Using The Business Research Scenario Variables And Research

Usingthe Business Research Scenario Variables And Research Question

Using the business research scenario, variables, and research question that your learning team developed for the Week 2 Business Research Project Part 1 assignment, create a paper of no more than 700 words that proposes a research plan to implement for this project. The plan should be written in such detail that another researcher could replicate the method. Discuss the following: (a) Define the population being studied. Why is this group being studied? Specifically relate the population to the proposed research question. (b) Propose a Sampling method. What is the proposed sampling method (simple random, stratified, cluster, etc.) and why is it the best option? What is the desired sample size? Why? Can you use a calculation based on the desired confidence level and acceptable margin of error to determine sample size? If so, include the calculation in an appendix to the paper. Why is the method that you chose most appropriate? (c) Propose a Data Collection method. For example, should you use a communication study or an observational study? Is a survey or focus group appropriate? Will you use an in-person interview, an email survey, or some other method? Should you implement data mining? Choose the best strategy to effectively answer your proposed research question. In addition, make specific recommendations for collecting data. Give examples of questions that would appear on a survey or state the kind of data that you would collect via observation. (Include the sample questions in an Appendix. (d) Other topics to consider: · Discuss how validity (and reliability) will be achieved. · Explain how human subjects will be protected (if applicable). · Explain how the data will be physically collected. · Explain where data will be stored and how it will be protected. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Include at least one reference that is not one of your course textbooks. Preferably, this source should be a scholarly paper, journal article, or other textbook. REMEMBER: You do not have to actually conduct the research that is proposed here. You are to write as if you work for the organization and have all of its financial and personnel resources at your disposal.

Paper For Above instruction

The proposed research plan aims to systematically investigate the business scenario by clearly defining the target population, selecting an appropriate sampling method, outlining robust data collection strategies, and ensuring validity, reliability, and ethical standards. This detailed plan ensures that another researcher could replicate the methodology with precision, thereby enhancing the credibility and reproducibility of the research findings.

Defining the Population

The population being studied consists of customers aged 18-45 who have purchased products from the company within the past six months. This group is selected because they directly interact with the company's products and services, making their opinions and behaviors highly relevant to understanding customer satisfaction, loyalty, and purchasing patterns. Relating this to the research question—What factors influence customer loyalty within this demographic?—the population’s characteristics provide critical insights into the variables of interest.

Studying this demographic allows for targeted analysis of purchasing behavior and satisfaction levels, which can inform strategic marketing and customer retention initiatives.

Sampling Method

The recommended sampling method is stratified random sampling. This approach is optimal because it ensures that subgroups within the population—such as age brackets (18-30 and 31-45), gender, or geographic location—are adequately represented, thereby increasing the representativeness of the sample and reducing sampling bias. Stratification aligns with the research objective of understanding varied influences on customer loyalty across different segments.

The desired sample size is approximately 385 participants, calculated using the formula for estimating a proportion with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of 5%. The formula is:

n = Z²  p  (1 - p) / e²

where Z = 1.96 (for 95% confidence), p = 0.5 (assuming maximum variability), and e = 0.05. Substituting these values yields:

n = (1.96)²  0.5  0.5 / (0.05)² ≈ 385

This sample size balances statistical precision with resource constraints and ensures the results' generalizability.

The stratified random sampling is chosen because it captures diversity within the population and enhances the reliability of subgroup analyses, making it the most appropriate method for this study.

Data Collection Method

The primary data collection method will be a structured online survey disseminated via email and social media platforms. Surveys are appropriate because they facilitate efficient, wide-reaching data collection on customer attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions related to loyalty factors.

Survey questions will encompass Likert scale items, multiple-choice questions, and open-ended prompts. For example:

  • “On a scale of 1 to 5, how satisfied are you with our customer service?”
  • “What features influence your decision to repurchase from our company?”
  • “Describe any improvements you would like to see in our products or services.”

Observation methods, such as monitoring website interactions, may complement survey data by providing behavioral insights, especially regarding navigation patterns and time spent on specific pages. Data mining techniques can also be implemented on transactional data to identify purchasing trends and loyalty patterns.

Recommendations for data collection include pilot testing the survey for clarity, employing automated reminders to increase response rates, and ensuring the survey is accessible via multiple devices.

Additional Considerations

Validity and Reliability

To ensure validity, survey instruments will be pretested for clarity, relevance, and accuracy. Content validity will be assessed through expert review, and pilot testing will help refine question wording to reduce ambiguity. Reliability will be established through internal consistency measures, such as Cronbach’s alpha, on multi-item scales.

Protection of Human Subjects

Ethical standards will be upheld by obtaining informed consent from all participants, ensuring confidentiality, and complying with institutional review board (IRB) guidelines. Data will be anonymized to prevent identification of individual participants.

Data Collection and Storage

Data will be collected electronically via secure survey platforms with encrypted responses. Once collected, data will be stored on protected servers with access restricted to authorized personnel. Regular backups will be maintained to prevent data loss, and data will be retained in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulations.

Conclusion

This research plan provides a comprehensive framework to investigate the factors influencing customer loyalty within a defined population. By employing stratified random sampling, utilizing structured surveys complemented by observational data, and adhering to strict validity, reliability, and ethical standards, the study aims to generate valid, reliable, and actionable insights that can inform strategic business decisions.

References

  • Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business Research Methods (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
  • Cooper, D. R., & Schindler, P. S. (2014). Business Research Methods (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Fowler, F. J. (2014). Survey Research Methods (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Malhotra, N. K., & Birks, D. F. (2017). Marketing Research: An Applied Approach (5th ed.). Pearson Education.
  • Shadish, W. R., Cook, T. D., & Campbell, D. T. (2002). Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference. Houghton Mifflin.

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