Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University

Sources of ideas for Research Project

• Brainstorming
• Reading existing literature
• Scanning previous research projects
• Drawing a mind map
• Drawing a relevance tree
• FAB (Family & Business) networks
• A trip to the supermarket
• Discussion with your supervisor or employer

Reference vs Bibliography

Reference:

A comprehensive list of sources that have been cited in the main text of the research project.

Bibliography:

Those items that a student has read but not necessarily cited in the text.

10 Ss of Focus Group Interviews by Zikmund (1997)

1. Synergy
2. Snowballing
3. Serendipity
4. Stimulation
5. Security
6. Spontaneity
7. Specialization
8. Structure
9. Speed
10. Scrutiny

Research Objectives have to be SMART

• S - Specific
• M - Measurable
• A - Achievable
• R - Relevant
• T - Timed

To get an MBA or NOT

Gettin' My MBA (Business School).mov - Parody of Jizz in my pants :) Funny !!!

2011 MBA Games Intro. Now, its time for MBA games 2012 !!! Coming soon...

Read this book - its Awesome !!!

This book helps you understand Qualitative & Quantitative Research. Helps you understand how to go about the process of Business Research. Worth every cent :)

Live (oral / Powerpoint) Presentations - What to do and what to avoid...

1) Prepare your own slides and material
2) Create an effective title
3) Avoid clutter in visuals
4) Use simple backgrounds that produce high contrasts
5) Vary the slide layouts
6) Arrive early, get to know the place
7) Use the time allowed to the full
8) Use humour when possible
9) Invite audience participation
10) Do sweat the small stuff

Basic Research Report

• Title Page
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Conceptual background
• Research Methods
• Results
• Implications and Conclusions
• Reference list
• Appendices

Research Proposals

• Title page
• Executive Summary
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Research Methods
• Results
• Recommendations and Conclusions
• Appendices

Guidelines for Technical Writing

1) Front end loading - the beginning is most read and most important
2) KISS - Keep it Simple, Stupid (& short) - trim from the start, do not overload.
3) Have empathy - Do not get too technical with readers
4) Goal Orientation - Specific goal
5) Edit, Edit, Edit! - Eliminate unnecessary stuff
6) Be graceful in Ignorance - avoid topics which you are not an expert on
7) Organization - headings, subheadings, listings etc

Improving Creativity - Developing Alternatives

Creativity involves combining and synthesizing information into novel ideas. It is a divergent thinking exercise. Develop as many possible alternatives, not just one. Maximize decision space. 20 ideas are better than 2. And 200 ideas are better than 20.

1) Quantity (of research / ideas) creates quality.
2) Defer judgement: All new born ideas are equal. Don't kill new ideas.

3) Craziness is encouraged. Creative ideas are often strange. Encourage people to come up with wild ideas, totally different from the original.

4) Get away from the situation. Take a break. Change the environment. New ideas may occur to you.

5) Run with your ideas. Let thoughts flow freely. Try to piggy-back ideas. Arrange people in a circle so that all face each other in a group.

Business Decision Making Through Research

Observation --> Discovery --> Develop Hypothesis --> Data Collection --> Analysis --> Conclusion.