Research Process Overview

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Questions and Answers

What type of research questions are typically developed when not much is known about a phenomenon?

Descriptive research questions

Correlational research questions

Causal research questions

Exploratory research questions (correct)

Which of the following is a characteristic of exploratory research?

It focuses narrowly from the start.

It always results in generalizable findings.

It relies heavily on quantitative data.

It uses qualitative data gathering methods. (correct)

In descriptive research, what is a primary focus?

Determining the effectiveness of a treatment.

Developing theories based on hypotheses.

Explaining causation among variables.

Obtaining data that describes a topic of interest. (correct)

What type of data may descriptive studies involve?

Both quantitative and qualitative data. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the nature of exploratory studies?

Flexible and broad initially. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of relationships might descriptive research investigate?

Associations among various variables. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the results obtained from exploratory research?

They are usually not generalizable to the population. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for conducting exploratory research?

When sufficient theoretical frameworks exist. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a research proposal?

To serve as the primary communication document between the researcher and the sponsor. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is essential to include in a research proposal?

A definition of the problem in the form of a decision statement. Signup and view all the answers

What must the management evaluate in a research proposal?

The potential use of information and the proposed budget. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the purposes of the study in the research proposal example provided?

To find solutions to the problem of employee turnover. Signup and view all the answers

How does preparing a research proposal benefit the researcher?

It encourages critical thinking about the research process. Signup and view all the answers

What is a cycle that a research proposal goes through after submission?

Acceptance, modification, or rejection. Signup and view all the answers

What factor related to employee turnover is deemed undesirable in the proposal?

High turnover resulting in extra costs and reduced profits. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of the research methodology must be explicitly stated in the proposal?

Details concerning sample selection, measurement, and analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated cost of employee turnover to firms in relation to the employees' remuneration package?

Up to 150 percent Signup and view all the answers

Which type of costs are considered direct costs of employee turnover?

Transition costs Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the initial interviews conducted in the research design?

To explore findings for questionnaire development Signup and view all the answers

How will the questionnaires be administered in this study?

At home, to be returned anonymously Signup and view all the answers

What is the expected time frame for the completion of the research project?

Five months Signup and view all the answers

What type of commitment does Meyer and Allen's work focus on?

Affective, continuance, and normative commitment Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the aims of the study regarding organizational commitment?

To decrease the costs associated with employee turnover Signup and view all the answers

What method will be used to remind participants about the questionnaire return date?

A reminder two days before the due date Signup and view all the answers

What do constructs that are theoretically related demonstrate?

They produce highly correlated results. Signup and view all the answers

What is reliability in the context of questionnaire design?

The consistency of measurements over time. Signup and view all the answers

Which guideline should be followed to avoid confusion in questionnaire design?

Avoid leading questions that may skew results. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the fundamental questions to consider when designing a questionnaire?

What should be asked to gather relevant data? Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does scientific rigor in research refer to?

The strictness and accuracy of the research methods. Signup and view all the answers

What is a census in research?

A complete survey of every member of a population Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a pragmatic reason for sampling?

Need for complete accuracy Signup and view all the answers

How does using a sample influence the reliability of results?

Samples may yield more accurate results due to fewer chances of errors Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a sampling frame?

A list of elements from which a sample may be drawn Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of determining the target population in sampling?

To identify the universe of elements relevant to the research Signup and view all the answers

Which situation describes when sampling is necessary due to destruction of test units?

When there are limited units and using them would deplete them Signup and view all the answers

What does sample size refer to in the context of sampling?

The number of individuals actually included in the study Signup and view all the answers

Results obtained from a sample are expected to be true for what?

The entire population from which the sample is drawn Signup and view all the answers

What is the defining characteristic of judgment sampling?

An expert selects the sample based on personal knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes snowball sampling?

A technique where initial respondents provide referrals for further participants. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT impact the choice of sample design?

Personal preferences of the researcher. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'goodness of measures' ensure in research?

That the measure accurately targets the intended variable. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of reliability is referred to as 'stability'?

The measure remains constant over repeated assessments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following methods assesses 'test-retest reliability'?

Repeating the same measure at a later time. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration in planning a national versus local project?

How broadly the findings are expected to apply. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'reliability' in measurements?

The measure yields the same results across different items. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Beginning the Research Process

Applied research begins with a management problem.
A well-defined management problem forms the basis for defining the research problem.
Research objectives need to be defined to guide actions as a researcher.
Objectives can't be established until the managerial decision is understood.
The understanding is often described as a problem statement.
A good problem statement should include research objectives and research questions.
Research objectives should briefly explain the study's purpose and focus.

Research Objectives Examples

To find out what motivates consumers to buy online.
To study leadership style's effect on employee satisfaction.
To investigate the relationship between capital structure and firm profitability.

Research Questions

Research questions specify what a researcher wants to learn.
They guide and structure the process of collecting and analyzing data.
Research questions are used to attain the study's objectives.

Types of Research Questions

Exploratory: used when little is known about a phenomenon, existing research is unclear, or the topic is complex.
Examples use qualitative methods:
- Informal discussions with consumers or employees
- Interviews
- Focus groups
- Case studies
Descriptive Questions: used to describe characteristics of objects, people, or situations.
Qualitative and quantitative data can be collected.
Examples include: satisfaction ratings, production figures, and sales figures, or ways consumers make decisions.
Correlational Questions: used to describe relationships between variables.
Example is investigating the relationship between job involvement and job satisfaction.
Causal Questions: used to test whether one variable causes another variable to change. Example is: What motivates consumers to purchase a product online.

Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is often used when not much is known about a phenomenon, existing research is unclear or has limitations, or the topic is complex.
Typically done using qualitative approaches,
Examples include, informal discussions, interviews, focus groups, and case studies.
Flexible in nature. The focus broadens at the outset and narrows as the research progresses.

Descriptive Research

The objective is to obtain data that describes a topic.
Descriptive studies are used to collect data that describe characteristics of objects, people, organizations, products, events, or situations.
They can be quantitative or qualitative.
Example, what percentage of people prefer coca cola over pepsi.

Causal Research

Causal studies test whether one variable causes another to change.
Determining factors involved in a problem is crucial.
Example: How does a reward system affect productivity.
Independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable. Removing/altering the independent variable solves the problem.
Conditions for causal relationship: variables covary, independent variable precedes the dependent variable, extraneous variables are controlled.

Example of a Problem Statement

Bakery is struggling to establish itself in the market.
Customers prefer national brands.
Hesitancy to try new bakery items.
Problem: Consumers do not appreciate the bakery's approach to production.
Solution: Redesign the bakery to be more appealing.

Problem Definition - Translating Decision Statements

Breaking down a managerial issue into actionable research elements
Identify symptoms
Identify probable problems
Define objectives
Create research questions
Formulate research hypotheses

Research Proposal

A formal plan outlining the proposed research.
Includes a description of the management problem, the research problem, methodology, duration, and cost.
Needed to gain approval from management.
Crucial for guiding the research process thoroughly.

Elements of Research Design

Research Format: exploratory, descriptive, comparative, causal, and correlational.
Researcher Interference: minimal or excessive.
Setting: contrived or non-contrived (natural environment).
Time horizon: cross-sectional (snapshot) or longitudinal (over time).
Unit of analysis: individual, household, organization, or geographical area.

Survey Research

Non-experimental method to assess attitudes, activities, opinions and beliefs.
Methods include questionnaires and interviews.
Advantages include practicality and wide geographical reach.
Disadvantages may include limited depth, bias from self-reports, and potential misinterpretation.

Observation Research

Systematic process of recording actual behavioral patterns.
Can observe visible (known) or hidden (unknown to participant) behaviors/actions.
Useful for gathering data on behaviors that people may not be able to or are unwilling to verbally describe.

Sampling

Process of selecting a subset of individuals from a larger population.
Census: Studying every single member of a population.
Sampling: Studying parts of a population. More practical for large populations.
Different Sampling techniques:
- Probability sampling:
  - Simple random sampling
  - Systematic sampling
  - Stratified sampling
  - Cluster Sampling
- Non-Probability sampling:
  - Convenience sampling
  - Quota sampling
  - Purposive sampling
  - Snowball sampling

Validity and Reliability

Validity: Degree to which a measure accurately assesses the intended construct.
Reliability: Extent to which a measure produces consistent results.
Types of Validity:
- Content validity
- Criterion validity
- Construct validity
Types of Reliability:
- Test-retest reliability
- Parallel-form reliability
- Split-half reliability

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Description

This quiz covers the essential elements of beginning the research process, emphasizing the significance of management problems and well-defined research objectives. It outlines how research questions guide the collection and analysis of data, providing examples to illustrate key concepts.