RESEARCH BRAINTEASER
Please comment on the following statement:
As part of a school assignment, students were to conduct research on a particular topic. One of the students immediately drew conclusions about the topic and bypassed doing the research. Another student determined that this topic has been studied before and relied solely on others research. The third student decided to research the competition to see what they were up to.
QUESTION:
Are any of the student methods the correct way to begin a research project?
Please comment on the following statement:
As part of a school assignment, students were to conduct research on a particular topic. One of the students immediately drew conclusions about the topic and bypassed doing the research. Another student determined that this topic has been studied before and relied solely on others research. The third student decided to research the competition to see what they were up to.
QUESTION:
Are any of the student methods the correct way to begin a research project?
Different people have different ways of gathering information. That being said, neither student found out about the subject. So, no they did not begin the assignment correctly. The third student could have eventually fully researched the topic but in an unorthodox way.
ReplyDeleteHi Correne -
ReplyDeleteFor the matter of this question, the subject is irrelevant. I'm more concerned about the manner in which we begin a research project. In your opinion, what is the first step you take in researching a topic?
each method the student chose is definately different. the first student was lazy and was going by "what they know" not backing it up with any research or a way to reference how they came up with their conclusion. the second student was going off of old information, which is good because they have a building block on what they are striving for to answer the questions they might have. the final student was thinking of here and now with the competition and doing a comparison. i think the second and third student had the best method because it dealt with past, present and future.
ReplyDeletebtw, xdreamxclownx is me frankie
ReplyDeletesecondary research, information that has already been found
ReplyDeleteYou have a good rationale for each student's research method, Frankie.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if we remember from class last week, the first step in any research project is to... DEFINE THE RESEARCH PROBLEM.
Why is correctly identifying the problem important in research?
ReplyDeleteThe objectives must be clear before beginning a research project. Research is not the way to discover objectives.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Correne, in that research objectives and the overall research problem go hand-in-hand.
ReplyDeleteBut defining the research problem (i.e. what are we trying to solve?) is always the first step.
Why is this the first, most important step in any research plan?
if you do not have the right problem to address then the solution will not be concluded. the path in which to obtain the answer needs to be correct so that the time, effort, and money put into finding the research information is done right the first time and that all information obtained is benefitial and worth while.
ReplyDeleteRight on, Frankie. If research problem is defined incorrectly, the research process will be a waste of time and money.
ReplyDeleteSo then what is the difference between a research problem and a research objective?
ReplyDeletethe objective gives the person an idea of what to look for. it narrows down their search to a particular direction versus trying to gather every big of information that might eventually be a waste
ReplyDeleteSo that the research objectives are clear and the research can be conducted in a concise manner without wasting resources.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is what your seeking to solve the objective defines what you hope to obtain.
ReplyDeleteResearch problem states what information is needed to solve the problem.
ReplyDeleteResearch objective states the goal of the research.
These two elements go hand-in-hand.
Last Thursday in class, we looked at a flowchart of the various steps required to properly define the research problem (in your textbook). Can you name some of those steps? Why are they important?
ReplyDeletethe research problem is whats wrong and how to fix it. ex: why kids might not be drawn to a particular candy product because sales are low...
ReplyDeleteThe research problem defines what you need to solve the problem not just the problem itself?
ReplyDeleteThe research problem is always the first step in the flowchart. What other elements are required to properly define the problem?
ReplyDeleteresearch problems, research design, sample, collect data, report?
ReplyDeleteYou're skipping a little ahead, Frankie. Although that is the correct order of putting together a research plan.
ReplyDeleteHere's a hint: why is the information being sought?
research collection additional data
ReplyDeletei have about 8 steps listed. one of them is "why companies want to do this/why consumers buy" is that correct?
ReplyDeleteI'm stumped those are the steps I see on pg. 48 and in my notes
ReplyDeleteIf you have your textbooks in front of you, please turn to page 40.
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, not only must we define the research problem and objectives, but there are a variety of other important 'must do' steps. Such as conducting a SWOT analysis.
ReplyDeleteoh understand decision making env. use symptoms to clarify problem ect.
ReplyDeleteIs a SWOT to be conducted on the problem defining stage?
ReplyDeleteExactly, Correne. Before we can jump into primary or secondary research, there's quite a bit of background digging we must do first.
ReplyDeleteYes, Correne. Conducting a SWOT analysis is part of understanding the product, competition, consumer, etc. A SWOT analysis helps us to not only better understand what we are researching, but may also help better define the overall goals of the research project.
ReplyDeletei see the steps :)
ReplyDeleteGlad this is ringing a bell! :)
ReplyDeleteIn class last week, we also talked about exploratory research. What is exploratory research?
strength weakness opportonity threat
ReplyDeleteI misunderstood I thought the comment said the SWOT was part of the problem phase. I understand what a SWOT is.
ReplyDeleteExploratory Research- Pilot studies, Experience surveys, basically research you do to expand or explore the market with your product.
ReplyDeletei agree with correne. also the other types are focus groups, case analysis etc.
ReplyDeleteRight. Exploratory research helps you to understand the problem as well as what areas need to be explored/researched further.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned pilot studies and experience surveys. What other types of exploratory research can we use?
You both mentioned 4 of the 5 types. Any last guesses on what #5 is?
ReplyDeletesecondary data analysis, case analysis and focus groups
ReplyDeleteYes, secondary data (i.e. Google searches) is another form of exploratory research.
ReplyDeleteAs a refresher, what is primary research?
ReplyDeletesecondary data
ReplyDeleteThe research or studies you conduct yourself on the topic
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Correne.
ReplyDeleteWhat are some examples of primary research? (We talked about some in class last Thursday.)
surveys, focus groups, umm.... peoples opinions in general. the here and now information gathering thats new affecting the target market. versus secondary data that has already been conducted and is published in online sources, other reports, and books
ReplyDeleteAny ideas? Here's a hint: observations (i.e. monitoring respondents without any direct interaction with them)
ReplyDeleteFocus groups, surveys, questionnaire, grocerie store cards, credit card information
ReplyDeleteSurveys and observations are primary research methods. There's one more method.
ReplyDeleteExperiments, such as taste tests or changing the layout of products on a store shelf to see if that helps with product purchase.
ReplyDeleteNow that we know the distinction between primary and secondary research, does secondary research mean that it will necessarily solve our research problem?
ReplyDeleteNo thats why primary must also be conducted.
ReplyDeleteFrankie, your opinion?
ReplyDeleteWe may have lost Frankie. But yes, you are correct Correne. Just because secondary data exists does not always mean it's right for your research problem.
ReplyDeleteWhat would be the one factor against doing primary research?
If the company lacks the resources or if the objective is not yet clear.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Good research class today!
ReplyDeleteRESEARCH HOMEWORK REMINDER
-Chapter 3 for Thursday, Feb. 12th
-Complete frozen pizza case study for hand in on Feb. 12th with add’l Q
-Chapter 2 questions #5, 6, 7 by Thurs. Feb. 12th
-Semester Research Project: “Topic Definition” due Thurs. Feb. 19th
-SEE YOU AT 1PM ON THURSDAY in ROOM C5!!!!
-BRING TEXTBOOKS TO CLASS!!!!
Let's skip over to the Ethics blog now...
ReplyDelete