1.

Explain the preliminary data collection methods

Types of information that can be obtained by observing events, people, and

objects, or by administering questionnaires to individuals. Such data gathered for
research from the actual site of occurrence of events are called primary data. It is
often beneficial to simultaneously gather primary and secondary data. On the one
hand, secondary data can help you to focus further interviews more meaningfully
on relevant aspects found to be important in the literature. On the other hand, the
interviews may help you to search for relevant topics in secondary sources.
Preliminary information is gathered by the researcher to narrow the broad
problem area and to define a specific problem statement. In many cases, the
researcher interviews decision makers, managers, and other employees to gain
knowledge of the situation so as to better understand the problem.

2. Why is it important to gather information on the background of the

organization?

It is important for the researcher or the research team – especially if an

outside agency conducts the research – to be well acquainted with the background
of the company or organization studied. Such background information might
include, among other things, the contextual factors listed below, which may be
obtained from various published sources.

 The origin and history of the company – when it came into being, business it
is in, rate of growth, ownership and control, and so on.

 Size in terms of employees, assets, or both.

 Charter – purpose and ideology.

 Location – regional, national, or other.

 Resources – human and others.

  Interdependent relationships with other institutions and the external
environment.

 Financial position during the previous five to ten years, and relevant financial
data.

 Information on structural factors (for instance roles and positions in the

organization and number of employees at each job level, communication
channels, control systems, workflow systems).

 Information on the management philosophy.

Information gathered on the foregoing aspects will be useful in talking

knowledgeably with managers and other employees in the company and raising
the appropriate issues related to the problem. Along these lines, an understanding
of these factors might be helpful in arriving at a precise problem formulation.
Depending on the situation, the type of problem investigated, and the nature of
some initial responses received, certain aspects may have to be explored in greater
depth than others.

3. Should a researcher always obtain information on the structural aspects and

job characteristics from those interviewed? Give reasons for your answer
with examples.

It is almost always advisable for the researcher to gather some information on

the structure and job characteristics even though it may appear that the problem
may not be related to either of these factors. For example, the problem of not
meeting the production deadlines may be directly related to the delayed deliveries
of the raw materials by the suppliers. In such a case, the tendency might be to focus
the data collection mainly as it relates to suppliers. However, interviewing the
employees and ascertaining their reactions to their job, work ‐ flow
interdependencies, structure, and the like, might offer the solution that deadlines
can be met even with delayed raw material supplies by changing the workflow
patterns, or other structural aspects. It is for such reasons that some time should be
spent on finding the job and structure ‐ related information.
4. How would you go about doing a literature review in the area of customer
satisfaction?

I would first obtain all the references and abstracts relating to the area of
customer satisfaction through on-line systems, then organize the studies based on
the particular aspects they address, and finally, write up a review of the available
literature.

5. What is the purpose of a literature review?

Basically to make sure that none of the important variables are left out in the
study and to generate a parsimonious set of factors which would help to explain or
predict the phenomenon under investigation.

6. Why is appropriate citation important? What are the consequences of not

giving credit to the source from which materials are extracted?

Most published articles are copyrighted. There are rules as to how much can be
quoted from the original text without obtaining the journal’s and the author’s
permission. If permission is not obtained for quotes exceeding the authorized
limit, the individual quoting the material is liable to be sued for plagiarism and can
even be expelled from the professional society to which he or she belongs.

7. “The problem definition stage is perhaps more critical in the research

process than the problem solution stage.” Discuss this statement.
 Finding the right solution to an incorrectly identified problem helps no one
because the original concerns will still continue to exist. Hence, pinpointing where
exactly the gap lies, for which a solution is needed, is critical.

8. Why should one get hung up on problem definition if one already knows the
broad problem area to be studied?

Answer : Because a problem could simply indicate an interest in an issue where

finding the right answers might help to improve an existing situation. In either case,
ne should know what exactly the issue is for whish one seeks answers. Having a
clear, concise problem is more beneficial to the gathering of information that has to
be done. Researchers can investigate specifically what needs to be found and not
waste time coming up with specific points to analyze.

9. Offer a clearly focused problem statement in the broad area of corporate

culture.

Answer : every company must certainly have many problems, but with the
research that there isa problem in the company can overcome and be given a
proper solution. Ex: What are e effects of poor ethics in relation to sales and
expenses in corporate companies?

10. After studying and extracting information from all the relevant work done
previously, how does the researcher know which particular references,
articles, and information should be given prominence in the literature
review?

Answer: After successfully doing research, it must be submitted with the correct
data, but itmust be clear information, from which the reference and the data
obtained. All articles that one considers relevant should be included as references,
information that directly benefits the problem statement should definitely be
included.