Business Research Methods [Team-IRA]

Cover
business research methods
Dedication
Walkthrough
Preface
Detailed Changes to this Edition
Brief Contents
Contents
Part I: Building the Foundation for Research
	1: Research Foundations and Fundamentals
		Business Environment for Decision-Making
			Role of Data in Decision-Making
			Addressing the Challenges
			Is New Data Needed?
			The Research Process
		The Language of Research
			Concepts
			Constructs
			Operational Definitions
			Variables
			Hypotheses, Theories, and Models
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	2: The Research Process: An Overview
		What Is Good Research?
		The Research Process
		Stage 1: Clarify the Research Question
			Identify and Prioritize Dilemmas
			Exploration
			Value and Budget the Research
		Stage 2: Design the Research Project
			Data Collection Design
			Sampling Design
		Stage 3: Collect and Prepare the Data
			Collect the Data
			Prepare the Data
		Stage 4: Analyze and Interpret the Data
		Stage 5: Report Insights and Recommendations
		The Research Project Time Frame
		Research Process Pitfalls and Solutions
			Ill-Defined Management Problems
			Unresearchable Questions
			Overembracing Data Analytics
			The Manager’s Hidden Agenda(s)
			Favored-Technique Syndrome
			Researcher Inexperience
		Research Process Ethical Issues and Responsibilities
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	3: Stage 1: Clarify the Research Question
		Stage 1 in the Research Process
		The Question Hierarchy
			The Management Question
			The Research Question
			Investigative Questions
			Measurement Questions
		The Exploration Strategy
			Information Sources
			Evaluating External Sources
			Internal Sources
			Evaluating Internal Sources
		Value the Research
		Justify and Budget for Research
		Stage 1 Ethical Issues and Their Solutions
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		additionalcontent
Part II: The Design of Business Research
	4: Stage 2: Research Design, An Overview
		What Is Research Design?
		Sampling Design
		Data Collection Design
			An Example
			Design Dimensions
			The Topical Scope
		Design the Measurement Instrument
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	5: Stage 2: Sampling Design
		Sampling Design
		Define the Target Population and Case
		Define the Population Parameters
		Define the Sample Frame
			A Community as Sample Frame
		Define the Number of Cases
			Sample versus Census
			Lower Cost
			Greater Speed of Data Collection
			Availability of Population Cases
			Better Quality Results
			Accuracy
			Precision
			Sample Size
		Define the Sampling Method
		Probability Sampling
			Simple Random Sampling
			Complex Probability Sampling
		Nonprobability Sampling
			Convenience Sampling
			Purposive Sampling
			Snowball Sampling
		Define the Selection and Recruiting Protocols
		Ethical Issues and Their Solutions
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		appendix: Calculate the Sample Size
	6: Stage 2: Data Collection Design: Qualitative Research
		What Is Qualitative Research?
		Qualitative Research Design
		Qualitative Sampling Design
		Qualitative Data Collection Design
			Interviews
			Interviewers as Consultants
			Creative Exercises
			Individual Depth Interviews
			Group Interviews
			Focus Groups
			Group Interview Drawbacks and Their Solutions
			Recording, Analyzing, and Reporting Group Interviews
		Combining Qualitative Methodologies
			Case Study
			Action Research
		Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies
		Ethical Issues and Their Solutions
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	7: Stage 2: Data Collection Design: Observation Research
		Observation Research Design
		Sampling Design
		Data Collection Design
			Content Type
			Types of Observation
			Observation Environment
			Data Collection Protocol
			Observer-Participant Relationship
			Observer Training and Supervision
		Evaluation of the Observation Method
			Strengths
			Limitations
		Ethical Issues and Their Solutions
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	8: Stage 2: Data Collection Design: Experiments
		Experiments and Causation
			Causation Evidence
			Causal Conclusion
		Conduct an Experiment
			Select Relevant Variables
			Specify Treatment Levels
			Control the Experimental Environment
			Choose the Experimental Design
			Select and Assign Participants (or Cases)
			Pilot Test Data Collection Protocols, Revise
			Conduct the Experiment
		Validity in Experimentation
			Internal Validity
			External Validity
		Experimental Research Designs
			Preexperimental Designs
			True Experimental Designs
			Field Experiments: Quasi- or Semi-Experiments
		An Evaluation of Experiments
			Advantages
			Disadvantages
		Ethical Issues and Their Solutions
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		additionalcontent
	9: Stage 2: Data Collection Design: Survey Research
		Data Collection Design: The Survey
			Self-Administered Survey
			Survey via Phone Interview
			Survey via Personal Interview
		Error in Survey Research
			Interviewer Error
			Participant Error
		Outsourcing Survey Tasks
		Evaluation of Survey Research
		Ethical Issues and Their Solutions
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
Part III: Measurement
	10: Stage 3: Measurement Foundations
		The Nature of Measurement
			Tasks of Measurement
			What Is Measured
		Measurement Scales
			Nominal Scales
			Ordinal Scales
			Interval Scales
			Ratio Scales
			Recoding
		Sources of Measurement Differences
			Error Sources
		The Characteristics of Good Measurement
			Validity
			Reliability
			Practicality
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	11: Stage 3: Measurement Questions
		Instrument Design
		Prepare the Preliminary Analysis Plan
			Confirm Communication Approach
			Select Instrument Structure
		Select or Craft a Measurement Scale
			Research Objectives
			Response Types
			Number of Dimensions
			Balanced or Unbalanced
			Forced or Unforced Choices
			Number of Scale Points
			Participant Errors
		The Nature of Attitudes
			The Relationship between Attitudes and Behavior
			Attitude Scaling
		Rating Questions
			Single-Response Questions
			Multiple-Response Questions
		Ranking Questions
		Sorting Questions
		Cumulative Questions
		Find or Craft Measurement Questions
			Question Coverage
			Question Wording
			Frame of Reference
			Response Alternatives
			Sources of Existing Questions
			Pretesting
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		appendix: Sources of Measurement Questions
	12: Stage 3: Measurement Instruments
		Instrument Design
		Phase 2: Gather and Sort the Pieces
			Question Types
			Pretesting: Scope and Coverage
			Responsibility Fulfillment
		Phase 2: Non-Question Elements
			Non-Question Elements
			Overcoming Instrument Problems
			Responsibility Fulfillment
		Phase 3: Organize the Pieces
			Order Topics and Questions
			Pretest The Instrument
			Physical Design
			Pretesting: Physical Design
			Responsibility Fulfillment
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		additionalcontent
Part IV: Collect, Prepare, and Examine the Data
	13: Stage 3: Collect, Prepare, and Examine Data
		Collect the Data
			Train the Data Collectors
			Determine the Data Collection Timeline
			Determine and Implement the Research Process(es)
			Invite the Chosen Participants
			Activate the Research Task(s)
			Remind the Participants
			Enter the Data
		Enter the Data
		Prepare the Data
			Postcollection Coding of Data
		Edit the Data
			Complete
			Accurate
			Appropriately Coded
		Examine the Data
			Exploratory Data Analysis
		Cross-Tabulation
			The Importance of Percentages
			Other Table-Based Analysis
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		appendix: Better Tables
		appendix: Review: Describing Data Statistically
Part V: Analyze and Interpret Data
	14: Stage 4: Hypothesis Testing
		Introduction
			Statistical Significance
		The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
			Statistical Testing Procedures
			Probability Values (p Values)
		Tests of Significance
			Types of Tests
			How to Select a Test
			Selecting Tests Using the Choice Criteria
			One-Sample Tests
			Two-Independent-Samples Tests
			Two-Related-Samples Tests
			k-Independent-Samples Tests
			A Priori Contrasts
			Multiple Comparison Tests
			Exploring the Findings with Two-Way ANOVA
			Nonparametric Tests
			k-Related-Samples Tests
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
	15: Stage 4: Measures of Association
		Introduction
		Bivariate Correlation Analysis
			Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient r
			Scatterplots for Exploring Relationships
			The Assumptions of r
			Computation and Testing of r
		Simple Linear Regression
			The Basic Model
			Concept Application
			Method of Least Squares
			Predictions
			Testing the Goodness of Fit
		Nonparametric Measures of Association
			Measures for Nominal Data
			Measures for Ordinal Data
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
Part VI: Stage 5: Report the Research
	16: Stage 5: Research Reports: Support Insights and Recommendations
		Introduction
			Emphasis on Insights
			Shift in Reporting Structure
			Audience-Centric Planning
		Audience Analysis
			Audience Composition
			Research Question Knowledge
			Research Predispositions
			Recommendation Effects
			Audience Effect
			Supplemental Purposes
		Report Structure
		Content and Style: Organize
			Report Types
			Report Components
			Traditional Frameworks for Organization
		Content and Style: Visualize
			Presenting Findings
			Data Visualization Specifically for the Oral Report
		Content and Style: Compile
		Content and Style: Practice
		Content and Style: Deliver
		Ethical Considerations in Reporting
		summary
		keyterms
		review&discussionquestions
		cases
		appendix: Better Reports
Part VII: Research Project Overview
	17: An Integrated Example
		The Need for Research
		Receipt of an RFP at Visionary Insights
			The VI Proposal for BrainSavvy Research
			The Proposal Review at BrainSavvy
			The BrainSavvy Finalist Interview
			Visionary Insights Captures the Research Contract
		Stage 1: Clarify the Research Question
			The Dallas Trip
			VI Project Structure and Exploration
			Interviews
			Data File Analysis
			Process Modeling
			Focus Groups
			Investigative and Research Questions
		Stage 2: Research Design
			Sampling Design
			Data Collection Design
		Stage 3: Collect, Prepare and Examine Data
			Activate the Survey
			The Analysis Plan
			Data Preparation and Examination
		Stage 4: Analyze the Data
			Conference Call with Parma the Following Tuesday
		Stage 5: Report the Research
			Oral Report
		Post-Project Team Debriefing
		The Continuation Contract
			Three and a Half Months Later
		summary
		review&discussionquestions
case index
appendices
	A: Business Research Proposals and RFPs (with Sample RFP)
	Proposing Research
		The Research Proposal
	Proposal Structure
		Executive Summary
		Problem Statement
		Research Objectives
		Literature Review
		Importance/Benefits of the Study
		Research Design
		Data Analysis
		Nature and Form of Results
		Qualifications of Researchers
		Budget
		Schedule
		Facilities and Special Resources
		Project Management
		Bibliography
		Appendices
	Create a Request for Proposal
		Proposal Administration
		Summary Problem Statement
		Technical Section
		Management Section
		Contracts and Licensing Section
		Pricing Section
		Format
	Qualify a Researcher to Receive the RFP
	Evaluate a Research Company’s Proposal
		Evaluating an Unsolicited Research Proposal
	Sample RFP: Covering Kids
		Background
		Contractual Needs
		Evaluation Task
		Anticipated Time Schedule
		Proposal Instructions
		Review Criteria
	B: Focus Group Discussion Guide
		Background
	C: Nonparametric Significance Tests
	One-Sample Test
		Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test
	Two-Samples Tests
		Sign Test
		Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Test
		Kolmogorov-Smirnov Two-Samples Test
		Mann-Whitney U Test
		Other Nonparametric Tests
		Kruskal-Wallis Test
	D: Selected Statistical Tables
References
Glossary
Indexes
	Name
	Company
	Subject