Business

Research Methods
William G. Zikmund

Chapter 4:
The Business Research Process

Information
Reduces uncertainty
Helps focus decision making

Types Of Research
Exploratory
Descriptive
Causal

Uncertainty Influences
The Type Of Research
CAUSAL OR
DESCRIPTIVE

COMPLETELY
CERTAIN

ABSOLUTE
AMBIGUITY

EXPLORATORY

Degree of Problem Definition

Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
Causal Research
(Unaware of Problem)(Aware of Problem)
(Problem Clearly Defined)
possible situation

Our sales are declining and What kind of people are buying Will buyers purchase more of
we dont know why.our product? Who buys our
our products in a new package?
competitors product?
Would people be interested
Which of two advertising
in our new product idea?
What features do buyers prefer campaigns is more effective?
in our product?

Defining Problem Results in

Clear Cut Research Objectives
Symptom Detection
Analysis of
the Situation
Problem Definition
Statement of
Research Objectives

Exploratory
Research
(Optional)

Exploratory Research
Initial research conducted to clarify and
define the nature of a problem
Does not provide conclusive evidence
Subsequent research expected

Exploratory Research
Secondary data
Experience survey
Pilot studies

Exploratory Research Techniques

Two Examples
Secondary data (historical data)
Previously collected
Census of population
Literature survey

Pilot study
A number of diverse techniques

Focus Group Interview

Descriptive Research
Describes characteristics of a population or
phenomenon
Some understanding of the nature of the
problem

Descriptive Research Example

Weight Watchers average customer

Woman about 40 years old

Household income of about $50,000
At least some college education
Trying to juggle children and a job

Descriptive Research Example

Mens fragrance market
1/3 size of womens fragrance market
But growing at a faster pace
Women buy 80 % of mens fragrances

Causal Research
Conducted to identify cause and effect
relationships

Identifying Causality
A causal relationship is impossible to prove.
Evidence of causality:
1. The appropriate causal order of events
2. Concomitant variation--two phenomena
vary together
3. An absence of alternative plausible
explanations

Stages of the Research Process

Problem Discovery
and Definition

Research
Design

Discovery and
Definition

and so on
Conclusions and
Report

Sampling
Data Processing
and Analysis
Data
Gathering

Research Stages
Cyclical process - conclusions generate new
ideas
Stages can overlap chronologically
Stages are functionally interrelated
Forward linkages
Backward linkages

Problem
discovery

Problem Discovery
and Definition

Sampling

Selection of
exploratory research
technique

Secondary
(historical)
data

Experience
survey

Probability

Pilot
study

Case
study

Data
Gathering
Data
Processing
and
Analysis

Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)

Experiment
Laboratory

Conclusions
and Report

Survey
Field

Interview

Nonprobability

Collection of
data
(fieldwork)
Editing and
coding
data
Data
processing

Selection of
basic research
method

Research Design

Selection of
exploratory research
technique

Questionnaire

Observation

Secondary
Data Study

Interpretation
of
findings

Report

The Business Research Process

Problem
Discovery

Selection of
Sample Design

Exploratory
Research

Collectionofthe
Data

Selection of the
Basic Research
Method

The Research Process (cont.)

Editing and
Coding

Data Processing

Interpretation of
the Findings

Report

Stages In The Research Process

Problem Discovery and Problem Definition

Research Design
Sampling
Data Gathering
Data Processing and Analysis
Conclusions And Report

Problem Discovery And

Definition

First step
Problem, opportunity, or monitor operations
Discovery before definition
Problem means management problem

State the research

questions and research
objectives

23

Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposition that is
empirically testable. It is a statement
/assumption concerned with the
relationship among variables,
at the empirical level.

Research Design
Master plan
Framework for action
Specifies methods and procedures

Research Proposal
A written statement of the research design
that includes a statement explaining the
purpose of the study.
Detailed outline of procedures associated
with a particular methodology

Basic Research Methods

Surveys
Experiments
Secondary data
Observation

Selecting a Sample
Sample: subset
of a larger population.

SAMPLE

POPULATION

Sampling
Who is to be sampled?
How large a sample?
How will sample units be selected?

Data Gathering Stage

Data Processing and Analysis

Conclusions And Report Writing

Effective communication of the research
findings