Business Research Methods Week 2

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Business Research MethodsLecture 2 Dr Sandra Gountas1Topics for this weekLiterature Review

Writing and presenting a report projectLiterature review-why do this?Most organisations want to be sure that a research project is built on a solid foundation.The literature review provides evidence that the researcher understands the problem.The researcher can organise ideas, existing information and past research findings into meaningful and relevant order. A critical review is normally required in academic, business and NFP or governmental research projects.Evidence of critical thinking is an important concern in business and is always mentioned as a top graduate attribute by our advisory board and industry spokespeople.

Figure 3.1 The literature review process

Critical reviews of informationCritical Reviews:Help to refine the research question.Help to identify what has been overlooked by other researchers.Help to justify your research plan (employers comment on this a lot!).Help to discover, analyse and evaluate a range of research, views, opinions and attitudes about issues and questions.Provide an insight into what has been done and the best ways to approach problems.Helps you to avoid repeating work that has been done already.Undiscovered peoplehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaPYwlXOTzQFive important questions to askWhy am I reading this?What is the author trying to do? What is the writer saying that is relevant to what I want to find out?How convincing is what the author is saying? WHY?What use can I make of this?

Consider:Honesty, facts, opinions, information sources, biases, purpose of the writing.Four aspects of critical approach for managersCritique of rhetoric.Critique of tradition.Critique of authority.Critique of objectivity.What does this actually mean?http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/28/china-more-unequal-richerWhat is critical thinking?Critical thinking can be seen as having two components: 1) a set of information and belief generating and processing skills, and 2) the habit, based on intellectual commitment, of using those skills to guide behaviour.The above is to be contrasted with: 1) the mere acquisition and retention of information alone, because it involves a particular way in which information is sought and treated; 2) the mere possession of a set of skills, because it involves the continual use of them; and 3) the mere use of those skills ("as an exercise") without acceptance of their results.

What does the following mean?An unexamined life is not worth living Socrates (469-399 BC)

For some people an examined life is not worth living!

Question: Prove to me why I should study logic?

Answer: How would you know that it was a good proof? (Epictetus, AD c. 55 135)Hybrid thinking?http://www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_get_ready_for_hybrid_thinkingMaking decisionshttp://www.ted.com/talks/baba_shiv_sometimes_it_s_good_to_give_up_the_driver_s_seatFigure 3.3 Literature sources available

Figure 3.4 Flow diagram for reporting Systematic Review study location, selection and evaluationSource: Developed from Moher et al., 2009

Focus on student research: using a relevance tree

Figure 3.2 Literature review structures

Figure 3.5 Searching using Business Source Complete

Figure 3.6 EndNote library screenshot copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters

IssuesPractice makes perfect-if you are in doubt about the validity of an information source ask or leave it out.Whats wrong with Wikipedia?Be systematic-keep records, notes and use endnote.Plagiarism is sometimes a thin line. Writing and presenting your project reportKnow yourself e.g., when you work best, when you are freshest, the level of your language and writing skills and plan accordingly.Devote large chunks of time to writing the report and do not leave it until the day before deadline!Develop a plan with goals and a timeline.Ask friends to read your work or get advice from learning skills.Be prepared to spend time on revision and polishing. Writing is a craft.Look at The Elements of Style Strunk, W., Jr. and White, E.B. on Blackboard for excellent guidance.Develop a coherent story.

Figure 14.2 A format for developing the storylineSource: Developed from Raimond (1993:175) Management Project: Design, Research and Presentation. Reproduced with permission of Thompson Publishing Services

Figure 14.1 Using a matrix in the planning of the content for the results and conclusions chapters

Appropriate writing styleWrite to your audience.Clarity and simplicity without compromising depth.Avoid jargon and text talk.Use grammar, spelling and style check.Do not use the personal pronoun-you should be objective, use indicates subjectivity.Use active voice except in the method section where passive is appropriate and acceptable.Be prepared to revise several times if necessary.Common mistakesTake care with use of and I and me.Your instead of you are or youre.Data is (Data are, Datum is).Be careful with effect and affect.No double negatives.No split infinitives (To boldly go should be To go boldly).Do not use colloquial language unless quoting a research participant.Dont send me an email starting Hey you!

Report structure (standard)AbstractIntroductionLiterature reviewMethodFindingsDiscussionConclusions, Recommendations and LimitationsReferencesAppendicesNote: The appendices should not be so extensive they outweigh the main body!RecommendationsAs a business researcher, you may not know everything about the organisation, its future strategy and resources.A researcher may not be asked to give recommendations.If you are asked to give recommendations, be realistic, feasible and able to justify them, especially in matters of ROI.Be modest enough to recognise limitations and their impact on your findings.