Cbures-X Ass 1 2013

CBURES-X
Assignment 1
Due Date: 03 May 2013

Table of Contents Question 1 3 Question 2 6 Question 3 7 References 10

Question 1 a) Explain the research design type referred to as ‘exploratory research’ with specific reference to external secondary data that was collected to gain some preliminary insights into some past international trends in Internet addiction.

From the case study, also list three examples of external secondary sources consulted during the exploratory research phase.

Exploratory research is used when one is searching for insights into the general nature of the problem, the possible decision alternatives and relevant variables that need to be considered. Generally, there is little prior information on which to build.
Exploratory research is less structured and more flexible than other research design types.

External Secondary Data are existing data which were obtained from outside sources. This data is available as it was collected for other/previous projects.
This type of data is also much cheaper than primary data and also available for immediate use. Sometimes the secondary data set must be purchased, but the cost is almost always certainly lower than the expense of collecting a similar data set from scratch.

The External Secondary Data that were used in the case study are: * University studies (Stanford School of Medicine, and the Indian Institute of Technology) * Government publications/studies (Government of China) * Related Government institutions (German Social Security Services)

There are three types of External Secondary Data, namely: * Syndicated data: Data that was standardised on behalf of a syndicate of clients. * Pooled data: Standardised data voluntarily submitted by organisations of equal status. * Data from other sources, i.e. Government/ semi-government publications, Censuses and Stats SA.

The case study used the following external secondary sources: * Syndicated data was used by the Centre for Internet Addiction Recovery. * Pooled data was used as organisations of equal status offered their information voluntarily. These organisations include: The Stanford School of Medicine, and the Indian Institute of Technology. Other organisations include the Internet addiction camp in Boltenhagen, Germany, as well as the Detoxifying Centre in Amsterdam, Holland. * The case study also used Data from other sources, which includes information from Governments, i.e. China and the German Social Security Services.

b) Identify and describe at least three distinctive exploratory research methods/approaches that were most probably used by the CRI to collect the existing information as outlined in the case study.

Three approaches probably used by the CRI are Online Qualitative surveys where chat rooms could have been used to obtain data from chat room users. External Secondary data collection was also applied by using Syndicated, Pooled as well as other data sources to gain information into Internet addiction. As mentioned above (Question 1a), information was obtained from Government institutions, universities and centres.
In-depth interviews with Internet addicts as well as using Focus groups to obtain data qualify as using Qualitative Primary research methods.

Exploratory research methods consist of the following: * Internal Secondary data, i.e. Sales invoices, personnel records and internal reports. * External Secondary data, i.e. Syndicated, Pooled and data from other sources. * Qualitative Primary research, i.e. Panels, In-depth interviews and Focus groups. * Observation * Online Qualitative surveys, i.e. Usability surveys, online chat rooms and e-focus groups.

c) Explain what value the exploratory research will have for the planned South African study.

Exploratory research is done when there is generally little prior information to work with but due to the existing External Secondary data that is already available to use by the CRI, this task will be made much easier.

d) Use the information in the case study to formulate any research questions that will be useful to the CRI, which is planning a local (South African) research study that will include research focus areas similar to those included in other country studies as shown in the case study.

* Population figures of the targeted research areas. * Monthly household Income figures of the targeted research groups. * Age groups of the targeted group. * Gender of the targeted research groups. * Demographic information of the targeted areas. * Educational level of the target group. * Educational level of the parents of the target group. * Lifestyle patterns, i.e. bedtime, sleep disturbance, alcohol and/or tobacco use of the target group. * Dietary behaviour and diet quality of the target group. * Physical activity of the target group.

The following questions should also be asked by the CRI with regards to the Secondary dada that they will be using:

* What are the source’s credentials? * Is the information current or out-of-date? * Is the intended audience other researchers or the general public? * Is the document’s coverage of the topic area very broad or too narrow? * Secondary sources will be used; does it accurately cover and report on the primary sources? * Does the author/s provide references for the data and information reported?

e) Apply your secondary exploratory research skills to provide a scholarly description of the concept ‘Internet addiction’.

To answer this question, firstly explain the secondary information collection process that you used.

Now define the concept and then cite at least five sources that you have consulted in support of your description.

I have browsed the Internet for articles relating to Internet Addiction. I have also used ‘Tustin, DH, Ligthelm, AA, Martins, JH & Van Wyk, H de J. 2005. Marketing research in practice. Pretoria: Unisa.’

The impact of the Internet on our lives becomes more and more significant every day. The Internet definitely makes many things very convenient and can save a lot of time for the individual using the Internet.

Internet addiction can be described as excessive computer use that interferes with daily life, i.e. have negative consequences in your personal, social and work life. The users have obsessive thoughts about using the Internet and experience a diminished impulse control.

Five of the sources that I have consulted follow below: www.wikipedia.com Accessed 13 April 2013 www.voices.yahoo.com/five-basic-types-internet-addiction Accessed 13 April 2013 www.netaddiction.com Accessed 14 April 2013 www.pqdl.care.org Accessed 20 April 2013 www.sociology.about.com Accessed 21 April 2013

Question 2 a) Provide a clear description of each method and clearly indicating whether the methods are self- or interviewer -administered.

Computer aided Telephone (CATI) interviews.
CATI is Interviewer Administered.
This is an interactive front-end computer system that assists interviewers in asking questions by telephone. The answers are immediately keyed into the computer program by the interviewer.

Web based interviews.
Web based interviews are Self-Administered.
These surveys are hosted on a web site and respondents visit this web site by clicking on a hyperlink in an email, another web site or by typing the web address directly into the address box in the browser window. This will lead the respondent to the survey.

Cellular phone interviews.
Cellular phone interviews are Interviewer Administered.
An interviewer calls the respondent at work or at home on their cell phones with the list of questions that needs to be answered.

b) List any five advantages of CATI surveys.

* When using CATI, it leads to less missing data. CATI prevents routing errors, especially in complex questionnaires. * CATI standardise interviewer behaviour. * Interviewers are not required to travel, therefore there will not be transport costs or travel time. * Manpower needs are reduced as the data collected from the field do not have to be translated into an electronic format. * The data collection process is sped up as the interviewer can multitask, i.e. perform the interview, data entry as well as simple coding.

c) Discuss the disadvantages of cell phone (mobile phone) surveys.

* Cell phone surveys can be very costly as the cost of a cell phone call is more expensive than using a landline phone. * Cell phones also have the problem of poor reception areas and low battery power. * Call screening also takes place and many people prefer not to answer calls when they do not recognise the number or if it shows as a ‘Private’ or ‘Unknown’ number.

Question 3 * To measure the impact of the Internet on South African consumers, design a web-based questionnaire with a maximum of 10 points, two of which need to enquire on the following demographic information of the respondent: * Gender * Type of area of residence (urban/rural) * The questionnaire design should include research similar to those that were investigated during the exploratory research phase as displayed in the case study. * Start with a filter question to establish the status of Internet access of the respondents. * For additional questions, use at least three different close-ended response formats. * Also include at least one open-ended response. * At the end of each question, please state which data measurement scale (nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio) is used.

Web based Questionnaire
Internet Addiction Disorder

Name of Respondent | | Contact Number | | Email Address | |

1. Circle one only Do you own a computer | Yes | No |

If yes, do you have access to the Internet? Yes | No |

2. Circle one only Gender | M | F | Type of area of residence | Urban | Rural |

3. Please indicate your age group <13 | | 14 - 17 | | 18 - 25 | | 26 - 30 | | 31 - 35 | | 40 - 50 | | 51 - 60 | | 61> | |

Please select one: 4. What kind of a web user are you? I need it everyday | | I use it rarely | | I do not use it at all | |

5. Please indicate the average time that you spend on the Internet daily <1 Hours | | 1 – 2 Hours | | 3 – 5 Hours | | 6 – 10 Hours | | 11> Hours | |

6. Please indicate the number of electronic devices with Internet access in your household 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5> | |

7. You use the Internet especially for? Downloads | | Entertainment | | Information | | Keeping in touch with friends | | Purchasing goods | | Work | |

8. How will you rate your web satisfaction out of 10? 0 - 4 | | 5 - 8 | | 8 - 10 | |

9. Do you suffer from any of these High blood pressure | Yes | No | Diabetes | Yes | No | Insomnia | Yes | No | Stress | Yes | No | Heart Problems | Yes | No | Obesity | Yes | No | High Cholesterol | Yes | No | 10. In your opinion what characteristics make a website useful? | | | | | | | |

References

Tustin, DH, Ligthelm, AA, Martins, JH & Van Wyk, H de J. 2005. Marketing research in practice. Pretoria: Unisa.
Kotler, Phillip and Keller, Kevin Lane. Marketing Management. Pearson Education, 12 Ed, 2006.

www.wikipedia.com Accessed 13 April 2013 www.voices.yahoo.com/five-basic-types-internet-addiction Accessed 13 April 2013 www.netaddiction.com Accessed 14 April 2013 www.pqdl.care.org Accessed 20 April 2013 www.sociology.about.com Accessed 21 April 2013

References: Tustin, DH, Ligthelm, AA, Martins, JH &amp; Van Wyk, H de J. 2005. Marketing research in practice. Pretoria: Unisa. Kotler, Phillip and Keller, Kevin Lane. Marketing Management. Pearson Education, 12 Ed, 2006. www.wikipedia.com Accessed 13 April 2013 www.voices.yahoo.com/five-basic-types-internet-addiction Accessed 13 April 2013 www.netaddiction.com Accessed 14 April 2013 www.pqdl.care.org Accessed 20 April 2013 www.sociology.about.com Accessed 21 April 2013