ResearchMethodology_Week05

8/6/2019 ResearchMethodology_Week05

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29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 1

RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY

(Business Research Methods)

Week 5


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Secondary Data

Secondary (or historical) data is data which has

been acquired through a research or any other

effort in the past and for another purpose

Depending on the secondary data needed, there

may be numerous sources for acquiring thissecondary data


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Advantages of Secondary Data

Pool of already existing data

Cost-effective vis--vis primary data

Quick availability No need for designing and undertaking a

research study

Collecting primary data may not befeasible (privacy issues)

Many different sources are available


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Disadvantages of Secondary Data

Relevance for researcher

Does data apply to target population?

Time-frame consistent with researchers requirement?(outdatedness)

Variation in terms of definition of terms Different units of measurement (data conversion)

Verification of datas accuracy (inherent biases due tovested interests)

Reputation of the data-collecting organization andresearch design used may not be good


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Evaluating Secondary Data

Do the data help answer questions

set out in the problem definition?

Do the data help answer questions

set out in the problem definition?

Do the data apply to the time

period of interest?

Do the data apply to the time

period of interest?

Do the data apply to the population

of interest?

Do the data apply to the population

of interest?

Do other terms and variable

classifications presented apply

to the project?

Do other terms and variable

classifications presented apply

to the project?

Are the units of measurement compatible?

Are the units of measurement compatible?

Can data

be re-

worked?

If yes,

continue

Applicabilityt o

Curr e

ntProject

No!

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No!

No!

No!

No! (Next

Slide!)


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7/1229 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 7

Fact Finding

Fact finding is about collecting secondary (or descriptive) datawith a view to obtaining insights which can assist in decision-

making

Some examples:

(1) Macroeconomic Data of Pakistan

(2) Global Oil price trends

(3) FDI in China over the period 2000-2005

(4) Indo-Pakistan trade statistics

(5) Salary structure across ten selected industries


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Model Building

Model building is about specifying relationships

between two or more variables

Models can range from very simple ones,involving only two interrelated variables to

complex ones involving several interrelated

variables (multivariate statistical forecasting

models)


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Classification of Secondary Data: Internal Sources

Internal Sources (data already existing within an

organization, for example, data collected and

stored by various departments such as

accounting and finance, marketing)

Sometimes one unit in an organization is

unaware that other units may be maintaining

data which may be relevant for it and undertakes

unnecessary and costly data collection


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Classification of Secondary Data: External Sources

External Sources (data generated or provided byindividuals and entities other than the researcher orhis/her organization)

There are many types of external sources of secondarydata:

Books and Professional Journals Federal Government sources

Regional / Provincial Publications Electronic and Print Media Sources Commercial Sources Internet, CDs


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Secondary Data in the International Context

As economies and business becomesincreasingly global in outlook, so does the needfor secondary data from other regions andcountries

Potential Problems:

Unavailability of data in some countries

Accuracy of data may be questionable Definitions and measurements of data may vary Comparability of data may be difficult


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On-Line Sources of Secondary (Business) Data in Pakistan:

Selected Examples

Business Recorder www.brecorder.com

Forex Pakistan www.forexpk.com

Karachi Stock Exchange www.kse.com.pk

The Economist www.economist.com/countries/pakistan

State Bank of Pakistan www.sbp.org.pk

National Bank of Pakistan www.nbp.com.pk

Federal Ministry of Finance www.finance.gov.pk

Pakistan Federal Government www.pakistan.gov.pk
http://www.brecorder.com/http://www.forexpk.com/http://www.kse.com.pk/http://www.economist.com/countries/pakistanhttp://www.sbp.org.pk/http://www.nbp.com.pk/http://www.finance.gov.pk/http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/http://www.finance.gov.pk/http://www.nbp.com.pk/http://www.sbp.org.pk/http://www.economist.com/countries/pakistanhttp://www.kse.com.pk/http://www.forexpk.com/http://www.brecorder.com/

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