Unit 1 Discussion 1 - Essay Example

Reflection 18th, December, Reflecting on Bias This week’s work was informative and of great help in my research. I learnt about the different methods of data collection and analysis, the strengths and weakness of each method and their appropriateness in different kinds of study. Moreover, I learnt how to write a research proposal that reflects my research question and the importance of my study. Another aspect learnt in the course of the week is how to identify and state the research question.

The problem statement reflected the aim and importance of the research. The topic I have chosen regards the use of Yoga to alleviate back pain has the potential of contributing valuable knowledge to the field of business and other fields of research such as medicine. Moreover, I have a personal interest in this topic since it affects my employees resulting in absenteeism (Bryman & Bell, 2007). Biasness, assumptions, and attitude can have negative impacts on the research findings by distorting the strategies used in data collection and analysis.

Although it might be difficult to eliminate biasness, it can be reduce by limiting misinterpretations and misuse of data. To reduce misinterpretation, I will make sure I verify the meaning of statements and answers given by the participants. Moreover, I will ensure that the data collected is not revealed to other parties and will not be changed in the course of recording and analysis (Miyazaki & Taylor, 2007; Bryman & Bell, 2007). I will avoid having preset assumptions and experiments since I understand they can affect the findings of my study.

Additionally, I will avoid allowing personal beliefs to affect the data collection by conducting the research without preset expectations. Moreover, I will acknowledge areas where unavoidable biasness may have occurred due to the shortcomings that arise from the data collection and analysis techniques. Additionally, I will phrase my research questions appropriately to prevent the participants giving answers that could be socially desirable. To lessen the biasness, I will include many variables to reduce the effect that arise from design bias (Bryman & Bell, 2007).

To identify biases, I will analyze the different sources of biases, which include moderator bias, biasness in questions, biasness in answers, biasness in sampling, and biased reporting. In each case, I will ensure that the data collection and analysis tools used in the entire study reduce the different types of biasness. Moreover, I will ensure that the participants are aware of the importance of giving truthful answers. On my part, I will ensure that I report the true finding as reported by the participants (Miyazaki & Taylor, 2007).

As a scholar practitioner, I understand that ethics are a foundation for conducting effective and significant research. Therefore, I will uphold ethical behaviors. This will through getting the consent of the participants before involving them in the research. I will ensure that that the participants practice free will throughout the entire research process. They will thus be free to quit at any point in the research if they feel the need to do so. Moreover, I will plan the research questions appropriately to ensure that the participants understand them (Miyazaki & Taylor, 2007).

Conclusively, this class was very informative. I learned on different research models, which include qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approach. I also learned how to conduct an interview and how to code it. Moreover, I learned how to write a Doctoral Study Proposal draft.  References Bryman, A., & Bell, B. (2007). Business Research Methods. London: Oxford University Press. Miyazaki, A., & Taylor, K. (2007). Researcher Interaction Biases and Business Ethics Research: Respondent Reactions to Researcher Characteristics.

Journal of Business Ethics, Vol 81, 779–795.