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2014 | Book

Introduction to Business Research Read chapter Read first chapter

Business Research Methods

An Applied Orientation

Authors: S Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M  R Anusree

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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About this book

Since research is best learned by doing, this book emphasizes a hands-on, do-it yourself approach. The readers have many opportunities to see how business researches affect and support management decision. The book used a case study approach for all the chapters with interactive videos. The book gave emphasis to quantitative data analysis using a software program, IBM SPSS 20.0. The data analysis chapters illustrate in detail each step in running the software programs. The software programs files are provided for all data sets: outputs, demonstration movies, and screen captures are on the Website. This book provides students most extensive help available to learn quantitative data analysis using SPSS. Thus, the authors prepared this textbook and all the additional materials to help the students to understand the functional principles of business research and how to apply them in real-life situations.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter

Overview of Business Research

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction to Business Research
Abstract
In the present fast track business environment marked by cut-throat competition, many organizations rely on business research to gain a competitive advantage and greater market share. A good research study helps organizations to understand processes, products, customers, markets and competition, to develop policies, strategies and tactics that are most likely to succeed.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 2. Business Research Process
Abstract
The business research process involves a series of steps that systematically investigate a problem or an opportunity facing the organization. The sequence of steps involved in the business research process are as follows: problem/opportunity identification and formulation, planning a research design, selecting a research method, selecting the sampling procedure, data collection, evaluating the data and preparing the research report for presentation. The above steps provide a broad outline applicable to any business research project. However, the number and sequence of activities can vary as per the demand of an individual research project.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree

Research Design

Frontmatter
Chapter 3. Business Research Design: Exploratory, Descriptive and Causal Designs
Abstract
The objective of this chapter is to define and explain research design in detail. In this chapter, we discussed three major types of research designs, such as exploratory, descriptive and causal research designs. We also explained the mode of data used in each of these designs and the techniques to collect these data, which would ultimately helps the researcher to decide appropriate analysis technique. This chapter concludes with budgeting and scheduling of a business research project and elaborated the guidelines for writing a business research proposal. This chapter designed in such a way that the reader can appreciate these concepts by considering the examples and cartoon illustrations, which would better elicit and convince the concept understanding.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree

Sources and Methods of Data Collection: Qualitative and Quantitative Data

Frontmatter
Chapter 4. Scales and Measurement
Abstract
Once the research problem has been clearly established, the most important part of the research, namely data collection, begins. A proper measurement system has to be developed before actually venturing into the field to collect data. At this stage, a researcher has to address some fundamental issues relating to the variables that need to be measured, and the different measurement scales that have to be used for measuring the characteristic that are relevant to the research study.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 5. Questionnaire Design
Abstract
A questionnaire is a set of questions to be asked from respondents in an interview, with appropriate instructions indicating which questions are to be asked, and in what order. Questionnaires are used in various fields of research like survey research and experimental design. A questionnaire serves four functions—enables data collection from respondents, lends a structure to interviews, provides a standard means for writing down answers and help in processing collected data.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree

Multivariate Data Analysis Using IBM SPSS 20.0

Frontmatter
Chapter 6. Data Preparation and Preliminary Analysis
Abstract
After data collection is over and all completed questionnaires are in hand, a researcher has to analyse the data collected through the research.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 7. Experimental Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)
Abstract
India’s market for soft drinks is expected to expand to $7.2 billion by 2015 from $ 3.1 billion in 2010, according to Euromonitor International. The soft drink market has witnessed a steady growth in India. The market growth rates since 1990 were observed to be as below:
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 8. Multiple Regression
Abstract
Multiple regression analysis is one of the dependence technique in which the researcher can analyze the relationship between a single-dependent (criterion) variable and several independent variables.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 9. Exploratory Factor and Principal Component Analysis
Abstract
This chapter provides an introduction to Factor Analysis (FA): A procedure to define the underlying structure among the variables in the analysis. The chapter provides general requirements, statistical assumptions, and conceptual assumptions behind FA. This chapter explains the way to do FA with IBM SPSS 20.0. It shows how to determine the number of factors to retain, interpret the rotated solution, create factor scores and summarize the results. Fictitious data from two studies are analysed to illustrate these procedures. The present chapter deals only with the creation of orthogonal (uncorrelated) components.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 10. Cluster Analysis
Abstract
Cluster analysis is a group of multivariate techniques whose major objective is to combine observations/object/cases into groups or clusters, such that each group or cluster formed is homogeneous or similar with respect to some certain characteristics and these groups should be different from other groups with respect to same characteristics. In cluster analysis, the researcher can classifies objects, such as respondents, products or other entities and cases or events, based on a set of selected variables or characteristics. Cluster analysis works based on certain set of variables, called “Cluster variate”, which form the basis for comparing the objects in the cluster analysis. In cluster analysis, the selection of cluster variate is very important, because in cluster analysis the focus is for comparing the objects in each cluster based on variate, rather than the estimation of the variate itself. This difference makes cluster analysis different from other multivariate techniques. Therefore, the researcher’s definition of the cluster variate plays a crucial role in cluster analysis.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Chapter 11. Binary Logistic Regression
Abstract
This chapter discusses a methodology that is more or less analogous to linear regression discussed in the previous chapter, Binary Logistic Regression. In a binary logistic regression, a single dependent variable (categorical: two categories) is predicted from one or more independent variables (metric or non-metric). This chapter also explains what the logistic regression model tells us: Interpretation of regression coefficients and odds ratios using IBM SPSS 20.0. The example detailed in this chapter involves one metric- and four non-metric-independent variables.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree

Data Presentation

Frontmatter
Chapter 12. Business Research Reports
Abstract
Market researchers and decision makers conduct research on various problems/opportunities and base their future decisions on the findings of the research. Unless the research results are properly communicated in the reports, they would be of little use to managers. Managers cannot take valid and effective decisions unless the entire research findings are presented to them in a systematic manner. A business research report contains many items including findings, analysis, interpretations, conclusions and at times recommendations. These can be presented to the management either in a written form or communicated orally. For the research findings to be useful to the managers, the research report needs to be meticulously designed, with all the necessary contents properly arranged and presented.
S. Sreejesh, Sanjay Mohapatra, M. R. Anusree
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Business Research Methods
Authors
S Sreejesh
Sanjay Mohapatra
M R Anusree
Copyright Year
2014
Electronic ISBN
978-3-319-00539-3
Print ISBN
978-3-319-00538-6
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-00539-3