Development of a Research Design Module for Industry Professionals: A Pilot Study

Abstract

This study presents a research design module that was developed for and piloted with industry professionals who are new to research to enhance their understanding of social science research methods applicable to organizational contexts. The module consisted of three topics, two alignment templates, and two live quizzes designed to clarify and align their research components. At the beginning of the training, an open-ended question was posed to identify the challenges they faced in their research endeavors. Another question was asked at the end of the module to determine the impact of the intervention. The feedback obtained showed that the participants valued the innovative alignment templates used and found the training to be invaluable in enhancing their knowledge of research design. The interactive nature of the module also facilitated them in acquiring a deeper understanding of how to practically apply research concepts in their organization. The results of the pilot study proves the value of the module for industry professionals who are new to research. Based on the feedback received, several changes to the module can also be made to enhance its effectiveness in the future, including incorporating more case studies and examples relevant to diverse research contexts.