Kuiper CHP 12

        I.            Q: Why are secondary sources important in business research?

a.       Secondary data help you gain perspective on the problem and identify and define what must be investigated

b.      Secondary sources may contain adequate data to solve the problem, eliminating the need to collect primary data. In fact, some secondary sources contain more extensive and more valid data than you would be able to collect from primary sources

      II.            Q: What are the four steps in collecting secondary data?

a.       Locating the data

b.      Evaluating the data source

c.       Extracting the data from its source

d.      Keeping records

    III.            Q: What are the five criteria to help you evaluate the reliability of secondary sources?

a.       Timeliness: is the source current? If outdated, the source should not be used

b.      Relevance: does the source address the research problem?

c.       Accuracy: is the source reliable and unbiased?

d.      Quality: is the information verifiable, consistent, and properly referenced?

e.      Cost: will the available data lead to an appropriate, cost-effective solution to the problem?

Kuiper CHP 11

        I.            Q: How to determine data sources?

a.       Two research questions: what kinds of information do I need to answer the research question? Should I use primary or secondary data sources-or both-to obtain that information?

b.      Divide the research question into appropriate elements or factors of analysis and narrow the scope

c.       The specific kinds of data and specific data sources must be identified for each element in the scope

d.      Focus your attention on finding data directly related to those factors

      II.            Q: Why should a researcher consult secondary data sources before primary sources?

a.       Secondary sources often provide information to help define the problem more clearly and to identify elements that should be investigated.

b.      When the problem you are investigating is unique to your organization, primary data may be the only usable information

c.       If adequate secondary data are available, you should use those data instead of spending the time and effort required to use primary sources effectively

    III.            Q: What are the three criteria for the data sources?

a.       Validity: a measurement concept that refers to the extent to which differences revealed with a measuring tool represent true differences among the people or objects being measured

b.      Reliability: measurement concept that refers to the consistency of results obtained with a measuring device

c.       Practicality: refers to both the cost and the convenience of using a data source

    IV.            Q: What are the characteristics of a valid sample?

a.       Accuracy: an accurate sample is free of bias; an accurate sample has no systematic variance

b.      Precision: a precise sample has little sampling error

c.       Sample size: sample size can affect the accuracy and precision of your inferences

      V.            Q: What are the four guides for determining sample size?

a.       Where samples are to be broken into subsamples (males/females. Juniors/seniors, etc.), a minimum sample size of 30 for each category is necessary

b.      If several variables are used in the research, the sample size should be several times as large as the number of variables measured in the study

c.       For simple experimental research with tight experimental controls, successful research is possible with samples as small as 10 or 20

Kuiper CHP 16

        I.            Q: What are the major parts that formal business reports include?

a.       Report Preliminaries (sometimes called Front Matter): Cover or binder, Flyleaves, Title page, Transmittal message, Authorization message, Acceptance message, Table of contents, List of tables or figures, Foreword or preface, Acknowledgments, Synopsis or executive summary.

b.      Report Body: introduction, presentation and discussion of findings, summary, conclusions, and recommendations.

c.       Report Supplements (sometimes called End Matter): endnotes, bibliography, source list, or references, glossary, appendix, index.

      II.            Q: What are the purposes of report preliminaries?

a.       Help to make the report user-friendly

b.      Provide a convenient way to physically transmit the report

c.       Establish a context for understanding it

d.      Enable the reader to locate specific information easily

    III.            Q: Why should you bind a report?

a.       Many readers prefer that you bind the report securely

b.      A cover or binder protects the pages of the report and prevents them from loosening while the reader uses the report.

c.       Enable the reader to handle the report document conveniently

    IV.            Q: What information should a title page contain?

a.       The full title of the report

b.      The identity of the person or agency for whom the report was prepared, including full name and address

c.       The author’s identity, including full name, address, and possibly the telephone number or e-mail address

d.      The submission date

      V.            Q: What should a transmittal message accomplish?

a.       A review of the research problem, purpose, methodology

b.      Highlights of major findings

c.       Significant recommendations

d.      Comments about the research experience

e.      An offer to discuss the report or assist with future projects.

    VI.            Q: What are the functions of authorization and acceptance messages?

a.       The authorization message provides evidence of permission to undertake the project

b.      The acceptance message gives evidence of agreement to do the task.

  VII.            Q: What are the purpose of a table contents and a list of tables?

a.       Help the reader get an overview of the report

b.      Help the reader easily refer to specific parts of the report.

VIII.            Q: What should be included in an executive summary?

a.       The executive summary should briefly state the research problem, purpose, research methods, major findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

    IX.            Q: What are the purposes of report supplements?

a.       Provide supporting information

b.      Include any information that may be useful-but not essential-for understanding the analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.

Kuiper CHP 15

1.       Q: What is data analysis? What is the data analysis for?

A: Data analysis is the entire process of converting raw data into meaningful information for decision makers. The data analysis is used to highlight useful information, suggest conclusion, and support decision making. Analysis is a process of data reduction, the mass of raw data is reduced to major findings and ultimately the findings are interpreted to yield conclusions and recommendations.

2.       Q: What is qualitative and quantitative data?

A: Our data set will contain both qualitative and quantitative data. Both kinds of data are useful in business research.  Qualitative data are non-numeric data. (E.g. the expressions of consumer qualities or characteristics are not numeric) Interpretation of such data requires subjective judgment. Effective interpretation of qualitative data requires rational, logical, unbiased thinking throughout the entire process. Quantitative data are numeric data. Interpretation of quantitative data also requires rational, logical, unbiased judgment.

3.       Q: What are the four requirements for accurate data analysis?

A: To enhance the accuracy of your analysis, you must understand the research problem, maintain a critical mindset, apply logical thinking, and understand basic statistical procedures.

4.       Q: How does knowledge of the research problem assist in data analysis?

A: The knowledge of the research problem reminds you of what stimulated the research and of the objectives to be met by the study. The analysis must move toward a conclusion and recommendation that will contribute to achieving the research problem and purpose.

5.       Q: How to maintain a critical mindset?

A: To maintain a critical mindset, you have to constantly evaluate your data and your interpretation of the data. One way to maintain a critical viewpoint is to discuss your research with others who are authorized to review the data, particularly during the data analysis.

6.       Q: What are the basic styles of logic?

A: The basic styles of logic are induction and deduction. Induction involves reasoning from specific facts, examples, or cases to generalizations based on those specifics. Deduction involves reasoning from general concepts or principles to specific facts or cases. Deduction is based on the logical syllogism, which has three parts: a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion.

7.       Q: What does data preparation include for most types of contemporary business research? What are they?

A: Data preparation includes editing, coding, and entering into a computer. Data editing is inspection of the data to detect errors and omissions. Coding is the process of assigning numerals or other symbols to answers so that they can be categorized and interpreted.

8.       Q: What are the criteria for an effective data coding system?

A: Any coding system must meet four criteria: appropriate, exhaustive, mutually exclusive, and one-dimensional.

9.       Q: Why do we do data verification?

A: since errors can occur during data entry, verification is a necessary step to protect the validity of the data before data can be processed.

Kuiper CHP 13

1.       Q：What are the two methods to obtain the information from the primary data sources? Please give some examples for each primary data collection method.

A:  They are passive data collection and active data collection.  Passive data collection method includes search of company records, observation, and some forms of experimentation; active data collection methods involve questioning subjects, they includes interviews, focus group interviews, questionnaire surveys and electronic surveys.

2.       Q:  What’s the difference between the active and passive data collection methods?

A: In passive data collection, the person collecting the data does not actively interact or communicate with those subjects. In active data collection, the person collecting the data interacts with the subjects who actively supply the data to the researcher.

3.       Q:  How to choose the primary data collection methods?

A:  Your choice of a data collection method must be based on its ability to obtain accurate data and satisfy other relevant research criteria, when you select a technique that best meets the requirements of your project, you should know the importance of the nine dimensions, they are subject identification/anonymity, flexibility of the data-gathering technique, subject anonymity, accuracy of sensitive data, control of researcher effects, flexibility of scheduling, time required, probable response rate, cost.

4.       Q: What are the four measurement scales?

A: Four scales are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

5.       Q:  What guides should be followed in preparation of a transmittal message?

A:  First, Use an interesting opening that focuses on the receiver, not the sender, of the message. Second, provide enough identifying information to legitimize your request. Third, indicate the role of the participants and the protections that are extended to them. Fourth, specify exactly what is required and make that action as easy as possible. Fifth, offer an inducement to participate, if possible.

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