Introduction to Business and
Management Research
Developing Business Practice
–302LON
Unit: 6 Knowledgecast: 2
Module Learning Outcomes
In this Knowledgecast, we will:
• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner
• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
Module Overview
Unit
1
Developing as a learner
2
Working independently and with others
3
Academic writing
4
Critical thinking, reading and taking notes
5
Using data in your studies
6
Business and management research
7
Career development strategies
8
Effective self marketing tools
9
Successful work experience
10
Personal Development Planning
Stages of Research
Identify Research Area
Formulate Research Questions
Create Research Design and Methodology
Write Research Proposal
Complete Literature Review
Collect and Analyse Data
Write Up Research Findings
Problem Definition: Using Literature
Literature Searches
Literature Reviews
Can help you to:
1. Clarify your research
question
2. Inform your own research
design
3. Set your research in context
of existing knowledge and
practice – both academic
and in practice
A good literature review should be
discursive:
Thesis – the argument behind the
research
+
Antithesis – the counter argument
+
Synthesis – your conclusions
drawn from the literature
Mapping Key Terms: Relevance Trees
Source:
Cameron (2009)
Research Data: Key Terms
Primary Data
Secondary Data
Original data directly
collected by you
Other researcher’s facts
and figures
Tailored to your own
requirements
Originally collected for a
different purpose
Knowledge of the
conditions where data
was collected
Requires critical
evaluation of reliability
and validity
Research Data: Key Terms
Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Data as a set of
numbers
Data as words
Derived from
‘unarguable’ measures
Derived from variety of
measures
Represents an
‘objective’ reality
Represents how others
interpret the world
Quantitative Data Analysis
Advantages
1. Larger sample size
2. Supports generalisations
3. Research can be replicated
4. Researcher interference can
be avoided
Disadvantages
1. Data gathered can be narrow
and superficial
2. Findings provide numerical
descriptions only
3. Study settings often do not
replicate organisational
settings
4. Difficult to record how people
feel about a subject
5. Question design can lead to
structural bias
Based on:
www.learnhigher.ac.uk/analysethis/main
/qualitative1.html
Qualitative Data Analysis
Advantages
Disadvantages
1. Depth and Detail
2. Creates openness
3. Simulates individual’s
experiences
4. Avoids pre-judgments
1.
2.
3.
4.
Smaller sample size
Less easy to generalise
Difficult to make comparisons
Dependent on the skills of the
researcher
Based on:
www.learnhigher.ac.uk/analysethis/main/qua
litative1.html
Deficiencies of Data
• Same results will be obtained if the
research was repeated
Reliability
• Do you methods consistently measure
respondent’s views?
Validity
• Extent to which the findings accurately
represent what is being studied
• Do your methods measure what you
intended to measure?
Gathering Primary Data: Questionnaires
Key considerations when using questionnaires
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sample size
Cost and ease of administration
Types of questions – open and closed questions
Use of clear and unambiguous questions
Overall design including introduction and instructions
Awareness of respondent fatigue
Tests for validity and reliability
Follow up plan for non-responses
Gathering Primary Data: Interviews
Key considerations when using interviews
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Access to appropriate sample size
Time and resources to complete interviews
Style of interview – structured, semi-structured or unstructured
Types of questions – open, closed and probing questions
Consistency in conduct of interviews
Awareness of researcher interference on the participant
Use of recordings and transcripts
Managing respondent confidentiality
Analysing your Data
Quantitative Research
– collecting data which can be
analysed numerically
Qualitative Research
– describing and revealing social
and behavioural phenomena
Main challenges:
Main challenges:
- Count or score variables under
investigation
- Measure the extent to which
something happens
- Reducing the data
- Structuring the data
- Detextualising the data
Being a Reflexive Practitioner
The aims of reflexivity include:
‘An acknowledgement
of the implications
and significance of
a researcher’s choices
as designer, observer and
writer.’
-
-
-
Examine your unconscious
reactions to the research
methodology
Explore the dynamic between
the researcher and the
researched
Understand the role of the
researcher in the construction
of knowledge
What are we going to cover next?
• In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at:
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of
independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
• Develop an effective employment and career development strategy
Knowledgecast Summary
In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at:
• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner
– Role of reflexivity in your choice of data collection and analysis choice
• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
– Considerations in the selection and use of quantitative and qualitative research
methods
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
– Identifying the most appropriate method to conduct and produce business and
management research
Seminar: Research Questions
1.
Identifying a Research Question
2.
The Burning Issue Brainstorm
3.
Be ready to present your response to:
•
•
•
What worked well?
What would you do differently next time?
What were the factors that influenced your choice of research
questions?
Seminar: Identify Your Research Question
Puzzles &
contradictions
Disagree
with
theories
Topics from
previous
modules
Gap in the
literature
My
Burning
Question
Gap
between
theory and
reality
Anticommon
sense
Tutors and
Supervisors
Reasons
for
differences
Personal
experience
Based on:
Bryman & Bell (2007)
Group Activity: Research Plans
1. Create a project plan to deliver your Burning Issue Research
Project
2. Present your project plan to the group
3.
Be ready to present your response to:
•
•
•
What worked well?
What would you do differently next time?
What were the factors that influenced your decisions?
Managing your Research Project
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
xxx
Identify research area
Formulate research questions
Design research methodology
Write research proposal
21st
Arrange access to sample
Write literature review
Collect data
Analyse data
First draft research report
Second draft research report
Deadline
31st