Research design principles and methodologies

¶ … online MBA programs at the University of Phoenix (http://www.phoenix.edu/online_learning). Compare it to the traditional MBA program at Hawaii Pacific University. Suppose each was looking to expand the numbers of students in their programs; how might the research design differ for each?

A research project designed to find out how to increase enrollment for the University of Phoenix Online MBA program vs. A traditional MBA program at Hawaii Pacific University would be significantly different in several respects. First, the targeted population of respondents would be significantly different. The most fundamental difference in research projects begins with the definition of the respondent base, and assumptions relative to their attitudes, behaviors and preferences are compensated for in the research design (Robinson, et.al). The second significant difference would be in the approach used for gathering information. With potential students for an online school, there is going to be much more of a geographically dispersed sample, versus students for an MBA program at Hawaii Pacific University.

The variation in sampling frames also dictates differences in how attitudes, preferences and unmet needs are also measured (Bar-Isaac, Caruana, Cunat, 375). Finally there will be significant differences in how each of the results are analyzed, given the fact that the University of Phoenix can support many more students, across a much wider geographic area, than the Hawaii Pacific University MBA Program could for example. The analysis and strategies defined therefore will vary significantly across each group (Ben-Ur, Newman, 515). All of these factors would need to be taken into account when creating a research design.

2. Use a Web browser to go to the Gallup Organization's home page at (http://www.gallup.com). The Gallup home page changes regularly. However, it should provide an opportunity to read the results of a recent poll. For example, a poll might break down Americans sympathies toward Israel or the Palestinians based on numerous individual characteristics such as political affiliation or religious involvement. After reading the results of a Gallup poll of this type, learn how polls are conducted. You may need to click on the Frequently Asked Questions list (FAQ) to find this information. List the various stages of the research process and how they were (or were not) followed in Gallup's projects.

Gallup relies on a methodology that has evolved over decades of research to capture respondent attitudes, believes and behaviors on critical domestic and international issues. As a result, the sampling frame and validity of the model has been fine-tuned over decades of use. As part of their methodology, Gallup completes a test of their questionnaires and survey instruments, and depending on the topic and research design, completes a stratified random sampling of several subgroups or segments as well. In the area of telephone surveys, Gallup works to capture primary data at the ordinal or interval level of data scaling to ensure its reliability. All of these factors are taken into account to ensure the results are applicable or can be extrapolated across the entire population of interest (Robinson, 19). Gallup also uses a series of validation checks to ensure the data is accurate and representative of the total population. Their methodology is among the most thorough of companies completing polls today. As a result, it is common for all the major networks to quote from Gallup surveys and the presidential election coverage also relies on the analyses of their research to define who the winner will be of the election. Based on the reliability of their research, their brand as a research provider is among the most trusted.

3. Any significant business decision requires input from a research project. Write a brief essay either defending this statement or refuting it.

The essence of any effective business decision is the mitigation of risk and the optimizing of opportunity. The greater the amount of relevant information, often acquired through primary research strategies, the greater the risk reduction. Therefore, it is imperative that research be used to mitigate risk over time. The use of research to further delineate the most vs. least attractive strategies for attaining corporate goals is critically important and necessary (Bar-Isaac, Caruana, Cunat, 375). Without research, the odds of making a poor decision increase exponentially. The accelerating effects of a difficult economic climate also fuel the urgency for using research as a means to gain insights into what is most important in terms of threats and opportunities for strategies going forward.