303LON and 308LON

Business research methods: data sources

Unit: 3

On completion of this module you will be able to:

• Work independently within an organisation, demonstrating initiative and commitment

• Review the literature relating to a business issue• Analyse valid and reliable evidence to draw sound business

conclusions• Write a coherent project report communicating a solution or

response to the business issue• Reflect on your working practices in relation to your Personal

Development Plan

Module Learning Outcomes

Module Overview: 303LON and 308LON

Week 6

Unit 1 An Introduction to Workplace and Workbased Projects

Unit 2 Business research methods: an introduction

Unit 3 Business research methods: data sources

Unit 4 Business research methods: questions and active listening

Week 7

Unit 5 Business research methods: project management skills

Unit 6 Business research methods: using reflection in research

Unit 7 Business research methods: writing professional reports

Unit 8 Making a successful impact on your Workplace and Workbased project

Week 8 Workplace or Independent Research

Week 9 Workplace or Independent Research

Week 10

Unit 9 Project Updates – Individual Presentations

Unit 10 Individual Progress Review

Unit 11 Individual Progress Review

Unit 12 Module Review

On completion of this unit you will be able to:

• Formulate research questions from our research topics• Investigate the types of information and data to be used in your

project • Assess the benefits and limitations of types of data in relation to

your research

Unit Learning Outcomes

Defining Your Research Questions

Source:

Cameron (2009: 378)

Business Skills: Project Stages

Stages of Research – Up to Unit 8

What makes good business and management research?• The topic is clearly defined• Meets the requirements of the marking criteria• Uses a variety of techniques to generate research questions• Has clear research questions based on relevant literature• Incorporates relevant theory

Starts with a proposal that:• Presents well organised ideas• Describes clearly what will be done and why• Justifies how the research questions will be answered

Selecting a Research Topic

Based on:

Saunders et al (2009)

Research questions should:

1. Be Clear – understandable to you and others

2. Re researchable – relevant data is collectable

3. Relate to established theory and research – base your research question on existing knowledge and show your contribution to knowledge and understanding

4. Linked to each other – supports the development of an argument

5. Have potential to contribute to existing knowledge

6. Be neither too broad or too narrowSource: Bryman & Bell (2007)

6 Steps to Refine Research Questions

Literature Searches

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

Problem Definition: Using Literature

Literature Reviews

A good literature review should be discursive:

Thesis – the argument behind the research

+

Antithesis – the counter argument

+

Synthesis – your conclusions drawn from the literature

Decisions to be made in your research design include:

• The purpose of the study• The unit of analysis (population to be studied)• Consideration of how much researcher interference • The time horizon• The type of investigation• The setting for the study

Source:

Sekaran (2000)

Designing your Methodology

Research Data: Key Terms

Research Data: Key Terms

Advantages

1. Larger sample size

2. Supports generalisations

3. Research can be replicated

4. Researcher interference can be avoided

Quantitative Data Analysis

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

Advantages

1. Depth and Detail

2. Creates openness

3. Simulates individual’s experiences

4. Avoids pre-judgments

Qualitative Data Analysis

Disadvantages

1. Smaller sample size

2. Less easy to generalise

3. Difficult to make comparisons

4. Dependent on the skills of the researcher

Based on: www.learnhigher.ac.uk/analysethis/main/qua

litative1.html

Deficiencies of Data

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: Questionnaires

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

Gathering Primary Data: Interviews

Unit 3 Priority Actions:

1. Confirm your research topic and research questions

2. What knowledge and research exists on this topic?

3. What range of secondary sources can you access?

4. What type of data will you be gathering to answer your research questions?

Be ready to present back in Unit 4

Preparation for Unit 4

Submit your Learning Plan to employability@culc.coventry.ac.uk by Unit 4

Business Skills: Project Work

• Formulate research questions from our research topics• Investigate the types of information and data to be used in your

project • Assess the benefits and limitations of types of data in relation to

your research

Knowledgecast Summary

Unit 3 Priority Actions:

1. Confirm your research topic and research questions

2. What knowledge and research exists on this topic?

3. What range of secondary sources can you access?

4. What type of data will you be gathering to answer your research questions?

Be ready to present back in Unit 4

Preparation for Unit 4

Submit your Learning Plan to employability@culc.coventry.ac.uk by Unit 4

Business Skills: Project Work

In our next Unit, we will:

• Assess how the use of questioning techniques can be used to gather primary and secondary data in support of a research question

• Creatively use the keyword search in research databases to identify a broad range of secondary sources in relation to the goals of your research

• Practice using questioning techniques to build rapport with participants to encourage an open and honest sharing of information

What are we going to cover next?