Chapter 9: Conducting and Documenting Business Research
Research can be either primary or secondary. Primary research consists of the researcher gathering their own data by surveys or other means. Secondary research is when the researcher relies on data gathered by others to make conclusions. Good sources for secondary research include EBSCO host, EDGAR, magazines, newspapers, journals, and more. Search engines provide a resource for exploring secondary sources. Using key search words and appropriately using "AND", "OR", and "NOT" will allow for more precise searching. Ensure that the resources used for secondary sources are credible. Scholarly reviews are often the most credible sources. When referencing others' research, documentation must be used. It is unlawful to claim that the words used are your own when they belong to another. Quotations, paraphrasing, and summarizing all require documentation. When documenting, inform the audience of where the original document can be obtained in text and in the works cited.
Primary research is a vast undertaking. First, begin with a clear objective and/or goal. Identify the best method for accomplishing the objective. Ensure validity with research so it can be applied. Identify the population to study. Determine whether total population or sample research will occur. If using a sample, identify which method of sampling will be used. It is best to sample as randomly as possible. Create a data-gathering instrument such as a questionnaire, log, or interview form. Pilot test the data-gathering instrument with a small portion of the population to ensure the data being gathered is appropriate. Gather the data. Carefully examine each response to ensure that the data is valid. Use the correct statistical procedure for analyzing the data.
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