The Research Process Step 5 7 IBC 464

The Research Process Step 5 -7 IBC 464 International College http: //library. spu. ac. th

Step 1 -4 • The broad problem area • Preliminary data gathering • Problem definition • Variables

Step 5 -7 • Theoretical framework • Hypotheses • Measurement • Data collection • Data analysis

A concept mapping process http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/conmap. php

Step 1: The broad problem area • 1 Observation • a problem currently existing • A situation requiring improvement • To find some answer empirically • The broad problem area would be narrowed down to specific issues for investigation after some preliminary data are gathered by the researcher.

Step 2: Preliminary data gathering (Literature review) • Types of data – Primary data – Secondary data • Nature of data to be collected – Background information of the organization – Managerial philosophy, company policies – Perception, attitudes, behavioral responses, client systems – Relevant surveys or research

Step 3: Problem definition • Or problem statement is a clear, precise, and succinct statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution. • Ex. What are the components of “quality of life”?

4. Variables • Variables – Dependent variable is the variable of primary interest to the researcher. The researcher’s goal is to understand describe the dependent variable. – Independent variable is one that influences the dependent variable in either a positive or a negative way. Ex. The development of a successful new product influences the stock market price.

Step 5: Theoretical framework • Is a conceptual model of how one theories or make logical sense of the relationships among the several factors that have been identified as important to the problem. • Then hypotheses can be developed • Variables – Dependent variable – Independent variable

A theoretical framework guides your research, determining what things you will measure, and what statistical relationships you will look for. • First, identify the problem, • Then identify the variables that contribute to it. • The relationship between the literature survey and theoretical framework is that the literature survey provides a solid foundation for developing theoretical framework. http: //www. analytictech. com/mb 313/elements. htm

http: //www. nottingham. ac. uk/csme/meas/plenaries/lerman. html A theoretical framework

Step 6 Hypotheses • A hypothesis is a tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or event. A useful hypothesis is a testable statement which may include a prediction. A hypotheses should not be confused with a theory. • • How Are Hypotheses Written? Chocolate may cause pimples. Salt in soil may affect plant growth. Plant growth may be affected by the color of the light. Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature. Ultra violet light may cause skin cancer. Temperature may cause leaves to change color. TESTING http: //www. stat. tamu. edu/stat 30 x/notes/node 107. html

Step 6 Measurement • Measurement is the process observing and recording the observations that are collected as part of a research effort. • There are typically four levels of measurement that are defined: – Nominal – Ordinal – Interval – Ratio http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/measlevl. php

Levels of Measurement http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/design. php

Levels Of Measurement And Scaling • http: //www. fao. org/docrep/W 3241 E/w 3241 e 04. htm#Top. Of. Page

Probability Sampling A probability sampling method is any method of sampling that utilizes some form of random selection • Population refers to the entire group of people. • A sample is a subgroup or subset of the population. http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/sampprob. php

Survey Research • http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/survey. php • Types Of Questions • Survey questions can be divided into two broad types: structured and unstructured • http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/questype. php • Question Content • http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/quescont. php • Response Format • http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/quesresp. php • Likert Scaling • http: //www. socialresearchmethods. net/kb/scallik. php