Independent and Dependent Variables Used in a Study

¶ … Independent Variables in a Study

Describe the Dependent and Independent Variables Used in a Study

Over the last several years, businesses have been working on identifying new techniques that can be used to increase productivity and the bottom line results. At the heart of this transformation, is an emphasis of objectively focusing on the problem through using scientific methods. To full understand how these ideas are a part of the business model for a number of firms requires carefully examining experimental research. This will be accomplished by looking at the way these principles will shape the business strategy for a variety of organizations. Together, these elements will offer specific insights as to how this approach can help a corporation to be more competitive and adjust to changes inside the marketplace.

Explain how an experimental research methodology can be used to solve a management problem.

The experimental research method can help solve a management problem by focusing on it logically. The way that this will take place is to have executives look at various studies and other ideas that have been used successfully by different firms. This will assist them in creating a strategy that will reduce the risks and improve the chances of the company effectively dealing with the issue. Over the course of time, this approach will help managers to remove the emotions surrounding a problem and look for solutions to them. This will make the firm more competitive by recognizing and adjusting to changes quickly.

Determine how structured observational methods can be applied to management decisions.

Structural observation is when researchers are looking at the entire system of the organization using basic observations. The idea is to be able to logically determine how certain events and issues could have an impact on the entire organization. When it comes to decision making, this basic approach can help managers to see the impact of their choices from a longer term perspective. This allows them to make decisions that will reduce the risks to a firm by studying how each decision will impact the company. Once this takes place, is when executives will take into account the different viewpoints of stakeholders during the process. (Picard, 2009, pp. 1768 -- 1803)

Determine how the scientific method can be applied to the decision-making process.

The way the scientific method can be applied to the decision making process is to take out the emotions associated with all choices. This is a major issue for a number of firms because different executives will lead based on their personality type. Whenever a particular department needs more resources or has new ideas about what this will do for the firm is when there will be increased amounts of emotionalism. This is problematic for a corporation by overlooking basic common sense ideas that are successful. When this happens, the odds increase that the business will face increased risks. Those companies that are using the scientific method can make decisions based on logic vs. emotions. This is when the management will look at how all decisions will impact the bottom line of the organization vs. what is popular. Over the course of time, this will help a firm to make the best decisions about how to deal with a host of challenges from a long-term perspective (which will make the company more successful). (Anderson, 2003, pp. 18 -- 31)

Evaluate the appropriateness of various sampling techniques for a research application.

Sampling techniques will help executives to determine how customers, employees or other stakeholders are reacting towards different issues. This can help during the research process by taking the findings from the samples to determine the underlying trends. Once this take place is when managers could understand how different actions will have impact on the internal and external operations of the firm. (Anderson, 2003, pp. 18 -- 31)

Define the target population of a research project.

The target population could be any group of stakeholders, which managers are focusing on. This could include: customers, suppliers, shareholders, executives, regulators and the board of directors. When any kind of survey is conducted, these groups can provide specific insights about how these actions will affect their beliefs.

Discuss the advantages or disadvantages of the various types of probability and nonprobability sampling techniques.

The primary advantage of the probability technique is the sample is considered to be random. This means that any kind of results will mirror the larger trends in a specific population demographic. The drawbacks of using this method is that sample size could be so small that there is the possibility of statistical anomalies occurring. When this happens, there is the chance that the findings of the survey could be in accurate. (Tansey, 2009, pp. 481 -- 496)

The biggest advantage of non-probability techniques is researchers are using specific criteria to select the subjects for the study. This helps them to focus on specific segments based on predetermined characteristics of respondents. Once the survey is completed, is when researchers can use this data to see the effects on population sub-groups. The drawback of using this method is that it can be very subjective. This makes it difficult to obtain an accurate population sample. (Tansey, 2009, pp. 481 -- 496)

Choose an appropriate sample design for a research application. Find a research report that uses experimentation.

The best sample design for the research application is the non-probability approach. The reason why this was selected is because researchers will be focused on specific segments of the population. This technique will help everyone to focus on particular stakeholders inside an organization. Evidence of this can be seen with research conducted by D'Abmbrose (1988), he found that this approach can help to improve the accuracy of the findings by studying specific population subgroups. (D'Abmbrose, 1988, pp. 226 -- 240)