Business Research Methodology Homework Solution - [University Name]

This document presents a comprehensive solution to a business research methodology homework assignment. The assignment addresses three key questions: the types of business problems that necessitate research studies, the factors determining sample size in research projects, and the criteria for selecting suitable secondary data to answer research questions. The solution delves into financial issues, business models, values, regulations, branding, and demand as areas requiring research. It explores the margin of error, confidence level, population size, and standard deviation in determining sample size. Furthermore, it identifies data collection, data provider's purpose, consistency of data as critical criteria for selecting secondary data. The document provides a detailed analysis and answers, supported by relevant references, offering valuable insights for students studying business research and methodology.

Running head: MANAGEMENT
Research Methodology
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Question No 1:...........................................................................................................................3
Answer to Question No 1:......................................................................................................3
Question No 2:...........................................................................................................................4
Answer to Question No 2:......................................................................................................4
Question no 3:............................................................................................................................5
Answer to Question No 3:......................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................7

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Question No 1:
What kind of business problems might need a research study?
Answer to Question No 1:
All the different kinds of the business organizations agree that the research is one of
the most important factors and a valuable element in the business (Martelli and Greener
2018). Business research is generally very important to understand and answer the questions
like, who are the most profitable customers, the needs of these customers and whether the
company is one the right track or not. However, there are some specific set of business
problems that can really need a research study. Some of the major issues that include the likes
of;
a. Financial Issues- There are major problems with tight credit conditions of the business
organizations (Martelli and Greener 2018). The financial issues can have a serious
negative impact to the organizations and therefore needs a serious business research.
b. Business Model- The presentation of a business model is important for the business
but in most of the cases gets disrupted by a new way of doing things. The major
problems that leads to the disruptions in the business model is important for a
thorough research study.
c. Values- The non-alignment of the business firm to the changing values of the society
is another major area that needs research (Ghauri Grønhaug and Strange 2020). The
identification of the different values of the organization and the different operational
process needs to be understood accordingly to ensure the presence of the needed
knowledge.
d. Regulations and Branding- The different regulations and policies used in the business
needs a thorough understanding (Martelli and Greener 2018). Therefore a research is

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needed to gain understanding of the regulations and their utilization in the business
process. On the other hand, the recognition in a market dominated by widely
recognized business brands is also an important part of the research.
e. Demand - The changing needs of the customers of the organization is also a part of
the research (Ghauri Grønhaug and Strange 2020). The research process is important
to gain an understanding of the demand of the people.
Question No 2:
During any research project, what are the factors that determine the sample size?
Answer to Question No 2:
The major factors that determine the sample size during the conduction of a research
are as follows;
a. The margin of error- The margin of error is a crucial element for the determination of
the sample in a research. It can be said that no sample is perfect and therefore one
should take care of the errors that will and can be allowed (Malterud Siersma and
Guassora 2016). The interval of the confidence helps to determine the mean value of
the selected population and take the steps accordingly. For example if the result shows
a 65% confidence towards a certain proposition, the margin of error of just +/-5% and
not more than that.
b. The level of confidence- The confident level is another key determinant of the
research as because it must be control in order to control the mean value of the
responses. The common confidence intervals are generally 90% confident, 95%
confident and 99% confident (Hopkins 2017).
c. Size of Population- The size of the population is perhaps the most important
consideration that needs to be answered in the consideration of the sample size of the

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population. The sample size of the population needs to be considered according to the
demographic needs and all other different needs of the research.
d. Deviation Standard- This consideration is based on the variation that is expected in a
particular research (Hopkins 2017). The standard deviation of .5 is considered to be
the most useful in this manner.
Question no 3:
Identify criteria for selecting secondary data that is suitable for helping to answer
research questions.
Answer to Question No 3:
The suitable criterion for the selection of the secondary data are as follows;
a. Collection of the data- The collection of the data is an important criterion for the
selection of the secondary data. A qualitative research which can be completed by
means of collection of a secondary based data analysis is helpful for the research. The
collection of the data is thus a major criterion for the success of the research.
b. Data provider’s purpose or goal- The purpose of the data provider is important for the
selection of the secondary data (Ghauri Grønhaug and Strange 2020). A proper
purpose of the research is an important criterion for the selection of the research type.
c. The collection of the data- The collection of data is another major criterion for the
selection of the secondary data (Lee-Post and Pakath 2019). The use of the secondary
data helps to gather different kinds of theoretical based information related to the
topic of the research. Therefore the selection of the type of the data is quite important
for the use of the secondary research data.
d. Consistency of data- The selection of the secondary data in the research can be
important for the research. The presence of genuine and reliable data is also an

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important form of the research. The data consistency thus makes it an important
criterion of the research.

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References
Ghauri, P., Grønhaug, K. and Strange, R., 2020. Research methods in business studies.
Cambridge University Press.
Ghauri, P., Grønhaug, K. and Strange, R., 2020. Research methods in business studies.
Cambridge University Press.
Hopkins, W.G., 2017. Estimating Sample Size for Magnitude-Based
Inferences. Sportscience, 21.
Lee-Post, A. and Pakath, R., 2019. Numerical, secondary Big Data quality issues, quality
threshold establishment, & guidelines for journal policy development. Decision Support
Systems, 126, p.113135.
Malterud, K., Siersma, V.D. and Guassora, A.D., 2016. Sample size in qualitative interview
studies: guided by information power. Qualitative health research, 26(13), pp.1753-1760.
Martelli, J. and Greener, S., 2018. An introduction to business research methods.