Welcome toRESEARCH QUESTION

AND PROBLEM IDENTIFICATIONClaryfingthe Research Question through Data and Exploration Dr. Myrza Rahmanita, SE, M.Sc

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CHAPTER 5Clarifying the Research Question

through Secondary Data and Exploration

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Learning Objectives

The purpose and process of exploratory research.

The two types and three levels of

management decision-related

secondary sources.

The five types of external information and the factors for evaluating the value of a source and

its content.

The process of using exploratory research to understand the management dilemma and work through the stages of analysis necessary to formulate the research question (and, ultimately, investigative questions and measurement questions)

What is involved in internal data mining and how internal data-mining techniques differ from literature searches.

Objectives of Secondary Searches

Expand understanding of management dilemma

Gather background information

Identify information that should be

gathered

Identify sources for and actual questions that might be used

Identify sources for and actual sample

frames that might be used

Conducting a

Literature Search

Define management dilemmaConsult books for relevant termsUse terms to search

Locate/review secondary sourcesEvaluate value of each source and content

Whiteboard technology makes the discussion of symptoms relevant to the management-research question hierarchy easier

Levels of Information

Tertiary Sources:Indexes

Bibliographies

Internet search engines

Secondary Sources:

Encyclopedias

TextbooksHandbooksMagazines

NewspapersNewscasts

Primary Sources:

MemosLetters

InterviewsSpeeches

LawsInternal records

Integrating Secondary Data

The U.S. Government is the world’s largest source of data

Indexes / Bibliographies

Dictionaries

EncyclopediasHandbooks

DirectoriesTypes

Information Sources

Evaluating Information Sources

Evaluation

Factors

PurposeScopeAuthorityFormatAudience

Information Sources

Evolutionary Step Investigative Question Enabling Technologies Characteristics

Data collection (1960s) “What was my average total revenue over the last five years?”

Computers, tapes, disks Retrospective, static data delivery

Data access (1980s) “What were unit sales in California last December?”

Relational databases (RDBMS), structured query language (SQL), ODBC

Retrospective, dynamic data delivery at record level

Data navigation (1990s) “What were unit sales in California last December? Drill down to Sacramento.”

Online analytic processing (OLAP), multidimensional databases, data warehouses

Retrospective, dynamic data delivery at multiple levels

Data mining (2000) “What’s likely to happen to Sacramento unit sales next month? Why?”

Advanced algorithms, multiprocessor computers, massive databases

Prospective, proactive information delivery

The Evolution of Data Mining

Data Mining in Business

Data-Mining Process

The Business Research Process

The Business Research Process

Management-Research Question Hierarchy

SalePro’s Hierarchy

SalePro’s Hierarchy

SalePro’s Hierarchy

SalePro’s Hierarchy

SalePro’s Hierarchy

Formulating the Research Question

Formulating the Research Question

Formulating the Research Question

Types of Management Questions

5-37

Determine necessary evidence

Set scope of study

Examine variables

Break questions

down

Evaluate hypotheses

Fine-Tuning

The Research Question

Investigative QuestionsPerformance Considerations

Attitudinal IssuesBehavioral Issues

Gantt Chart

Key TermsBibliography

Bibliographic DatabaseData Mart

Data MiningData Visualization

Data WarehouseDictionaryDirectory

EncyclopediaExpert interview

Exploratory researchHandbook

IndexIndividual depth interview

Investigative questionsLiterature searchManagement questionMeasurement question• Custom-designed• PredesignedPrimary sourcesResearch questionsSecondary sourcesSource evaluation• Purpose• Scope• Authority• Audience• FormatTertiary sources

REFERENCES