decision

5. 3-5 Exhibit 3-1 The Business Research Process

6. 3-6 Stage 1 Clarifying the Research Question Management-research question hierarchy Begins with management dilemma

7. 3-7 Exhibit 3-2 Management- Research Question Hierarchy

8. 3-8 Exhibit 3-5 SalePro’s Hierarchy

9. 3-9 Exhibit 3-3 Formulating the Research Question

10. 3-10 Types of Management Questions

11. 3-11 The Research Question Determine necessary evidence Set scope of study Set scope of study Examine variables Examine variables Break questions down Evaluate hypotheses Fine-Tuning

12. 3-12 Performance Considerations © 2002 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., McGraw-Hill/Irwin Investigative Questions Attitudinal Issues Behavioral Issues

13. 3-13 Harris Interactive answers “Why?” for its research clients

14. 3-14 Stage 2 Proposing Research Exhibit 3-7 Budget Types –Rule-of-thumb –Departmental –Task

15. 3-15 Exhibit 3-6 Gantt Chart MindWriter Project Plan

16. 3-16 Evaluating the Value of Research Option Analysis Decision Theory Prior or Interim Evaluation Ex Post Facto Evaluation

17. 3-17 The Research Proposal Delivery Legally- binding contract Legally- binding contract Obligations Written proposals establish Written proposals establish Methods Timing Budgets Extent Purpose

18. 3-18 Stage 3 Designing the Research Project Designing the Research Project Research Design Research Design Sampling Design Sampling Design Pilot Testing

19. 3-19 Stage 4 Data Collection Data Characteristics Abstractness Verifiability Elusiveness Closeness

20. 3-20 Reducing data to manageable size © 2002 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., McGraw-Hill/Irwin Stage 5 Data Analysis and Interpretation Developing summaries Looking for patterns Applying statistical techniques

21. 3-21 Stage 6 Reporting the Results Research Report Research Report Executive Summary Executive Summary Research Overview Research Overview Technical Appendix Technical Appendix Implementation Strategies Implementation Strategies

22. 3-22 The Research Overview Problem’s background Summary of exploratory findings Research design and procedures Conclusions

23. 3-23 Research Process Issues The Favored-Technique Syndrome Company Database Strip- Mining Unresearchable Questions Ill-Defined Management Problems Politically Motivated Research

24. 3-24 Key Terms Census Data –Primary data –Secondary data Data analysis Decision rule exploration Investigative questions Management dilemma Management question Management-research question hierarchy Measurement questions Pilot test Research design Research process Research questions Sample