Showing papers on "Secondary research published in 2010"

Research methods in business studies

Abstract: This accessible guide provides clear, practical explanations of key research methods in business studies, presenting a step-by-step approach to data collection, analysis and problem solving. Readers will learn how to formulate a research question, choose an appropriate research method, argue and motivate, collect and analyse data, and present findings in a logical and convincing manner. The authors evaluate various qualitative and quantitative methods and their consequences, guiding readers to the most appropriate research design for particular questions. Furthermore, the authors provide instructions on how to write reports and dissertations in a clearly structured and concise style. Now in its fifth edition, this popular textbook includes new and dedicated chapters on data collection for qualitative research, qualitative data analysis, data collection for quantitative research, multiple regression, and additional methods of quantitative analysis. Cases and examples have been updated throughout, increasing the applicability of these research methods across various situations.

Research Methods: The Basics

Abstract: Research Methods: The Basics is an accessible, user-friendly introduction to the different aspects of research theory, methods and practice. This second edition provides an expanded resource suitable for students and practitioners in a wide range of disciplines including the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities. Structured in two parts - the first covering the nature of knowledge and the reasons for research, the second the specific methods used to carry out effective research and how to propose, plan, carry out and write up a research project - this book covers: * Reasons for doing a research project * Structuring and planning a research project * The ethical issues involved in research * Different types of data and how they are measured * Collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data in order to draw sound conclusions * Mixed methods and interdisciplinary research * Devising a research proposal and writing up the research * Motivation and quality of work. Complete with a glossary of key terms and guides to further reading, this book is an essential text for anyone coming to research for the first time (Book Depository)

Research Methods: A Practical Guide for the Social Sciences

Abstract: Introduction PART A: Thinking About Research A1: What is Research? A2: Knowledge, Theories, Paradigms and Perspectives A3: The Nature of Data A4: Research Questions, Hypotheses and Operational Definitions A5: Research as an Ethical and Cultural Issue PART B: Preparing for Research B1: Planning a Research Project B2: Reviewing the Literature B3: Research Design B4: Choosing Methods B5: Sampling B6: Research Proposals PART C: Data Collection C1: Collecting Data C2: Data Collection Skills C3: Questionnaires C4: Semi-structured Interviews C5: Focus Groups C6: Observation C7: Narrative Data C8: Documents C9: Secondary Sources of Data C10: Collecting Data Using Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) PART D: Data Analysis D1: Beginning to Analyse D2: Working With Data D3: Statistical Analysis D4: Thematic Analysis D5: Analysing Narrative D6: Discourse Analysis D7: Content Analysis D8: Grounded Theory D9: Using Computers in Data Analysis D10: So What? Drawing Conclusions PART E: Data Presentation and Reports E1: The Importance of Audience E2: Writing for Research: Reports and Dissertations E3: Data Presentation E4: Dissemination and Further Research Glossary

Essentials of Business Research: A Guide to Doing Your Research Project

Abstract: This concise, student-friendly text cuts through the jargon of research methods terminology to present a clear guide to the basics of business research. It takes the student through the entire research process, uses actual student case examples, and explains the role of the supervisor and how to meet their expectations.

Social Work Research and Evaluation: Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract: 1. Introduction 2. The Ethical Conduct of Research 3. The Quantitative Research Approach 4. The Qualitative Research Approach 5. Conceptualization and Measurement 6. Sampling 7. Case-Level Designs 8. Group-Level Designs 9. Structured Observation 10. Participant Observation 11. Qualitative Interviewing 12. Survey Research 13. Secondary Analysis 14. Content Analysis 15. Selecting a Data Collection Method and Data Source 16. Research with Minority and Disadvantaged Groups 17. Quantitative Data Analysis 18. Qualitative Data Analysis 19. Writing Reports from Research Studies 20. Evaluating Quantitative Research Studies 21. Evaluating Qualitative Research Studies 22. Finding Existing Knowledge 23. Evaluating Evidence 24. Meta-Analysis 25. Evidence-Based Practice 26. Program Evaluation

Practical Research and Evaluation: A Start-to-Finish Guide for Practitioners

Abstract: Practical Research and Evaluation is a handbook of social science research methods for practitioner-researchers. It enables readers to carry out research projects and evaluations; commission resear ...

Understanding the Research Process

Abstract: The Idea of Research The Conceptual Range of a Research Study Introducing Research Questions and Aims Analyzing Previous Research The Scientific Method The Research Design Data Collection Methods Questions of Ethics Presenting a Conclusion and Disseminating Research

Research for Effective Social Work Practice

Abstract: 1. The Context of Social Work Research 2. The Politics and Ethics of Social Work Research 3. The Research Process: From Problems to Research Questions 4. Single Subject Research 5. Qualitative Research 6. Group Research Design 7. Sampling 8. Measurement 9. Implementation: From Data Collection to Data Entry 10. Describing Quantitative Data 11. Bivariate Statistics and Statistical Inference 12. Evaluation of Social Work Services 13. Writing and Presenting Research

Developing a Healthcare Research Proposal: An Interactive Student Guide

Abstract: Preface. Introduction. What is research? Being a researcher. Who's who in the world of healthcare research? The importance of research to healthcare. How to use this book and the accompanying web program. The web program. Summary. 1 Research and Allied Concepts. Introduction. What is research? What is clinical audit? Service evaluation. Issues to consider when undertaking research, audit and serviceevaluation. Evidence-based practice. Clinical effectiveness. Summary. 2 Philosophical Assumptions. Introduction. Philosophical assumptions of qualitative research. Some major characteristics of qualitative research. Philosophical assumptions of quantitative research. Some major characteristics of quantitative research. Using mixed methods in research. Summary. 3 The Research Proposal: Developing the ResearchQuestion. Introduction. Developing the research question. Questions arising from the patient s condition. Finding the answers to your questions. Types of research questions. Clarifi cation of the research question. Summary. 4 The Research Proposal: Searching and Reviewing theLiterature. Introduction. Steps in searching the literature. How to undertake a literature search. Hierarchy of evidence. Reviewing the literature. Scenario. Summary. 5 The Research Proposal: Research Design. Introduction. The focus of a research study. Research paradigms. Samples. Quantitative research. Qualitative research. Summary. 6 The Research Proposal: Ethics in Research. Introduction. Introduction to ethics. Research governance. Summary. 7 The Research Proposal: Selecting Participants. Introduction. What is a sample? Why use a sample? Probability and non-probability. Types of probability sample. Types of non-probability sample. The size of samples. Eligibility criteria. Summary. 8 The Research Proposal: Collecting Data. Introduction. Collecting data. Quantitative research data collection. Qualitative research data collection. Summary. 9 The Research Proposal: Analysing Data. Introduction. Quantitative data analysis. Data analysis. Statistical tests. Qualitative data analysis. Summary. 10 The Research Proposal: Communicating ResearchFindings. Introduction. Writing a research report. Writing for publication. Issues associated with healthcare professionals andpublication. Presenting at conferences. Summary. 11 The Research Proposal: Current Research Issues inHealthcare. Introduction. Ethics. Funding issues. Vested interests regarding the process and the reporting ofresearch. The politicisation of research. The implementation of research fi ndings. Problem-solving. Summary. Index.

Cross-Cultural Research and Qualitative Inquiry

Abstract: Cross-cultural research has become important in this postmodern world where many people have been made, and are still, marginalised and vulnerable by others in more powerful positions like colonial researchers. In this paper, I contend that qualitative research is particularly appropriate for cross-cultural research because it allows us to find answers which are more relevant to the research participants. Cross-cultural qualitative research must be situated within some theoretical frameworks. In this paper, I also provide different theoretical frameworks that cross-cultural researchers may adopt in their research

Personalization Research in E-Commerce - a State of the Art Review (2000-2008)

Abstract: E-commerce product personalization and website personalization have been a topic of interest to a lot of researchers during the last years As such, academic research in the area of personalization in e-commerce should rely on a rigorous literature review first in order to identify existing research and acknowledge the state of the art in research This article provides a vast overview on personalization literature with a special focus on e-commerce (eg recommender systems) This literature, respectively our approach, can be used by fellow researchers to identify the basic literature for their own work It serves as a rigorous way of retrieving literature for other fields in their scientific research A complete reference list is presented as well as additional figures and tables analyzing the personalization literature in general and according to an emerging classification The three major categories of personalization research in e-commerce are: "implementation", "theoretical foundations", and "user centric aspects" under which there are several subcategories into which the papers can be classified The reviewed articles (42 in total out of 15,116) were taken from all the relevant, high ranked (A to C) journals according to the journal ranking list: JOURQUAL2 Keywords: personalization, e-commerce, state of the art, classification, literature review 1 Introduction Personalization plays an important role for service providers in modern e-commerce strategies; it is important to build up a tight customer relationship in order to address customers personally Speaking about personalization in e-commerce brings up the problems of identifying a customer, gathering information around the customer, and processing data to make a service seem personally adopted for a certain customer (eg recommender systems or comparison-shopping systems) One needs to look at two different business software systems when analyzing customer self-service applications in e-commerce (enabling the customer to use services on their own through personalization): (1) ERP systems as back-office systems and (2) Web applications (mainly e-shops) as front-office applications Personalization is a means of facilitating this ease of use by presenting the customer with a pre-defined service for personal needs [Risch 2007] It is an interdisciplinary topic with which research papers in the field of marketing and computer science have increasingly been concerned In order to give researchers a deeper insight into the facets of personalization in e-commerce and to offer a starting-point for this research, the outcome of a rigorous literature investigation on personalization from the field of IS research is presented The following sections will give an overview on the current literature in the area of e-commerce personalization The research methodology used for this research is based on a reasonable way for retrieving relevant articles With the above-mentioned literature in mind, we started our research with an initial set of keywords for our title-based search (section 3) In section 4, we discuss the emerging classification of the collected articles to summarize the results in section 5 Afterwards, we discuss our contribution to the research on personalization (section 6) and point out the limitations (section 7) and future directions of our research (section 8) Founding our research on existing literature makes it a form of secondary research with an explorative and descriptive focus This article?s structure is derived and inspired from several literature review articles published in the International Journal Production Economics [Ngai et al 2007], International Journal Management and Enterprise Development [Moon 2007], Communications of the Association for Information Systems [Lee et al 2003], and the Proceedings of the European Conference on Information Systems [vom Brocke et al 2009] 2 …

A systematic review of collaborative models for health and education professionals working in school settings and implications for training

Abstract: Context: Collaborative engagement between education and health agencies has become requisite since the establishment of school inclusion policies in many developed countries. For the child with healthcare needs in an educational setting, such collaboration is assumed to be necessary to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach. However, it is less clear how this is best achieved. Objectives: This secondary research aimed to answer the questions: what are the reported models of best practice to support the collaboration between education and health staff and what are the implications for training strategies at an undergraduate and postgraduate level to affect these models? Methods: Systematic review of current literature, with narrative summary. Findings: Models of interaction and teamwork are well-described, but not necessarily well-evaluated, in the intersection between schools and health agencies. They include a spectrum from consultative to collaborative and interactive teaming. It is suggested that professionals may not be adequately skilled in, or knowledgeable about, teamwork processes or the unique roles each group can play in collaborations around the health needs of school children. Discussion and Conclusion: There is a need for robust primary research into the questions identified in this paper, as well as a need for educators and health professionals to receive training in inter-professional teamwork and collaboration beyond their traditional domains. It is suggested such training needs to occur at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

How to Motivate People Working in Teams

Abstract: This article focuses on the benefits of teamwork. The research objective is to explore how to motivate peopleworking in teams. The study includes secondary research to gather data and add to existing knowledge. Thisarticle concludes with suggestions for improving team performance by improving motivation. These includeobjective-based team training, voluntarily formed teams, team-based leadership and communication system. Asfar as future research is concerned, motivation methods in cross-cultural situations might be a valuable area forfurther research.

Doing Social Work Research

Abstract: What's Distinctive about Social Work Research? Practitioner Research - Engaging with Individuals, Organizations and Communities The Ethics of Social Work Research Service Users, Carers and Social Work Research Interviews and Questionnaires Focus Groups Observation, Narrative and Other Approaches Analyzing Data Developing a Research Proposal and Writing a Research Report

Relevance through consortium research? findings from an expert interview study

Abstract: The Information Systems (IS) community is discussing the relevance of its research Design-oriented IS research is considered a promising approach since it combines practical relevance and scientific rigor Only limited guidance, however, is available for the researcher to gain access to and exchange knowledge from the practitioners' domain This is surprising insofar as the IS “ecosystem” is under change and research and innovation largely takes place in the practitioners' community Consortium research addresses the issue of getting access to and exchanging knowledge from the practitioners' community It supports the development of artifacts and is characterized by close cooperation between the university and its partners in all stages of the design-oriented research process, practical validation of research results with partner companies, and a focus on the practical benefits of the research, with all research activities being funded by the consortium partners The research question posed in this paper is what consortium research contributes to design-oriented IS research against the background of the aforementioned phenomena The paper presents the findings from an expert interview study among professors of the German-speaking IS community in Europe.

Research Methods for Pharmaceutical Practice and Policy

Abstract: 1. Scientific Approach to Pharmaceutical Practice and Policy Research 2. Conceptualizing Research 3. Operationalizing Research 4. Measurement Theory and Methods 5. Experimental Designs 6. Non-experimental Research 7. Sampling Methods 8. Systematic Review of Literature 9. Data Collection Methods 10. Survey Design 11. Statistical Analysis 12. Secondary Data Analysis: Administrative Data 13. Secondary Data Analysis: Commercial Data 14. Secondary Data Analysis: National Sample Data 15. Program Evaluation 16. Future of Pharmaceutical Policy Research

Overview of research activities associated with the World Health Organization: results of a survey covering 2006/07.

Abstract: This paper presents the first comprehensive effort to provide an overview of the research associated with the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in 2006/07. Information was obtained by questionnaire and interviews with senior staff operating at WHO headquarters in Geneva. Research type, purpose and resources (both financial and staff) were defined and compared for each of the 37 departments identified and a comparative analysis was made with the global burden of disease as expressed by Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY). Research expenditure in 2006/07 was estimated at US$215 million. WHO is involved in more than 60 research networks/partnerships and often WHO itself is the network host. Using the DALY model, 84% of the funding WHO allocates to research goes to DALY Type I diseases (communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional diseases) which represents 40% of DALY. 4% is allocated to Daly Type II (non-communicable diseases) which contributes to 48% of DALY. 45% of WHO permanent staff are involved with health research and the WHO's approach to research is predominantly focused on policy, advocacy, health systems and population based research. The Organization principally undertakes secondary research using published data and commissions others to conduct this work through contracts or research grants. This approach is broadly in line with the stated strategy of the Organization. The difficulty in undertaking this survey highlights the complexity of obtaining an Organization-wide assessment of research activity in the absence of common standards for research classification, methods for priority setting and a mechanism across WHO, or within the governance of global health research more generally, for managing a research portfolio. This paper presents a strategic birds-eye view of the WHO research portfolio using methodologies that, with further development, may provide the strategic information required if there is to be balancing of research efforts between communicable disease, non-communicable disease and other pressing public health needs. As the rollout of the WHO strategy on research for health proceeds we would hope to see similar exercises undertaken at the WHO Regional Offices and in support of capacity building of national health research systems within Member States.

Which methods are best suited to the production of high-quality research in geography education?

Abstract: Researchers in geography education have access to a wide range of research methods, spanning the quantitative–qualitative continuum. However, the choice of which methods to employ in one's research has a direct impact on the subsequent quality of the research findings and should therefore be carefully considered. This paper briefly explores the process of selecting appropriate research methods and methodologies, the implications of choices made and the possible application of fuzzy generalisations and predictions to the data collected.

The borderland of value: examining student attitudes towards secondary research

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate traditional freshmen value attitudes towards the secondary research process.Design/methodology/approach – The study utilized a single‐question qualitative survey, which asked the open‐ended two‐part question: “Do you like research? Why or why not?” The survey was administered to first semester freshmen communication classes where the students were able to write freely about their feelings towards the research process. These results were then contextualized through the lens of Krathwohl, Bloom, and Masia's Affective Domain.Findings – Based on a content analysis of the written responses, three groups, which comprised eight themes, emerged. A substantial contingent of students (33 percent) described their motivations for conducting research as solely extrinsic in nature and maintained adverse emotions and attitudes towards the process, while a smaller number of students (16 percent) were both intrinsically and extrinsically driven to participate in the re...

Research methods & design

Abstract: DESCRIPTION Overview This course surveys foundations of (especially, social) scientific research methods and design. It is designed especially for first-semester MS in Environmental Studies students. Graduate students from other programs who have a 'human dimensions' or policy aspect to their research are welcome, as well. Topics include the scientific method; research ethics; research design; measurement; sampling; quantitative, qualitative, and mixed data collection techniques; data analysis and interpretation; and research proposal development. Students learn how to define a research question, explore the strengths and limitations of various research methods, gain brief practical experience with several data collection methods, and draft a preliminary research proposal. Upon successful completion of this course, it is expected that students will study in greater depth those particular method(s) for data collection and analysis most appropriate for their research topic, question and field(s) of study.

Community wide interventions for increasing physical activity (Protocol)

Abstract: This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: Primary research objective To determine the effects of community wide, multi-strategic interventions upon community levels of physical activity. Secondary research objectives 1. To explore whether any effects of the intervention are different within and between populations, and whether these differences form an equity gradient. 2. To describe other health (e.g. cardiovascular disease morbidity) and behavioural effects (e.g. diet) where appropriate outcomes are available. 3. To explore the influence of context in the design, delivery, and outcomes of the interventions. 4. To explore the relationship between the number of components, duration, and effects of the interventions. 5. To highlight implications for further research and research methods to improve knowledge of the interventions in relation to the primary research objective.

Typology of Analytical Errors in Qualitative Educational Research: An Analysis of the 2003-2007 Education Science Dissertations in Turkey

Abstract: Introduction The first examples of qualitative research were seen in the beginning of the twentieth century. The very first examples of qualitative research were in the fields of anthropology and sociology which examine human life, especially the social and cultural structure of the human nature. In time, the researchers started to use qualitative research in social sciences which are interested in social and cultural issues directly, such as; education science, social studies, communication etc. (Denzin & Lincoln, 1998, p.21). In the process of qualitative research, the researcher puts forth a holistic research table, using word analysis, detailed participant interview reports and organizes the research in a natural environment. In qualitative research the research method that is generally applied is from piece to whole (induction). In general means, the qualitative researcher carries out the process by observing, doing interviews and using documents to explain the concepts, meanings and relationships (Merriam, 1998, p.41). The research method in qualitative research is defined as a strategy which determines the approach of the research and guides for various stages of it to be consistent within the framework of the approach (Yildirim & Simsek, 2005, p.69).s Since qualitative research models applied in social sciences can be affected by principles and approaches, we may come across with models reflecting different approaches and traditions (Verma & Mallinck, 1999; Mayring, 2000; Yildirim & Simsek, 2005). It has been observed that there has been an increase in the number of qualitative research in Hsu (2005) American Education Research Journal (AERJ) and Journal of Education Research (JER) since mid 1980s. Parallel to this increase, the error types made in qualitative research have been determined by some researchers. According to the study done by Onwuegbuzie & Daniel (2003) the most common mistakes made in qualitative research are (i) to control reliability and (ii) to generalize the findings. Onwuegbuzie (2003b) also counts the most common mistakes made in qualitative research as, (i) generalizing the findings of the research, (ii) making a big generalization based on small samplings- to generalize the findings far beyond the sampling and (iii) misestimating and evaluation of the effect size. Parallel to the findings of the research, the objective of this research is to give an answer to the question 'what is the level of quality of research designs and the analytic mistake types used in qualitative research in education sciences?' Method Design While doing the research, which aims to determine the qualitative research designs used and the analytic mistake types made in doctorate dissertations which were written in the field of education sciences between the years 2003-2007, the case study design has been used among the other qualitative research designs. Universe and Sampling The theoretical universe of this research is the doctorate dissertations written in Turkey in the field of education sciences. Yet, the theoretical universe to be worked in, which was identified by taking into consideration the improvements in the field of methodology and up to datedness, consists of 324 doctorate dissertations written in the field of education sciences between the years 2003-2007. In the research, by not choosing a sampling, the whole universe could be reached. From within the universe, 38 dissertations research samplings in each of which qualitative research design has been used have built up the sampling. Instrument Education Research Evaluation Form: The form developed within the scope of the research has been prepared to determine the methodological level of quality of the research done in the field of education. Having taken into consideration the results of the KMO and Bartlett Tests it has been decided that the factor analysis of the form should be interpretable. …

Future Sustainable Supply Chains

Abstract: A combination of primary and secondary research was conducted in order to realise the objectives of this project. Secondary research was conducted in the first phase of this project to identify the key issues pertinent to the development of sustainable supply chains. Secondary research informed the next stage of primary research and enabled the researchers to design an appropriate tool for the collection of case studies via key respondent interviews. According to Jankowicz (1995), this technique is especially useful in defining the essential characteristics of some issue by drawing on the personal experience and understanding of the people involved. The interviewees comprised a diverse group of practitioners, operating in many different contexts. The data collected from the secondary and primary research were then analysed to develop the various scenarios of future sustainable supply chains.

Research Methodologies in Public Health

Abstract: Introduction Sources of data & general Public health research process Epidemiological research Qualitative research methodologies Quantitative research methodologies Evaluation research Other research methodologies Ethical issues in research Questionnaire design & interviewing Further observations Index.

Fairtrade as a marketing tool: an irish/austrian comparison

Abstract: The purpose of this piece of research is to examine different aspects of fair trade (FT) marketing. Firstly, secondary research examines issues such as history, development, advantages and challenges of mainstreaming of FT. Secondly, primary research explores FT consumer buying behaviour in Ireland and Austria in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG’s) market. The attitudes towards – as well as effects of – mainstreaming and clean-washing are further investigated. Primary research has been conducted in two phases – descriptive and exploratory. Phase one, descriptive research, involved 120 consumer surveys, half of which were conducted in Ireland and half in Austria. Exploratory research using mixed modes has been used to collect data from nine suppliers of FT FMCG’s. This paper examines the differences in attitudes towards FT between Irish and Austrian consumers, with particular focus on mainstreaming. Only subtle differences could be identified between the Irish and Austrian market and findings suggest that the effects of mainstreaming are perceived to be predominantly positive in both markets. This paper may be of interest to marketing professionals and all stakeholders in the FT industry.

On the Methods of Comparative Educational Research on the Basis of Empirical Research and Qualitative Research

Abstract: Empirical research,which taking evidence as the basis of philosophy,once received full-attention in the history of comparative education research and was developed and perfected under the efforts of some comparative education researchers.Under the background of globalization,the post-modern theory,critical theory and constructive theory pushed forward the qualitative research.It was gradually applied to the field of comparative education research and even became a common trend.Based on the further academic reviewing of empirical research and qualitative research,some ideas about comparative education research are presented in this paper.