Introduction to Business and

Management Research

Developing Business Practice

–302LON

Unit: 6 Knowledgecast: 2
 Module Learning Outcomes

In this Knowledgecast, we will:

• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner

• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
 Module Overview
Unit
1 Developing as a learner
2 Working independently and with others
3 Academic writing
4 Critical thinking, reading and taking notes
5 Using data in your studies
6 Business and management research
7 Career development strategies
8 Effective self marketing tools
9 Successful work experience
10 Personal Development Planning
 Stages of Research

Identify Research Area

Formulate Research Questions

Create Research Design and Methodology

Write Research Proposal

Complete Literature Review

Collect and Analyse Data

Write Up Research Findings

 Problem Definition: Using Literature
Literature Searches
Can help you to:
1. Clarify your research
question
2. Inform your own research
design
3. Set your research in context
of existing knowledge and
practice – both academic
and in practice
Literature Reviews
A good literature review should be
discursive:
Thesis – the argument behind the
research
+
Antithesis – the counter argument
+
Synthesis – your conclusions
drawn from the literature
Mapping Key Terms: Relevance Trees

Source:
Cameron (2009)
 Research Data: Key Terms

Primary Data Secondary Data

Original data directly Other researcher’s facts

collected by you and figures

Tailored to your own Originally collected for a

requirements different purpose

Knowledge of the Requires critical

conditions where data evaluation of reliability
was collected and validity
 Research Data: Key Terms

Quantitative Data Qualitative Data

Data as a set of
Data as words
numbers

Derived from Derived from variety of

‘unarguable’ measures measures

Represents an Represents how others

‘objective’ reality interpret the world
 Quantitative Data Analysis

Advantages
1. Larger sample size
2. Supports generalisations
3. Research can be replicated
4. Researcher interference can
be avoided
Disadvantages
1. Data gathered can be narrow
and superficial
2. Findings provide numerical
descriptions only
3. Study settings often do not
replicate organisational
settings
4. Difficult to record how people
feel about a subject
5. Question design can lead to
structural bias

Based on:
www.learnhigher.ac.uk/analysethis/main
/qualitative1.html
 Qualitative Data Analysis

Advantages Disadvantages

1. Depth and Detail 1. Smaller sample size

2. Creates openness 2. Less easy to generalise
3. Simulates individual’s 3. Difficult to make comparisons
experiences 4. Dependent on the skills of the
4. Avoids pre-judgments researcher

Based on:
www.learnhigher.ac.uk/analysethis/main/qua
litative1.html
 Deficiencies of Data

• Same results will be obtained if the

Reliabilit research was repeated
y • Do you methods consistently measure
respondent’s views?

• Extent to which the findings accurately

represent what is being studied
Validity • Do your methods measure what you
intended to measure?
Gathering Primary Data: Questionnaires

Key considerations when using questionnaires

• Sample size
• Cost and ease of administration
• Types of questions – open and closed questions
• Use of clear and unambiguous questions
• Overall design including introduction and instructions
• Awareness of respondent fatigue
• Tests for validity and reliability
• Follow up plan for non-responses
 Gathering Primary Data: Interviews

Key considerations when using interviews

• Access to appropriate sample size

• Time and resources to complete interviews
• Style of interview – structured, semi-structured or unstructured
• Types of questions – open, closed and probing questions
• Consistency in conduct of interviews
• Awareness of researcher interference on the participant
• Use of recordings and transcripts
• Managing respondent confidentiality
 Analysing your Data

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

– collecting data which can be – describing and revealing social
analysed numerically and behavioural phenomena

Main challenges: Main challenges:

- Count or score variables under - Reducing the data

investigation - Structuring the data
- Measure the extent to which - Detextualising the data
something happens
 Being a Reflexive Practitioner

The aims of reflexivity include:

‘An acknowledgement - Examine your unconscious

of the implications reactions to the research
and significance of methodology
a researcher’s choices - Explore the dynamic between
the researcher and the
as designer, observer and
researched
writer.’
- Understand the role of the
researcher in the construction
of knowledge
 What are we going to cover next?

• In our next Knowledgecast, we will look at:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of

independence in learning and the need for a ‘growth’ mindset
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
• Develop an effective employment and career development strategy
 Knowledgecast Summary

In this Knowledgecast, we have looked at:

• Discuss the value of reflection and self-evaluation as a learner

– Role of reflexivity in your choice of data collection and analysis choice
• Identify the key skills and competencies involved in designing and
undertaking relevant business and management research
– Considerations in the selection and use of quantitative and qualitative research
methods
• Evaluate own skills, competencies and attitudes required for a
successful work experience
– Identifying the most appropriate method to conduct and produce business and
management research
 Seminar: Research Questions

1. Identifying a Research Question

2. The Burning Issue Brainstorm

3. Be ready to present your response to:

• What worked well?

• What would you do differently next time?
• What were the factors that influenced your choice of research
questions?
Seminar: Identify Your Research Question

Disagree
Puzzles &
with
contradictions Topics from
theories
previous
modules
Gap in the
literature
My Tutors and
Burning Supervisors
Gap
between Question
theory and
reality
Reasons
Anti- for
common differences
sense Personal
experience
Based on:
Bryman & Bell (2007)
 Group Activity: Research Plans

1. Create a project plan to deliver your Burning Issue Research

Project

2. Present your project plan to the group

3. Be ready to present your response to:

• What worked well?

• What would you do differently next time?
• What were the factors that influenced your decisions?
 Managing your Research Project
OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR
xxx
Identify research area
Formulate research questions
Design research methodology
Write research proposal 21st
Arrange access to sample
Write literature review
Collect data
Analyse data
First draft research report
Second draft research report
Deadline 31st