Business Case Study for Level 5 Business Research Techniques

For Unit 4.1 of my Level 5 Unit on Business Research Methods I have to complete a case study from the  book Research Methods for Business Students (Lewis and Thornhill, 2012). The case study is entitled Organisational Learning in an English Regional Theatre, the answers are below:

1. Why is it important for Zoe to be aware of her values and beliefs as an individual researcher?

It is important for Zoe to be aware of her own values and beliefs to ensure that she remains objective whilst working on her research project. Objectivity is a key focus of research, if a piece of research is loaded, either intentionally or unintentionally, the integrity of the research is compromised. This is more important as Zoe is a sole researcher, with research teams there is the opportunity for debate and discussion around areas that may be affected by values and beliefs. In individual research the author's must use their own emotional intelligence and self-awareness to identify when their belief systems may be skewing research. 

2. Why should Zoe have been concerned bout her previous relationship with the Theatre she was researching?

Zoe's previous relationship with the theatre may have ethical implications for her research. As the Theatre are (or have been) a client of Zoe's, it is most definitely not in her best interest to show the Theatre in a negative way. There is also the possibility that any positive image she portrays of the Theatre may result in financial or professional gain for Zoe. This conflict of interest must be fully disclosed, this may result in her peers viewing Zoe's work as potentially biased or subjective. 

3. How might Zoe's interpretivist philosophy and approach impact on how she frames her research question?

An interpretivist approach will mean that Zoe is collective more qualitative data/findings rather than quantitative. This can be lengthier to gather and interpret. Due to this, Zoe should be more specific with an interpretivist philosophy approach and focus more in depth on a smaller area of the organisational culture she is studying. Also, as mentioned in the question above, Zoe must be mindful of unconscious bias and subjectivity. This may be more likely in qualitative data than in quantitative data.