A major purpose of business research is to learn more about factors, or variables, that affect a company’s profitability and market share. Leaders can choose from a variety of methods to obtain and analyze the appropriate data. Decisions about what type of data will be collected and analyzed depend upon the situation being studied.
Please respond to all of the following prompts in the class discussion section of your online course:
Suppose Marlboro executives read a research report written by the U.S. FDA. It indicates that the number of cigarette smokers in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to increase dramatically over the next decade.
What type of research might be conducted to explore this opportunity?
Explain how a research study might be designed using the method you identify. Classify the research method you chose as exploratory, descriptive, or causal research. Provide rationale for your classification.