Week 4 Discussion

The discussions each week are designed to (a) reinforce the research topics that you are reading about, (b) challenge you to explore the topics further, and (c) test your understanding of the concepts and their application within business research.

Before beginning work on this week's discussion post, review the following resources:

• Doing Discussion Questions Right


• Expanded Grading Rubric

From the below list, select one topic for which you will lead the discussion in the forum this week. Early in the week, reserve your selected topic by posting your response (reservation post) to the Discussion Area, identifying your topic in the subject line. By the due date assigned, research your topic and start a scholarly conversation as you respond with your initial or primary post to your own reservation post in the Discussion Area. Make sure your response does not duplicate your colleagues' responses.

• Analyze the differences between "true" and quasi experiments. Locate a peer-reviewed research study on an area of organizational behavior by using the SUO library database. The study should use an experimental or quasi-experimental design. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the study design and implementation.


• Assess the major limitations of nonexperimental study designs. Nonexperimental designs are used widely in business research. Locate a peer-reviewed research study on an area of organizational behavior by using the SUO library database. The study should use a nonexperimental design. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the study design and its implementation.


• Assess the value of action research and how it is different from the other forms of inquiry. Locate a peer-reviewed research study on an area of organizational behavior by using the SUO library database. The study should use an action-research approach. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the study design and implementation.


• Evaluate the difference between the research questions used in a qualitative study and those used in a quantitative study. Locate a peer-reviewed research study on an area of organizational behavior by using the SUO library database. The study may use either a quantitative or qualitative method. Propose how the study might be reconfigured to use a different method (for example, if the study uses a quantitative method, how could it be made qualitative, and vice versa).


• Compare research that measures change and research that measures difference. Locate a peer-reviewed research study on an area of organizational behavior by using the SUO library database. Evaluate the connection between the study design and also whether it measures change or difference.

As the beginning of a scholarly conversation, your initial post should be:

• Succinct—no more than 500 words.


• Provocative—use concepts and combinations of concepts from the readings to propose relationships, causes, and/or consequences that inspire others to engage (inquire, learn). In other words, take a scholarly stand.


• Supported—scholarly conversations are more than opinions. Ideas, statements, and conclusions are supported by clear research and citations from course materials as well as other credible, peer-reviewed resources.

Engage in a discussion with at least two colleagues and respond to questions from your professor by the end of the week.