1. Chapter3 The Business Research Process:An Overview 3-

2. Learning Objectives 3-

Understand that research is decision- anddilemma-centered

The clarified research question is theresult of careful exploration and analysisand sets the direction for the research project

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

3- 4. The Research Process

The primary purpose of research is to reduce the level of risk of a business decision

3- 5. 3- Exhibit 3-1The Business Research Process 6. Stage 1 Clarifying the Research Question

Management-research question hierarchy

Begins with management dilemma

3- 7. Exhibit 3-2 Management-Research Question Hierarchy 3- 8. Exhibit 3-3 Formulatingthe Research Question 3- 9. Types of Management Questions 3- 10. The Research Question 3- Determine necessary evidence Setscope of study Examinevariables Break questions down Evaluate hypotheses Fine-Tuning 11. Investigative Questions 3- Performance Considerations 2002 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., McGraw-Hill/Irwin Attitudinal Issues Behavioral Issues 12. Stage 2 Proposing Research

Exhibit 3-7

Budget Types

• Rule-of-thumb

• Departmental

• Task

3- 13. Exhibit 3-6 Gantt Chart 3- MindWriter Project Plan 14. Evaluating the Value of Research 3- Option Analysis Decision Theory Prior or Interim Evaluation Ex Post Facto Evaluation 15. The Research Proposal 3- Delivery Legally-binding contract Writtenproposalsestablish Methods Timing Budgets Extent Purpose Obligations 16. Stage 3 3- DesigningtheResearchProject ResearchDesign Sampling Design Pilot Testing 17. Stage 4 Data Collection

Data Characteristics

Abstractness

Verifiability

Elusiveness

Closeness

3- 18. Stage 5 Data Analysis and Interpretation 3- Reducing data to manageable size 2002 McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., McGraw-Hill/Irwin Developing summaries Looking for patterns Applying statistical techniques 19. Stage 6 Reporting the Results 3- ResearchReport Executive Summary Research Overview Technical Appendix Implementation Strategies 20. The Research Overview 3- Problems background Summary of exploratory findings Research design and procedures Conclusions 21. Research Process Issues

The Favored-Technique Syndrome

Company Database Strip-Mining

Unresearchable Questions

Ill-Defined Management Problems

Politically Motivated Research

3- 22. Everything must have a beginning

Source: Cooper R. D. & Schindler, S. P.

(2006). Business Research Methods

9e. McGraw.Hill

3-