Chapter 3

BA 306 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY


TECHNOLOGY AND BUSINESS RESEACH

To run a business, useful, timely, accurate, reliable, and valid data are needed. When data in their raw form are evaluated, analyzed and synthesed, useful information become available to managers that help them make good business decisions. Technology in all aspect of business cannot be overstated. Technology as used in this chapter refers to all hardware, software and communication aids that achieve the desire business result.

COMMONLY USED TCHNOLOGIES IN BUSINESS RESEARCH

These include all electronic interactive media such as CD-ROM, the DVD, the browser, the internet and the intranet, and search engine.
The Internet, which is vast global network of computers connecting people and information, has opened up tremendous opportunities through the world. Business research can proceed using the internet using the internet the internet and search engines, even where sources of information on a particular topic are not readily known.

The Electronic Mail, The internet also permits the exchange of electronic mail which has become increasingly become the primary mode of communication in business both within and outside the company.

The Intranet is the internal system of the organization what the internet to its external environment. It links internal data networks of the computer, but prevent access to other outside the company. It also facilities data collection from within the company; for instance, survey can easily conducted through the intranet to assess employee moral.

Browsers, Browser software allows users easy to and navigates through the web.

Web sites, organization create websites to promote their image, communicate with the customers, build , relationships, share information, offer attractive inducements to prospective customers, and ensure that they keep returning. In some cases they even allows online purchase by customers.




SOME SOFTWARE USED IN BUSINESS RESEARCH.
Groupware, Groupware is software that runs on a network so that teams can work on joint projects, and allows people from different departments to access data jointly.

Neural Networks, Neural Networks are designed to trace patterns in a set of data and generalized them. This software enables sale forecast, stock market prediction, detection of weather patterns etc.

CAM/CAD, Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software helps engineers to design the manufacturing components and direct the production of the product. Computer aided design (CAD) software creates and display complex drawings with precision, enabling experimentation with different designs.

Enterprise Resource Planning, Enterprise Resource Planning packages from software companies that offer all-in-one integrated business applications have slowly replaced traditional manufacturing, finance and order entry applications, which are usually home designed and do not lend themselves to easy integration

EMERGING APPLICATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY
Handheld Devices, Handheld devices like palm, assisted by new class of software easy data gathering and immediate analyses, and has initiated change in field work.

Interactive voice Technology, CD-ROM, and Rational Database, This technological advances have help businesses to conduct research and increase their operational efficiency.

Digital Whiteboards, allows contents on a board displaying intricate diagrams and voluminous notes to be copied on the pc notepad and transmitted to others, as requested.

Group Videoconferencing, reproduces the face-to-face meeting effect by using large TV monitors or projector.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND MANAGERIAL DECISION MAKING
As organizations take on expanded functions and grow in size, it is important for them to be equipped with a good information system from which data can be accessed for analysis by managers at different level. Among the aspect of information systems managers used are; Data Warehousing, Data Mining and Operation Research.

DATA STORAGE AND SURVEILLANCE
Data is the life blood of companies and should be mirrored life in at least two other locations, or at least backed up by on tape and stored in other safe locations.


CONLUSION

Information technology and the development of software to gather, store and analyze information, result of which facilitate decision making. We have specifically examined some of the current possibilities for research afforded by the use of the software from simple data collection to the development of information systems to facilitate further research and decision making.




TEAM 2 MEMBERS
MONDAY
BENJAMIN
ADESHOLA
SOPHIE
EFOSA
HASSANNAT
MOSES
DORIS
OLUSEYI