Business Research Methodology: Analyzing Chocolate Brand Preferences

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of business research methodology, addressing key concepts and their practical application. It begins by outlining the essential steps in conducting a research study, using the example of determining preferred chocolate bar brands. The assignment then explains the processes of deduction and induction, providing clear examples for each. Furthermore, it defines the term 'problem area' and 'problem statement', illustrating their significance with relevant examples. The discussion extends to dependent and independent variables, complete with a hypothesis example. Finally, the assignment delves into experimental design, exploring different types and proposing a design for the selected topic. This resource aims to provide students with a clear understanding of research principles and methods, and Desklib offers similar solved assignments for further study.

Running Head: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Name
Institution Affiliation

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1. Show the steps that are necessary for putting together a research study where you
wish to find out what brands of chocolate bar people in your city prefer. Briefly
explain the purpose of each step. (5 points)
Every scientific research requires to be carried out systematically to enable the researcher to
come up with a conclusion (Abrazo & Larson, 2019). The following are the necessary steps in
the study on finding out the brands of chocolate bar preferred by people in my city.
Identifying and developing a topic
Identification and development of a topic are important in the formulation of a research
question (Abrazo & Larson, 2019).
Doing Preliminary research
A preliminary enable the researcher to determine if sufficient information is available to
aid the research (Abrazo & Larson, 2019).
Locating of materials
It involves the location of materials relevant to the topic under investigation. Location of
relevant materials will enable the researcher to come up with a conclusion (Abrazo & Larson,
2019).
Evaluation of sources
This is meant to ensure that the information used in the research is credible and of the
desired quality(Abrazo & Larson, 2019).
Taking notes
Consultation of the sources to be used is meant to ensure that only the sources with
relevant information are used for the research (Abrazo & Larson, 2019).
The actual writing of the paper

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The actual writing of the research paper should begin with writing a rough draft to enable
the researcher to organize their ideas and determine the direction of the paper(Abrazo & Larson,
2019).
Citing the Paper
The citation is meant to credit to the authors whose ideas have been used in the research
and enables others to easily locate the sources used (Abrazo & Larson, 2019).
Proofreading
Proofreading enables the researcher to correct all punctuation, grammar and spelling
errors (Abrazo & Larson, 2019).
2. Explain the process of deduction and induction methods. Provide an example of each. (5
points)
Deduction is a method of reasoning in which an individual adopts a top-down approach
to reasoning. He/she moves from more general reasoning and narrows down to more specific
reasoning. On the other hand induction method is a method through which an individual moves
from the more specific to the more general reasoning (Gelman, 2011). It is also referred to as a
bottom-up approach. While inductive reasoning is explanatory and open-ended in nature,
deductive reasoning has its focus on confirming or testing hypotheses and is narrower in nature.
Deduction commences with theory and ends with testing and observation (Gelman, 2011). In
between are hypothesis and prediction appearing in that order.
Example of induction
The pupil who came out of that class was a girl,
There are thirty pupils in that class
Therefore all the pupils in that class are girls

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Example of deduction
All human beings are multi-cellular organisms
Peter is a human being
Therefore Peter is a multi-cellular organism
3. What is a problem area and how do you define a problem statement. Provide two
examples of a problem area. (5 points)
The word Problem area is used to refer to a situation in which a researcher identifies a
probable need for research and solving a problem. It is also a conjectural issue that needs to be
looked into to enable the researcher to comprehend a given phenomenon (Gelman, 2011). A
problem statement is defined as a brief explanation of a condition that requires to be improved
upon or an issue that needs to be addressed. A problem statement aids in the understanding of the
problem and facilitates the development of a solution.
Examples of a problem area
The introduction of bring your own device in the organization has brought more problems than
advantages
The performance of the school has continued to decline over the years.
Question 4.Discuss what dependent and independent variables mean.
Variables are used in research to denote anything that has a quality that varies. A
dependent variable denotes the variable carrying the weight of research. It is the variable in
which the interest of the researcher lies (Schwab, 2013). A Researcher is usually interested in
measuring the changes in the dependent variable. It is dependent on factors being measured and
is subject to change based on the independent variable's experimental manipulation. An
independent variable, on the other hand, is believed to have an impact on the dependent variable.

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A researcher will often manipulate the independent variable to access its impact on the
dependent variable. This variable is considered stable and not affected by other variables being
measured by the researcher (Schwab, 2013).
Hypothesis
Does the amount of sleep by a student determine their performance in class?
In this hypothesis, the focus of the researcher is on determining whether the number of
hours slept by a student affects their performance in class. The independent variable, in this case,
is, therefore, is the amount of sleep while the dependent variable is student's performance in
class.
5. What is an experimental design? Briefly discuss the types of experimental design. How
would you design an experimental study on your selected topic? (5 points)
Experimental design is the process through which the researcher organizes research by making
sure that enough of the right type of data is available to answer the research question in the most
precise and efficient manner possible(Mcleod, 2017). Experimental design is concerned with
how the allocation of experiment participants to different conditions is done. For my selected
topic, I would design an experimental study by first dividing the experiment participants into
two groups, the control, and the experimental group. I would then initiate a change in the
experimental group (Mcleod, 2017).
Types of experimental design
Independent measures.

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Independent measures involve the use of different participants in each state of the
variable that is independent. For each experimental condition, therefore, different participants are
introduced(Mcleod, 2017). The allocation should, however, be done randomly to give each of the
participants an equal chance. Therefore in independent measures, separate participant's groups
are used each in a different condition.
Repeated measures
Under repeated measures, the researcher uses the same group of participants in the
various conditions of the independent variable (Mcleod, 2017). Unlike in independent measures,
repeated measures do not involve the changing of experiment participants.
Matching pairs
In matching pair’s experimental design, the researcher uses different participants sharing
similar characteristics such as intelligence, age or gender for each condition. The participants
used, therefore, are different but with similar characteristics. One member of each pair is
randomly assigned (Mcleod, 2017).

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References
Abrazo, L., & Larson, C. (2019). Basic Steps in the Research Process. Retrieved from
https://www.nhcc.edu/student-resources/library/doinglibraryresearch/basic-
steps-in-the-research-process.
Gelman, A. (2011). Induction and deduction in Bayesian data analysis. Rationality, Markets,
and Morals, 2(67-78), 1999.
Mcleod, S. (2017). Experimental Design | Simply Psychology. Retrieved from
https://www.simplypsychology.org/experimental-designs.html
Schwab, D. P. (2013). Research methods for organizational studies. Psychology Press.