business research methods - lecture 1

8/3/2019 Business Research Methods - Lecture 1

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Business Research Methods

Sources of Data

Mustafa ZaidiFLSBM, UVAS

Email: [email protected]


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Lecture Objectives

Difference between primary and

secondary data

Various data collection methods

Advantage & Disadvantages of eachmethods


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Sources of Data

Data can be obtained from:

- Primary sources- Secondary sources


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Primary Data

- Primary Datarefer to informationobtained first hand by the researcher onthe variable of interest for the specific

purpose of the study. Sources of primarydata are:

- Individuals

- Focus groups- Panel of respondents

- Unobtrusive sources (trash can, wear tear of researchjournal)


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Secondary Data

Secondary data refer to information gatheredfrom sources that already exist. Secondary datasources are:

- Company records/achieves

- Government publications

- Industry analysis reports

- Websites & internet

- Market intelligence reports

- Research journals/papers- Electronic & printed media

- Country Profiles

- Trade & economic overview

- Research thesis & dissertations


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PRIMARY

DATA


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Individuals: Primary Data Source

Individuals provide information wheninterviewed, administered

questionnaires, or observed.Individuals are also part of focusgroups and panel of respondents.


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Focus Groups: Primary Data Source

Focus group consist typically of 8/10members with a moderators leading thediscussion on a particular topic, concept,

or product. Members are generallychosen on the basis of their expertise inthe subject/area.


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Focus Group: Example

Working women with children (mothers)may compose a focus group to identifyhow organizations can help working

mothers.


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Focus Group: Aims

Focus group sessions are aimed atobtaining respondents impressions,interpretations, and opinions, as the

members talk about the event, concept,product, or service.

Unstructured and spontaneous responsesare expected to reflect the:

- Genuine opinions about issue/problem

- Ideas for product/services

- Feelings about topic


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Focus Group: Moderator Role

Moderator introduce the:

- Topic

- Observes

- Take notes

- Record the discussions

- Report of discussion/finding


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Focus Group: Advantages

Focus groups are relatively inexpensiveand provide dependable data within ashort time frame.

Qualitative and non-quantitativeinformation


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Focus Group: Technology Role

Videoconferencing as a tool ofgathering information from different focusgroups in distant locations is indeed a

promising prospect. Online focus groups, emails, websites,

and internet chat rooms also facilitates

the focus group sessions.


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Panel of Respondents

Panel, like focus group are anothersource of information for researchpurposes. Whereas focus group meet for

a one-time group discussion, members ofpanels meet more than once.

Panels (discussion) are used to study the

interventions or changes over a period oftime.


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Panels: Example

The effects of a proposed advertisementfor a certain brand of coffee are to beassessed by a panel members. After

some time again same members (or othermembers) can be asked to give theirfeedback on any changes in brands

taste/impression/quality etc.


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Focus Groups: Types

Static focus group i.e. the samemembers serve on the panel overextended periods of time.

Dynamic focus group i.e. the panelmembers change from time to time asvarious phases of the study are in

progress.


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Panels: Advantages

Direct source of information, and can bestatic or dynamic, and are typically usedwhen several aspects of a product are to

be studied from time to time.


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Delphi Technique

A forecasting methods that uses aselected panels of experts in a systematicand interactive manner. Experts answers

questionnaires in two or more rounds. Infirst round, they answer questions. Afterreviewing answer, experts assess the

some issues once more. This processlead to a consensus about the issue thatis being investigated.


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Delphi Technique: Process

First round questionnaires are collectedand experts asses the topic/issue oncemore. The date collection process goes

on through second round questionnairesuntil it is stopped by the researcher.


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Delphi Technique: Advantage

The advantage and rationale behind theDelphi technique as data source is that iteventually may lead to a consensus

about the issue that is being investigated(future scenario, unsure/incompleteknowledge).


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Unobtrusive Measures

Unobtrusive measures, or trace measureas they are collected, originate from aprimary source that does not involve

people. For example, knowing researchjournal popularity through wear & tear ofpapers. Collection of soft drink cans in

garden trash bags etc.


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SECONDARY

DATA


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Secondary Data

Sources of Secondary Data are(internal/external):

- Books- Periodicals/research journals

- Government Publications- Census Data- Statistical abstracts- Companies annual reports- Case studies- Country Profile- Economic/trade review reports


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Secondary Data: Advantages

Readily available for research

Provide a lot of information

Mostly qualitative in nature

Time saving in information

Cost effective tool


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THANK YOU

business research methods - lecture 1

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