Business Research &

Project
Lecture 1:
Overview of the Module and the Project Report

Methodology

Learning Outcomes

To define what a methodology is

To understand what should be included in the methodology section
To give you a checklist of the questions you should ask yourself when
completing this section

Methodology
The analysis of, and the broad philosophical
and theoretical justification for, a particular
method used in research.
Gray (2009:58)

What should I include in this

The research methodology
section?

Justify your approach

The target population and sampling methods chosen
Methods chosen (qual and quan)
Collection of data
Data analysis
Anticipate any ethical issues and how they will be
catered for

What is Good Research?

Purpose clearly defined
Research process detailed
Research design thoroughly planned
Limitations frankly revealed
High ethical standards applied
Findings presented unambiguously
Conclusions justified

Before you start ask yourself 3

questions
1.What do I need to know
and why?
2.What is the best way to
collect information?
3.When I have this
information, what shall I
do with it?

Research design
choices
http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/97801
99583409/01student/interviews/k_the
me/

Important to
remember:

Methods are selected because they will provide the

data you require to produce a complete piece of
research

Whatever method you chose for collecting data it

should always be examined critically to assess the
extent it is likely to be reliable and valid

Think about the

following:

Would 2 interviewers using the same methods get a similar

result?
Would you have got similar answer on a different occasion?
Would another researcher using your research and
questions get similar results?

Ask your supervisor to look over your methodology and any questions you will ask
respondents
Will the questions help answer your aim and objectives or what you are wanting
to measure

Dont panic!
How many questionnaires? How many interviews?
Aim = A representative range of responses
Method is tool for you to gather data therefore select the best tool
for the job!

There are no set rules, ask for guidance from your supervisor

Fit for Purpose

Choose a method that is fit for purpose

Is it suitable
Is it feasible
Is it ethical

Suitability, feasibility, validity

Suitability
Will it provide appropriate kind of data?

Has the purpose of the research been clearly

identified
Is there a clear link between the purpose of
research and methods
Will the methods produce findings that can
answer research questions

Feasibility
Can it be done?

Is there sufficient time

Are sufficient resources available
Is it possible and practical

Ethics
Will it allow me to be ethical in my dealings with
participants?

Can I avoid harm to participants resulting from their

involvement in my research
If needed, can I guarantee the confidentiality of the
information given to me

Adapted from Gray,

2009

Your choice
Methods are neither
good/bad or right/wrong
its how they are used

Choice is dependent on
purpose and its use

They are judged on

how appropriately
they are used

What do you want to

achieve

Checklist
Do you questions help answer your aim and objectives?
Tell the reader how they do

Has the sample been explicitly identified?

Who are you including in your study and
why
If its a case study have you:
Selected the criteria, described and justified it
Set the boundaries for the case
Described the main features of the case

Checklist
Have the variables been identified
Are the conditions similar to that of the real world
Take in to account observer effect

Are you using a mixed methods approach, if

so:
Have you used more than one research
method
Combined more than one kind of research
data
Have you stated why you have used this
approach and its benefits

Other things to include:

Justifications why you have and also maybe why you havent
Pilot testing why, who to, benefit of, result of?
Questionnaire design, types of questions, administering
questionnaires etc
Focus Group design, structure, how many, where, when etc
Quantitative v Qualitative
Structure very very important logical flow!
Important chapter dedicate time and words to it
Use academic theory to back up what you are saying but dont
overuse it
This chapter is about your research tell the reader everything

Remember the reader will not know anything

about your project, therefore take them
through what you are going to do, one step
at a time