Opportunities and Problem of Social Electronic Commerce Research Question 2022

OPPORTUNITIES AND PROBLEMS OF SOCIAL
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE

Table of Contents
1. Introduction............................................................................................................................3
2. Research methodology...........................................................................................................3
2.1 Research paradigm...........................................................................................................3
2.2 Qualitative and quantitative research method..................................................................4
2.3 Secondary data..................................................................................................................5
2.4 Primary data......................................................................................................................5
2.5 Sample size.......................................................................................................................6
2.6 Sampling approach...........................................................................................................6
2.7 Factors of designing questionnaire...................................................................................7
2.8 Method of data collection.................................................................................................8
2.9 Analysis and interpretation of data...................................................................................8
3. Expected outcome..................................................................................................................9
3.1 Limitation of the study.....................................................................................................9
4. Conclusion............................................................................................................................10
5. The appended statement.......................................................................................................10
Reference list............................................................................................................................11
Appendix..................................................................................................................................13
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1. Introduction
The research question in this study is regarding the opportunities and problems in social
electronic commerce. Answering this research by collecting proper primary and secondary
data can help to increase knowledge about this area. Moreover, appropriate strategies can be
designed for mitigating the challenges regarding social electronic commerce. In this part of
the study, a proper methodology of the research has been discussed. Primary and secondary
data collection is promoted from a selected population, which helps to gather ideas about
answering the research question. Discussion of research paradigm has been done that has
helped in selecting a proper path to conduct this research.
2. Research methodology
Selection of research methodology is an important part of research as the outcome depends
on methodologies. Appropriate methods for this research are mentioned in the following
parts.
2.1 Research paradigm
Consideration of appropriate philosophy, approach, and design for the research allows
obtaining expected findings. Research philosophy allows gathering detail information related
to the topic. As opined by Saunders (2018), pragmatism, interpretivism, realism, and
positivism are different philosophies that help to enrich knowledge regarding the subject of
research. Among these philosophies, positivism support objective research and it becomes
easier to get a reliable outcome at the end of the research. On the other hand, positivism
philosophy has a well-designed structure that supports to follow predetermined rules. These
features of this philosophy ensure less error and more accuracy in research (Guest et al.
2017). Due to these aspects, it has been decided that the positivism research philosophy is
appropriate for this research.
Another important part of research is to select appropriate research approach. Deductive and
inductive are two forms of approach that support to obtain reliable findings. Inductive
approach is concerned about information on current investigations. On the other hand,
Arantes do Amaral et al. (2018) have mentioned that deductive approach allows reviewing
past and present theories to test hypothesis. In this case, research question has been developed
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and it has been decided that inductive approach is the most appropriate for addressing the
research question. Inductive approach is potent to investigate opportunities and challenges of
social e-commerce.
Research design is used for explaining the appropriate framework for analyzing obtained
information. Based on requirements of the research, design is selected and applied. As stated
by Creswell and Poth (2017), exploratory, explanatory and descriptive designs are used in
research projects as per requirement. Among these designs, descriptive research helps to add
more information regarding the topic with existing information. It is about providing in-depth
information regarding facts related to research topic. Moreover, Lewis (2015) have
mentioned that this design allows filling the gap in previous research works. It is possible to
explain detail information regarding potential problems and opportunities of social electronic
commerce by considering this design. Based on features of designs and requirement of this
research, it has been decided to consider descriptive research design.
2.2 Qualitative and quantitative research method
There are two different kinds of research methods, which include qualitative and quantitative
research. As opined by Bryman (2017), in quantitative research, the data and information
produced are always numerical. The obtained information is always analyzed by the help of
statistical or mathematical methods such as SPSS software. If no numbers, charts or graphs
are involved in the research process, then it cannot be said as quantitative research. On the
other hand, Thomann and Maggetti (2017) contradicted that qualitative research is a method,
which does not involve any numerical data. This method of research involves words
accompanied by pictures, observation tables, and others. This method of research helps to
gather in-depth knowledge about a subject area. If problems and opportunities regarding
social electronic commerce are identified through quantitative method, then the tools like
survey, observation can be adopted. Whereas, if qualitative research is adopted then tools like
interviews, focus groups can be applied (Gehman et al. 2017). In addition, during collection
of secondary data, market reports, company data can be collected through quantitative
methods. On the other hand, secondary sources like past research journals, articles can be
investigated through a qualitative approach.
In this research, qualitative research has been adopted by the researchers. This is because
qualitative research results in rich data and gives an opportunity to explore how and why a
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