1. What is a research? Describe classification of research methods.

Which kind of
research do you use in your research project?
A process of enquiry and investigation, Systematic and methodical, and
Increases knowledge. So we define research as something that people undertake in
order to find out things in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge.
Purpose of the research - the reason why it was conducted. Exploratory (,
Descriptive, Analytical and Predictive Research
Process of the research data collected and analyzed, Qualitative and Quantitative
research
Logic of the research - research logic moves from the general to the specific or vice
versa, Deductive or Inductive research
Outcome of the research - expected outcome is the solution to a particular problem
or more general contribution to knowledge. Applied or Basic research.
.
2. Describe various methods of research (minimum 5). Formulate possible
questions and find answers for above research methods.
Exploratory - What motivates clerical staff in a particular office to increase their
productivity? Maybe they are motivated by some bonuses.
Descriptive Describe, how the selected clerical staff is rewarded and what
measures are used to record their productivity levels? Which car advertisements on
TV do men and women of different ages prefer? Or what are the qualifications of
different groups of employees?
Analytical - Analyze and explain, why or how the phenomenon being studied is
happening? Analyze relationships between the size of companies and the levels of
labor turnover. Answer relations between variables
Predictive - In which city would it be most profitable to open a new retail outlet?
Will the introduction of an employee bonus scheme lead to higher levels of
productivity?
Quantitative and qualitative research - a quantitative approach to addressing their
research question(s) and design a study that involves collecting quantitative data
(and/or qualitative data that can be quantified) and analyzing them using statistical
methods. Others prefer to take a qualitative approach - collecting qualitative data and
analyzing those using interpretative methods.
3. Describe some Ethical Issues of Business Research. Which kind of ethical issues
are essential for your research?
It is easy to think of ethical issues as being important only in the natural sciences, but
in the social sciences is also 'difficult to conduct much research at all without running
into ethical arguments. The Union of Georgian Journalists (and various world
associations as well) has established its own ethical principles and many universities
have their own research ethics policies, but in the absence of formal guidance, you
should discuss and clarify the following main issues with your supervisor at an early
stage.
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION - coercion should not be used to force people into
taking part in the research;
No risk, distress, harm for participants
Anonymity and Confidentiality to all the participants, plagiarism.
4. Draw your mind map shortly and explain components of the map

A mind map is a highly creative and personal form of diagram. The process is not
particularly systematic and focuses on key aspects, rather than detail. These key
aspects are jotted down haphazardly, without any particular thought as to their
position and are usually joined by lines to indicate connections and relationships.

5. What is a relevance tree? Describe any sample. Draw your tree shortly and
explain components of the tree
Another type of diagram that can be used as a device for generating a research topic
is a relevance tree. The idea is to develop clusters of related ideas from a starting
concept. To be most effective, the starting concept should be fairly broad.

6. Describe the assumptions of the main paradigms and explain relations between
your research project and the assumptions of the paradigm.
A research paradigm is a philosophical framework that guides how scientific research
should be conducted.
Ontological assumption (the nature of reality)
P = Reality is objective and singular, separates from the researcher
I = Reality is subjective and multiply, as seen by participants
Epistemological assumption (what constitutes valid knowledge)
P=Researcher is independent of that being researched
I=Researcher interacts with that being researched
Axiological assumption (the role of values)
P=Research is value-free and unbiased
I=Researcher acknowledges that Research is value-laden and biases are present
Rhetorical assumption (the language of Research) assumption
P= Researcher writes in a formal style and uses the passive voice, accepted quantitative
words and set definition

I= Researcher writes in an informal style and uses the personal voice, accepted qualitative
terms and limited definitions
Methodological assumption (the process of Research)
Process = deductive (P) \ inductive (I)
Study = cause and effect, static design (isolated categories) \ mutual simultaneous
shaping of factors, emerging design (categories identified during the process).
Research = context free \ content bound
Prediction, explanation, understanding \ theories are developed understanding.
Results are accurate and reliable through = validity and reliability \ verification
7. Describe the characteristics of qualitative data. How do you consider these
characteristics in your research project?
Normally transient, understood only within context; an interpretive methodology;
Results in findings - a high degree of validity.
It contrasts with quantitative data, - normally precise, can be captured at various points in
different contexts; positivist methodology;
Results - a high degree of reliability.
The challenge for the researcher using an interpretive paradigm is to apply method(s) that
will retain the integrity of the data
8. Describe the potential problems of interviews and some methods of problems
avoiding. How do you avoid these problems during conducting of your research
project?
Sometimes the interviewee is accompanied by another person
You must be alert to the fact that if there is more than one interviewer or interviewee it
will change the dynamics of the interview.
An interviewee may be wearing two hats (in other words, have multiple roles). E.g.
finance director =an advisory group that influences EU company law; a factory employee
= a trade union official.
Avoiding
Before interview researcher must determine whether he or she is giving a personal
opinion or making a policy statement.
The interviewee may have certain expectations and give what he or she considers is the
'correct' or 'acceptable' answer to the question.
Overcome by increasing the depth of the interview.
9. How to avoid / reduce interview bias? How do you avoid/reduce interview bias
during conducting of your research project and analysis of the results?
When asking questions, you need to be aware of the potential for inadvertent class, race
or sex bias.
For example, a study that examined sex bias more than 40 years ago found that male and
female researchers obtained significantly different data from their subjects.
10. What are reliability and validity? From this point of view explain the quality of the
data you will collect (will they reliable and/or valid? Why?)
Reliability - to obtain the same results if the study were replicated. Refers to the absence
of differences in the results were repeated (positivist study).
Validity is the extent to which the research findings accurately reflect the phenomena
under study. Research findings accurately representing what is happening in the situation
(interpretivist study)