Business and Management Research

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Lecture 9

Data Analysis, Discussion and

Conclusion

Report structure1. Title page

2. Abstract

3. Introduction

4. Related work

5. Method

6. Data analysis and Results

7. Discussion

8. Conclusion

9. References

10. Appendices

Data Analysis• Once the data have been collected, the next important phase in the research process is analysing and evaluating the data.

• The interpretation of the data that have been collected by using different analytical techniques according to the requirements of the management is called analysis.

•The reason for analysing the data is to obtain research results and to prepare the research report.

•Several mathematical and statistical models are usedto evaluate the quantitative data such as regression and t-test.

Data Analysis• Technological advances have made it possible for data to be collected and directly fed into computers, removing the possibility of human error.

•Questionnaire results must be reported using tables and

graphs

• Avoid first-person pronoun

• Use passive voice (It is shown / suggested that…)

• Questionnaire results must be reported using tables

and graphs

• Avoid first-person pronoun

• Use passive voice (It is shown / suggested that…)

Data Analysis

Example - Categorical Variables

Example

Example

Conducted

questionnaire

questioned

random

Example

respondents

interviewees

mentioned

majority

slightly

minority

questions

common

generally

sample

In the previous exercise:

Highlighting your findings

•Begin a new paragraph•Use different language•If possible, use we and active form•Use shorter than normal sentences•Keep the paragraph short

Discussion and Conclusion

Discussion and Conclusion

• In Discussion / Conclusions it is essential to:1)be clear what you did and what other authors have done

2) highlight your unique contribution

3) discuss limitations of your findings

4) state what the applications and implications of your research are.

5) Tie discussions to the literature and recommendations for practice.

Discussion and Conclusion

Not making the distinction clear between what YOU did and what OTHERS have done causes more confusion for the reader than any grammatical or vocabulary mistake

Discussion and Conclusion

Exercise• Describe one limitation of your research, and counter any reason for this limitation

Discussion and Conclusion

• Don’t end your Discussion or project proposal by talking about your limitations.

• End with something very positive – this will be thereader’s final impression

Discussion and Conclusion

Excersise• Write ONE sentence each for these questions.• 1) Why is my research so important?

• 2) What is the main limitation in the literature (previous research )?

• 4) What is the main limitation of my results so far?

Discussion and Conclusion• What are your research limitations?• Unfortunately, the sample size was small …• Show the positive side of your limitations, and

highlight that other published papers also had their limitations

Don’t present your limitation in a negative way.

Instead say• Although the sample size was

small it was nevertheless representative of the population

Discussion and Conclusion

Unfortunately, the sample size was small

Exercise• State the implications and possible applications

of your research.

• Talk also about future work.