Business Research: Internal vs External Researchers

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Questions and Answers

What is a key advantage of hiring an internal researcher?

They are already familiar with the company and its culture.

What is one disadvantage of using internal researchers?

They may be unconsciously influenced by the company's culture, leading to biased results.

Name the first step in the 7-step Hypothetico-Deductive Method.

Identify a broad problem area.

What distinguishes primary data from secondary data?

Primary data is collected firsthand for original research, while secondary data already exists. Signup and view all the answers

What does defining a problem statement involve?

It includes outlining the main goal of the research and specific questions to be answered. Signup and view all the answers

Why might an external researcher be preferred over an internal researcher?

They can provide an unbiased perspective and fresh ideas. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of preliminary research in defining a problem statement?

To gather background information and understand the context of the problem. Signup and view all the answers

List two types of problems that might be investigated in business research.

Sales dropping and employees being frequently absent. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 'Story Behind the Research' in the context of a research proposal?

It provides the motivation and personal experience that led to the research, emphasizing the relevance of the study. Signup and view all the answers

In constructing a problem statement, what three components must be clearly identified?

The issue being studied, the desired achievement, and the main research question. Signup and view all the answers

What are the differences between primary, secondary, and tertiary data sources?

Primary data is original research, secondary data reviews existing studies, and tertiary data summarizes secondary data. Signup and view all the answers

How should the main research question be developed into smaller sub-questions?

The main question should be broken down into narrower, specific, neutral, and open-ended sub-questions. Signup and view all the answers

What role does a theoretical framework play in research?

It connects different variables and provides a basis for understanding and interpreting research findings. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to define variables in a research study?

Defining variables clarifies what is being measured and helps in understanding the relationships within the study. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key elements included in a research proposal?

The problem being studied, methods of study, time frame, and costs involved. Signup and view all the answers

How can existing theories be utilized in new research projects?

Existing theories can be built upon or challenged rather than creating new ones from scratch. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Internal vs External Researchers

Internal researchers work within a company, leveraging their existing knowledge and familiarity to conduct research.
External researchers are hired from outside the company to provide fresh perspectives and specialized expertise.

Advantages of Internal Researchers

Employees trust them due to their existing relationships.
They possess in-depth knowledge of company operations and culture.
They can readily address emerging issues.
Utilizing internal researchers minimizes additional hiring costs.

Disadvantages of Internal Researchers

Potential for limited perspectives, mirroring existing employee viewpoints.
Possible pressure to manipulate results to appease management or colleagues.
May be viewed as less expert by colleagues due to familiarity.
Risk of unconscious bias stemming from company culture, potentially influencing results.

Steps in Business Research

Define the Research: Clearly identify the problem and its context, setting the research objective.
Gather & Organize Data: Collect relevant information, both primary (original research) and secondary (existing data).
Analyze & Interpret Data: Process and interpret the gathered data to extract insights and draw conclusions.
Recommend, Decide & Implement: Recommend appropriate actions based on analysis, make decisions, and put plans into action.

Hypothetico-Deductive Method

A structured approach to conducting research, consisting of seven distinct steps:
- Identify a broad problem area.
- Define the problem statement.
- Develop hypotheses.
- Determine measures.
- Collect data.
- Analyze data.
- Interpret results to draw conclusions.

Identifying a Broad Problem Area

Recognizing and defining a problem within a company that can be investigated through data collection and analysis.
Examples include:
- Decreasing sales.
- Production issues.
- Employee disengagement or absenteeism.
- Customer preference for competitors.

Defining the Problem Statement

Articulating the research's primary goal and specific questions to be addressed.
This statement clarifies the research's intended outcome.
Requires preliminary research:
- Background Information: Gather contextual information on the organization and industry.
- Story Behind the Research: Explain the observations or experiences leading to the research.
- Literature Review: Explore existing research, starting with general information then focusing on specifics to demonstrate understanding of the problem.

Problem Statement Components

Issue: Clearly state the problem.
Objective: Define the goal of the research.
Research Question: Posing the primary question the research aims to answer.

Literature Review

A systematic exploration of existing research and publications, focusing on key questions relevant to the research.

Research Proposal

A formal agreement between the research funder and the researcher.
Outlines:
- The problem being studied.
- The research methods employed.
- The estimated timeframe.
- The projected costs.

Research Question Types

Theoretical: Examining the theoretical perspectives on the research topic based on existing literature.
Empirical: Exploring what is actually happening based on data analysis.
Analytical: Drawing conclusions and interpretations from the examined data results.

Research Questions Structure

Main Question: The primary research question driving the investigation.
Sub-questions: Breaking down the main question into smaller, specific, neutral, and open-ended questions to gather information needed to answer the main question.

Data Sources

Primary Data: Original research materials like articles and books.
Secondary Data: Reviews, handbooks, or specialized publications.
Tertiary Data: Summaries of reviews or other secondary sources.

Variables

Elements that can undergo changes in value.
Examples:
- Production: Number of items an employee manufactures per minute.
- Motivation: Levels ranging from high to low.
- Absenteeism: The frequency of absences among members.

Theoretical Framework

Purpose: Building upon or questioning existing theories using the conducted literature review.
Elements:
- Variables: Identifying key elements (variables) within the study.
- Theory: Explaining the connections between the identified variables.
- Conceptual Model: Visualizing the interconnectedness of the variables.

Theoretical Framework Steps

Identify a relevant theory or model: Locate an existing theory or model that aligns with the research topic.
Define the variables: Identify the crucial elements or variables related to the study.
Explain the connections: Define how the selected variables are linked based on the theory or model.
Develop a conceptual model: Visualize the relationships between the variables using a diagram or model.
Write a concise explanation: Clearly describe the theoretical foundation, variable definitions, and interconnections.
Justify theory choices: Explain why the chosen theory or model is suitable for the research and how it contributes to understanding the phenomenon.

Note:* The process of developing a theoretical framework involves integrating existing knowledge and adapting it to the research context.

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Description

Explore the roles and characteristics of internal and external researchers in business. This quiz covers the advantages and disadvantages of each, as well as key steps in conducting effective research. Test your understanding of the critical distinctions in research methodologies and their implications for organizations.