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16.4.2011

CLARIFYING THE RESEARCH QUESTION THROUGH RESEARCH DATA AND

EXPLORATION(Ch 5)

A search strategy for research exploration : A exploration is particularly

useful when researchers lack a clear idea of the problem they will meet
during the study. Through exploration researchers develop concepts
more clearly, establish priorities, develop operational definitions, and
improve the final research design. Explorations may also save time and
money. If problem is not important more formal studies can be
cancelled.

There are strong pressures for quick answers

 Secondary sources

1. Published studies

2. Document analysis

3. Info retrieval from database

 Expert interviews

 Individual depth interviews

 GDs

Exploratory research-research to expand understanding of an issue,

problem or topic

 Expand understanding of the management dilemma

 Gather background information

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 Identify balance information

 Identify sources for actual information

 Identify sources for sample design

Literature research-a review of books , articles, research studies, or

web published materials related to the proposed study

 Define dilemma

 Consult reference books

 Apply key terms

 Review secondary sources

 Evaluate value of each source

Levels of information :

 Primary sources-raw data without interpretation-most

authoritative and includes inventory records, personnel data,
annual report

 Secondary sources-interpreations of primary data-internal or

external

 Tertiary sources-interpretation of a secondary source

Types of information sources :

 Indexes and bibliographies-online catalog

 Dictionaries

 Encyclopedias
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 Handbook-secondary source used to identify key terms

 Directories-identifies contact information

Evaluating information sources : source evaluation

Evaluating websites as information sources

 Purpose

1. Why does this site exist

2. How evident is the purpose it is trying to convey

3. Does it achieve its purpose

4. How does its purpose affect the type and bias of information
presented

 Authority

1. Credentials

2. Means of contacting anyone

3. Who links to this site

4. Where do the facts come from

 Scope

1. Age of information

2. How often updated

3. How much information available

4. Selective or comprehensive
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5. Criteria for inclusion

6. What geographic area/time period/language

7. Information compared to other sites

8. Is it a metasite or has added value

9. Nature of added value

10. What did you expect to find

11. Self contained or linked to other sites

 Audience

1. Whom does the site cater to

2. Level or knowledge assumed

3. How does the intended audience affect the type and bias of
the information

 Format

1. How quickly can you find the needed information

2. How easy to use ? is it intuitive

3. Does it load quickly

4. Is the design appealing

5. Are there navigation buttons

6. Is there a site map or search button

7. Easily identifiable help button

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8. Is help helpful

9. ASCII or graphic format

10. Information downloadable into a spreadsheet or word

processing program if desired?

The question hierarchy: how ambiguous questions become actionable

research

The management question-dilemma in query format

 How to improve profits

 How to improve internal operations and reduce customer

complaints

Exploration :

For bank the focus is

 What should be done to make the bank more competitive

For technology company the focus is

 How fast technology develop

 Likely applications

 Which companies possess this technology

 How much resources will be absorbed by the technology

 What are the likely payoffs

The research question : best states the objective of the research study

Fine tuning the research question :

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 Examine variables

 Review research questions

 Hypothesis?

 What evidence required

 Set scope for study

Investigative questions : questions asked to reach correct conclusion

 Predesigned measurement questions

 Custom designed measurement questions

Measurement questions : actual questions asked

 Predesigned- pretested

 Custom designed