Chapter 3 Thinking Like a Researcher Mc GrawHillIrwin

Chapter 3 Thinking Like a Researcher Mc. Graw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2011 by The Mc. Graw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 3 -1

Learning Objectives Understand. . . The terminology used by professional researchers employing scientific thinking. What you need to formulate a solid research hypothesis. The need for sound reasoning to enhance research results. 3 -2

Research and Attitudes “Brand communities play a pivotal role for a brand connecting with its consumers, and as one of our Never Ending Friending focus group respondent notes: “I want brands to be my friends, ” which means that consumers would like to have common ideas, conversations and benefits delivered to them on their own terms. ” Judit Nagy vice president, consumer insights My. Space/Fox Interactive Media 3 -3

Pulse. Point: Research Revelations 55 The percent of executives who admitted that their companies do not have an official policy for social networks. 3 -4

Language of Research Concepts Constructs Models Terms used in research Conceptual schemes Operational definitions Variables Propositions/ Hypotheses 3 -5

Language of Research Success of Research Clear conceptualization of concepts Shared understanding of concepts 3 -6

Job Redesign Constructs and Concepts 3 -7

Operational Definitions How can we define the variable “class level of students”? Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior < 30 credit hours 30 -50 credit hours 60 -89 credit hours > 90 credit hours 3 -8

A Variable Is the Property Being Studied Act Event Variable Characteristic Trait Attribute 3 -9

Types of Variables Dichotomous Male/Female Employed/ Unemployed Discrete Ethnic background Educational level Religious affiliation Continuous Income Temperature Age 3 -10

Independent and Dependent Variable Synonyms Independent Variable (IV) Predictor Presumed cause Stimulus Predicted from… Antecedent Manipulated Dependent Variable (DV) Criterion Presumed effect Response Predicted to…. Consequence Measured outcome 3 -11

Relationships Among Variable Types 3 -12

Relationships Among Variable Types 3 -13

Relationships Among Variable Types 3 -14

Moderating Variables (MV) • The introduction of a four-day week (IV) will lead to higher productivity (DV), especially among younger workers (MV) • The switch to commission from a salary compensation system (IV) will lead to increased sales (DV) per worker, especially more experienced workers (MV). • The loss of mining jobs (IV) leads to acceptance of higher-risk behaviors to earn a familysupporting income (DV) – particularly among those with a limited education (MV). 3 -15

Extraneous Variables (EV) • With new customers (EV-control), a switch to commission from a salary compensation system (IV) will lead to increased sales productivity (DV) per worker, especially among younger workers (MV). • Among residents with less than a high school education (EV-control), the loss of jobs (IV) leads to high-risk behaviors (DV), especially due to the proximity of the firing range (MV). 3 -16

Intervening Variables (IVV) • The switch to a commission compensation system (IV) will lead to higher sales (DV) by increasing overall compensation (IVV). • A promotion campaign (IV) will increase savings activity (DV), especially when free prizes are offered (MV), but chiefly among smaller savers (EV-control). The results come from enhancing the motivation to save (IVV). 3 -17

Propositions and Hypotheses Brand Manager Jones (case) has a higher-than-average achievement motivation (variable). Generalization Brand managers in Company Z (cases) have a higher-than-average achievement motivation (variable). 3 -18

Hypothesis Formats Descriptive Hypothesis In Detroit, our potato chip market share stands at 13. 7%. American cities are experiencing budget difficulties. Research Question What is the market share for our potato chips in Detroit? Are American cities experiencing budget difficulties? 3 -19

Relational Hypotheses Correlational Causal Young women (under 35) purchase fewer units of our product than women who are older than 35. An increase in family income leads to an increase in the percentage of income saved. Loyalty to a grocery store increases the probability of purchasing that store’s private brand products. The number of suits sold varies directly with the level of the business cycle. 3 -20

The Role of Hypotheses Guide the direction of the study Identify relevant facts Suggest most appropriate research design Provide framework for organizing resulting conclusions 3 -21

Characteristics of Strong Hypotheses Adequate A Strong Hypothesis Is Testable Better than rivals 3 -22

Theory within Research 3 -23

The Role of Reasoning 3 -24

A Model within Research 3 -25

The Scientific Method Direct observation Clearly defined variables Clearly defined methods Empirically testable Elimination of alternatives Statistical justification Self-correcting process 3 -26

Researchers • Encounter problems • State problems • Propose hypotheses • Deduce outcomes • Formulate rival hypotheses • Devise and conduct empirical tests • Draw conclusions 3 -27

Curiosity Is the Ally of a Researcher Synovate’s campaign associates important discoveries in research to a common trait of entrepreneurs: curiosity. As one of the world’s largest research organizations, it claims curiosity is “what makes us tick. ” 3 -28

Sound Reasoning Types of Discourse Exposition Deduction Argument Induction 3 -29

Deductive Reasoning Inner-city household interviewing is especially difficult and expensive This survey involves substantial inner-city household interviewing The interviewing in this survey will be especially difficult and expensive 3 -30

Inductive Reasoning Why didn’t sales increase during our promotional event? – Regional retailers did not have sufficient stock to fill customer requests during the promotional period – A strike by employees prevented stock from arriving in time for promotion to be effective – A hurricane closed retail outlets in the region for 10 days during the promotion 3 -31

Why Didn’t Sales Increase? 3 -32

Tracy’s Performance 3 -33

Key Terms • • • Argument Case Conceptual scheme Construct Deduction Empiricism Exposition Hypothesis – Correlational – Descriptive – Explanatory – Relational • Hypothetical construct • • Induction Model Operational definition Proposition Sound reasoning Theory Variable – Control – Confounding (CFV) – Dependent (DV) – Extraneous (EV) – Independent (IV) – Intervening (IVV) – Moderating (MV) 3 -34