Business Research Methods Part 3 Example

Business Research Methods Part 3 Example Business Research Methods Part 3 – Term Paper Example Discuss potential challenges to validity and reliability of your research question, data and analysis. Outline steps needed to minimize these challenges. There are potential challenges which may pose to the validity and reliability of the research question, data and analysis. Nowadays a lot of importance is given to qualitative methods to collect data like focus groups, in – depth interviews and observational methods. However, these may be biased as considerable research needs to be done prior to selecting a sample group. Also the researcher may be biased in trying to determine the participant observation. Another potential challenge lies in data collection and analysis. Sometimes the data might be outdated or the researcher may not be able to collect comprehensive data to carry out research. Another challenge is to prioritize and filter information from the data – both qualitative and quantitative. The researcher needs to abandon redundant information and include only those which are relevant to his or her research (Sittig et al, 2008).There may be several methods which a researcher may employ in order to reduce the challenges and increase the authenticity of data used in research. Here the researcher has conducted both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the healthcare dilemma in American households. One of them is to involve iterative methods and the refinement and development of analogies, typologies and other methods to analyze data (Fitzpatrick & Boulton 1996). This is extremely important especially when qualitative methods of data collection are employed. The researcher may be biased or the participants may be biased in providing their observations and answers. Hence, conducting iteration is one way to reduce such bias in data analysis. Another way to authenticate and validate the data collected in research is to properly prioritize and sort out the data. The researcher must take into account only information which is relevant t o the research. The researcher must keep in mind that the reliability and validity of the research depends on the data collection and analysis. Hence, it is very necessary to try and procure accurate data in order to conduct research. References: Sittig, D.F., Wright, A., Osheroff, J. A., Middleton, B., Teich, J.M., Ash, J.S., Campbell, E., Bates, D.W. (2008). Grand challenges in clinical decision support. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 41, 387 – 392. Fitzpatrick, Ray & Boulton, Mary. (1996). Qualitative research in healthcare: The scope and validity of methods. Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice, 2, 123 – 130.

Red Alert 10 Signs You Should Avoid That Freelance Writing Client

Red Alert 10 Signs You Should Avoid That Freelance Writing Client When you’re a hungry freelance writer, it can be hard to say no to a prospective client. But not every freelance-writing job is one you should take. Some clients are simply a nightmare. The good news is, you can often tell you’ve got a PITA (Pain In The A*) client before you ever get started. After more than 20 years of freelancing – and 7 years coaching 12,000 writers in my Freelance Writers Den support community online here are my warning signs. 1. The freebie request Based on what I’m hearing, there’s been a resurgence of the ‘free sample’ scam. If you have portfolio samples, there’s no reason to do a custom, unpaid piece as a tryout. These clients rarely hire writers. They just tell you no, and then use all the free-tryout posts and ideas they get. 2. Buy-to-work offers Ever get what sounds like a big-name client who’s dying to put you to work, as soon as you write a check for the computer or supplies they insist you need to do their job? Yeah that’s a popular scam. Even if they send you a check to cover that cost, it bounces. 3. Low pay and promises Many faltering startups have work available now, at terrible pay rates, but they promise it’s only temporary. Don’t believe it. If you start low, you’re likely to stay there. And clients who can’t pay pro rates often go bust. 4. Paid in dreams Some clients have an exciting startup story to tell you, and they’d like you to work for shares of stock in their company (a/k/a equity). Those will be worth a fortune someday, they insist. Only take these gigs if you can afford to never get paid. 5. Paid for the win Some shady companies and nonprofits will ask you to write a grant, Kickstarter campaign, or bid proposal for them, paying you only if they receive the sought-after funds. These are highly unethical. Grants, Kickstarter money, and government-bid funding cannot pay the writer. A similar offer in PR writing is to get paid only if you succeed in securing a story for them in their target magazine. Again, that’s a no-go. You need to get paid for your time, regardless. 6. No-boundaries alert These needy clients are going to ask for your instant-messaging ID. They plan to ding you late at night, on weekends, all the time. And they’re going to birth a calf if you don’t respond right a- -way. If you don’t want to be available to clients 24/7, set your work-hour rules right away. Hint: Set the example 7. Contract phobia Is your new prospect all excited to work with you, but when you ask for a contract, you suddenly hear crickets? Hesitation to sign contracts clearly defines a client unfamiliar with freelancing. That means you’ll spend way too much time training them, or they’re planning to stiff you and don’t want you to be able to sue. Also, don’t agree to, â€Å"We’ll do the contract later.† 8. No deposit, no workee When writing for companies, your request for a 30 to 50 percent up-front deposit will flush out the losers. Experienced, legit companies won’t blink at this requirement. Bogus companies will act like you’re insane. 9. Peer in the Glassdoor Hop on Glassdoor.com and put in their company name. Read the reviews. I know many writers who could have avoided unpleasant clients and ripoffs, if they’d read Glassdoor first. 10. LinkedIn clues Every good company has a LinkedIn company page. Put their name in a LinkedIn search and narrow your search to ‘Companies.’ No page? They DO have a LinkedIn page? Take a look at how many employees link to it. This is your yardstick for whether the firm is big enough to pay decent rates and have ongoing work. If they have 3 employees, it’s a questionable situation. Feel reassured with 20 linked profiles, and 50+ is best. Watch for red flags If you notice one of the problems above, think hard about whether you want the hassle this client will bring. The time you spend working for clients who underpay or don’t appreciate you is better spent seeking great clients who love you, understand your value, and pay appropriately.