Explain the Value of Acquiring Research Skills on the Part of the Researcher and Decision Maker

1. Explain the value of acquiring research skills on the part of the researcher and decision maker.

Rapid changes in the business world are creating new decision situation that demand creative solutions and better skills for the acquisition and use of information (Pagaduan, 2006). Knowing the right and appropriate research methods and techniques will provide you the skills and knowledge you need to solve the problems. There are several reasons why Managers conduct research; (a) Managers need to conduct research to gain competitive advantage among other competitors in the business, (b) as a decision maker (Manager), you are often faced by different problems and challenges that sometimes need a thorough analysis for you to come up with the best possible solution, (c) Managers want to know the consumer’s preferences, it’s feedback or level of satisfaction to the product or service rendered to them, and/or it’s response to the changes associated to the product or in introducing a new product in the market. Researcher should bear in mind that research is always based on problem solving (Pagaduan, 2006). Having a good reputation, skills, and knowledge are just few characteristics a credible researcher must possess.

1. For each of the six (6) phases of research process, identify the corresponding tasks that a researcher should do to develop a research topic and set of questions which can be answered by applying business research.

1. Identification of the research topic and formulation of the research problem:

In conducting research, the identification of the problem is the most crucial and very important one as this will be the basis of the whole research or the basis of the succeeding part of the study. The researcher must choose a topic that he has interest on so that he will be determined in solving/facing problems that may arise along the way. Moreover, this will be easy on the part of the researcher for he wants to know and has the eagerness in researching the topic. However, in formulating problem, the research output should benefit other people especially those who are concerned. The researcher’s task is to assist the Manager in formulating a research question that fits the need to resolve the management dilemma and this research question is the hypothesis of choice that best states the objective of the research study (Pagaduan, 2006).

1. Identification of the Research Methodology:

This phase is also critical next to the identification of the research topic because presented in this chapter are the steps and methods used in conducting the research given a certain time and budget.

This section is composed of four components: (i.) the research design, which designs the overall scheme for conducting the study; (ii.) sources of information, from whom and/or where will information about the topic of the study be obtained; (iii.) techniques of data collection, the presentation of the techniques or instruments for the collection of data (primary or secondary technique); and (iv.) the scheme or tools for analyzing data, the method of analyzing the data gathered with the use of statistical techniques (Pagaduan, 2006).

1. Collection of data:

The researcher must now then begin collecting data from credible sources, it can be primary sources where the researcher needs to conduct an interview, give questionnaire, or make a direct observation to individuals who are the subject of the study. Moreover, data could be obtained from secondary sources; these are the interpretations of primary data and are commonly found in books or other printed materials. Lastly, tertiary sources which are the interpretations of secondary data and are usually found in the Internet.                                      

1. Processing of data:

Once the data are available and the information gathered from data collection is enough, the researcher can now process the data collected. The researcher in this phase will begin encoding his data gathered to the computer in preparation for data analysis. A coding scheme is needed so that the raw data can be entered into computer files wherein normally, the researcher will assign a logical numerical descriptor (code value) to all response categories, then the researcher must check the computer files to verify that they are correct and easy to locate (Pagaduan, 2006).

1. Analyze data:

In this phase, the researcher starts analyzing the processed data. This is the process of turning raw data into data structures that can be used in generating meaningful and useful bits of information for the decision makers (Pagaduan, 2006).

1. Preparation and Presentation of the Final Report:

This is the last and final phase of a research process wherein the researcher is now summarizing and carefully compiling all the analyzed data gathered to come up with a final report. This phase has the conclusions and the possible solutions to a problem/s. While there are some sections that should be included in any research, the researcher should ask the decision maker whether any other specific sections need to be included, such as recommendations for future actions, implications, or further information needs (Pagaduan, 2006).

1. What type of research design is appropriate to address the problem of employees who are satisfied with the way they are being treated by their employer/manager.

To address the problem of employees who are not satisfied with the way they are being treated by their employer/manager, the researcher must use a combination of qualitative and exploratory resign designs. The researcher must know the experiences and insights of each employee in a concerned company through one-on-one interview. Furthermore, the researcher must know the side of the employer. Moreover, using exploratory research method, researcher must observe personally the attitudes and behaviour of these employees in the workplace. The objective of this study is to know the factors that affect the satisfaction of employees towards the treatment of their employer/manager that also affects their work productivity. After knowing these factors, the researcher can now then give possible solutions and recommendations to the problem.

1. As a researcher, how would you protect the anonymity of the respondents? What are the factors should be considered to ensure their right to safety?

Before conducting an interview, giving a survey questionnaire, or making an observation, researcher must properly inform the respondents about the nature of the research. Respondents must know what the research is all about, and must be aware about their rights and protections as respondent. Moreover, researcher must obtain first a written consent from the respondent. The respondents' rights and well-being should be adequately protected by asking their consent before they participate in the research (Pagaduan, 2006). Anonymity is when the researcher does not know the name or the identity of the respondents. This is common in observational study wherein the researcher just observe the people in the area without specifically knowing them. While in answering questionnaires, the respondents have the right to write or not to write their name for the purpose of protecting their privacy and this guarantee them that their identity is not known.  Moreover, the identity of respondents must keep confidential. It can be known by the researcher but protected from public exposure.

1. To gain trust and confidence of the participant on subject as well as the respondents, how would you address their right to privacy and confidentiality?

Confidentiality is when the respondent's identity is known by the researcher but is protected from public exposure. Researchers must keep it as confidential as possible especially when the information gathered from respondents which are sensitive and can cause harm and embarrassment in the part of the respondents when broadcast to the public. This is the best way to protect the respondents' right to privacy. Researchers may then use codes in replacement of respondents' identities during interviews and in presenting data to ensure that they are protected accordingly. Confidentiality pertains to the treatment of information that an individual has disclosed in a relationship of trust and with the expectation that it will not be divulged to others without permission in ways that are inconsistent with the understanding of the original disclosure (UCI Office of Research, 2016).

1. Identify the fundamental differences between qualitative and quantitative research design and explain their appropriateness in creating useful managerial information.

In business problem or opportunity situations where secondary information alone cannot answer management's questions, attention must turn to collecting primary data and transforming them into usable information (Hair et al., 2002). Researchers may choose what type of data collection method to use - quantitative or qualitative research method or both. In quantitative research, the information, research problems and opportunities are specific and well-defined, and the decision maker and researcher have agreed on what the precise information are needed, while in qualitative research method, it aims to gain preliminary insights into decision problems and opportunities (Pagaduan, 2006).