Business Research Methods Presentation

PRESENTED BY: M.Muazzam Bilal

Exploratory Research
Exploratory research is most commonly unstructured, informal research that is undertaken to gain background information about the general nature of the research problem. Exploratory research is usually conducted when the researcher does not know much about the problem and needs additional information or desires new or more recent information.

Exploratory Research

Exploratory research is used in a number of situations: To gain background information To define terms To clarify problems and hypotheses To establish research priorities

Exploratory Research

A variety of methods are available to conduct exploratory research: Secondary Data Analysis Experience Surveys Case Analysis Focus Groups Projective Techniques

Secondary Data Analysis

Use of data that was collected by individuals other than the investigator. This includes newspapers, census data, maps, etc. Secondary data analysis is often a starting point for other social science research methods.

Examples
Evaluation of training program Other work may indicate certain number of training hours per year per specific job Other work might indicate the use of computer, the effect of training, the evaluation of training and so on

Experience survey
An exploratory research technique in which individuals who are knowledgeable about particular research problem are surveyed. Its not conclusive Careful selection of participants Few formal question Open for experience people to talk

Case Analysis
An exploratory research technique that intensively investigates one or a few situations similar to the researcher problem situation.

Examples
High sales of particular dealer The company decided to study their selling Skills to educate other distributers The findings were unexpected!

Focus Groups
An unstructured free-flowing interview with a small group of people. Central location Specific time Moderator 6-10 participants

Projective Techniques
An indirect means of questioning that enables a respondent to project beliefs and feelings onto a third party, an inanimate object, or a task situation.

Examples
Why you are purchasing the Mercedes? Why he purchased the Mercedes? Different answers!