research methodogy

1. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 1
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
(Business Research Methods)
Week 5

2. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 2
Secondary Data
Secondary (or historical) data is data which has
been acquired through a research or any other
effort in the past and for another purpose
Depending on the secondary data needed, there
may be numerous sources for acquiring this
secondary data

3. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 3
Advantages of Secondary Data
• Pool of already existing data
• Cost-effective vis-à-vis primary data
• Quick availability
• No need for designing and undertaking a
research study
• Collecting primary data may not be
feasible (privacy issues)
• Many different sources are available

4. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 4
Disadvantages of Secondary Data
• Relevance for researcher
• Does data apply to target population?
• Time-frame consistent with researchers
requirement? (outdatedness)
• Variation in terms of definition of terms
• Different units of measurement (data
conversion)
• Verification of data’s accuracy (inherent biases
due to vested interests)
• Reputation of the data-collecting organization
and research design used may not be good

5. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 5
Evaluating Secondary Data
Do the data help answer questions
set out in the problem definition?
Do the data apply to the time
period of interest?
Do the data apply to the population
of interest?
Do other terms and variable
classifications presented apply
to the project?
Are the units of measurement compatible?
Can data
be re-
worked?
If yes,
continue
Applicability
to
Current
Project
No!
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No!
No!
No!
No! (Next
Slide!)

6. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 6
Evaluating Secondary Data
Are the units of measurement compatible?
If possible, go to the original data source
Is the cost of data acquisition worth it?
Is there a possibility of bias?
Can accuracy of data collection be verified?
Use Data
No!
Yes!
No!
Inaccurate
or unsure)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes (accurate)
No
Is using
data worth
the risk?
No
Yes
No

7. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 7
Fact Finding
Fact finding is about collecting secondary (or descriptive) data
with a view to obtaining insights which can assist in decision-
making
Some examples:
(1) Macroeconomic Data of Pakistan
(2) Global Oil price trends
(3) FDI in China over the period 2000-2005
(4) Trade statistics
(5) Salary structure across ten selected industries

8. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 8
Model Building
 Model building is about specifying relationships
between two or more variables
 Models can range from very simple ones,
involving only two interrelated variables to
complex ones involving several interrelated
variables (multivariate statistical forecasting
models)

9. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 9
Classification of Secondary Data: Internal Sources
 Internal Sources (data already existing within an
organization, for example, data collected and
stored by various departments such as
accounting and finance, marketing)
 Sometimes one unit in an organization is
unaware that other units may be maintaining
data which may be relevant for it and undertakes
unnecessary and costly data collection

10. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 10
Classification of Secondary Data: External Sources
 External Sources (data generated or provided by
individuals and entities other than the researcher or
his/her organization)
 There are many types of external sources of secondary
data:
 Books and Professional Journals
 Federal Government sources
 Regional / Provincial Publications
 Electronic and Print Media Sources
 Commercial Sources
 Internet, CDs

11. 29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 11
Secondary Data in the International Context
 As economies and business becomes
increasingly global in outlook, so does the need
for secondary data from other regions and
countries
 Potential Problems:
 Unavailability of data in some countries
 Accuracy of data may be questionable
 Definitions and measurements of data may vary
 Comparability of data may be difficult