Importance of research

Research Methods

1. Importance of Research Research is the process of making inquiries about a subject or topic, utilizing assets to discover the appropriate response, and communicating the findings of your research to others. Research benefits businesses - leaders analyze how their departments are performing, and then compare that performance against projections to determine if adjustments are needed. Knowledge gained through research needs to be continuously improved and increased within an organization, or the association risks working under the assumption of unessential or erroneous data (CSU, 2018).

2. Research Process The research process involves identifying, collecting, evaluating, and presenting data regarding a specific topic or problem. Defining the problem, decision alternatives, and the research objectives Developing the research plan Collecting the information Analyzing the information Presenting the findings Making the decision (Kotler & Keller, 2012).

3. Importance of Effective Research For research to be effective, one must define the problem, develop a research plan, collect the information, analyze the information, and then present the findings (Kotler & Keller, 2016). Effective research will influence and shape the beliefs of others, is accepted by a community of scholars, and that the research benefits others or will allude to (Swanson & Holton, 2005). Organizations of all sizes participate in broad research to help enhance and extend their associations. Compelling, cost-proficient research can be an imperative advance toward long haul achievement.

4. Use of Research Methods Organizational Research Methods (ORM) was established to convey applicable methodological improvements to the consideration of a broad range of analysts working in areas represented within the domains of the organizational sciences. An essential objective of ORM is to advance a more viable comprehension of current and new procedures as applied in organizational research. Research helps sustain a company by enabling the management in its decision making process, through careful analysis of research outputs for organizational benefit.

5. Theoretical Aspects of Research Methods Theoretical research is viewed as hypothetical. The researcher does not utilize observational information such as open-ended interviews or questionnaires to construct the hypothesis, but uses hypothetical examples. Nor does the researcher analyze concrete and specific works. It can be contended to be deductive but not necessarily, i.e. it is top down and draws upon or incorporates an assortment of hypothetical structures to clarify specific phenomenon (Teddlie & Tashakkori, 2008).

6. Process of a Research Study Simple and effective research strategy: Identify and develop topic Preliminary search for information Locate materials Evaluate sources Make notes Organize information Cite properly and proofread (NHCC, 2017).

7. Research Methods - Advantages Surveys Developed in less time Cost-effective Administered remotely via online, mobile devices, mail, email, etc. Experimental Research Aids in controlling independent variables to remove extraneous and unwanted variables Manipulating independent variables to easily determine the cause and effect relationship Experiments can be repeated and results can be checked Observation Research Accurate direct method for data collection Observations made continuously and for a longer duration of time Decreased dependency on respondents

8. Research Methods - Disadvantages Survey Participants may not provide accurate, honest answers Participants may not provide answers that present themselves in a unfavorable manner Participants may not be aware of reasons for any given answer on the subject Experimental Cannot do experiments at times because you cannot manipulate independent variables either due to ethical or practical reasons Controls irrelevant variables, can create artificial situation Subjected to human error Observational Can be viewed as too subjective Time consuming May affect situation and validity of findings

9. Reporting Research Results A formal report contains detailed information, research, and data necessary to make business decisions. Written as informational – gathers data and facts to draw a conclusion, or analytical – offers recommendations to solve a problem. A summary report provides a brief overview of the research performed. It not only tells the results but also gives information on what variables were examined and the outcome of interest.

10. Reporting Research Results (cont.) Oral Presentations – Provide an overview of the research and to allow individuals the opportunity to ask questions Provides clarification, deeper understanding of raw data as well as the interpretation as applied to the organization (CSU, 2018).

11. Problems That Could Arise Ethical Considerations When conducting research, organizations need to refrain from allowing subjectivity into the research which could involve using biased interpretation, ignoring statistics, or conducting research with the idea of supporting a predetermined idea (CSU, 2018). Selling of research data to another organization. Respect right to privacy for the respondents. Reported abuse of participants.

12. Problems that Could Arise (cont.) Respect for persons: 1. Individuals should be treated as autonomous agents capable of making decisions – subjects should be allowed to enter research voluntarily with adequate information to base their decisions 2. Persons with diminished autonomy in need of special protection – the degree of extra protection requires balancing potential harm and potential benefit (Swanson & Holton, 2005).

13. Addressing Research Problems Research problems range from simple to complex, contingent upon the quantity of factors and the nature of the relationship. In some cases the connection between two factors is straightforwardly identified with an issue and different circumstances the relationship is altogether irrelevant. In the event that you comprehend the idea of the research problem as an analyst, you will have the capacity to better develop a solution. To understand all dimensions, consider focus groups of consumers, sales people, managers, or professionals to provide needed insight into a particular set of questions or problems (Smith, 2012).

14. Challenges and Opportunities Choose right topic – develop a doable topic, read, and it must hold interest Choose right methodology - procedure for conducting your research Assemble research team – can’t be done in a vacuum, solo Finding study participants – reach out, network Getting institutions to participate – build relationships, be prepared Staying motivated – follow passion, monitor attitude Dealing with data - make sense of the data you’ve collected (Walden, 2010).

15. References CSU. (2018). Research methods. Columbia Southern University. Retrieved from https://online.columbiasouthern.edu/CSU_Content/courses/Business/MBA/MBA5652/15M/Unit_I_Lesson_PDF.pdf Kotler, P., & Keller, K. L. (2012). Marketing management (14 th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Kotler, P., and Keller, K.L. (2016). Marketing management [VitalSource Bookshelf version] (15th ed.). Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781323591512 NHCC. (2017). Basic steps in the research process. North Hennepin Community College. Retrieved from https://www.nhcc.edu/student-resources/library/doinglibraryresearch/basic-steps-in-the-research-process

16. References (cont.) Smit, S. (2012). 5 ways to formulate the research problem. Qualtrics. Retrieved from https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/research-problem/ Swanson, R. A., & Holton III, E. F. (2005). Research in organizations: Foundations and methods of inquiry . San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler. Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (Eds.). (2008). Foundations of mixed methods research: Integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches in the social and behavioral sciences. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. Walden. (2010). 7 research challenges (and how to overcome them). Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/connect/newsroom/publications/articles/2010/01-research-challenges