.

6-1
Chapter 6

Research Design:
An Overview
6-2
Learning Objectives
The major descriptors of research design
The major types of research designs
The relationships that exist between
variables in causal designs and the steps
for evaluating those relationships
6-3
Research Design
Blueprint
Plan
Guide
Framework
6-4
Exhibit 6-1 Design in the
Research Process
6-5
The Degree of Structure
Exploratory Study
Loose structure
Expand
understanding
Provide insight
Develop hypotheses
Formal Study
Precise procedures
Begins with
hypotheses
Answers research
questions
6-6
The Topical Scope
Statistical Study
Breadth
Population inferences
Quantitative
Generalizable
findings
Case Study
Depth
Detail
Qualitative
Multiple sources of
information

6-7
Descriptive Studies
When?
How much? What?
Who?
Where?
6-8
Causal Studies
Experiment
Study involving the
manipulation or
control of one or more
variables to determine
the effect on another
variable
Ex Post Facto study
After-the-fact report
on what happened to
the measured
variable
6-9
Methods of
Data Collection
Monitoring Communication
6-10
The Time Dimension
Cross-sectional
Longitudinal
6-11
The Research
Environment
Field conditions
Lab conditions
Simulations
6-12
Participants
Perceptions
No deviation perceived
Deviations perceived
as unrelated
Deviations perceived as
researcher-induced
6-13
Approaches for
Exploratory Investigations
Interviewing
Participant
observation
Film, photographs
Projective
techniques
Psychological
testing
Case studies
Street ethnography
Elite or expert
interviewing
Document analysis
Proxemics and
Kinesics

6-14
Common Exploratory
Techniques for Research
Secondary
Data Analysis
Focus
Groups
Experience
Surveys
6-15
Experience Surveys
What is being done?
What has been tried in the past with or
without success?
How have things changed?
Who is involved in the decisions?
What problem areas can be seen?
Whom can we count on to assist or
participate in the research?
6-16
Focus Groups
Group discussion
6-10 participants
Moderator-led
90 minutes-2 hours

6-17
Descriptive Studies
Descriptions of
population characteristics
Estimates of frequency of
characteristics
Discovery of associations
among variables
6-18
Causal Studies
Asymmetrical
Reciprocal
Symmetrical
6-19
Exhibit 8-3 Asymmetrical
Casual Relationships
Stimulus-Response
Disposition-Behavior
Property-
Behavior
Property-
Disposition
6-20
Covariation between
A and B
Evidence of Causality
Time order of events
No other possible
causes of B
6-21
Causation and
Experimental Design
Random
Assignment
Control/
Matching
6-22
Ex Post Facto Design
Substitute BRM
Exhibit 6-8
Club Member Nonclub Member
Age High Absentee Low Absentee High Absentee Low Absentee
Under 30 years 36 6 30 48
30 to 45 4 4 35 117
45 and over 0 0 5 115
6-23
Do nothing by halves.
Source: Cooper R. D. & Schindler, S. P.
(2006). Business Research Methods
9e. McGraw.Hill