Dr. Kelly Bruning 1

2 If you have any trouble in seminar, please call Tech Support at: They can assist if you get “bumped” from the seminar room or experience other difficulties.

 To examine the steps management should take to identify and resolve a problem  Address the development of a research proposal and how it relates to problem identification  You will learn about the nature of sampling and its terminology, rationale, and process. The types of sample designs are explored, as are management considerations, in regard to sampling.  This week we cover chapters 6, 7, 8 & 9.  Questions 3

4 What forces us to do research (your boss is not a valid answer in this context). A: A problem or identification of a problem.

 If life were trouble-free and we were all-knowing we might not have to do a lot of research.  Problem identification is typically stated to be the most important part of the research process. What do you think – valid or invalid – is there anything else more important?  In identifying a problem – what are some possible questions we might ask (hint – pg 103). 5

 Problem formulation 6

7 During the problem formulation stage – what might be some reasons we would not pursue investigation of the problem? Lack of value, priorities, researchability, limited resources.

8 Looking at the “screen” on page 102, give me an example from your company. Identify a problem, formulate the problem and state whether or not your company can actually pursue the research to address the problem. Think about it for a minute then put it all together.

 What is a research proposal and what is its value to the manager or why is it important?  A formalized bid for research stating the problem and how it will be approached. 9

 What benefits can a manager derive from a well written research proposal?  Understanding, acts as a control mechanism, assessment of the methods, relative value of the investigation and the approach.  What benefits can a researcher derive from a properly written research proposal?  Plan of action, agreement between parties, communication tool. 10

 What is included in a research proposal – its main components?  Title, Background, Problem statement and objectives, Strategy and methodology, Nature of the final report, budget and schedule, consultant back ground. Some sort of cover letter or letter of transmittal usually goes with it.  Take a few minutes and look at the example of the proposal that starts on page

 What’s the basic background of this issue (just a sentence or two)?  Real estate development project is proposed. Energy, environmental, and economic issues might impact the development.  What’s the problem and research objective (Again, just a sentence or two)  Proposed location of a development 12

 What type of secondary data does the researcher propose to collect?  What type of primary data does the researcher propose to collect?  Just take a look at the “nature of the final report” in this example. Get a feel for what the research document would look like. Let me know when you have seen enough. 13

 What types of control mechanisms does the manager have at his/her disposal to research in check and on schedule.  Gantt charts,  pert charts,  budgets. 14

15 A good way to start would be a brief review: Measurement is the means by which researchers represent and manipulate concepts in the analytical world. An instrument is the primary device by which this task is accomplished. Items make up scales which in turn make up instruments. Everyone please take a look for a couple of minutes at figure 8.1 (p.201). It’s fairly descriptive of the overall process of measurement and instrument design.

16  When we develop an instrument scale, what are some of the key factors we must be concerned with – what are they? (Hint – starting on page 203)  Item phrasing, is the item necessary, how the item be asked, should the item be open or closed ended, response format – numerous factors that must be considered. 16

17  I’m going to describe some commonly used scales – see if you can name them.  A scale that measures a person’s attitude or predisposition towards a phenomenon. ◦ Attitude 17

18 A scale that allows the user to evaluate a phenomenon along a continuum – and then a numerical value is assigned. Rating Scale

19 If on a sampling instrument I said “On a scale of one to ten, indicate how well you enjoyed your pizza” – what type of scale would I be using? Graphic rating scale

20  If on a sampling instrument I said “the courses at Kaplan prepare me for my employment situations” strongly agree, neither disagree or agree, strongly disagree. What type of scale would this be?  Likert (Pronounced long “I” – such as the word “like”) 20

21  Should I provide directions/instructions with my survey instrument? Yes  Should I start out at the beginning of my instrument with simple questions or difficult, complex questions? Simple  Should I ask sensitive or personal information at the beginning? No 21

 Question flow, or how questions are arranged, can be important in survey instrument design. T or F  Should I send my survey out to a select number of individuals (pre-test) before sending out to the full number of people I am surveying. Yes or No  In your own words, tell me a few items about instrument design that are important for the manager. 22

 On to Chapter 9 and sampling design! Realize there is an enormous amount of information in this chapter. This chapter is at the heart of how to do sampling, so if you have extra time you’ll want to spend it in this chapter.  Why do we sample rather than survey the whole population? Time, Money, People (Resources); Accuracy; Destructive 23

24  What are the main steps in the sampling process? Select population, select sampling units, select the sampling frame, select sampling design, select the size of the sample, select a sampling plan and select the sample. On your own, make sure you understand the terminology you see in this chapter – some of it may be a bit foreign.  24

25  Under most circumstances, what type of sampling design would I prefer to use – probability or non-probability designs? Probability  Why? 25

26  Everyone take about 3-4 minutes and look carefully at table 9.3 (p ).  Read the brief descriptions about each type of sampling. Let me know when you are done. 26

27  Think about one of your business problems. What type of sampling might you use to get the question answered? 27

28  What are some of the managerial considerations involved with sampling? 28

Part Three of your Project Outline:  In Part 3 of the matrix in Figure 1.5 (P.17) you will develop a narrative of the following:  (1) Develop Fundamentals of Design for your Business Research (Basic steps)  (2) Design Measurement Instruments (survey or other instrument)  (3) Develop sampling definitions (define the population and describe how you will select your sample)  (4) Compile your material into a MS Word Document using APA format and submit in the Dropbox..  Project Directions  This report should be a minimum of 2-3 pages in text length, and you should support your position with at least two credible secondary references. 29

30