Confidentiality Confidentiality can be defined as an explicit or implied guarantee by a researcher to a respondent in social science research whereby the respondent is confident that any information provided to the researcher cannot be attributed back to that respondent. According to IRB Guidebook, U.S. National Institutes of Health (1993), Office for Protection from Research Risks, Protecting Human Research Subjects assert that: Confidentiality pertains to the treatment of information that an individual has disclosed in a relationship of trust and with the expectation that it will not be divulged to others in ways that are inconsistent with the understanding of the original disclosure without permission. (p. 3) The data that is collected should be kept very confidential, as research involves the people of the United States of America. The people were informed about their rights to confidentiality and anonymity before interviewing them. Very good care is taken to maintain the confidentiality of the information they provided. Documents will be stored safely in a bank locker and they are accessed only by the researcher. Documents will be destroyed after 5 years.
Data Collection The data were collected from 100 people of the United States of America, whose age will be 21-55. This age group is selected because generally this age group people are the ones who are directly or indirectly involved in setting-up their own small business. They are divided into two groups based on their gender 50 males and 50 females. Out of 100 people 50 are white, 20 are African American, 10 are Native American, 10 are Asian American, and 10 are Hispanic. Archive data will be acquired from the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. We can use this data to understand the patterns in the survival of these businesses.
Data Analysis Quantitative data analysis is helpful in evaluation because it provides quantifiable and easy to understand results. Quantitative data can be analyzed in a variety of different ways. Traditionally quantitative data can be analyzed using Statistical software tools available such as IBM’s SPSS, StataCorp’s Stata, etc. In this study, I will be using software tool such as excel for data tabulation, disaggregating data and pie-charts.
Validity
The degree to which a research study measures what it intends to measure is called validity. To validate the research we used a method called Data Triangulation. Data triangulation involves using different sources of information in order to increase the validity of a study. In order to validate this study the same open ended questions which were asked to the twenty entrepreneurs of the United States of America who were showing interest in participating in the research. A better insight into their perspectives on setting-up their own businesses were taken into consideration. This idea is to be more confident with a result if different sources lead to the same result or if clashing answers are produced, the questions need to be reframed. Based on the response of this group, a positive feedback was provided which resulted in clarity & an appropriate structure of interview questions. This type of triangulation, where the researchers use different sources, is perhaps the most popular because it is the easiest to implement.
Reliability
Reliability is defined as “the consistency with which a measuring instrument yields a certain result when the entity being measured hasn’t changed” (Leedy & Ormrod, 2005, p. 31). Measuring and accuracy play a big role in qualitative research. If you can repeatedly measure the same thing and get the same result, accuracy becomes more reliable. So to improve the reliability, the interviews were conducted in a standardized way and all the participants were asked the same open ended questions. Simultaneously, field notes were also made while interviewing. The level of reliability offered in this study ensures a higher level of accuracy, and accuracy is ensured when consistency can be found throughout the study, and among respondents when information is verified.
Significance of the Study In 2011, there were 28.2 million small businesses and 17,700 firms with 500 or more employees. Over three-quarters of small businesses were non-employers; this number has trended up over the past decade, while employers have been relatively flat. They account for 63% of net new private-sector jobs and nearly half of private sector output. Although, there are many new Businesses launched everyday, only a few of them survive for more than one year. While firm births account for many new jobs, job losses from firm closures are equally important in accounting for net effects to employment levels. Hence, the survival of these businesses is very important for a healthy economy.
10 Open Ended Questions
1. What attributes are needed to succeed in a business?
2. How much money do we need to get started?
3. Whom did you approach to get a loan?
4. What kind of profits can we expect in the first 5 years & 10 years?
5. What is the market potential for your line of business?
6. What kind of advertising/promotion have you invested in?
7. Are some locations better than others?
8. Can we operate a business from home? How feasible is that option?
9. Where can we go for help if there is any problem?
10. What legal aspects do we need to consider?
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