1: Research process, measurements, survey designs,

Question 1

Why do we use quantitative research?

Answer 1

To make informed decisions
Managerial decisions based on results of research tend to be more effective
BRM is needed because businesses operate in highly data-rich environments

Question 2

Why would managers want to know about research?

Answer 2

Be able to perform research in order to solve problems you may encounter
Steer business research, interact all with researchers of agencies
Be able to evaluate business research, give good judgement on whether it is good or bad

Question 3

What is business research?

Answer 3

A series of well though out and carefully executed activities that enable the manager to know how organizational problems can be solved or at least considerably minimized

Question 4

What does a business researcher do?

Answer 4

Specifies the information necessary to address the issues
Designs the method for collecting information
Manages and implements the data collection process
Analysis the results
Communicates the findings and their implications

Question 5

8 hallmarks of BRM quantitative

Answer 5

Purposiveness → why are you doing it/what is the problem
Rigor → ensuring theoretical base and methodological design
Testability → logically developing ideas based on data
Replicability → relocate results in similar situations
Accuracy/confidence → draw accurate conclusions with high confidence (stats)
Objectivity → draw conclusions based on facts
Generalizability → using your findings in other settings
Parsimony → shaving away unnecessary details, making a lot with a little

Question 6

Research process steps

Answer 6

Problem definition/identification
Research approach development
Research design development
Field work or data collection
Data integrity and analysis
Communicate research findings

Question 7

Research process step 1. Problem definition

Answer 7

Identify problem area, define problem statement
The decision problem is managerial focused, research problems are research focused
Narrow down your problem, do preliminary research which includes further understanding
You want to be conclusive (not exploratory like qualitative)

Question 8

Preliminary research

Answer 8

Organization/environmental context
Discussion with decision markers
Interviews with industry experts
Initial secondary data analyses

Question 9

Conclusive

Answer 9

Goal of quantitive research
Clearly defined phenomena that van be measured by means of quantitative data
Rich theory exists to build a theoretical framework and hypotheses
Theory → results

Question 10

Research process step 2. Research approach development

Answer 10

Theoretical framework, hypotheses and models
Translating RQs into concepts, variables and hypothesized relationships using theory

Question 11

What does the theoretical framework consist of?

Answer 11

Description of all relevant variables and their definitions
Hypotheses (relationships between variables based on theory)
Conceptual models

Question 12

Variables and mediator diagram

Answer 12

Independent variable → mediator → dependent variable

Question 13

Research process step 3. Research design development

Answer 13

Determining nature of the study, measures and sampling
Pre-testing, sampling and analysis plans
Tasks:
Defining the information needed (steps 1&2)
Deciding on the nature of research
Deciding on techniques and measurement
Constructing a pre-test of the research
Deciding on sampling process and sample size
Developing a data analysis plan

Question 14

Nature of research can be conclusive: descriptive or causal

Answer 14

Descriptive: testing the correlation relationship between 2 or more variables (using survey or archival data)
Causal: testing the causal relationship between 2 or more variables by means of a laboratory or field experiment

Question 15

Measurements

Answer 15

Assignment of numbers to characteristics of objects according to pre-specified rules
Numbers permit statistical analysis
Numbers are universal and transparent

Question 16

4 scales of measurement depending on these 4 characteristics

Answer 16

Description: unique labels or descriptors used to designate each value of the scale
Order: the relative sizes of positions of the descriptors
Distance: absolute differences between the scale and descriptors
Origin: unique or fixed beginning (true zero point) of a scale

Question 17

4 scales

Answer 17

Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio

Question 18

Nominal scale

Answer 18

Scale wholes numbers serve only as labels or tags for identifying and classifying objects
Strict one-to-one correspondence between the numbers and objects
Characteristics: difference
(Ex. man=1, woman=2)

Question 19

Ordinal scale

Answer 19

Numbers are assigned to objects to indicate the relative extent to which some characteristics apply
Characteristics: difference, order
(Ex. S,M,L)

Question 20

Interval scale

Answer 20

Numbers that are used to rank objects such that numerically equal distances on the scale represent numerical distances in the characteristics measured
There must be equal distances
Characteristics: difference, order, distance
(Ex. Temperatures)

Question 21

Ratio

Answer 21

To identify or classify objects, rank order and compare intervals or differences
Numbers have equal distances but there is a fixed zero, zero means nothing (money) whereas in interval it means something (temp)
Characteristics: difference, order, distance, unique origin

Question 22

Sources of error

Answer 22

Total error
Random sampling errors
Non-sampling errors
Non-response errors
Response errors

Question 23

Total error

Answer 23

Variation between true mean value in the population of the variable of interest and the observed value

Question 24

Random sampling error

Answer 24

Error because the selected sample is an imperfect representation of the population of interest

Question 25

Non-sampling error

Answer 25

Error that can be attributed to sources other than sampling and that can be random or non-random

Question 26

Non-response error

Answer 26

Errors that occur when some participants included in the sample do not respond

Question 27

Response error

Answer 27

Errors that arise from participants who do response but who give inaccurate answers or whose answers are mis-recorded or mis-analyzed Researcher error: surrogate information, measurement, population definition, sampling frame, data analysis Interviewer errors: respondent selection, questioning, recording, cheating Respondent errors: inability, unwillingness

Question 28

Errors diagram

Answer 28

Total error → random sampling error → Non sampling errors Non sampling error → response errors → non response errors Response errors → researcher errors → interviews errors → respondent errors

Question 29

Questionnaire design

Answer 29

A structured technique for data collection consisting of a series of questions, written or verbal that a participant answers A questionnaire is the result of a trade-off and is based on guidelines, not a matter of simply following some rules

Question 30

Biggest challenges in questionnaire design

Answer 30

Translating the information needed into a specific set of questions that participants can and will answer It must uplift, motivate and encourage the participant to become involved, to cooperate and to complete the task Should minimize response error

Question 31

10 step questionnaire design process

Answer 31

Specific the information needed: what you want to answer and what you therefore need to measure Specify the type of interviewing method: on/off-line, can lead to respondent errors Determine the content of individual question Overcoming the participant’s inability and unwillingness to answer Choose question structure Choose question wording Arrange the questions in proper order Identify the form and layout Reproduce the questionnaire Eliminate problems by pilot-testing

Question 32

Questionnaire process design: step 3: content of questions

Answer 32

Think of guidelines to decide what to include in individual questions Make sure every question is meaningful and whether one or several is needed Avoid double barrel questions: is X easy and refreshing? Convert to: is X tasty? Is X refreshing?

Question 33

Questionnaire process design: step 4: overcoming the participant’s inability and unwillingness to answer

Answer 33

If he respondent is not informed about the topic there are no answers or inaccurate answers, they may not remember what you are talking about or be unwilling to answer Make sure the participant is informed, that they can articulate their answers, and can remember Ex. Do not ask how many drinks they consumed int eh last 4 weeks but instead:l how may per week The less effort they need to give the better

Question 34

Questionnaire process design: step 5: question structure

Answer 34

Two types of question structures: Unstructured/open questions: participants can express general attitudes and opinions, can indicate other relevant issues. But: high risk of bias and coding, very time consuming Structured/closed questions: specified set of responses and response format, easier to do and more effective when coding

Question 35

Questionnaire process design: step 6: question wording

Answer 35

Define the issue: not: “what brand of shampoo do you use” but “which brands of shampoo have you personally used during the last month” Use ordinary words, not complex Use unambiguous words (ex. Regularly, often, occasionally) Avoid leading or biassing question Avoid implicit alternatives: not “do you like to fly short distances” but “do you like to fly short distance or would you rather fly” Avoid implicit assumptions: say the consequences of options you give Avoid generalizations and estimate: ask for as detailed as possible Use positive and negative statements

Question 36

Questionnaire process design: step 7: arrange questions in proper order

Answer 36

A proper order contributes to the perception of the questionnaire and the respondent’s willingness to participate Opening questions should be simple, interesting, non-threatening in order to boost confidence and willingness to cooperate Basic info first, then classification information, then identification information Difficult questions late Use funnel approach: general question should precede specific questions in order to minimize effect on subsequent questions Use logical order: all questions that deal with a particular topic should be asked before beginning new topic, use smooth transitions