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Instructor’s Manual Chapter
One - Introducing Business Research
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
• Outline the model of the research process.
• Outline and briefly explain each of the stages in the research process.
• Outline and apply the model of the four frameworks approach to the research
project.
• Understand how research contributes to business success.
• Know how to define business research
Research Skills:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
• Differentiate between a research idea and a research statement or question.
• Outline the steps in the research process.
• Trace the elements of the research process in a given sample project.
Chapter Summary
This chapter is the introductory chapter in the textbook. As such it provides some basic
information on social research and business research. The two models around which the
textbook is structured are introduced and explained in this chapter. The two models are
the model of the research process and the model of the four frameworks approach to
undertaking research. It would be useful to spend some time at this stage developing a
thorough understanding of these models, as they are central to the learning experience
provided by the textbook.
The model of the research process is a simple and very useful way of helping students
become familiar with each element of the research process. It is often simply the
terminology, and the newness and perhaps the strangeness of the terminology that puts
students off research from the start. If they can be encouraged to become familiar with
the basic terminology very early on, they will be more confident in their approach to
research methods, and in their approach to their own research project.
The four frameworks approach to the research project is a model developed by Christina
Quinlan specifically for students. It is invaluable in terms of providing
https: 1
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
researchers and student researchers with a framework with which they can quite easily
develop appropriately focused research projects. The four frameworks approach to the
research project is introduced and clearly explained in this first chapter. It is applied to
every step of the research process throughout the textbook. Once again, it is a very
simple model. It is worth spending a little time on this chapter in order to become
familiar with this model and in order to become comfortable in applying the model to
the process of developing a research project.
The first framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project is the
conceptual framework. The conceptual framework is contained in the properly
articulated research statement or question. The research statement or question contains
all of the key concepts in the research project. This conceptual framework for the
research project is the framework on which the other three frameworks, the theoretical
framework, the methodological framework and the analytical framework, rest. It is a
good idea to provide some examples of research statements/questions and to explain
how they are in fact conceptual frameworks. It is helpful to explain to students that the
key concepts in the conceptual framework are the key words and phrases, the important
words and phrases, the big words, in the research statement/question. This exercise
demonstrates the simplicity and the utility of the four frameworks approach, and it gives
students confidence in their already growing abilities in the field of research methods.
There is an introduction to business research and business research is simply defined as
the application of social science research methods in the process of examining business
phenomena. Applied business research and basic business research are differentiated and
defined. Applied business research, as the chapter explains, is conducted to address a
specific business decision for a specific firm or organization. Basic business research
(sometimes referred to as pure research) is conducted without a specific decision in
mind, and it usually does not address the needs of a specific organization. It attempts to
expand the limits of knowledge in general, and as such it is not aimed at solving a
particular pragmatic problem.
There is a discussion in the chapter of business research in the twenty-first century, a
discussion of communication technologies and their use in business research, and there
is a discussion of global business research.
The ways through which a proposed research project can be said to be researchable, ‘the
test of researchability’ is explained. This is a very simple very useful test for students to
learn and use in order to determine whether or not their proposed research project is in
fact researchable. A project is researchable if the researcher has the time needed to carry
out the research, the money needed (if
https: 2
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,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
any money is needed) to carry out the research, and access to the data necessary for the
research.
The chapter provides an introduction to the structure of a research project, the
structure of a thesis. The student will find the simple and comprehensive guide
provided extremely useful.
The chapter provides a very brief introduction to the subject of ethics in research. This is
useful. It is a simple and easy introduction to research ethics. The issues highlighted in
the brief introduction, issues such as researcher integrity and the protection of research
participants, can be used a good discussion points in seminars and they can be used as
starting points in students’ reflections on business research generally and on the ethics of
their own research or their proposed research.
There is a brief introduction to research methodology and to data collection methods.
These topics are covered in detail in Chapter Eight, while subsequent chapters focus on
the data collection methods of observation, interviews and focus groups, and
questionnaires and scales. One of the key strengths of this textbook is the breath of the
range of methodologies and data collection methods it details, explains and illustrates.
The sample research projects presented throughout the textbook provide imaginative,
interesting and engaging examples of the application of the broadest range of
methodologies and methods in business research projects. The hope is that these will
encourage business students to devise and develop excellent research projects through
the creative application of these methodologies and methods.
The article at the end of Chapter One is a good example of the kind of sample research
projects presented in every chapter of the textbook. This article explores an interesting
outline of the use of a social media strategy in the marketing of a Bollywood movie. The
journal article is a good example of a research project that has a well-structured and
well-written literature review. The research was developed using an interesting
research methodology, case study methodology, and the data collection methods used in
the research project are clearly detailed, as are the data analysis methods used. The
conclusions drawn from the research are clearly and simply outlined and explained.
How theory influences research In the article examined here (Nanda, Pattnaik and Lu,
2018, ‘Innovation in social media strategy for movie success: A study of the Bollywood
movie industry’, Management Decision, 56(1): 233–251), the authors develop an in-
depth and comprehensive case study to examine the promotional strategies adopted
through YouTube, Facebook and X (formally Twitter) throughout the life cycle of a
Bollywood movie and its impact on the box office success of the movie. Social media is a
key concept in this research. It is interesting to note how the authors use this key
concept to facilitate the development of the structure for the entire research project.
https: 3
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, https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
Answers to End of Chapter Questions
1. Detail the steps in the research process.
ANS
The Research Process
Begin with an idea State research question/statement specific aim Literature
Refine that idea state it in one sentence and objectives Review
Complete writing-up of thesis/report
Select
Methodology
Draw conclusions
Analyse Gather Devise data
data data collection methods
2. Outline and explain the use of the four frameworks approach in the research
project.
ANS
The Four Frameworks Approach to the Research Project
The
Conceptual
Framework
The The The
Theoretical Methodological Analytical
Framework Framework Framework
https: 4
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
Instructor’s Manual Chapter
One - Introducing Business Research
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
• Outline the model of the research process.
• Outline and briefly explain each of the stages in the research process.
• Outline and apply the model of the four frameworks approach to the research
project.
• Understand how research contributes to business success.
• Know how to define business research
Research Skills:
At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:
• Differentiate between a research idea and a research statement or question.
• Outline the steps in the research process.
• Trace the elements of the research process in a given sample project.
Chapter Summary
This chapter is the introductory chapter in the textbook. As such it provides some basic
information on social research and business research. The two models around which the
textbook is structured are introduced and explained in this chapter. The two models are
the model of the research process and the model of the four frameworks approach to
undertaking research. It would be useful to spend some time at this stage developing a
thorough understanding of these models, as they are central to the learning experience
provided by the textbook.
The model of the research process is a simple and very useful way of helping students
become familiar with each element of the research process. It is often simply the
terminology, and the newness and perhaps the strangeness of the terminology that puts
students off research from the start. If they can be encouraged to become familiar with
the basic terminology very early on, they will be more confident in their approach to
research methods, and in their approach to their own research project.
The four frameworks approach to the research project is a model developed by Christina
Quinlan specifically for students. It is invaluable in terms of providing
https: 1
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
researchers and student researchers with a framework with which they can quite easily
develop appropriately focused research projects. The four frameworks approach to the
research project is introduced and clearly explained in this first chapter. It is applied to
every step of the research process throughout the textbook. Once again, it is a very
simple model. It is worth spending a little time on this chapter in order to become
familiar with this model and in order to become comfortable in applying the model to
the process of developing a research project.
The first framework in the four frameworks approach to the research project is the
conceptual framework. The conceptual framework is contained in the properly
articulated research statement or question. The research statement or question contains
all of the key concepts in the research project. This conceptual framework for the
research project is the framework on which the other three frameworks, the theoretical
framework, the methodological framework and the analytical framework, rest. It is a
good idea to provide some examples of research statements/questions and to explain
how they are in fact conceptual frameworks. It is helpful to explain to students that the
key concepts in the conceptual framework are the key words and phrases, the important
words and phrases, the big words, in the research statement/question. This exercise
demonstrates the simplicity and the utility of the four frameworks approach, and it gives
students confidence in their already growing abilities in the field of research methods.
There is an introduction to business research and business research is simply defined as
the application of social science research methods in the process of examining business
phenomena. Applied business research and basic business research are differentiated and
defined. Applied business research, as the chapter explains, is conducted to address a
specific business decision for a specific firm or organization. Basic business research
(sometimes referred to as pure research) is conducted without a specific decision in
mind, and it usually does not address the needs of a specific organization. It attempts to
expand the limits of knowledge in general, and as such it is not aimed at solving a
particular pragmatic problem.
There is a discussion in the chapter of business research in the twenty-first century, a
discussion of communication technologies and their use in business research, and there
is a discussion of global business research.
The ways through which a proposed research project can be said to be researchable, ‘the
test of researchability’ is explained. This is a very simple very useful test for students to
learn and use in order to determine whether or not their proposed research project is in
fact researchable. A project is researchable if the researcher has the time needed to carry
out the research, the money needed (if
https: 2
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
,https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
any money is needed) to carry out the research, and access to the data necessary for the
research.
The chapter provides an introduction to the structure of a research project, the
structure of a thesis. The student will find the simple and comprehensive guide
provided extremely useful.
The chapter provides a very brief introduction to the subject of ethics in research. This is
useful. It is a simple and easy introduction to research ethics. The issues highlighted in
the brief introduction, issues such as researcher integrity and the protection of research
participants, can be used a good discussion points in seminars and they can be used as
starting points in students’ reflections on business research generally and on the ethics of
their own research or their proposed research.
There is a brief introduction to research methodology and to data collection methods.
These topics are covered in detail in Chapter Eight, while subsequent chapters focus on
the data collection methods of observation, interviews and focus groups, and
questionnaires and scales. One of the key strengths of this textbook is the breath of the
range of methodologies and data collection methods it details, explains and illustrates.
The sample research projects presented throughout the textbook provide imaginative,
interesting and engaging examples of the application of the broadest range of
methodologies and methods in business research projects. The hope is that these will
encourage business students to devise and develop excellent research projects through
the creative application of these methodologies and methods.
The article at the end of Chapter One is a good example of the kind of sample research
projects presented in every chapter of the textbook. This article explores an interesting
outline of the use of a social media strategy in the marketing of a Bollywood movie. The
journal article is a good example of a research project that has a well-structured and
well-written literature review. The research was developed using an interesting
research methodology, case study methodology, and the data collection methods used in
the research project are clearly detailed, as are the data analysis methods used. The
conclusions drawn from the research are clearly and simply outlined and explained.
How theory influences research In the article examined here (Nanda, Pattnaik and Lu,
2018, ‘Innovation in social media strategy for movie success: A study of the Bollywood
movie industry’, Management Decision, 56(1): 233–251), the authors develop an in-
depth and comprehensive case study to examine the promotional strategies adopted
through YouTube, Facebook and X (formally Twitter) throughout the life cycle of a
Bollywood movie and its impact on the box office success of the movie. Social media is a
key concept in this research. It is interesting to note how the authors use this key
concept to facilitate the development of the structure for the entire research project.
https: 3
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
Answers to End of Chapter Questions
1. Detail the steps in the research process.
ANS
The Research Process
Begin with an idea State research question/statement specific aim Literature
Refine that idea state it in one sentence and objectives Review
Complete writing-up of thesis/report
Select
Methodology
Draw conclusions
Analyse Gather Devise data
data data collection methods
2. Outline and explain the use of the four frameworks approach in the research
project.
ANS
The Four Frameworks Approach to the Research Project
The
Conceptual
Framework
The The The
Theoretical Methodological Analytical
Framework Framework Framework
https: 4
https://www.stuvia.com/user/nursecare
