The Qualitative Methods Scientific Options - Assignment Example

Research Methods in Management Science Research Methods in Management Science DQ Three Types of Design Creswell’s book mentions the qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research techniques (Creswell, 2013). Methods used in management research These three methods of research are important because they can be used to acquire information about trends as well as personal opinions of business professionals which is then used for decision-making. The qualitative method of research generally has to do with assumptions. Business trends as well as the regularity of business operations can be investigated through the qualitative method’s scientific options such as surveys or questionnaires, after which the data is systematically amassed. Using qualitative methods also allows for researchers to be able to express their sentiments openly, and can help in decision making objectives that seek to change or positively impact concerns such as relationships with customers. Quantitative research, on the other hand, allows for researchers to examine the veracity of the hypothesis in question. In using the quantitative method, information analysis is conducted for the purpose of detailing the facts about the gathered data. In the mixed-method of research, there is a lot more indepth investigation that is carried out because the researchers use methods such as the triangulation of statistics acquired through qualitative and quantitative methods of research. Researchers using the mixed method also tend to acquire a deeper understanding of their biases even as they strive to ensure that their research has validity and is reliable. Benefits of management research When organizations utilize these three research methods in studies that are centered on management research, they will be able to come up with different factors that can show them how to surmount their weaknesses while exploiting their strengths. Such discoveries will help the organization(s) in question to be able to meet the needs of their key clients while also increasing distribution of their products. The use of the three research methods is something that can also help a business to be able to decide on the best strategies that will keep it from being outmaneuvered by business rivals in matters concerning product and service features. Creswell, J. (2013). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Crewell, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches). New York: SAGE Publications. DQ#2: The role of the Hypotheses in Business Decisions According to Chapas & Friga (2008) the majority of organizations do not use objective means when making decisions of great import. It is only in recent years that major organizations have began to seek to ensure that their decision-making processes as well as reporting on various facets of the organization are marked by intellectual honesty. According to Duncan & Harrop (2006), the use of different research methods would affect the subjectivity of all decision-making efforts. According to a research study documented by Bisoux (2007) constraints that are experienced at the individual-level also usually manifest themselves in choices that are not satisfactorily objective. Using a hypothesis in determining the best business decisions to be made is a way of introducing a more scientific way of examining the issues in question. Integrating management research into an organization The aim of using a hypothesis in a study is to be able to assist my business to be able to generate value for all stakeholders by improving the organization’s performance and implementing new innovations. I would integrate this information into my business organization by ensuring that all the personnel were educated about the study’s findings and suggestions through activities custom-tailored programs, conferences, and seminars. I would also try to introduce training courses and meetings between the workers and senior management which would be responsible for the exchange of new concepts on organizational operations. Other stakeholders such as business partners, and business specialists would also be invited to attend these workshops in order to generate more influence for the research’s findings. Bisoux, T. (2007). Research in action. BizEd, 6(2), 26–32. Duncan, S., & Harrop, A. (2006). A user perspective on research quality. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 9(2), 159–174. Friga, P. N., & Chapas, R. B. (2008). Make Better Business Decisions. Research-Technology Management , 51(4), 8-16. DQ#3: Your Topic and Mixed Methods - A situation in which a mixed methods approach could be performed to help in a decision-making process concerning the topic of interest. Mixed Research is descriptive of the method of research that uses both qualitative and quantitative research methods in one research. According to Echambadi, Campbell, & Agarwal (2006). any mixed research method used in a singular research will make use of 13 different phases in the process of getting statistics, assessing them, and conducting an evaluation of their validity before discussing them and coming up with findings. Some of the 13 stages of research development used in a mixed method technique include conceptualization, deciding on the research’s rationale for using quantitative and qualitative methods, deciding on the mixed method research questions to be used, and the planning and execution of the research. In many organizations, business executives may find it difficult to make decisions on future projects or new ways of operating if they have no statistics on what they expect to happen. One of the main advantages of the mixed methods technique is that it can provide guidelines for areas in business that do not have clear roadmaps. In the business scene, it is wise for organizations to use some type of operating techniques even when they are untried in order to retain a definite presence in their particular industry. For instance, the triangulation of research methods will make it possible for a case researcher to cover an extensive range of historical as well as behavioural issues. This then contributes towards the uniting of lines of inquiry in a way that allows research study conclusions or findings to be perceived as being more believable. According to Fowler (2008) triangulation actually contributes towards the reliability of a research. Another reason for using the mixed method technique is that it ensures instrument fidelity, participant enrichment, and treatment integrity. Echambadi, R., Campbell, B., & Agarwal, R. (2006). Encouraging best practice in quantitative management research: An incomplete list of opportunities. Journal of Management Studies, 43(8), 1801–1820. Fowler, F. (2008). Survey Research Methods (Applied Social Research Methods Series, No. 1). Nashville: SAGE Publications, Inc. DQ#4: Discussing APA- the importance of adhering to a convention such as APA format when writing and researching It is important to use the APA citation when doing research because there are so many concerns and rules in research writing that can only be fulfilled through this citation style. The American Psychological Association (APA) citation style is beneficial for research studies because it has a layout that fulfills the stipulations of scientific journals (Robson, 2011). Through its regulations, the APA citation style is created in such a way as to bring forth transparency as well as precision. In emphasizing on the importance of engendering inclusive readability, the APA citation style encourages the researcher to use figures, tables, data, and charts which will make the provided information easier to read and comprehensible to the reader (Johnson, Buehring, Cassell, & Symon, 2007). These stringent expectations in this particular citation style serve to ensure that the author is well acquainted with his or her subject. The American Psychological Association actually began the trend of setting criteria for the writing of research papers in order to be able to extend assistance to researchers of different subjects. If I could change the APA citation style, I would seek to make it easier for the ordinary high school or college student to use. While researchers are well able to use this style of citation without any problems, students who do not have to do extensive or in-depth studies may regard its numerous rules as strictures and not factors that will make it easier for readers to be able to read the material on offer. I would also make it compulsory for this citation style to be used in all circumstances; whether in colleges, or by accomplished researchers. Only by using it constantly would students become more acclimatized to following its rules. Johnson, P., Buehring, A., Cassell, C., & Symon, G. (2007). Defining qualitative management research: an empirical investigation. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 2(1), 23–42. Robson, C. (2011). Real World Research. Hoboken: Wiley. DQ#5: Applying Ethical Concepts (one of the four)- Specify ethical issues that encircle the data collection  According to Granitz (2003) there are different ethical issues that are faced during the collection of data. In the first place, there is the danger of harming participants through their involvement with the research, whether through stress, reduced self-esteem, or guilt. Another concern has to do with the damaging of the research knowledge base or even the existing professional relationships. In as far as data is concerned, there could be a risk of plagiarism, falsification of data, the breaching of the participants’ confidentiality, and the researchers’ contravening of the regulations that dictate research. In qualitative researches, there may even be societal risks such as adverse effects on cultural mores and beliefs due to the research findings or knowledge that the research produces. In some circumstances, professional relationships could be adversely affected by participation in research studies. This will then create an obvious bias that has the potential of disqualifying the entire process. For instance, during efforts that are aimed at team-building, relationships may be disturbed with the emergence of closeness between researchers, or even personal resentments. Researchers also have to determine how to deal with participants like informants who could suffer severe penalties if it was discovered that they were partaking in the research. In terms of knowledge, plagiarism is an ethical issue that often comes up in many researches. This is because it is not unusual for an individual to phrase a new idea in words that were used by a different individual to signify a different concept. Granitz, N. (2003). Individual, Social and Organizational Sources of Sharing and Variation in the Ethical Reasoning of Managers. Journal of Business Ethics, 42 (2), 101 - 124. DQ#6: Scholarly writing and research is something that can be difficult for students or even celebrated researchers to partake in because of the stringent rules that govern formal writing. In today’s business scene, informal conversation has become an accepted trend even in serious meetings or organizations. This can make it harder for researchers to ensure that they adhere to formal writing rules when engaged in research. Scholarly writing is also more intellectually taxing that informal communication (Yin, 2013). It will include systematic investigation into an assortment of sources in order to correctly determine the happening of different facts. Scholarly writing also calls for consultation with experts who are viewed as being at the top of their fields. In research, the detailed analysis that is used may not necessarily be used to outline one particular subject. There are also regulations that govern scholarly writing in regards to the sources from which information is garnered. For instance, there are news items or magazines that may have a lot of information about the research topic in question but have not been peer-reviewed. This naturally disqualifies them from being used in scholarly writing or research (Wikman, 2006). Essentially, it cannot really be claimed that scholarly writing is fundamentally different from other types of writing such as are found in fiction, journalism, or poetry; however, it can be claimed that it has more regulations. The most significant writing concepts so far have to do with discovering the importance of reflection, correct citation in order to avoid the prospect of plagiarism, and the use of only peer-reviewed sources. Essentially, scholarly writing and research is based on researches that were conducted on the subject in the past. This means that all future forays into the subject have to be done only after the researcher has thoroughly read on past findings. This concept, in particular, completely distinguishes scholarly writing and research from other forms of writing. Wikman, A. (2006). Reliability, validity and true values in surveys. Social Indicators Research, 78(1), 85–110. Yin, R. (2013). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (Applied Social Research Methods). New York: SAGE Publications, Inc. References Bisoux, T. (2007). Research in action. BizEd, 6(2), 26–32. Creswell, J. (2013). Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (Crewell, Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches). New York: SAGE Publications. Duncan, S., & Harrop, A. (2006). A user perspective on research quality. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 9(2), 159–174. Echambadi, R., Campbell, B., & Agarwal, R. (2006). Encouraging best practice in quantitative management research: An incomplete list of opportunities. Journal of Management Studies, 43(8), 1801–1820. Fowler, F. (2008). Survey research methods (applied social research methods series, No. 1). Nashville: SAGE Publications, Inc. Friga, P. N., & Chapas, R. B. (2008). Make Better Business Decisions. Research-Technology Management , 51(4), 8-16. Granitz, N. (2003). Individual, Social and Organizational Sources of Sharing and Variation in the Ethical Reasoning of Managers. Journal of Business Ethics, 42 (2), 101 - 124. Johnson, P., Buehring, A., Cassell, C., & Symon, G. (2007). Defining qualitative management research: an empirical investigation. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management, 2(1), 23–42. Robson, C. (2011). Real world research. Hoboken: Wiley. Wikman, A. (2006). Reliability, validity and true values in surveys. Social Indicators Research, 78(1), 85–110. Yin, R. (2013). Case study research: Design and methods (applied social research methods). New York: SAGE Publications, Inc. Read More