THE BM ROOM - Primary Data Collection

PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION GUIDE

It may be scary, you may feel doubtful. Remember, you are taking a big step in gaining important experience for your learning and for your life.

No matter what, authenticity of research always wins.

Top Tips for the Internal Assessment (Puri and Hoang).pdf

Guidelines for Conducting Surveys

Designing a survey? Check out some tips

The don'ts of questionnaire.pdf

Use the Evaluation Sheet to assess each survey question

Make a copy of the spreadsheet and work through the guidelines. An approved questions is one that scores 5 out of 5

Survey Evaluation

Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting Interviews

Step 1: Make initial Contact

Do you have a local business in mind that you wish to research about? Do you have personal connection and easy access? Take this first brave step by introducing yourself to the business owner and asking permission to conduct a research for your graduation project for MB.

Get to know the business and key stakeholders (customers, suppliers, etc.).

Step 2: Journal down thoughts...

A journal entry can include a summary of your initial meeting, information about the business (summary, website, map location, organizational chart, etc.), any thoughts or questions, struggles or limitations, a todo list or next step action plan, reminder notes, any thing that comes to mind...

If you received teacher's guidance, note it down

Step 3: Design your first interview questions?

Being prepared for the interview is crucial but don't be too prepared! Have an open mind to listen and explore possibilities for your investigation.

Draw down a few questions that you would wish to ask the owner/manager and keep it open for questions to arise during the interview itself.
The purpose of the first interview is to get to know the business more intimately and explore potential issues that the business is currently facing. This may be specific problems or a specific strategy that the business is considering.
If you have some ideas from your first meeting about possible focused areas of the investigation, (i.e issues with marketing, operation, HR, finance, etc.), make sure to read about the topic in the BM textbook, so you can impress the owner/manager with your knowledge.

Step 4: Schedule and Conduct your interview

Consider who you are going to interview. It may be the CEO, the marketing manager, the financial manager, the HR manager, perhaps a suppliers

Keep some things in mind:

Business owners/managers have limited time. Make sure to respect their time helping you and make value of it.
Ask permission to record the interview. This will help you be present and more attuned to the owner. (also, keeping evidence of Primary research is crucial so that your teacher can vouch for the authenticity of the research)
Listen. Listen. Listen. Be open minded and try to avoid demonstrating any pre-perceived judgement or opinion at this stage.

Step 5: Sort the Data

First, transcribe the interview (verbatim) (you may need to include it in your supporting document submission).

Then, go back to your IA Final Data Tracking Sources Document, and:

Highlight areas in the interview that are relevant in evaluating and RQ
Fill in one of the Primary Data Boxes, and include a link to the highlighter transcription.

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