Business Management Homework

Preparing to Conduct Business Research- Part 3

La’Twon Hordge, Travona James, Desean Stephens, Kashmir Spells

RES/351

April 26, 2016

Professor Jonte’ Lee

Research Design

In March 2016, MedStar turned down some of the acutest patient’s demands to deal with a malware infection that infected the organization’s computer network. The situation in the hospital was critical since it forced the closure of record system of thousands of doctors and patients (Patton, 2002). The computer virus paralyzed the healthcare operations in Washington area leaving MedStar institution in crisis after patients were unable to book appointments while the hospital staff members were unable to access their email accounts. The FBI was called in to investigate the source of the crisis and provide distinct solutions to alleviate the problem. Qualitative and quantitative research design approach are determined to be some of the best philosophical approaches which have been used by researchers to establish sense and logical explanations to some of the problems that occur in our everyday life (Patton, 2002). The use of one of the research designs radically depends on the implications and assumptions deduced from a particular design methodology.

According to the MedStar hacking case analysis, the best research design to employ in the investigation of the problem is qualitative analysis. This is because the problem of hacking has been in existence for years and researchers have distinct knowledge in addressing the problem. For example, the research analysis that was developed to analyze the hacking crisis in Sony PlayStation. There is specialized knowledge which is used in analyzing the crisis that occurred in MedStar and as a result of the presence of naturalistic and interpretive approach in providing crucial information on the source of the problem, the best research design to employ is qualitative research method. This research assessment method is purported to be best in providing an exemplary explanation to situations and other generalized situations (Creswell, 2008). On the other hand, quantitative research assessment method is on inductive nature, which leads to the creation of theories that will help in the provision of clear information about a given hypothesis.

Discuss the benefits of using both designs in the research study.

The combination of both qualitative and quantitative research design method is determined to be a modern approach to the investigation of data and information inquiry. The combination of the two methods has allowed the integration and synergistic utilization of data since it allows the collection and analysis of combined data hence providing the best practices for managing data (Demetrics, 2014). The incorporation of both methods in the analysis of Med Star hacking crisis, allows the investigators to develop standardized approaches in visualizing procedures that could detect the source of the crisis and deduce effective methods to combat the occurrence of such crisis. The incorporation of both methods in the investigation of MedStar crisis allows the investigators to develop rigorous procedures in developing the right sample size that suits the analysis of data (Creswell, 2008). The integration of the two research design methods allows researchers to develop multiple perspectives in the analysis of a single issue hence increasing their potential to develop diverse methods in determining the cause and developing a solution to the problem. The use of two different research design methods also enables the comparison of both data findings between the two methods to analyze the pre-existing contradictions.

Determine which design (qualitative or quantitative) will become the primary research design.

The qualitative research design is likely to become the primary research design in investigating the hacking crisis that occurred in MedStar health institution. Qualitative research design approach forms the primary research design since it provides valuable data on user preference, behavioral patterns and use cases (Wisdom, 2009). These provide essential data required in the analysis of the hacking crisis problem in MedStar. The qualitative research design assessment method is likely to develop ad-hoc data collection and analysis procedures, which are more sophisticated in the analysis of technological problems and information. Qualitative research approach also enables the researchers to analyze data through the use of an interactive approach that eventually develops contextual inquiry approach that facilitates the establishment of effective investigation procedures (Wisdom, 2009). The qualitative approach is also likely to form an integrated methodological approach framework that allows the researchers and investigators to evaluate the organization’s network structure and any associated metadata. Qualitative research design procedure, on the other hand, proves to be difficult in the development of procedures to solve the hacking crisis in Med Star as a result of the standard procedures and theories employed in the development of a research hypothesis (Creswell, 2008).

Discuss how to use the power of each design most effectively. Discuss the drawbacks of using just one of the designs to research the problem.

The data provided by quantitative research method is mainly expressed in numerical form, statistical methods, and tests are used in making statements about the data under investigation. The strength of quantitative data is that it provides data, which is expressed in a descriptive manner. This allows the researchers to provide data on the population affected by the crisis. Qualitative research design, on the other hand, provides characteristics of the studies to be conducted. The strength associated with qualitative research approach is that it provides patterns and trends, which could be used in the analysis of business problems such as the hacking crisis associated with MedStar (Demetrics, 2014). The use of only one method of research design may result in difficulties in the analysis of the standard procedures to use in the analysis of the data. The use of only one method also proves to be difficult during the analysis of data that provide contrary information (Patton, 2002).

Determine how to obtain the sample including the sampling method and approach.

Either sampling can be done to include the whole population of interest, or it can be done to include a small portion of the population of interest. Determining the sample size involves the specification of the population in which the researcher wishes to generate inferences (Creswell, 2008). Secondly, the researcher identifies the sampling frame of the desired population. Thirdly, the researcher draws the sample. In quantitative approach, the researcher employs random sampling techniques. However, in qualitative approach the researcher uses non-random sampling techniques. The last step involves securing data from the chosen sample. In MedStar, the researchers are likely to identify the affected computer organizations and computer networks, and then a sample frame is established from the affected computer network. Non-random sampling procedure is then used to develop the sample and securing data on the nature of the effect of hacking crisis and the level of recovery (Wisdom, 2009).

Discuss the insights each type of design might generate and the importance of those insights in solving the business problem.

The quantitative approach in research design helps in the provision of numerical results of data analysis while the qualitative approach helps in providing a sequential explanation on the interpretation of the quantitative data (Demetrics, 2014). Qualitative approach develops an exploratory design sequential design on the data collected to facilitate analysis; while on the other hand; the quantitative design provides a detailed numerical explanation on the characteristics of the qualitative data. This insight can be used in solving the business problem encountered by Med Star through the incorporation of a qualitative method in the provision of patterns and trends of the hacking problem while quantitative approach, on the other hand, provides distinct data on statistical implications of the crisis to the organization (Creswell, 2008). The integration of the two method helps in deducing a means to provide a means of solving the problem through the analysis of behavioral patterns, which could be used to analyze the external threats and the incorporation of the statistical tools in the calculation of the cost likely to be incurred.

References Creswell, J. (2008). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five traditions. . Journal of Research and Practice. Demetrics, M. & Bryan, M. (2014). Strengths and Weaknesses of Quantitative and Qualitative Research .Harvard University Press. Patton, M. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Wisdom, J. & Cavaleri, M. (2009). Methodological reporting in qualitative, qualitative and mixed methods . University of Washington Press.