Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will meet these learning objectives:
•
•
•
•
•
Analyze data-driven business problems using action research
Determine the theoretical foundation of business problems through the
analysis of relevant sources
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data using primary and secondary
sources to generate meaningful results
Apply ethical reasoning that complies with legal and professional
standards of practice to the research enterprise
Present the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of research
studies
Module at a Glance
This is the recommended plan for completing the reading assignments and
activities within the module. Additional information can be found in the
module Reading and Resources section and in the task list.
•
•
Consult any necessary resources.
Submit your research report for grading and feedback from your
instructor.
Reading and Resources
Additional Support (Optional)
Textbook:Research Methods for Business: A Skill-Building Approach: Chapter
17
Review this chapter to assist you in refining your research report.
MODULE OVERVIEW
As previously mentioned in Module Seven, the intent of the research report is
to communicate the methods (how you conducted the research) and the
results or actions required based on your findings (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016).
The report tells the stakeholder the “story” of the research from the problem
statement to the conclusions; thus, the report will have clear phases
presenting important research information. As you review the optional module
reading, keep in mind the requirements of your final project. All of the
feedback and elements presented in previous modules can now be applied to
your final report.
Reference
Sekaran, U., & Bougie, R. (2016). Research methods for business: A skill-building
approach (7th ed.). Chichester, West Sussex: Wile
QSO 500 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a research report.
Problem solving is the heart blood of any organization. In today’s world, data metrics are used extensively for accountability and performance measures. These
demands require a specialized form of problem solving, but there are many ways to approach data-driven problem-solving. Using action research is a very
powerful tool for identifying, analyzing, and explaining problems by using the evidence from the data analysis to guide decisions.
In this final project, you will create a research report based on the application of action research processes for developing problem solving strategies. In designing
the report, you will follow the best practices for ethical research. You will utilize the research process to inform decisions in your professional life and as a
framework for approaching research projects in other courses in your program. The final product will be a comprehensive research report using the five-step
research process (identify the problem; understand the theoretical framework of the problem; design the research study; collect, explain, and analyze the data;
report the results; and make conclusions and recommendations).
You will refer to the given case study and choose a research problem that has (or could have) real business or organizational applications. You will explore the
theoretical foundation of the problem by integrating information from a variety of quality sources. Then you will apply basic quantitative analysis as a part of this
process and use this analysis to propose a recommendation for action. The finished research report will serve as a deliverable to a decision maker as seamless
and cogent analysis of the research problem, including the evidence for resolution.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three, Five, and Seven. The final submission is due in Module Nine.
In this assignment you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
Analyze data-driven business problems using action research
Determine the theoretical foundation of business problems through the analysis of relevant, quality sources
Analyze qualitative and quantitative data using primary and secondary sources to generate meaningful results
Apply ethical reasoning that complies with legal and professional standards of practice to the research enterprise
Present the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of research studies through the effective integration of written and analytical skills
Prompt
Create a research report based on your application of action research to research a specific business problem present in the given case study Maruti Suzuki India:
Defending Market Leadership in the A-Segment.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed in your research report:
I.
Business Problem: Refer to the given case study and select a data-driven business problem that can be addressed using action research to be the basis
for your research report.
A. Describe the research problem, including the context in which it exists. In other words, what caused or precipitated this problem? What has
already been done to address it?
B. Describe the key stakeholders (or potential stakeholders) of your business problem. In other words, who are the people who have the most to
gain or lose from a decision?
C. Explain the research objective. How would it benefit the stakeholder to know the results?
D. Develop a research question based on the research objective that clearly and concisely articulates in one sentence the purpose of the study.
E. Discuss the key real or potential ethical issues or challenges of the study. Consider the following: How will data be collected and protected? How
will human subjects be used, treated, and protected?
II.
Literature Review: Prepare a comprehensive literature review that carefully and thoughtfully examines the research problem from a scholarly
perspective using a minimum of seven quality sources. A minimum of three of the sources must be selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals.
Other quality sources can be professional publications or magazines, internal corporate publications such as annual reports or white papers, or
established news sources.
A. Explain the theories that best ground your organizational problem. Support your explanation with specific examples. These theories might be
management, behavioral, social, and/or business related.
B. Discuss the bias and limitations present in the relevant literature and the potential impact these may have on your research.
C. Summarize at least one other research study that has faced this challenge that could potentially be replicated and applied to your research
study.
D. From the literature, analyze at least one other organization that has faced similar problems, explaining what they have done to address the
problem.
III.
Research Design: Explain how you will carry out your research. Remember that your business problem should be able to be addressed using action
research.
A. Explain the research design and methods you will use, justifying why they are appropriate for your research study.
B. Describe the key variables from primary and/or secondary data sources that you will use to analyze your research problem.
C. Explain the key dependent and independent variables. In other words, how would the independent variables predict, explain, or prove the
dependent variable?
D. Explain the key ethical considerations for using these data sources, including how they meet legal and professional standards.
IV.
Data Analysis: After you have collected your data, analyze it using descriptive and inferential statistics.
A. Accurately analyze the data using the appropriate descriptive statistics.
B. Construct appropriate tables or graphs to accurately display the results of the data analysis. Include explanations of the meaning of the
information presented.
C. Accurately analyze the data using the appropriate inferential statistics. Be sure to include the output.
D. Explain the meaning of the results of your data analysis in practical terms (e.g., what were the results? What results were expected? What
results were unexpected? What results were unsettling?).
E. Discuss the ethics of analyzing data to ensure it is fair, objective, and scholarly. What safeguards did you put in place to ensure the integrity of
the study?
V.
Conclusions and Recommendations for Action
A. Summarize your research findings succinctly for stakeholders.
B. Explain how the research problem can be addressed by incorporating the results from your literature review and data analysis. In other words,
what do you now know about your research problem that you did not know or understand before?
C. Based on the conclusion, make recommendations to address the research problem that are actionable, feasible, and realistic.
D. Recommend appropriate strategies for handling any potential questions and concerns of stakeholders.
E. Based on your study, make appropriate recommendations for additional research that would improve the organization’s effectiveness.
Milestones
Milestone One: Draft of Business Problem and Literature Review
In Module Three, you will submit a draft of your business problem and literature review. Using the problem you identified in your Module One journal and the
feedback you received, describe the research problem including the context in which it exists. Using the problem statement, describe the stakeholders and
research objective. Based on the research objective, develop a research question that clearly and concisely articulates in one sentence the purpose of the study.
Consider the key real or potential ethical issues or challenges of the study.
After describing your business problem and research question, prepare a comprehensive literature review that carefully and thoughtfully examines the research
problem from a scholarly perspective using a minimum of seven quality sources. A minimum of three of the sources must be selected from scholarly, peerreviewed journals. Other quality sources can be professional publications or magazines, internal corporate publications such as annual reports or white papers,
or established news sources. This milestone is graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Draft of Research Design
In Module Five, you will submit a draft of your research design. Explain the research design and methods that will be used to address the business problem you
identified in Milestone One, justifying why they are appropriate for your research study. To support your research design, describe the methods you will use, the
key variables, and ethical considerations involved in using the research design. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Draft of Data Analysis and Conclusions and Recommendations for Action
In Module Seven, you will submit a draft of your data analysis and conclusions and recommendations for action. Analyze the data provided for your problem
using descriptive and inferential statistics. You will explain the meaning of the results of your data analysis in practical terms and consider the ethics of analyzing
data to ensure it is fair, objective, and scholarly. Using all of your research and your data analysis, you will develop the concluding section of your research
report: conclusions and recommendations for action. This milestone is graded with the Milestone Three Rubric.
Final Submission: Research Report
In Module Nine, you will submit your research report. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final project. It
should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This final submission will be graded using the Final Project Rubric.
Deliverables
Milestone
One
Two
Three
Deliverable
Draft of Business Problem and Literature
Review
Draft of Research Design
Draft of Data Analysis and Conclusions and
Recommendations for Action
Final Submission: Research Report
Module Due
Three
Grading
Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric
Five
Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Seven
Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Nine
Graded separately; Final Project Rubric
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Submit an APA-formatted report that is 15–20 pages in length.
Critical Elements
Business Problem:
Research Problem
Exemplary (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
research problem is
exceptionally clear and
contextualized
Proficient (90%)
Describes the research
problem, including the context
in which it exists
Business Problem:
Stakeholders
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
description is exceptionally
clear and contextualized
Describes all key stakeholders
of the business problem
Needs Improvement (70%)
Describes the research
problem, but description is
cursory or does not include the
context in which the problem
exists
Describes the stakeholders of
the business problem, but
description is cursory or
neglects to address all key
stakeholders
Not Evident (0%)
Does not describe the research
problem
Does not describe the
stakeholders of the business
problem
Value
3.8
3.8
Business Problem:
Research Objective
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides keen insight into how
research would benefit the
stakeholder
Explains the research objective,
including how this research
would benefit the stakeholder
Business Problem:
Research Question
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
question is exceptionally clear
and concise
Develops a research question
based on the research objective
that clearly and concisely
articulates in one sentence the
purpose of the study
Business Problem:
Ethical Issues
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates keen insight into
the ethical issues present in the
study
Discusses all key real or
potential ethical issues or
challenges of the study
Literature Review:
Theories
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
examples make cogent
connections between the
theories and the organizational
problem
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
is exceptionally insightful about
the potential impact the bias
and limitations may have on
research
Explains the theories that best
ground the organizational
problem with support from
specific examples
Literature Review:
Other Research Study
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates keen insight into
how other research studies
could inform your research
Summarizes another research
study that has faced this
challenge that could potentially
be replicated and applied to
your research study
Literature Review:
Other Organization
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
makes cogent connections
between other organizations
and own organization
Analyzes another organization
that has faced similar problems,
including an explanation of
what was done to address the
problem
Literature Review:
Bias and Limitations
Discusses the bias and
limitations present in the
relevant literature, including
the potential impact on
research
Explains the research objective,
but explanation is cursory or
does not show how this
research would benefit the
stakeholder
Develops a research question
based on the research
objective, but it does not clearly
or concisely articulate in one
sentence the purpose of the
study
Discusses real or potential
ethical issues or challenges of
the study, but discussion is
cursory, contains issues of
clarity, or neglects to address
key ethical issues
Explains the theories that best
ground the organizational
problem, but explanation is
cursory or not supported with
specific examples
Discusses the bias and
limitations present in the
relevant literature, but
discussion contains issues of
clarity or does not address the
potential impact on research
Summarizes another research
study that has faced this
challenge that could potentially
be replicated and applied to
your research study, but
summary is cursory or contains
inaccuracies
Analyzes another organization
that has faced similar problems,
but analysis is cursory or does
not explain what was done to
address the problem
Does not explain the research
objective
3.8
Does not develop a research
question based on the research
objective
3.8
Does not discuss real or
potential ethical issues or
challenges of the study
6.34
Does not explain the theories
that best ground the
organizational problem
4.76
Does not discuss the bias and
limitations present in the
relevant literature
4.76
Does not summarize another
research study that has faced
this challenge that could
potentially be replicated
4.76
Does not analyze another
organization that has faced
similar problems
4.76
Research Design:
Research Design and
Methods
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates sophisticated
understanding of applying
research design and methods
Explains the research design
and methods that will be used,
including justification of why
this is appropriate for the study
Research Design:
Variables
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
makes cogent connections
between the variables and
research problem
Describes all key variables from
the primary/secondary data
sources that will be used to
analyze the research problem
Research Design:
Dependent and
Independent
Variables
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
explanation is exceptionally
clear and contextualized
Explains the dependent and
independent variables
Research Design:
Ethical Considerations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a sophisticated
understanding of ethical
considerations when using data
sources
Explains the key ethical
considerations for using the
data sources, including how
they meet legal and
professional standards
Data Analysis:
Descriptive Statistics
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates masterful
application of descriptive
statistics
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
explanations demonstrate keen
insight into the meaning of the
information presented
Accurately analyzes the data
using appropriate descriptive
statistics
Data Analysis: Tables
or Graphs
Constructs appropriate tables
or graphs that accurately
display the noteworthy
variables with explanations of
the meaning of the information
presented
Explains the research design
and methods that will be used,
but explanation is cursory,
contains issues of clarity, or
does not justify why this is
appropriate for the study
Describes the variables from
the primary/secondary data
sources, but description
contains issues of clarity or
does not address all key
variables
Explains the dependent and
independent variables, but
explanation contains
inaccuracies or neglects key
variables
Explains the ethical
considerations for using the
data sources, including how
they meet legal and
professional standards, but
explanation is cursory or
neglects key ethical
considerations
Analyzes the data using
appropriate descriptive
statistics, but analysis is cursory
or contains inaccuracies
Constructs appropriate tables
or graphs to display the results
of the data analysis, but some
tables or graphs are unclear or
contain inaccuracies or lack
explanation of the meaning of
the information presented
Does not explain the research
design and methods that will be
used
3.8
Does not describe the variables
from primary/secondary data
sources
4.76
Does not explain the dependent
and independent variables
4.76
Does not explain the ethical
considerations for using the
data sources
6.34
Does not analyze the data using
appropriate descriptive
statistics
4.76
Does not construct appropriate
tables or graphs to display the
results of the data analysis
2.72
Data Analysis:
Inferential Statistics
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates masterful
application of inferential
statistics
Accurately analyzes the data
using appropriate inferential
statistics, including the output
Data Analysis:
Meaning of the
Results
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
explanation is exceptionally
clear and contextualized
Explains the meaning of the
results of the data analysis in
practical terms
Data Analysis: Ethics
of Analyzing Data
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
safeguards put in place
demonstrate keen insight into
the ethics involved in data
analysis
Discusses the ethics of
analyzing data to ensure it is
fair, objective, and scholarly as
well as safeguards put in place
to ensure the integrity of the
study
Conclusions and
Recommendations for
Action: Research
Findings
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
summary is exceptionally
concise and contextualized
Summarizes research findings
succinctly for stakeholders
Conclusions and
Recommendations for
Action: Research
Problem
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
makes cogent connections
between the literature review,
data analysis, and research
problem
Explains how the research
problem can be addressed by
incorporating results from the
literature review and data
analysis
Conclusions and
Recommendations for
Action:
Recommendations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates sophisticated
understanding of how to
address the research problem
Conclusions and
Recommendations for
Action: Questions and
Concerns of
Stakeholders
Meets “Proficient” criteria, and
recommendations demonstrate
a keen awareness of the
intended audience
Makes recommendations to
address the research problem
that are actionable, feasible,
and realistic based on the
conclusion
Recommends appropriate
strategies for handling any
potential questions and
concerns of stakeholders
Analyzes the data using
appropriate inferential
statistics, but analysis is
cursory, contains inaccuracies,
or does not include the output
Explains the meaning of the
results of the data analysis, but
explanation is cursory, contains
inaccuracies, or is not in
practical terms
Discusses the ethics of
analyzing data to ensure it is
fair, objective, and scholarly,
but discussion is cursory,
contains inaccuracies, or does
not include safeguards put in
place to ensure the integrity of
the study
Summarizes research findings
for stakeholders, but summary
is too comprehensive or lacks
clarity
Does not analyze the data using
appropriate inferential statistics
4.76
Does not explain the meaning
of the results of the data
analysis
2.72
Does not discuss the ethics of
analyzing data to ensure it is
fair, objective, and scholarly
6.34
Does not summarize research
findings for stakeholders
2.72
Explains how the research
problem can be addressed by
incorporating results from the
literature review and data
analysis, but explanation is
cursory or illogical
Makes recommendations to
address the research problem,
but they are not all actionable,
feasible, and/or realistic or
based on the conclusion
Recommends strategies for
handling any potential
questions and concerns of
stakeholders, but not all
recommendations are
appropriate
Does not explain how the
research problem can be
addressed
2.72
Does not make
recommendations to address
the research problem
2.72
Does not recommend strategies
for handling any potential
questions and concerns of
stakeholders
2.72
Conclusions and
Recommendations for
Action: Additional
Research
Articulation of
Response
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates sophisticated
understanding of how
additional research would
improve the organization’s
effectiveness
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented in
a professional and easy-to-read
format
Makes appropriate
recommendations for
additional research that would
improve the organization’s
effectiveness
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Makes recommendations for
additional research that would
improve the organization’s
effectiveness, but not all
recommendations are
appropriate
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas
Does not make
recommendations for additional
research that would improve
the organization’s effectiveness
2.72
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
4.86
Total
100%
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