Dr. Muhammad Ramzan mramzaninfo@gmail.com, 03004487844 Ahsan Khan Eco ahsankhaneco@yahoo.com 03008046243

1. Week 2 A- Problem Definition, Secondary Data/Literature Review B- Qualitative Research Tools and Procedures

4. Defining Problem Results in Clear Cut Research Objectives Exploratory Research (Optional) Symptom Detection Statement of Research Objectives Problem Definition Analysis of the Situation

5. The Process of Problem Definition Ascertain the decision maker’s objectives Understand background of the problem Isolate/identify the problem, not the symptoms Determine unit of analysis Determine relevant variables State research questions and objectives

7. Proper Definition of the Research Problem Research Problem Broad Statement Specific Components

9. Development of Research Questions and Hypotheses Components of the Research Questions Hypothese s Objective/ Theoretical Framework Analytical Model Research Problem

13. Symptoms can be confusing Problem Definition Organization Symptoms Based on Symptom True Problem Twenty-year-old neighborhood swimming association in a major city. Membership has been declining for years. New water park with wave pool and water slides moved into town a few years ago. Neighborhood residents prefer the expensive water park and have negative image of swimming pool . Demographic changes: Children in this 20-year-old neighborhood have grown up. Older residents no longer swim anywhere.

16. Secondary Data Research in a Digital Age

20. Evaluating Secondary Data Does the data help to answer questions set out in the problem definition? Does the data apply to the time period of interest? Does the data apply to the population of interest? Applicability to project objectives

21. Do the other terms and variable classifications presented apply? Are the units of measurement comparable? If possible, go to the original source of the data? Evaluating Secondary Data (continued) Applicability to project objectives Accuracy of the data

22. Is the cost of data acquisition worth it? Accuracy of the data Is there a possibility of bias? Can the accuracy of data collection be verified?

23. Criteria for Evaluating Secondary Data Criteria Issues Remarks Specifications & Methodology Error & Accuracy Currency Objective Nature Dependability Data collection method, response rate, quality & analysis of data, sampling technique & size, questionnaire design, fieldwork. Examine errors in approach, research design, sampling, data collection & analysis, & reporting. Time lag between collection & publication, frequency of updates. Why were the data collected? Definition of key variables, units of measurement, categories used, relationships examined. Expertise, credibility, reputation, & trustworthiness of the source. Data should be reliable, valid, & generalizable to the problem. Assess accuracy by comparing data from different sources. Census data are updated by syndicated firms. The objective determines the relevance of data. Reconfigure the data to increase their usefulness. Data should be obtained from an original source.

24. A Classification of Secondary Data Secondary Data Ready to Use Requires Further Processing Published Materials Computerized Databases Syndicated Services Internal External

28. A Classification of Published Secondary Sources Published Secondary Data General Business Sources Government Sources Statistical Data Guide s Directorie s Indexes Census Data Other Government Publications

29. A Classification of Computerized Databases Bibliographic Databases Numeric Databases Full-Text Databases Directory Databases Special-Purpose Databases Computerized Databases Online Off-Line Internet

51. Steps in conducting Literature Review Identify Topic Locate articles/books and other sources on topic Skimming In-depth Assembling and writing Suggesting further research areas on the topic

52. Analysis Select, differentiate, dissect, and break up. Unpacking a thing into its constituent parts in order to infer or determine the relationship and/or organizing principle between them; thereby isolating the main variables. Synthesis Integrate, combing recast, formulate, reorganize. Rearranging the elements derived from analysis to identity relationship or show main organizing principle or show how these principles can be used to make a different phenomenon. Comprehension Understand, be able to explain, distinguish, and interpret. Interpreting and distinguishing between different types of data, theory and argument; thereby being able to describe, discuss and explain in various ways the substance of an idea or working of a phenomenon. Knowledge Define, classify, describe, name, use, recognize, become aware of, understand, problem solve. Perceiving the principles, use and function of rules, methods and events in different situations; classify, characterize, generalize, analyze the structure of, and learn from experimentation on the meaning of, concepts and their application.

58. Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Research Qualitative Research To gain a qualitative understanding of the underlying reasons and motivations Small number of non-representative cases Unstructured Non-statistical Develop an initial understanding Objective Sample Data Collection Data Analysis Outcome Quantitative Research To quantify the data and generalize the results from the sample to the population of interest Large number of representative cases Structured Statistical Recommend a final course of action

61. Qualitative Research Procedures Association Techniques Completion Techniques Construction Techniques Expressive Techniques Direct (Non- camouflaged) Indirect (camouflaged) Focus Groups Depth Interviews Projective Techniques Qualitative Research Procedures

63. Characteristics of Focus Groups Group Size 8-12 Group Composition all the same, respondents, prescreened Physical Setting Relaxed, informal atmosphere Time Duration 1-3 hours Recording Use of audiocassettes and videotapes Moderator Observational, interpersonal, and communication skills of the moderator

64. Planning and Conducting Focus Groups Determine the Objectives and Define the Problem Specify the Objectives of Qualitative Research Develop a Moderator’s Outline Conduct the Focus Group Interviews Review Tapes and Analyze the Data Summarize the Findings and Plan Follow-Up Research or Action State the Objectives/Questions to be Answered by Focus Groups Write a Screening Questionnaire

72. Focus Groups Vs Depth Interviews Characteristic Focus Groups Depth Interviews Group synergy and dynamics + - Peer pressure/group influence - + Client involvement + - Generation of innovative ideas + - In-depth probing of individuals - + Uncovering hidden motives - + Discussion of sensitive topics - +

73. Focus Groups Vs Depth Interviews Note: A + indicates a relative advantage over the other procedure, a - indicates a relative disadvantage. Interviewing competitors Interviewing professional respondents Scheduling of respondents Amount of information Bias in moderation and interpretation Cost per respondent - - - + + + + + + - - - Characteristic Focus Groups Depth Interviews

84. Focus Groups, Depth Interviews, Projective Techniques Comparison 1. Degree of Structure 2. Probing of individual respondents 3. Moderator bias 4. Interpretation bias 5. Uncovering subconscious information 6. Discovering innovative information 7. Obtaining sensitive information 8. Involve unusual behavior or questioning 9. Overall usefulness Relatively high Low Relatively medium Relatively low Low High Low No Highly useful Relatively medium High Relatively high Relatively medium Medium to high Medium Medium To a limited extent Useful Relatively low Medium Low to high Relatively high High Low High Yes Somewhat useful Focus Groups Depth Interviews Projective Techniques Criteria

86. What Can Be Observed Phenomena Example Human behavior or physical Shoppers movement action pattern in a store Verbal behavior Statements made by airline travelers who wait in line Expressive behavior Facial expressions, tone of voice, and other form of body language

87. What Can Be Observed Phenomena Example Spatial relations How close visitors at an and locations art museum stand to paintings Temporal patterns How long fast-food customers wait for their order to be served Physical objects What brand name items are stored in consumers’ pantries Verbal and Pictorial Bar codes on product packages Records