Res 351 Understanding Business Research Terms

Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2RES/351July 4, 2014Understanding Business Research Terms and Concepts: Part 2Strengths and Weaknesses When it comes to sampling approaches you will notice that there are an equal amount of strengths and weaknesses. Tests – strengths are; allows comparability of common measures across research populations, can provide “hard” quantitative data, a wide range of tests are available and response rate is high for group administered tests. Weaknesses; can be expensive if test must be purchased for each research participant. Test may not be appropriate for a local or unique population and nonresponse to selected items on the test. Questionnaires – strengths are; quick turnaround, closed-ended items can provide exact information needed by researcher, open-ended items can provide detailed information in respondents’ own words, and useful for exploration as well as confirmation. Weaknesses – nonresponse to selective items, response rate may be low for mail and email questionnaires, data analysis can be time consuming for open-ended items and measures and validation. Interviews – strengths are; can provide in-depth information, allows probing and posing of follow-up questions by the interviewer, and is useful for exploration as well as confirmation. Weaknesses – In-person interviews