MBAZ604 Business Research Methods Assignment: Digital Entrepreneurship

This assignment analyzes business research methods with a focus on digital entrepreneurship. It examines the increasing idea of automated entrepreneurship, discussing system technology, management, and information automation. The research proposal uses methods like e-book research, surveys, and interviews, including the Australian innovation system. The assignment explores the impact of changing research methods from qualitative to quantitative and vice versa, emphasizing the importance of good research questions and understanding data types (nominal, ordinal, continuous). It highlights the role of focus groups and discusses the significance of epistemologies and ontologies in business research, concluding that the researcher's choice of approach is more critical than the understanding of epistemologies and ontologies.

Running head: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
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Business research Methodology
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Section A
0. Summary of your research proposal
The research proposal involves discussion of the increasing automated entrepreneurship
idea based on the panorama retaliation. The research proposal mainly reflects on some aspects
such as system technology, management, entrepreneurship, and information automation (Hill &
McGowan, 2019). The proposal aims at the analysis of the digital entrepreneurship on present
data regarding social capital postulate, social network postulate, and institutional postulate.
Question 1
The research methods used in this research proposal plays a vital role in making sure that
all the information required for research are obtained effectively. There are various methods used
in this research proposal to obtain relevant information (Randall & Gibson, 2010). Some of the
research methods used includes e-book research, use of the surveys, research equipment, and
interviews. The e-books have been used in this research proposal to get the primary information
regarding the automated entrepreneurship. The e-books methods relate to my ontological and
epistemological approach by using the already researched materials for the project of the

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upcoming research (Epifanova, 2015). The e-books provide basic information regarding what is
proposed in the research method. In addition, interviews of the various groups of the individuals
having the basic information regarding the topic discussed are interviewed. The interviewed
groups have provided models used in studying digital entrepreneurship. Besides, surveys have
been used in the analysis of automated marketing programs (McAllister & Moore, 2011).
Moreover, surveys methods givens an account of the business environment in relation to digital
entrepreneurship. The other methods used in this proposal in relation to the proposed ontological
and epistemological approach are the Australian innovation system. It is well illustrated below.
Source: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Duncan_Rouch/publication/330673905/figure/
fig1/AS:719934732636162@1548657224972/The-Australian-Innovation-System-Components-
of-the-research-and-education-system-1.ppm

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The Australian innovation system used in this proposal framework conditions in automated
entrepreneurship. It is linked to the various systems such as banking, venture, and capital
systems. Besides the Australian innovation system equipment used is used in the interpretation of
the business and innovation programs. The innovation infrastructure provides the governance
policies in connection to the national research programs given the priorities. This method is
significant in the interpretation of the required data in a discussion of the research proposal
regarding the topic of discussion. The technique brings about the impact on related activities
within the digital entrepreneurship.
Question 2
Changing the research methods from qualitative to quantitative or from quantitative to
qualitative will bring impacts on the research proposal. To start with, changing of the research
method from quantitative to qualitative will bring the changes in particular decision-making
processes as well as the natural setting of the research. The chances will influence clear pathways
which affect the research events on the manner of the accomplishing the last results of the
research (Laudon and Traver, 2016). There will be a selection of the one type of studies which
are the right executive for the research activities. The research will be primarily focused on
qualitative additives of the research. This will influence the quick theoretical frameworks of the
study. In addition, it will create the approaches provided for hassle studies. The changing of
qualitative studies will impact the way the research will be studied. It will also change the
interplay of the research on the ethical requirements of the research proposal.
On the other hand, changing of the research methods from qualitative to quantitative will
initiate the quantification of trouble for the research. It will influence the maintenance of the

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numerical records of the research proposal. In addition, it will help in the conversion of the
important facts of the research. The quantitative research methods enable the researchers to have
cue on involved reviews and motivations of the study (Chiswick, Lee, & Miller, 2014). The
problems regarding the investigation will be quantified easily because the numerical data will be
easily generated. In addition, there will be an easy transformation of the raw data into useful
information of the research (Hsu, 2011). The attitudes, behaviors, opinions, and other variables
will be easily quantified. Besides, quantitative research methods will help in the generalization
of the results collected from the large population in survey programs (Schaltegger, Lüdeke-
Freund and Hansen, 2012). By use of the method, there will be a better structure of the data as
compared to when qualitative methods are used.
Question 3
The development of good research questions determines the effectiveness of the research.
The goodness of the research is determined by the effective and relevant questions developed for
the research. The research proceedings are directed by the questions developed because the
research generally tries to answer the set questions (Cabrera and Williams, 2014). The initial
questions quality of the research determines whether the research study will be approved or
achieve its goals or not. Good research question articulate what is needed by the researchers in
understanding the intentions of the topic under discussion. The good qualitative research
questions are developed in a well-refined manner of interactive inquiry. Good research questions
determine the directions in which the research will end up (Neelankavil, 2015). Those who are
carrying real research are directed by well-framed questions. In addition, the questions set for the
research should cover all areas to be covered by the research. The relevance of the questions
determines how easy the research will be carried out. The well-set research questions act as the

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navigation tools that help the researchers understand what to do at each stage of the research. In
consideration of the two research questions provided in my research proposal, the first question
will help in understanding the significance of the social networks in an automated program
(Forsgren and Johanson, 2014). The three levels postulate such as social capital postulate, social
network postulate, and institutional postulate will be evaluated in a better way through evaluation
of the first question. The second question is important because the significant of the social capital
and their limits will be evaluated in relation to automated entrepreneurial systems. For instance,
this question will in understand how significant is the social capital and other postulates in
relation to the research. In addition, the limits of the postulates will be evaluated (Oriesek and
Schwarz, 2016). It significantly shows that, the good research questions help in understanding
the application of various variables in the research.
Question 4
In the research, there is the importance of understanding the differences that exist
between the ordinal, nominal, and continuous data. In consideration of the hypotheses tested in
the quantitative analysis on quantification of the numerical data for the maintenance of the
numerical records, it is significantly important to understand the difference between the three
variables. The importance of understanding the differences between the mentioned aspects
enables one to understand what to focus in relation to another. For instance, one will be able to
understand that a variable is treated as ordinal when it has an intrinsic ranking of its values. This
is illustrated mostly like the way the digital entrepreneurship is categorized as satisfaction
element in the research. On the other hand, the research will be able to understand the nominal
data as the values without the intrinsic ranking. For instance, the digital entrepreneurship
nominal data includes department within the business organization that changed its operation to

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digital form. The valuables can be determined by the zip code, the religious affiliate and other
considerations of the CFA models (Singh, Sachdeva & Pal, 2017). It is also essential to know
the difference between continuous data from different types. For instance, the quantitative data in
the proposed hypothesis in the research determine the numerical data which can be measured.
This means that the person doing the research will be able to understand an infinite number of
the potential values which can be obtained. There are list amount of the details provided by the
Nominal data as compared to the ordinal data that provides the highest level of more information
as opposed to continuous data. Generally is very important for the researcher to understand the
three types of the data discussed because by so doing, he/she will be able to understand the
nature of the information dealing with in quantitative study development. The chart below
summarizes each type of data and their differences.
Source: http://www.sixsigma-institute.org/sixsigma_images/six_sigma_data_types.jpg
Question 5

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The focus group in this context will be needed in the evaluation of the topic of discussion
on digital entrepreneurship. The interview will be done based on the suggestions provided by the
focus groups. The focus groups will be used to give information on what context the digital
entrepreneurship, and to what extent will it affects the research study in an ideal world
(Panduranganath, 2016). The four groups of people will form the group interview, and the
primary data will be based on interview contacted. It is just like any other research methods of
gathering the information. The four categories of groups based on their ages will be essential
tools in determining where the information will be obtained for the research. In the process of
listening and interacting with those various groups of people, one will be able to understand what
digital entrepreneurship cover. The focus groups will be used as the tool to understand how
people think, feel, and experience about the digital entrepreneurship. Their views will be
discussed and any issue related to the topic of discussion evaluated. The sense of bringing people
from 10 to 12 in each of the focus group will represent the characteristics of the people being
researched in regard to the topic of study (Nguyen and Simkin, 2012). The opinions of people
will be gathered and unlike the standard interviews in which the interview depends on what
interviewer is asking, this will be an interactive discussion. In the group focus, there will be more
of interaction and learning from the experience and opinions than just answering what is asked
by the interviewer (Bliss & Breen, 2012). The different age representation is applicable in this
context for a better understanding of how people think about the topic of study. The variables of
data will be obtained because the digital entrepreneurship affects different groups of people
based on their ages.
Question 7

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In the case of the business research paying much attention to epistemologies and
ontologies has no much significant because the researcher has a choice to select the philosophical
approach to use. Instead, the researcher should be aware of the approach that will affect all the
methodologies used in the research questions. This will determine which approach the research
will use in the development of its research. There will be less need for understanding of the
epistemologies and ontologies because generally, the researcher has a choice to understand the
possibilities coming up with the best possibilities of the research. The decision making lies on
the hands of the research to select which method to use in the collection of the relevant data. The
reason why the epistemologies and ontologies have less significant in this case is that research
design is very different from business research (Maji, Velaga & Urie, 2018). The business
research designing starts by considering the ontologies required which mostly deal with
understanding the fundamental understanding of the nature of existence. In this case, there is no
wrong or right answer selected simply because different groups of people will have different
views regarding the topic of discussion. This depends on the role of people their background
information and their values. This is why the epistemologies and ontologies are referred to as a
map without a territory and therefore they are less relevant as compared to others. The researcher
selects the preferences according to the meta-programs driven from the guiding principles in
research. It is therefore of less significant to focus on epistemologies and ontologies in business
research. In business research, there is what is called the phenomenal flow of the events, and this
does not require any idea of epistemologies and ontologies. People will have to choose different
methods of research when it comes to business research.

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Source:http://study-aids.co.uk/dissertation-blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Ontology-and-
Epistemology.png
The researchers have to understand that they are making the differences in research-based
methods, and there is no need to focus on epistemologies and ontologies. The purposes of
gathering the data in research are determined by the set research questions that should be
considered during the research. People do not need to focus on one idea because everyone has a
different approach to deal with or discuss business issues. Generally, different people will have
different aspects of dealing with the information obtained for business research. The fact that
digital entrepreneurship deal with the diversity of events, people tend to choose various ways to
address their concern about the business aspects (McDougall, Shane & Oviatt, 2014).
Entrepreneurship affects different aspects of the business sector. In relation to the interview that
will be contacted in the research, different focus groups will give different opinions concerning
the topic of discussion. This will call for less attention when it comes to epistemologies and

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ontologies. There should be therefore no proposed way in which researchers will carry out their
research on this topic. People have different opinions concerning business research. In
connection to this views of the interviewees will vary from one focus group to another.
Basically, some people will come up with positive feedback concerning business research while
others will oppose the impacts of the digital entrepreneurship. In connection with what has been
studied in the research proposal, there is no much attention paid to epistemologies and ontologies
(Berkowitz, 2016). The ideas discussed are so different based on the research questions and the
topic of discussion.
In general, the points of debate vary depending on reviews and opinions provided in the
research. The analysis of the people’s reviews defines what should be focused on in the research
proposal. Additionally, the fact that everyone has a different opinion based on the topic of study
there is a high expectation of the different opinions that epistemologies and ontologies fact
(Dees, 2017). Considering the ethical considerations of the facts provided in the research
proposal, if the researchers focus on a particular piece of information, there will be a lot to be
lost in the process. The investigation and evaluation should be considered in all aspects of study
right from the study tea and the focus group. In connection to this, there will be less need for the
epistemologies and ontologies because much of the information will be based on facts and
opinions provided by the interviewed groups of people.
Question 8
In business research, qualitative research especially where the focus groups are involved
is of high value. In business research, the focus groups are the main source of the information. It
is therefore of great value to have the interview of the groups so as to obtain the information

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required. Basically, the focus groups are considered as the primary sources of the information
required in business research. There is a need to carry out the interview based on the opinions
given by the group of individuals. There will be different opinions that will be provided by these
groups of people in connection to the topic of discussion. The fact the focus groups involves
people with different ages so will be opinions and experiences from such people. The researchers
should be ready to internalize the information provided by the focus groups of people. It will
depend on the views provided by the focus groups that the decision making of the research is
determined.
The information provided by the individual members of each focus group is expected to
be different from that of another. This is because have different opinions, tests, and preferences.
In addition to this, the anticipated challenges to be faced in business research are well illustrated
by the focus groups. They provide all information concerning the topic of discussion and
therefore the information is significant in the decision-making process. There is a need to
evaluate the concern of each member of the group to get the facts concerning the digital
entrepreneurship. There is a high possibility that every individual in the group venture in
different business sectors. Some of the businesses, therefore, will be affected negatively by the
digital systems in entrepreneurship (Kashima & Abu-Rayya, 2014). The business research is
objectively based on how the life of people is affected by the digital entrepreneurship and
therefore focusing on their facts will be valuable in making a decision. The information from the
focus-grouped can be recorded for transcription. The interpretation of the transcribed information
should be adequate for the correct information to be recorded. This will determine the decision to
be made by business researchers. The strengths and weaknesses of the business research will be
determined by the reactions and experiences of people interviewed.