Business Research Methods

Title
Contents
>part I Introduction to Business Research
	1 Research in Business
		Why Study Business Research?
		Information and Competitive Advantage
		Goals
		Decision Support
		Business Intelligence
		Strategy
		Tactics
		Hierarchy of Information-Based Decision Makers
		The Research Process: A Preview
		Is Research Always Problem-Solving Based?
		What Is Good Research?
		A Glimpse at Four Research Studies
		ClassicToys
		MedImage
		MoreCoatings
		York College
		What Dilemma Does the Manager Face?
		The Types of Research Studies Represented by the Four Examples
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		Appendix 1a How the Research Industry Works
	2 Ethics in Business Research
		What Are Research Ethics?
		Ethical Treatment of Participants
		Benefi ts
		Deception
		Informed Consent
		Debriefi ng Participants
		Rights to Privacy
		Data Collection in Cyberspace
		Ethics and the Sponsor
		Confi dentiality
		The Sponsor–Researcher Relationship
		Sponsor’s Ethics
		Researchers and Team Members
		Safety
		Ethical Behavior of Assistants
		Protection of Anonymity
		Professional Standards
		Resources for Ethical Awareness
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	3 Thinking Like a Researcher
		The Language of Research
		Concepts
		Constructs
		Defi nitions
		Variables
		Propositions and Hypotheses
		Theory
		Models
		Research and the Scientifi c Method
		Sound Reasoning for Useful Answers
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	4 The Research Process: An Overview
		The Research Process
		Stage 1: Clarifying the Research Question
		Stage 2: Proposing Research
		Resource Allocation and Budgets
		Valuing Research Information
		The Research Proposal
		Stage 3: Designing the Research Project
		Research Design
		Sampling Design
		Pilot Testing
		Stage 4: Data Collection and Preparation
		Stage 5: Data Analysis and Interpretation
		Stage 6: Reporting the Results
		Research Process Issues
		The Favored-Technique Syndrome
		Company Database Strip-Mining
		Unresearchable Questions
		Ill-Defi ned Management Problems
		Politically Motivated Research
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	5 Clarifying the Research Question through Secondary Data and Exploration
		A Search Strategy for Exploration
		Levels of Information
		Types of Information Sources
		Evaluating Information Sources
		Mining Internal Sources
		Evolution of Data Mining
		Data-Mining Process
		The Question Hierarchy: How Ambiguous Questions Become Actionable Research
		The Management Question
		The Research Question
		Investigative Questions
		Measurement Questions
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		Appendix 5a Bibliographic Database Searches
		Appendix 5b Advanced Searches
>part II The Design of Business Research
	6 Research Design: An Overview
		What Is Research Design?
		Classifi cation of Designs
		Exploratory Studies
		Qualitative Techniques
		Secondary Data Analysis
		Experience Survey
		Focus Groups
		Two-Stage Design
		Descriptive Studies
		Causal Studies
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	7 Qualitative Research
		What Is Qualitative Research?
		Qualitative versus Quantitative Research
		The Controversy
		The Distinction
		The Process of Qualitative Research
		Qualitative Research Methodologies
		Sampling
		Interviews
		Individual Depth Interviews
		Group Interviews
		Combining Qualitative Methodologies
		Case Study
		Action Research
		Merging Qualitative and Quantitative Methodologies
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	8 Observation Studies
		The Uses of Observation
		Nonbehavioral Observation
		Behavioral Observation
		Evaluation of the Observation Method
		The Observer–Participant Relationship
		Directness of Observation
		Concealment
		Participation
		Conducting an Observation Study
		The Type of Study
		Content Specifi cation
		Observer Training
		Data Collection
		Unobtrusive Measures
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	9 Experiments
		What Is Experimentation?
		An Evaluation of Experiments
		Advantages
		Disadvantages
		Conducting an Experiment
		Selecting Relevant Variables
		Specifying Treatment Levels
		Controlling the Experimental Environment
		Choosing the Experimental Design
		Selecting and Assigning Participants
		Pilot Testing, Revising, and Testing
		Analyzing the Data
		Validity in Experimentation
		Internal Validity
		External Validity
		Experimental Research Designs
		Preexperimental Designs
		True Experimental Designs
		Field Experiments: Quasi- or Semi-Experiments
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		Appendix 9a Complex Experimental Designs
		Appendix 9b Test Markets
	10 Surveys
		Characteristics of the Communication Approach
		Error in Communication Research
		Choosing a Communication Method
		Self-Administered Surveys
		Evaluation of the Self-Administered Survey
		Maximizing Participation in the Self-Administered Survey
		Self-Administered Survey Trends
		Survey via Telephone Interview
		Evaluation of the Telephone Interview
		Telephone Survey Trends
		Survey via Personal Interview
		Evaluation of the Personal Interview Survey
		Selecting an Optimal Survey Method
		Outsourcing Survey Services
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
>part III The Sources and Collection of Data
	11 Measurement
		The Nature of Measurement
		What Is Measured?
		Measurement Scales
		Nominal Scales
		Ordinal Scales
		Interval Scales
		Ratio Scales
		Sources of Measurement Differences
		Error Sources
		The Characteristics of Good Measurement
		Validity
		Content Validity
		Criterion-Related Validity
		Construct Validity
		Reliability
		Practicality
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	12 Measurement Scales
		The Nature of Attitudes
		The Relationship between Attitudes and Behavior
		Attitude Scaling
		Selecting a Measurement Scale
		Research Objectives
		Response Types
		Data Properties
		Number of Dimensions
		Balanced or Unbalanced
		Forced or Unforced Choices
		Number of Scale Points
		Rater Errors
		Rating Scales
		Simple Attitude Scales
		Likert Scales
		Semantic Differential Scales
		Numerical/Multiple Rating List Scales
		Stapel Scales
		Constant-Sum Scales
		Graphic Rating Scales
		Ranking Scales
		Sorting
		Cumulative Scales
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	13 Questionnaires and Instruments
		Phase 1: Revisiting the Research Question Hierarchy
		Type of Scale for Desired Analysis
		Communication Approach
		Disguising Objectives and Sponsors
		Preliminary Analysis Plan
		Phase 2: Constructing and Refi ning the Measurement Questions
		Question Categories and Structure
		Question Content
		Question Wording
		Response Strategy
		Sources of Existing Questions
		Phase 3: Drafting and Refi ning the Instrument
		Participant Screening and Introduction
		Measurement Question Sequencing
		Instructions
		Conclusion
		Overcoming Instrument Problems
		The Value of Pretesting
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		Appendix 13a Crafting Effective Measurement Questions
		Appendix 13b Pretesting Options and Discoveries
	14 Sampling
		The Nature of Sampling
		Why Sample?
		What Is a Good Sample?
		Types of Sample Design
		Steps in Sampling Design
		What Is the Target Population?
		What Are the Parameters of Interest?
		What Is the Sampling Frame?
		What Is the Appropriate Sampling Method?
		What Size Sample Is Needed?
		Probability Sampling
		Simple Random Sampling
		Complex Probability Sampling
		Nonprobability Sampling
		Practical Considerations
		Methods
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		Appendix 14a Determining Sample Size
>part IV Analysis and Presentation of Data
	15 Data Preparation and Description
		Introduction
		Editing
		Field Editing
		Central Editing
		Coding
		Codebook Construction
		Coding Closed Questions
		Coding Open-Ended Questions
		Coding Rules
		Using Content Analysis for Open
		Questions “Don’t Know” Responses
		Missing Data Data Entry
		Alternative Data Entry Formats
		On the Horizon
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		Appendix 15a Describing Data Statistically
	16 Exploring, Displaying, and Examining Data
		Exploratory Data Analysis
		Frequency Tables, Bar Charts, and Pie Charts
		Histograms
		Stem-and-Leaf Displays
		Pareto Diagrams
		Boxplots
		Mapping
		Cross-Tabulation
		The Use of Percentages
		Other Table-Based Analysis
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	17 Hypothesis Testing
		Introduction
		Statistical Signifi cance
		The Logic of Hypothesis Testing
		Tests of Signifi cance
		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
		k-Related-Samples Tests
		>summary
		>key terms >discussion questions
		>cases
	18 Measures of Association
		Introduction
		Bivariate Correlation Analysis
		Pearson’s Product Moment Coeffi cient 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
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	19 Multivariate Analysis: An Overview
		Introduction
		Selecting a Multivariate Technique
		Dependency Techniques
		Multiple Regression
		Discriminant Analysis
		MANOVA
		Structural Equation Modeling
		Conjoint Analysis
		Interdependency Techniques
		Factor Analysis
		Cluster Analysis
		Multidimensional Scaling
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	20 Presenting Insights and Findings: Written Reports
		Introduction
		The Written Research Report
		Short Reports
		Long Reports
		Research Report Components
		Prefatory Items
		Introduction
		Methodology
		Findings
		Conclusions
		Appendices
		Bibliography
		Writing the Report
		Prewriting Concerns
		Writing the Draft
		Presentation Considerations
		Presentation of Statistics
		Text Presentation
		Semitabular Presentation
		Tabular Presentation
		Graphics
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
	21 Presenting Insights and Findings: Oral Presentations
		Introduction
		Aristotle’s Three Principles of Persuasive Communication
		Ethos
		Pathos
		Logos
		Plan
		Audience Analysis
		Types of Learners
		Keep Your Audience from Checking Out
		Planning and the Web-Delivered Presentation
		Organize
		Traditional Patterns of Organization
		The Motivated Sequence Organization
		The Narrative Organization
		The Rule of Three and the Three-Point Speech
		Support
		Conveying Personal Experience through Stories
		Demonstrations
		Visualize
		Psychological and Physical Foundations
		Design Principles
		Prescriptions for Better Slides
		Deliver
		Modes of Delivery
		Scripts and Notes
		Details Make a Difference
		Practice and Arrange
		Rehearsal Is Essential
		Controlling Performance Anxiety
		Arrangements for Facilities and Equipment
		>summary
		>key terms
		>discussion questions
		>cases
		>case index
>appendices
	a Business Research Requests and Proposals (with Sample RFP)
		Proposing Research
		The Request for Proposal (RFP)
		Creating the RFP
		The Research Proposal
		Sponsor Uses
		Researcher Benefi ts
		Types of Research Proposals
		Internal Proposals
		External Proposals
		Structuring the Research Proposal
		Executive Summary
		Problem Statement
		Research Objectives
		Literature Review
		Importance/Benefi ts of the Study
		Research Design
		Data Analysis
		Nature and Form of Results
		Qualifi cations of Researchers
		Budget
		Schedule
		Facilities and Special Resources
		Project Management
		Bibliography
		Appendices
		Evaluating the Research Proposal
		Covering Kids RFP
		Background
		Contractual Needs
		Evaluation Task
		Anticipated Time Schedule
		Proposal Instructions
		Review Criteria
	b Focus Group Discussion Guide
		Background
	c Nonparametric Signifi cance 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
		k-Samples Tests
		Kruskal-Wallis Test
	d Selected Statistical Tables
References and Readings
Glossary
Photo Credits
Indexes Name
Company
Subject