Business Decision Making

Planning for a research

Background of the Study This section sets the scene for a naive reader
who knows nothing about your research.
Statement of the Problem This section states, in about a paragraph, what
you expect to achieve by doing this research or what problem gave rise to
the research. This problem statement may be presented in broad terms in
qualitative studies.
Objective of the study: This is the main objective of the study described in
two or three lines
Research Questions These are unambiguous questions that the research is
designed to answer.

Example 1
Brand awareness, perceived quality, value and satisfaction
in Mobile Phone Market
Background of the study
Current market offering to stimulate demand for new mobile services often
advertises a particular brand / make of handset within the overall package/ network
deal. For many customers their decision and choice of carrier, is influenced by their
preference for make/brand of handset available which in turn is partly based on
the reputation of the brand or the customers likes/dislikes/ needs.
Statement of the problem
The demand for particular brands of mobile phones and users post purchase
satisfaction with their phones, are issues of growing importance to MCS as we
continue to package specific makes/ brands of phones with our network offerings.
Objective of the study
The main aim of this study is to identify brand awareness plus the perceived quality,
value and satisfaction for each of the main brands of mobile phones currently in
use. Levels of market share and loyalty for each of the main brands will also be
estimated, with the view to monitor market changes over time as to which brands
are the most/ least popular.
Research questions
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1. What is the degree of loyalty/ preference that users and possibly segments
have with particular brands?
2. What are main reasons for the customers intention to switch brands?
3. Is there any difference between users of particular brands in their perceptions
of call performance and call quality?

Example 2
Rural Tourism Development for the Prefecture of Lassithi
in Crete
Background of the study
Over the last two decades or so, the whole world has experienced rapid changes and socioeconomic transformations.
The socioeconomic changes affected and caused severe stress mainly to isolated, peripheral and rural areas of the
world. However, the changes in economic and social culture structure of the world caused decreased farm revenues,
changing in the farmland values and high rates of unemployment, leading to mass exodus of the productive forces
and lack of balance in the demographics of rural areas (Gannon, 1993). It is obvious from the above that the need of
rural areas for socioeconomic development and regeneration along with the need for diversification of their
economic base so as to meet the changes is today greater than ever. In that sense, tuned to be a promising industry
and one of the main sectors that national and local governments support and promote as a vehicle for revitalization
of the rural areas.
The development of rural tourism was followed by the changes on tourists demands and behavior. Tourism in rural
areas offers the potentials for alternative, individual and more authentic tourism experiences satisfying the needs of
the experienced and highly demanded new tourists. In addition there is a demand for tourism and recreation
activities in the countryside that is different than that of traditional resorts and mass tourism destinations (Page et al.,
1997). The motivation behind of this project is based on the fact that during the last few decades the growth of
Greek tourist industry has been dramatic. Traditional tourism development, concentrated in coastal and mountain
resorts, urban and cultural centers, has proven that tourism can bring enormous benefits to the economy, society and
environment of a certain area. However at the same time there is a realization that certain parts of the country have
been left behind in development. Given their resources in the form of build and natural environment they are
increasingly seems as areas for rural tourism development.
The Greek government is currently promoting rural tourism in order to sustain local economies, and to enhance
employment and growth. Although rural tourism is regarded as a new feature of the Greek supply of tourism
opportunities, in recent years demands for holidays in small villages and the countryside has increased significantly
in many rural regions of the world.

Statement of the problem

The local of this research is a peripheral area of Greece, called Prefecture of
Lassithi. It is located in the Eastern part of the biggest island of Greece, the Cretan
island. Even though that rural tourism is in its infancy in the region, prefecture of
Lassithi provides a unique opportunity for the study of rural tourism for the
purposes of this research.
Objective of the study
The research project will therefore seek to explore and investigate the following:
1. To examine the extent to which rural tourism contributes to the economy of the prefecture of
Lassithi in Crete.
2. To identify and evaluate the demand for rural tourism at the prefecture of Lasithi.
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3. To identify and evaluate if the supply meets the demand for rural tourism at the prefecture of
Lassithi.
Research questions
This study will specifically attempt to answer the following questions:
1. What is the extent to which rural tourism contributes to the the economy of the
prefecture of Lassithi in Crete?
2. What is the demand for rural tourism at the prefecture of Lasithi?
3. Does the supply meet the demand for rural tourism at the prefecture of Lassithi?

Example 3
Study of Information Acquisition and Usage Behaviors of
Montana State University Librarys Constituents
Background of the study
MSU Libraries cater to approximately 13,000 students and nearly 1100 fulland part-time faculty members. MSULs mission is to facilitate student and
faculty success by providing access to information and knowledge. Due to
the dynamic information technology environment that MSUL finds itself in, it
is important to MSULs administration to make informed decisions about how
faculty and students access and use information and knowledge. To make
such decisions it is critical that MSULs administration is aware of the
information acquisition and usage patterns of both current and future
constituents.
Statement of the problem
Based on the premise of staying abreast of the constituents needs, the
following problem was identified: MSULs administration needs a better
understanding of how the constituents of MSUL acquire and use information.
An improved understanding of constituents needs will assist MSULs
administration with making well-informed resource allocation decisions as
well as with pursuing pertinent technologies that will further MSULs mission.
Objective of the study
The objective of this study is to find out the information acquisition and
usage behaviors of Montana State University Librarys Constituents
Research questions
1. How do MSULs constituents currently meet their information and
knowledge needs?
2. What are the MSULs constituents awareness and usage of innovative
technologies that assist in the acquisition of information and
knowledge?
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3. What are the future students information acquisition and usage

behavior?

Example 4
Is PepsiCo healthy?
Background of the study
PepsiCos corporate mission is to be the leading global consumer products
company with primary focus on convenient foods and beverages (PepsiCo
Annual Report, 2010). Due to growing demand from our customers,
consumer advocacy organizations and heavy political pressure to add
healthier snack and beverage products to our portfolio. More recently,
Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City, is pushing for a municipal ban
on the sale of super-sized sugary drinks to help mitigate the growing obesity
rate. Other legislators, including the FDA, are looking at imposing a soft
drink tax to also help curb consumption of our primary product base.
Statement of the problem
With the increasing demand in the market for healthy drinks, if we seek to
achieve our mission, we must consistently measure our brands perception of
being healthy to target consumer markets. If we do not, we will fail to meet
the growing demand from our customers for new innovative and healthy food
and beverage products.
Objective of the study
It is the goal of this research proposal to layout a detailed plan of how to
measure this perception and reinforce the urgency of ensuring PepsiCo is
responding to growing trends for healthier food and beverage alternatives.
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Research questions
1. Are Pepsi health drinks are conceived as really healthy?
2. What are the ways to re-position the Pepsi brand in the health market?

Research methodology
Research design: should mention the following:
- quantitative or qualitative, justify the reason
- Descriptive, correlational, Causal Comparative or Experimental. Justify
the reason
Sampling and Sampling frame: should mention the following:
- What is the target population
- Specify/ describe the sample frame
- Specify sampling method ; Probability/ non probability & Random
sampling/stratified sampling/systemic sampling/cluster sampling/quota
sampling/convenience sampling and explain the reason
Sample size: should mention the following:
- Mention estimated total population, confidence level and required
sample size
Survey method: should mention the following:
- Which survey design was used? Interview / questionnaire
Questionnaire design should mention the following:
- Detailed description of the instrument

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Example
Research design
This study employs a correlation quantitative research design using the survey method.
Surveys are often used in social sciences to study peoples views and
feelings (Graziano and Raulin, 2000). It is a quite simple design of research
where the researchers poses a series of questions to the participants,
summarises responses and then draw inferences from it.
Example
Sampling and Sampling frame
The populations under consideration for this study were students from selected secondary
schools located in the capital city (island) of the Maldives- Male. Data was collected from 4
selected public schools (Aminiyaa School, Majeedhiya School, Dharumavantha School, and
Hiriya School) as well as 4 private schools (Ahmadhyya School, Billabong High International
School, Lale youth international school, Galholhu Madarusaa). The sampling procedure that was
used for this study was non probability sampling. The type of non probability sampling was
convenient sampling. This type of sampling enabled researcher to include all accessible
participants as a part of sample. This non-probability sampling technique was considered as the
best of all non-probability samples because it included all respondents that were available
making the sample a representative of the entire population.
Or
As the population contains roughly same number of locals and expatriate teachers, a stratified
random sampling will be used to select the sample. This sampling method involves dividing the
population into subgroups based on variables known about those subgroups, and then taking a
simple random sample of each subgroup (Leedy & Ormrod, 2010). In this research the sample
will be stratified based on nationality of the teachers. This type of sampling will guarantee the
researcher that equal and representative amount of samples from both strata are included (Leedy
& Ormrod, 2010). Hence the sample will be taken from nineteen schools from Male. The table
3.2 gives the number of secondary mathematics teachers in each school.
The population of this study consists of all secondary mathematics teachers working in the
schools located in capital city of Maldives, Male. It has 19 secondary schools with a total
population of 62 secondary mathematics teachers (See table 3.1).
Table 3.1 Total number of Secondary teachers in Male
Secondary Mathematics teachers in Male'
Male

Female

Total

Locals

06

34

42

Expatriate

20

04

24

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Total

26

38

66

(School Statistics, 2011)

However, Maldives has a total population of 762 secondary mathematics teachers teaching in
192 secondary schools which are located in 72 isolated islands. The researcher chose to survey
Male due to factors such as time, distance and cost. At the same time students studying in the
schools of Male are widely distributed with 70.8% of secondary students from other islands of
Maldives, 28 % from Male and 1.2% are from other countries (School Statistics, 2011).

Example
Sample size
Sample size is calculated using sample size calculator with 95% confidence level and 5%
confidence interval which amount to 354 out of total 4572 students.
Or
In order to determine the appropriate sample size from the population, the researcher referred to
a sample size calculator from internet (www.surveysystem.com). With the confidence level of
95%, the researcher calculated a sample size for the population of 119 teachers. The required
sample size is 91 secondary mathematics teachers.

Example
Survey method
The major goal of survey was to learn about ideas, knowledge, feeling, attitudes and selfreported behavior of a defined population. Two separate questionnaires were used in this study.
One questionnaire was used to study teachers practice of teaching thinking and another separate
questionnaire was used to find out students decision making styles.
Example
Questionnaire design
The respondents of this study are students of selected 8 secondary schools of Maldives. The
questionnaire (see Appendix 1) that is used in this study is divided into 3 sections.
Section 1
Section one of the questionnaire will consisted of demographic information for the students.
Section 2
Section two of the instrument examined teachers practices of thinking. This section consisted 20
items.
Items 1 to 5 were used to study teachers practices of lower order thinking.
Items 6 to 11 were used to find teachers practices of higher order thinking
Items 12 to 14 were used to study teachers practice of critical thinking, problem solving and
decision making
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Items 15 to 20 were to measure teaching strategies teacherss used to practice thinking in their
classrooms.
Section 3
This section consisted of items that were used to study students decision making styles
Items 1 to 6 were used to study vigilance
Items 7 to 13 were used to study defensive avoidance
Items 14 to 18 were used to study panic, and
Items 19 to 22 were used to study procrastination

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