Relationship between Meta-Analysis and Other Research Methods - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages A questionnaire-based survey involves isolating samples from a population, obtaining data from the samples and making conclusions about the population based on the sample. The questionnaire method uses questions to obtain data from the field. The method translates research objectives into questions. A focus group is another qualitative research method that goes beyond explaining the quantitative aspects of data. A focus group refers to all participants who take part in discussions about research. This method applies to open-ended research studies that cover a wide range of objectives (Jowett & O’Toole, 2006).
The historical research method involves studying what happened in the past and identifying the push factors for these past events. Historians use this method to explain past events by applying scientific skills, conscience and other tools of analysis (Methods Network, 2011). The observation method involves humans using their senses to determine the events taking place and their effects. The observation method can be direct or indirect. Direct observation involves the active actions of the researcher to collect data while indirect observation involves collecting data from recorded information, for example, from movies (Management Study Guide, 2012). The action research method involves the participation of a group of people who suffer from a similar problem. Attempts to solve their problem reveal the best ways of solving such problems.
Applications of research methods in the business sector
Historical research is the research method that most business organizations use in their operations. This is because the method involves reviewing past data in the history of an organization. Scholars will be interested in determining the impacts of past events on their performance. The businesses must use past data to identify different variables that affect their performance. Researchers can also use the questionnaire method to assess the impact of various strategies on employees and other members of the organizations. Employees answer the questions that the management asks through the questionnaires. Researchers use the focus group method to explain their financial statements. This research method explains quantitative data to give it extra meaning. Businesses explain their financial statements by giving reasons that lead to a loss or profit. Businesses use observation methods in observing trends in a population including consumption of goods and services. The action research method is the result of the participation of members who suffer from the same problems. Most researchers use an action research method to determine the impacts of change among members of the organizations. The change affects all members of the organization and their attempts to deal with the effects reveal the best ways to tackle change in organizations. Businesses can use such data in implementing various change strategies in their processes. The main similarity between meta-analysis and questionnaire method is that both depend on the accuracy and expertise of the researcher and the respondent respectively. Reliability of meta-analysis is a factor of the ability of the researcher to summarize data from previous research studies and similarly, the reliability of questionnaires depends on the structure and the ability of the respondent to understand the questions (Leung, 2001). ...Download file to see next pagesRead More