ISBA Research Methods

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SHAPING TODAYTHOSE WHO WILL

SHAPE TOMORROW

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MSc Information Systems & Business Analysis

Dissertation

Paul BocijOperations & Information Management Group

Aston Business School

E-mail: p.bocij@aston.ac.ukRoom: ABS258 Tel: 5278

Research Methods

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Module Introduction

>Contact details>Module structure> Assessment>Other requirements>Key dates>Reading

The Task

>Background>The Project>Some catches>Lifelines>Useful advice>Tasks>Resources

Contents

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Research - The Funnel Analogy

Consumer behaviour in the Saudi Arabian online music industry  

developing an online marketing strategy 

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Research - The Flashlight Analogy

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>Quantitative Research Seeks to measure (quantify)

>Qualitative Research

Seeks to explain (examines the qualities of)

Key Concepts

Measuring Explaining

Quantitative QualitativeSurveys

Analytics

Metrics

Automated Data Capture

Interviews

Shadowing

Observation

Focus Groups

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>Good research can be described in terms of:

>Reliability The research can be repeated and the same resultobtained

>Validity The research really addresses what it is supposed to; it isa true picture of the situation being examined Different types of validity e.g. face validity, predictivevalidity, external validity

>R

obu

stness The overall design of the research is sound - resistant toerror, misinterpretation & can bear close scrutiny

Key Concepts

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>Triangulation Observe the same results using two different methods

Key Concepts

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Designing Systems«

 Association for Information Systems, 2009

http://desrist.org/design-research-in-information-systems/

How Research Works

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IS Research«

Hevner, A.R., S.T. March, J. Park & S. Ram (2004). Design Science In Information Systems Research.MIS Quarterly, 28(1), 75-105.

Models Of The Research Process

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>Characteristics:  Adaptable (from structured to unstructured) Considered expensive in terms of labour, effort, etc. Time consuming to analyse

Good for following up questionnaires, etc.

Interviews

Structured

Semi-structured

Unstructured

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>Characteristics: Good for gathering large quantities of data Simple & fast Considered inexpensive

Requires skill in question design Good candidate for automation

Questionnaires

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>Characteristics: Delivered by a person Lots of ways to administer e.g. phone Considered inexpensive

Requires skill in question design Good candidate for automation

Surveys

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>Characteristics: Good for analysing processes Can miss important information Different levels of participation (covert ± overt)

Raises some ethical issues Researcher can influence results

( Also includes shadowing)

Observation

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>Characteristics: Very good for analysing processes No universal approach Requires skill

Ties in with design process closely

Document Analysis

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>Characteristics: Very good for qualitative studies Good for transferring knowledge/learning Very difficult to create good case studies

Case Studies

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>Characteristics: Can be carried out in different ways e.g. indices, onlineindices, web searches, etc. Time consuming but essential part of research process

Need to demonstrate thoroughness« Choice of key words critical

Literature Search

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> A good literature review« Identifies key literature in the area related to the topic,esp.o Classic sources ± you know the key writers & ideaso Contemporary ± your knowledge is up to dateo Relevance ± you can select useful resources

Discusses the literature critically  More than a description«o How does this source contribute to my/our understanding of the topic?o How have other people solved this problem?o What were the strengths/weaknesses of their solutions?o How does this material advance my argument ?

Literature Review

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Referencing

>Pears R. & Shields G, 2010. Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide.

8th edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

>Neville C., 2007. Complete Guide to Referencing and Avoiding Plagiarism.

Buckingham: Open University Press ***

General Research Guides

>Easterby-Smith M., Thorpe R., Jackson P. & Lowe A, 2008. Management

Research: Theory and Practice. 3rd edition. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

>Bell J., 2010. Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers

in Education, Health and Social Science. 5th edition. Buckingham: Open University

Press (4th Edition In E-Library ) ***

>Rugg G. & Petre M., 2006. Gentle Guide To Research Methods. Buckingham:

Open University Press ***

Useful Resources - Books (*** = E-Library)

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General Research Guides

>Blaxter L., Hughes C. & Tight M., 2006. How to Research. 3rd Edition.

Buckingham: Open University Press ***

>Hewson C. & Yule P., 2002. Internet Research Methods : A Practical Guide For 

The Social And Behavioral Sciences. London: Sage Publications Inc. ***

>Brewerton P., Millward M. & Lynne J., 2001. Organizational Research Methods: A

Guide for Students and Researchers. London: Sage Publications Inc. ***

>Biggam J., 2008. Succeeding With Your Masters Dissertation : A Practical Step-

by-Step Handbook. Buckingham: Open University Press ***

>Denscombe M., 2003. Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Research

Projects. 2nd Edition. Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Education ***

Useful Resources ± Books (*** = E-Library)

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IS Research

>King, R. 2011. Research Methods for Information Systems. Dulles, VA, USA:

Mercury Learning & Information

>Cornford T. & Smithson S., 2005. Project Research in Information Systems: A

Student's Guide. 2nd edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

> Avison D. & Pries-Heje J. (editors), 2004. Research In Information Systems: A

Handbook For Research Supervisors And Their Students. Oxford: Butterworth-

Heinemann

Useful Resources - Books (*** = E-Library)

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Research Methods/Tools

>Brace I., 2008. Questionnaire Design : How To Plan, Str ucture And Write

Survey Material For Effective Market Research. 2nd Edition. London: Kogan Page

Ltd ***

>Gillham B., 2005. Research Interviewing : The Range of Techniques. Berkshire:McGraw-Hill Education ***

>Iarossi G., 2006. Power of Survey Design : A User's Guide for Managing

Surveys, Interpreting Results, and Influencing Respondents. Herndon, VA, USA:

World Bank Publications ***

 Academic Writing

>Murray, R., 2006. How to Write a Thesis. Berkshire: McGraw-Hill Education ***

>Creme, P. & Lea M., 2008. Writing at University : A Guide for Students.

Buckingham: Open University Press ***

Useful Resources - Books (*** = E-Library)

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Literature Reviews

>Emerald

>http://www.emeraldinsight.com/authors/guides/write/literature.htm

>UoToronto

>http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review

Useful Resources ± Web Sites

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>With a partner«

Write down 3 questions you need to answer as part of theresearch for your project«

Swap your questions with your partner 

Choose the research methods that can be used toanswer the questions

Make sure your choices take into account validity,

reliability & triangulation Be prepared to justify your choices

Task

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Any questions?

Questions