303lon and 308lon business research methods: data sources unit: 3
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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?
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