RES 342

Research and Evaluation II

CONTRIBUTORS

The University gratefully acknowledges the contribution of the following professionals to the completion of this course.

  • Beverly J. Downey, MBA
  • Jeff Jung, MA
  • Michael McCuen, MS
  • Gerald Rintala, Ph.D., MBA
  • Jim Bruno, BSB/Management

Copyright  2001by the University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

The University of Phoenix® and UniModuleTM are marks of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

Edited in accordance with University of PhoenixSM editorial standards and practices. (Template U1.0)

res342u1.0

RES 342Research and Evaluation II

Overview

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to equip the students with business research techniques and statistical tools. The students will be able to evaluate and recommend alternatives to improve a situation, solve a problem, or change a process in a business environment.

TOPICS AND OBJECTIVES

Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

  • Explain the use of hypothesis testing to evaluate solutions to a business research problem.
  • Compare and contrast automated and manual hypothesis testing.
  • Apply a one-sample test of hypothesis to a business research problem.
  • Support the selection of the appropriate statistical t-test.
  • Apply Student’s t to solve a business research problem.

Hypothesis Testing for Proportions and Methods of Research

  • Support the selection of the appropriate statistical z-test.
  • Compare and contrast experimental and survey research.
  • Compare and contrast quasi-experimental and experimental research.
  • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different survey methods.
  • Identify factors that affect survey validity.
  • Identify factors that affect survey reliability.
  • Develop effective survey questions.
  • Evaluate a survey for its effectiveness in gathering useful data.
  • Identify issues regarding the ethical treatment of human and animal subjects.

Analysis of Variance and Nonparametric Tests

  • Compare and contrast hypothesis testing with a t-test versus one-way ANOVA.
  • Compare and contrast hypothesis testing with a t-test versus two-way ANOVA.
  • Perform one-way and two-way analyses of variance using Microsoft® Excel®.
  • Support the selection of the appropriate ANOVA and nonparametric statistical test.
  • Apply nonparametric techniques to solve a business research problem.
  • Compare and contrast parametric and nonparametric hypothesis testing.

Regression, Correlation, and Time Series Analyses

  • Test for the significance of the correlation coefficient.
  • Perform correlation and regression analysis using Microsoft® Excel®.
  • Apply correlation analysis and linear regression to solve a business research problem.
  • Identify uses of time-series analysis.
  • Support the selection of the appropriate regression, correlation, and time series analysis.

Business Research in the Modern Environment

  • Identify the components of a business research report.
  • Analyze how constraints affect the accuracy of business research.
  • Analyze the effects of data mining on consumer privacy.

DELIVERY METHODS

This module contains assignments and information for multiple course delivery methods.

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

These assignments are applicable for all delivery methods.

CLASSROOM

Students meet face to face with the instructor and their classmates.

ONLINE

Students meet via computer with the instructor and their classmates.

FlexNet®

Classroom and Online delivery methods are combined.

DIRECTED STUDY

Student works one-to-one with the instructor.

In all cases, refer to the syllabus distributed by your instructor for a comprehensive listing of the assignment descriptions and due dates.

ASSIGNMENTS DUE

CLASSROOM

All assignments are to be completed prior to the workshop in that they appear.

DIRECTED STUDY AND ONLINE

All assignments are to be completed during the workshop in that they appear.

Faculty Overview

MODULE REVISION HISTORY

Refer to the table below to determine if module changes made since you created your syllabus are significant enough to require a new syllabus.

MODULE CODE / REVISION(S) DETAIL
res342u1.0 / Original UniModule

UNIMODULE FORMAT

The Faculty Notes for each workshop are organized into Preview, Content, and Summary sections. Note that all workshops must run for a full four hours.

Preview

This is a brief overview of the content of the workshop.

Content

The Topics are designed to guide the workshop content. Avoid repackaging the information from the reading assignments into a lecture.

The Discussion Questions are designed to prompt activities and bring the content to life. Once these questions have been introduced, facilitate the discussion and/or activity toward the related Learning Objectives for the workshop. The Faculty Resource Guide at provides suggestions on specific activities and other resources. Check back frequently as this resource is constantly changing.

The Integrating Questions are designed to help students build a thorough understanding of the relevance, relationships, and application of the content in the real world. To ensure that students can relate course theories to the workplace, illustrate with examples drawn from your professional experiences and the experiences of the students.

Summary

In this section the key points for the workshop are summarized and the next workshop is previewed. If appropriate for the delivery method, the Learning Team assignments are also discussed.

TEACHING GUIDELINES

DIRECTED STUDY AND ONLINE

A Weekly Summary is due at the end of each workshop. This summary should be used to evaluate the individual student’s learning during the workshop. It is left to your discretion to set guidelines for the Weekly Summary.

FlexNet®

The FlexNet® delivery method combines the Classroom and Online workshop formats. Please consult with your campus for specific instructions.

WEIGHTING OF ASSIGNMENTS

The following are the suggested weightings of assignments for this course. Students do not receive this information; however, you are responsible for communicating your performance criteria to your students in the syllabus.

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE

ASSIGNMENTS / Percent
Individual (70%)
Needs Assessment Paper (Workshop One) / 3
Hypothesis Testing Paper (Workshop Two) / 3
Quiz (Workshop Two) / 4
Article Review (Workshop Three) / 2
Data Collection Methods Paper (workshop Three) / 5
Quiz (Workshop Three) / 4
Quiz (Workshop Four) / 4
Final Business Research Proposal (Workshop Five) / 20
Final Exam (Workshop Five) / 5
Final Business Research Proposal Presentation (Workshop Five) / 10
Participation (All Workshops) / 10
Learning Team (30%)
Exercises (Workshops Two-Five) / 25
Survey (Workshop Three) / 5
Total / 100

DIRECTED STUDY

ASSIGNMENTS / Percent
Individual (100%)
Needs Assessment Paper (Workshop One) / 3
Hypothesis Testing Paper (Workshop Two) / 3
Quiz (Workshop Two) / 4
Exercises (Workshops Two-Five) / 25
Article Review (Workshop Three) / 2
Data Collection Methods Paper (Workshop Three) / 5
Quiz (Workshop Three) / 4
Survey (Workshop Three) / 5
Quiz (Workshop Four) / 4
Final Business Research Proposal (Workshop Five) / 10
Final Exam (Workshop Five) / 20
Final Business Research Proposal Presentation (Workshop Five) / 5
Weekly Summaries and Discussion Questions / 10
Total / 100

Student Materials

BOOKS, SOFTWARE, OR OTHER COURSE MATERIALS

Pelosi, M., Sandifer, T., Sekaran, U. (2001). Research and evaluation for business. New York: Wiley.

(Note: This text includes a CD-ROM, “Data Sets to Accompany Research and Evaluation for Business.”)

Faculty Materials

BOOKS, SOFTWARE, OR OTHER COURSE MATERIALS

None

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES

(Note: To access faculty materials, use the user name, uop [all lowercase] and the password, wileypelosi [all lowercase].)

Refer to the text’s Internet web site for a test bank, instructor’s manual, Microsoft® PowerPoint® slides and data sets:

Workshop One

Introduction to Hypothesis Testing

  • Explain the use of hypothesis testing to evaluate solutions to a business research problem.
  • Compare and contrast automated and manual hypothesis testing.
  • Apply a one-sample test of hypothesis to a business research problem.
  • Support the selection of the appropriate statistical t-test.
  • Apply Student’s t to solve a business research problem.

ASSIGNMENTS

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

  1. Read the following sections of the text, Research And Evaluation for Business:

a.Chapter 10: 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.6, 10.8, and 10.9

b.Chapter 12: 12.1, 12.2, 12.5, and 12.6

c.Chapter 13: 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.5, 13.6, 13.7, and 13.10

  1. Use the Internet or other resources to find an example of a needs assessment report. You may also use a needs assessment report that was developed for your own organization. Prepare a 350-700 word paper evaluating of your selected needs assessment report. Be sure to address the following in your evaluation:

a.Describe the purpose of the needs assessment.

b.Evaluate the data collection method in the assessment.

c.Suggest other appropriate data collection methods.

d.Analyze the tangible and intangible benefits of following the assessment’s recommendations.

These assignments are due in Workshop One.

CLASSROOM

  1. Read the following items, available at
  1. “Learning Team Charter”
  2. “Directions for Completing Learning Team Log”
  3. “Learning Team Log”
  4. “Directions for Completing the Learning Summary”
  5. “Learning Summary”
  1. Select Learning Team members who will work together throughout the course.
  2. Suggest an appropriate Learning Team Meeting location.

ONLINE

  1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop as instructed in the course syllabus provided by your instructor.
  2. Select Learning Team members who will work together throughout the course.

DIRECTED STUDY

  1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop, as instructed in the course syllabus by your instructor.
  2. Submit a response to the Discussion Questions posed by your instructor.

Learning Team Meeting One

Time: 5 hours

ASSIGNMENTS

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE

  1. Review the objectives from Workshop One and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen.
  2. Prepare answers to the following exercises from the text:

a.Chapter 10: 10.10, 10.11, and 10.23

b.Chapter 12: 12.15 and 12.22

c.Chapter 13: 13.11, 13.28, and 13.31

These assignments are due in Workshop Two.

CLASSROOM

  1. Create the Learning Team Charter.
  2. Prepare the Learning Team Log.
  3. Identify your next Learning Team Meeting location.

Workshop One Faculty Notes

Time:4 hours

Preview (1 hour)

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

Facilitate introductions and a course overview discussion.

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE

  1. Form Learning Teams.
  2. Discuss Learning Team Meetings.

CLASSROOM

  1. Discuss required Learning Team Logs.
  2. Discuss the Learning Team Charter assignment.

DIRECTED STUDY AND ONLINE

Set expectations for the Weekly Summaries.

Content (2 hours, 30 minutes) (refer to Faculty Resource Guide at

  1. Hypothesis Testing
  1. Hypothesis testing procedure
  2. Null versus alternate hypothesis
  3. Level of significance
  4. Selecting the test statistic
  5. Develop decision rule
  6. Calculate value of the test statistic and state the conclusion
  7. Discussion Questions

Directed Study students should respond to Discussion Questions with 350-700 words for each question.

1)What is the difference between the null and the alternate hypothesis?

2)How does the level of significance affect your decision?

  1. Hypothesis Testing in Microsoft® Excel®

a.Use of the p-value versus a critical value

b.Use of the p-value versus a significance level

c.Discussion Questions

1)What is the p-value?

2)What is the relationship among p-value, significance level, and critical value?

  1. t-Test

a.One sample test

One tailed versus two tailed

b.Two sample

One tailed versus two tailed

c.Discussion Questions

1)What are the assumptions underlying the one sample t-test?

2)What are the assumptions underlying the two sample t-test?

  1. Integrating Questions (one set per workshop)
  1. How are hypothesis testing procedures used to analyze business problems involving only one sample?
  2. How are hypothesis testing procedures used to analyze business problems involving two samples?

Summary (30 minutes)

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

  1. Review key points and preview the next workshop.
  2. Remind students to submit any assignments that are due.

CLASSROOM

Sign off on Learning Team locations for upcoming meetings.

DIRECTED STUDY AND ONLINE

Remind students to submit their Weekly Summaries.

DIRECTED STUDY

Remind the student to submit a response to the Discussion Questions.

Workshop Two

Hypothesis Testing for Proportions and Methods of Research

  • Support the selection of the appropriate statistical z-test.
  • Compare and contrast experimental and survey research.
  • Compare and contrast quasi-experimental and experimental research.
  • Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different survey methods.
  • Identify factors that affect survey validity.
  • Identify factors that affect survey reliability.
  • Develop effective survey questions.
  • Evaluate a survey for its effectiveness in gathering useful data.
  • Identify issues regarding the ethical treatment of human and animal subjects.

ASSIGNMENTS

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

  1. Read Chapters 4-5 in the text.
  2. Read the following sections of the text:

a.Chapter 12: 12.4

b.Chapter 13: 13.4, 13.8, and 13.9

  1. Prepare a 350-word paper describing how hypothesis testing applies to your Final Business Research Proposal. Include several sample hypothesis statements that pertain to your research topic.
  2. Be prepared to take a quiz on the topics covered in Workshop One.

These assignments are due in Workshop Two.

CLASSROOM

  1. Submit the appropriate completed sections of the Learning Team Logs and the Learning Team Charter.
  2. Suggest an appropriate Learning Team Meeting location.

ONLINE

Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop as instructed in the course syllabus provided by your instructor.

DIRECTED STUDY

  1. Submit your Weekly Summary for this workshop, as instructed in the course syllabus by your instructor.
  2. Submit a response to the Discussion Questions posed by your instructor.
  1. Prepare answers to the following exercises from the text:

a.Chapter 10: 10.10, 10.11, and 10.23

b.Chapter 12: 12.15

c.Chapter 13: 13.28 and 13.31

These assignments are due in Workshop Two.

Learning Team Meeting Two

Time: 5 hours

ASSIGNMENTS

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE

  1. Review the objectives from Workshop Two and discuss additional insights and questions that may have arisen.
  2. Prepare answers to the following exercises from the text:

a.Chapter 12: 12.17 and 12.21

b.Chapter 13: 13.16 and 13.19

  1. Prepare a five-to-eight question survey for use as a data collection tool. Be sure to consider following questions when developing your survey:

a.Are the questions relevant?

b.Are the questions worded with the appropriate level of sophistication?

c.Are the questions in the proper form and sequenced logically?

d.Are the questions biased?

e.Is the length of the survey appropriate?

f.Are there clear instructions to respondents on how to complete the survey?

These assignments are due in Workshop Three.

CLASSROOM

  1. Prepare the Learning Team Log.
  2. Identify your next Learning Team Meeting location.

Workshop Two Faculty Notes

Time:4 hours

Preview (30 minutes)

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

  1. Present Workshop Overview.
  2. Distribute a quiz over the topics covered in Workshop One.

CLASSROOM AND ONLINE

Discuss Learning Team Meetings.

CLASSROOM

Discuss required Learning Team Logs and review/approve charters.

Content (3 hours) (refer to Faculty Resource Guide at

  1. z-Test for Proportions
  1. One Sample
  2. Two sample
  3. Discussion Questions

Directed Study students should respond to Discussion Questions with 350-700 words for each question.

1)What are the assumptions underlying the one sample z-test for proportions?

2)What are the assumptions underlying the two sample z-test for proportions?

  1. Experimental Versus Survey Research
  1. Experimental research
  2. Survey research
  3. Quasi-experimental research

Time series

  1. Action research
  2. Discussion Questions

1)What are the advantages and disadvantages of experimental research?

2)What are the advantages and disadvantages of survey research?

3)What are some examples of quasi-experimental research?

4)What are the advantages and disadvantages of quasi-experimental research?

  1. Data Collection Methods

a.Interview techniques

b.Questionnaires

1)Design

2)Administration

3)Analysis for effectiveness

c.Observation

d.Other methods

1)Focus groups

2)Projective tests

3)Archived data

4)Unobtrusive

5)Internet

e.Discussion Questions

1)What are the benefits of proper interviewing techniques?

2)What are the considerations when deciding on a data collection method?

  1. Reliability and Validity of Surveys

Discussion Questions

a.How can you test for the validity of a survey?

b.How can you test for the reliability of a survey?

  1. Research Ethics

a.Ethics and the use of human subjects

Subject’s rights

b.Use of animals in business research

c.Confidentiality and Privacy Issues

d.Full Disclosure

e.Liability

f.Discussion Questions

1)What are some of the ethical considerations involved in the use of human subjects in research?

2)What are some of the ethical considerations involved in the use of animal subjects in research?

3)Who is responsible for the ethical conduct of research?

4)What are the liability considerations when conducting business research?

  1. Integrating Questions (one set per workshop)

a.How are hypothesis testing procedures used to analyze business problems involving proportions?

b.How do data collection methods affect the validity of experimental and survey research?

c.How do data collection methods affect research reliability?

d.What are some of the ethical considerations involved in business research?

Summary (30 minutes)

ALL DELIVERY METHODS

  1. Review key points and preview the next workshop.
  2. Remind students to submit any assignments that are due.

CLASSROOM

Sign off on Learning Team locations for upcoming meetings.

DIRECTED STUDY AND ONLINE