RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

(Business Research Methods)

Week 5

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Secondary Data

Secondary (or historical) data is data which has been acquired through a research or any other effort in the past and for another purpose Depending on the secondary data needed, there may be numerous sources for acquiring this secondary data

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Advantages of Secondary Data

Pool of already existing data Cost-effective vis--vis primary data Quick availability No need for designing and undertaking a research study Collecting primary data may not be feasible (privacy issues) Many different sources are available
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 3

Disadvantages of Secondary Data

Relevance for researcher Does data apply to target population? Time-frame consistent with researchers requirement? (outdatedness) Variation in terms of definition of terms Different units of measurement (data conversion) Verification of datas accuracy (inherent biases due to vested interests) Reputation of the data-collecting organization and research design used may not be good

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Evaluating Secondary Data Do the data help answer questions set out in the problem definition? No!

Applicability to Current Project

Yes

Do the data apply to the time period of interest?

Yes

No! Can data

be reworked?

Do the data apply to the population of interest?

Yes

No!

If yes, continue
No!

Do other terms and variable classifications presented apply to the project?

Yes

Are the units of measurement compatible?

29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology)

No!

(Next Slide!)
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Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Evaluating Secondary Data Are the units of measurement compatible?

Yes

If possible, go to the original data source

Yes

Is the cost of data acquisition worth it?

Yes

No!

Is there a possibility of bias?

Is using data worth the risk? No

Yes! No!
Inaccurate or unsure)

No

Can accuracy of data collection be verified?

Yes (accurate)

Yes No
29 August 2005

Use Data
MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 6

Fact Finding Fact finding is about collecting secondary (or descriptive) data with a view to obtaining insights which can assist in decisionmaking Some examples: (1) Macroeconomic Data of Pakistan (2) Global Oil price trends (3) FDI in China over the period 2000-2005 (4) Indo-Pakistan trade statistics (5) Salary structure across ten selected industries

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Model Building

Model building is about specifying relationships between two or more variables Models can range from very simple ones, involving only two interrelated variables to complex ones involving several interrelated variables (multivariate statistical forecasting models)

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

Classification of Secondary Data: Internal Sources

Internal Sources (data already existing within an organization, for example, data collected and stored by various departments such as accounting and finance, marketing) Sometimes one unit in an organization is unaware that other units may be maintaining data which may be relevant for it and undertakes unnecessary and costly data collection
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 9

Classification of Secondary Data: External Sources

External Sources (data generated or provided by individuals and entities other than the researcher or his/her organization) There are many types of external sources of secondary data:
Books and Professional Journals Federal Government sources Regional / Provincial Publications Electronic and Print Media Sources Commercial Sources Internet, CDs

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

10

Secondary Data in the International Context

As economies and business becomes increasingly global in outlook, so does the need for secondary data from other regions and countries Potential Problems:

29 August 2005

Unavailability of data in some countries Accuracy of data may be questionable Definitions and measurements of data may vary Comparability of data may be difficult
MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 11

On-Line Sources of Secondary (Business) Data in Pakistan: Selected Examples

Business Recorder Forex Pakistan www.brecorder.com www.forexpk.com www.kse.com.pk www.economist.com/countries/pakistan www.sbp.org.pk www.nbp.com.pk www.finance.gov.pk

Karachi Stock Exchange The Economist State Bank of Pakistan National Bank of Pakistan Federal Ministry of Finance

Pakistan Federal Government www.pakistan.gov.pk

29 August 2005

MBA III (Research Methodology)

Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan

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