SBM1300 Research Project: Analysis of Methodologies

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SBM1300 Research Project
Assessment 3: Analysis of Methodologies for the Research Project
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Contents
Justification of research...................................................................................................................3
Quasi-experimental......................................................................................................................3
Time-series..................................................................................................................................5
Qualitative methodology.............................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................................................9
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Justification of research
The research project is based on the E-Commerce market in Australia. It has been analysed that
Australia is considered as the 10th Largest E-commerce market worldwide in terms of revenue.
The factors influencing the e-commerce sector and the responses of a customer for the change
are the focus area. In upcoming years it has been growing with more E-commerce facilities that
mean it will be increased with $35.2 billion. There are various research methodologies are used
in the research to analyse the real facts about the information. Some of the researches
methodologies that are used in the project include Quasi-experimental, Time-series and
Qualitative methodology. Besides these advantages and disadvantages are analysed of the Quasi-
experimental, Time-series and Qualitative methodology which are used in the research (Quinlan,
et. al., 2019).
The research is very important in different field as with the findings the information could be
effectively used in companies as well as will also assist in growth and development in the
competitive world.
The objective is highly to consider the customer attraction, needs and demands of the end-
users, growth and sustainability of the e-commerce businesses and future concern for the
business.
Various sources use various techniques to resolve the issue. With the help of methodologies, the
researcher will able to find out the competitors that can affect the E-commerce industry (Smith,
2015). Besides this, it also helps in identifying the different factors that can lead to customer
demand and industrial growth.
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Quasi-experimental
The quasi-experimental methodology in research methodology that looks like experimental
investigations but does not look like real experiments. While the independent variable is
manipulated, circumstances or circumstances are not randomly allocated to the respondents.
During the quasi-experimental study, since the independent variable is manipulated before the
dependent variable is measured. But because respondents are not randomly assigned, which
means that quasi-experimental studies can't differ other circumstances, this does not eliminate
the issue of confusion (Lechenet, et. al., 2017). Therefore, almost experiments are usually
somewhere between correlation research and real experiments as far as internal validity is
concerned. The quasi-experimental methodology used in this research to find out the lack of
information or information which is not provided by the respondents. This methodology is also
used to gather information from the people but the difference is that the respondents are having
knowledge or they are experienced.
The areas in which other research methodologies are failed at that place Quasi-experimental
methodology are used. They often evaluate the effectiveness of E-commerce and its
disadvantages on society and business. In Quasi-experimental methodology, there is no random
process of pre-selection of choice of groups. This will help in analyzing quality of data from
experts. After the process of selection of process of respondents, Quasi-experimental
methodology becomes similar to the other research methodology such as it is compared with the
other group of people (Kontopantelis, et. al., 2015).
The quasi-experimental methodology is having both advantage and disadvantage. The advantage
of the quasi-experimental methodology is that the research environment can often be carefully
managed. The true effect of the variable of interest on the results of the interest is, therefore,
easier to estimate. A quasi-experimental design is often incorporated in individual case studies,
statistics and findings often strengthen outcomes in a case study and enable statistical analyses of
some kind to be carried out.
Furthermore, they decrease the time and resources required for testing, without comprehensive
pre-screening and randomization. Due to frequently non-random selection processes and the
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artificial nature of the experimental context, the external validity of the experiment often is
difficult to ensure (Tumen, 2016).
Ethical guidelines should be followed especially in experimental studies. It is essential to protect
the health and safety of research subjects. All researchers should be examined by the Institutions
Review Boards (IRBS) to ensure the safety of subjects. For example, the researcher need to
design to evaluate the effect on two groups of people of Australia of distinct E-commerce sites
could produce outcomes showing that one site is more efficient than another.
These findings are not subject to strict statistics because other variables that may have influenced
the findings also have to be monitored by the investigator. This is very difficult to do right. There
may have been somewhat smarter and more driven groups of people. It is difficult to assess the
impact of such variables without some sort of pre-testing or random selection.
Some of the ethical principles that are followed by the researcher while using the Quasi-
experimental methodology are as follows:
Respect for people: Research participants must not be forced into engaging in the study and
must be protected from research topics with decreased autonomy.
Benefit: Experiments must not damage research topics and researcher must minimize hazards for
subjects while maximizing their advantages (Borusyak, et. al., 2018).
Justice: It needs all different types of respondents.
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Time-series
The Time Series is a sequence of well-defined data points that are measured over time at
constant intervals. Data gathered or irregularly gathered on an ad-hoc basis does not form a time
series. The time series analysis is used to evaluate time-series information by statistical
techniques and to extract significant stats and information features. In other words, a time series
is a series of values that represent the value or condition of a variable at different times. Analysis
of time series is a family of statistical methods for analyzing or modelling information from time
series. Sometimes the word time series analysis is used to refer to any statistical method intended
to evaluate information over time with repeated measures.
It is, nevertheless, very often differentiated from repeated measurement methods such as
ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) repeated measures, or linear longitudinal hierarchical
modelling, where there are generally only a few waves of information in some independent cases
over time (Bell and Jones, 2015). In this research, the researcher used this method to collect
information about E-commerce in Australia. The researcher used this tool at a particular point of
time that means it collects the data from the same group of people at different time. With this
tool, it has been analyzed that every second person in Australia uses E-commerce sites to shop
their daily needs.
Time Series Analysis enables to recognize the underlying forces that lead to a specific trend in
the information points of the time series and helps us predict and monitor the information points
by adapting suitable models for them. The greatest benefit of time series analysis is that it can be
used to both comprehend the past and foresee the future. Also, the assessment of the time series
is based on previous time-displayed information that is easily accessible in most research fields.
For example, Researcher or any other company can analyze the future demand of E-commerce
sites through using the time series analysis. This will also help in analyzing the risk in a
particular area. Organizations can use this methodology to determine their future sales of
product. The historically accessible information can be used to analyze time series and predict
the gold prices for a certain future era (Epskamp, et. al., 2018).
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Different other practical applications include economic forecasts, census analyses and yield
estimates for time series analysis. It is also used for E-commerce market analysis and portfolio
management by investment analysts and advisors. Business managers regularly make use of time
series analysis for sales forecasting, budget assessment, inventory management and control of
quality.
The key difference between time series issues and most other statistical issues is that
observations are not interdependent in a time series. Any subsequent information points may be
affected by a single opportunity case. This differs considerably from most other statistical fields
in time series assessment (Kondziella and Bruckner, 2016).
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Qualitative methodology
The qualitative research methodology is defined as a method for market research which
concentrates on data collection through open and conversational communication. It operates with
non-numeric information and aims to interpret the significance of the information to assist us to
comprehend social life by studying specific populations or sites (Silverman, 2016). Qualitative
methodology is used to identify E-Commerce market in Australia through using various
qualitative methods that include:
Direct observation: With this research methodology a researcher studies people throughout
their daily lives with direct observation without taking part or interfering. This kind of research is
often unknown to students and must, therefore, be carried out in public environments where
people do not have an adequate expectation for privacy. For example, the people of Australia are
used to gather information about E-commerce. There are asked a question about how often they
use internet for purchasing their products (McCusker and Gunaydin, 2015).
Open-ended surveys: Although many surveys are designed for the production of quantitative
data, many have open questions designed to produce and analyse qualitative information. For
example, a survey could be used not only to determine which voters chose the political
candidates but also why, in their own words, they chose them. This methodology is also used in
the research. The researcher used this methodology when asking about the changes required in
the E-commerce and major steps taken by e-commerce industries to attract maximum customers
to build a market place in Australia (McCusker and Gunaydin, 2015).
Focus group: A research group involves a tiny group of respondents in a discussion aimed at
generating information that applies to the issue of study. There can be focus groups of 5 to 15
respondents everywhere. In studying events or trends that occur in a particular society, social
researcher frequently uses them. Also in market research, they are prevalent. In this research, the
researcher distributed a questionnaire among 100 common people who live in Australia and
among them 30 respondents were selected (Newcomer, et. al., 2015).
In-depth interviews: Researchers perform thorough interviews through a one-on-one discussion
with respondents. An investigator sometimes approaches the interview with a predetermined list
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of issues and subjects but enables the conversation to develop based on the respondents. Other
times, but the investigator have not had a formal guide for this discussion but enable the
participant to guide the discussion. In this research in-depth interviews are conducted to gain
useful information through supporting the respondents (Kumar, 2019).
Qualitative research has advantages and disadvantages. On the other hand, it generates a deep
knowledge of everyday attitudes, behaviour, interactions, activities and social procedures. For
example, in this research, the research methodology helps the researcher to find out the use of E-
commerce in Australia and the requirements to develop the shopping habits of people. Besides,
this set of methods is flexible and can easily be adapted to changes in the research environment
and can in many cases be conducted with minimal cost (Rahman, 2017).
Qualitative research has a fairly limited scope so that its results cannot always be generalized in
large numbers. Researchers must also be careful about these methods, to ensure that they do not
influence the data to a considerable degree and do not impair the interpretation of these findings
in an undue manner. Fortunately, high-quality researcher receives strict training to eliminate or
decrease such study distortions.
In all types of research, ethical consideration is important. Whatever the research type, the
researcher should consider both general principles of research and those more specific to the
research type. Ethical norms discourage the production of or falsification of information and
thus encourage the pursuit of understanding and truth which are the main objective of studies in
quantitative studies. Qualitative research focuses mainly on the protection and guiding principle
of "do no damage" to research participants. In this study, the researchers concentrate on
minimizing hazards and maximizing advantages to research participants (physically,
psychologically and socially). In addition to that, they also respect participants ' autonomy,
decision-making, and dignity. Participants from groups of individuals who can profit from the
studies should be chosen. Protect and respect the Community as whole values and interests and
safeguard the Community against harm (Fletcher, 2017).
The application of human subjects is one of the most important ethical considerations for
qualitative research. Researchers examine the responses of participants, whom they have an
understanding or not, to tackle research factors. The research methodology in grant proposals is
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examined to ensure that ethical practices are used. It also helps prevent possible legal
consequences from behaving that could be considered unethical for institutions and researcher.
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References
 Bell, A. and Jones, K., 2015. Explaining fixed effects: Random-effects modelling of
time-series cross-sectional and panel data. Political Science Research and Methods, 3(1),
pp.133-153.
 Borusyak, K., Hull, P. and Jaravel, X., 2018. Quasi-experimental shift-share research
designs (No. w24997). National Bureau of Economic Research.
 Epskamp, S., Waldorp, L.J., Mõttus, R. and Borsboom, D., 2018. The Gaussian graphical
model in cross-sectional and time-series data. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 53(4),
pp.453-480.
 Fletcher, A.J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(2), pp.181-194.
 Kondziella, H. and Bruckner, T., 2016. Flexibility requirements of renewable energy
based electricity systems–a review of research results and methodologies. Renewable and
Sustainable Energy Reviews, 53, pp.10-22.
 Kontopantelis, E., Doran, T., Springate, D.A., Buchan, I. and Reeves, D., 2015.
Regression based quasi-experimental approach when randomisation is not an option:
interrupted time series analysis. bmj, 350, p.h2750.
 Kumar, R., 2019. Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. Sage
Publications Limited.
 Lechenet, M., Deytieux, V., Antichi, D., Aubertot, J.N., Bàrberi, P., Bertrand, M., Cellier,
V., Charles, R., Colnenne-David, C., Dachbrodt-Saaydeh, S. and Debaeke, P., 2017.
Diversity of methodologies to experiment Integrated Pest Management in arable cropping
systems: Analysis and reflections based on a European network. European journal of
agronomy, 83, pp.86-99.
 McCusker, K. and Gunaydin, S., 2015. Research using qualitative, quantitative or mixed
methods and choice based on the research. Perfusion, 30(7), pp.537-542.
 Newcomer, K.E., Hatry, H.P. and Wholey, J.S., 2015. Focus group
interviewing. Handbook of practical program evaluation, 506.
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 Quinlan, C., Babin, B., Carr, J. and Griffin, M., 2019. Business research methods. South
Western Cengage.
 Rahman, M.S., 2017. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Qualitative and
Quantitative Approaches and Methods in Language" Testing and Assessment" Research:
A Literature Review. Journal of Education and Learning, 6(1), pp.102-112.
 Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
 Smith, J.A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods.
Sage.
 Tumen, S., 2016. The economic impact of Syrian refugees on host countries: Quasi-
experimental evidence from Turkey. American Economic Review, 106(5), pp.456-60.
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