How to Approach a Company for your Primary Study

Primary research is the process of collecting data from sources compared to gathering data from existing literature. The most common techniques used by researchers for primary data collection include but are not limited to face-to-face interviews, questionnaires, online and telephonic surveys, and observation.

Primary data can be either quantitative or qualitative. If the primary aim of your research is to test a hypothesis, validate an existing theory or perhaps measure some variables. The quantitative research model will be the more appropriate choice.

On the other hand, if your research questions or hypothesis can be better addressed through observations and experiences of people, then you should consider using qualitative data for the same.

Also Read:  How to write a flawless dissertation – step by step.

If your dissertation research design incorporates collecting data from a company in your area of research, then you might be thinking of different ways of approaching the company for your primary study. But before you make that move, it is important to ask yourself these questions;

Questions to Answer Before you Approach a Company for your Primary Study

Is the company you wish to engage in is suitable for your research?

The first question you must ask yourself is whether the company you will be approaching for primary research is suitable for your research needs. Do your research to find out about the company’s different departments, focusing on the one related to your study.

It will be important for you to figure out which areas of the company are not performing well and the causes of their underperformance. Because at the end of your research, you will be expected to develop ideas that could help them improve their performance.

Do you see yourself working for the company after completing your research?

Many students aim to secure a job with a firm they approach for their primary research study. Do you intend to work for the company you are researching after graduating? If YES, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If you can showcase your ability to identify areas of problem in a company and also propose a plan to rectify the situation, then it is highly likely that the company itself will be eager to add you to their team of employees.

On the other hand, in-depth research about the company may reveal that it is not the right choice for your career; for example, the ethos is not what you had originally hoped for.

Why did you choose this company for your research?

It is vitally important to establish your research on how this company will enable you to address the dissertation paper’s aim and objectives. Make sure that you have a clear understanding of this before you approach the company.

You should think of some questions;

• Does the company have enough workforce to provide an adequate sample size for your research?
• Does it really fit fell with the research hypothesis or research question of your study?
• Why do you see it as a suitable company considering the aim of your research?

Also Read: Different Research Strategies You Can Use in Your Dissertation.

Get in Touch with the Management

Once you’re ready with your background research and have all the related information, make efforts to get in touch with the company’s management. You will have to put in a lot of hard work to lure their interest in your studies.

Managers and other company officials have a busy work schedule, so contacting them and obtaining appointments would be nothing less than a challenge. The key is not to give up. Keep trying even if you have to face rejections or cold responses initially.

There might be instances where your chosen company might refuse your request to conduct research based on their business and employees, or they may disapprove of your preferred method of collecting primary data.

If that is the case, you will have to press your case or change your data collection method. Do whatever needs to be done to help the company understand how the research exercise will benefit you and their business.

Explain how you intend to conduct the research and what the will be the outcomes. Leave a lasting impression on the company and the management. You never know you might land a job in the same company!

Struggling with writing a flawless dissertation research methodology? Here we have compiled comprehensive guidelines on how to write a dissertation methodology.

Gather the Data

Once you’ve established contact with the officials and have convinced them to participate in your study on their organization, propose a schedule for how it will be conducted.

There are different ways of collecting primary data. If you intend to interview some members of the management, propose a plan of how and when these interviews will be conducted so the participants can incorporate that in their work schedule.

Suppose all the interviews cannot be conducted the same day due to the company’s staff’s prior engagement, schedule and propose alternative days and times according to their availability. Follow the same pattern for other primary research tools, such as surveys and questionnaires, etc.

Due to financial and time constraints, you may propose to have company representatives participate in your study and respond to questionnaires, surveys and interview questions online using tools such as Survey Monkey and Google Spreadsheets.

If possible, propose two or three plans with the help of which primary research can be conducted in the organization so the participants can choose the plan that suits them best.

Conducting primary research requires a lot of time, depending on the chosen primary data collection method. Understand the different methods used to collect primary data before you start your dissertation.

If you’re running short on time, and are worried about approaching a company for your primary study, get in touch with us right away. Our writers have years of experience in primary data collection practices. So you can be confident of having your primary research study completed promptly and to the highest possible academic standard.

Some Useful Tips

• Make yourself meeting ready by preparing documents related to the performance of the company your research is based on. You can leave these documents with the person you have the interview with, so they can better understand the idea behind your research and influence other staff members.
• Here is the bottom line – the company will be mainly interested in the benefits your research will bring to them so you will do yourself a great favour if you emphasise the company’s points of interest.
• Avoid being over-assertive even though there is nothing wrong with demonstrating your expertise in the field of your study.

At ResearchProspect, we have the answer to all your dissertation-related questions. Our highly qualified team will help you conduct your primary research and complete your dissertation on time. Get in contact with us if you need help with primary research.

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