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Business research

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Business research is not a simple linear process and it is inevitable that you will experience some problems and have to make decisions on the best way of overcoming them.

This trouble-shooting guide examines typical problems associated with starting the research process. The solutions to the problems are presented in diagrammatic form and also refer to the different sections and chapters in Business Research by Jill Collis and Roger Hussey where you will be able to obtain the appropriate guidance.

Getting started
Managing the research
Identifying a research topic

Getting started

Problem : You are unable to start because you are totally confused over what research is about and what you are expected to do.

Solution : Before you can start your research project, you will find it useful to gain an understanding of what business research entails by implementing the following plan of action.

Read about the various

Definitions of research
(see Section 1.2 of Business Research)

Types of research
(see Section 1.4 of Business Research)

Next you can begin to

Identify a research topic
(see Section 1.5.1 of Business Research)

Define a research problem
(see Section 1.5.2 of Business Research)

Design the project
(see Section 1.5.3 and Chapter 5 of Business Research)

Collect the data
(see Section 1.5.4 and Chapter 6 of Business Research)

Analyse the data
(see Section 1.5.5 and Chapter 7/8 of Business Research)

Writing your research report
(see Section 1.5.6 and Chapter 9 of Business Research)

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Managing the research

Problem : You are worried about how to complete the project in the allotted time.

Solution : To manage your research efficiently and in the time available, you will need to implement the following plan of action.

First, you should find out when you will have to submit your dissertation/thesis. Then you should set yourself a

Timetable
(see Section 2.7.1 of Business Research)

and agree it with your

Supervisor
(see Section 2.3.1 of Business Research)

To ensure your time is spent efficiently, you must

Organise your materials
(see Section 2.7.2 of Business Research)

and maintain adequate

Records
(see Section 2.7.4 of Business Research)

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Identifying a research topic

Problem : You are unable find a suitable research topic or need to find an alternative research topic.

Solution : If you are unable to identify a research topic or have to change your first choice, because it is unsuitable, you should implement the following plan of action:

Discuss the problem straightaway with your

Supervisor
(see Section 2.3.1 of Business Research) and

Colleagues
(see Section 2.3.2 of Business Research)

You should also try techniques such as

brainstorming, analogy, mind mapping, morphological analysis and relevance trees
(see Section 4.2 of Business Research)

Once you have identified a potential topic you will need to conduct a

Literature search
(see Section 4.4 of Business Research)

to identify any gaps in the literature (see Section 1.5.4 and Chapter 6 of Business Research)

Analyse the data
(see Section 1.5.5 and Chapter 7/8 of Business Research)

Writing your research report
(see Section 1.5.6 and Chapter 9 of Business Research)

For more advice, see research strategies. Business Research

This content has been written by Jill Collis and Roger Hussey, authors of Business Research.

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