Running head: ROYAL BARTON – RESEARCH METHODS1

Business Research – 5910

Royal Barton – Research Methods

Individual Work Week Five

Loraine J Jackson

Everest University

ROYAL BARTON – RESEARCH METHODS 2

Royal Barton – Research Methods

Royal Barton Background

The Royal Bee was developed by Royal Barton with disabled fishermen in mind; he

developed this fishing rod and reel that would electronically retrieve fishing line with the push of

a button. He developed this fishing apparatus in order for his disabled father to continue doing

what he loved – to fish. However, this clever invention was favored by other anglers as well;

professional fishermen used this rod and reel in competition, giving them a small advantage over

their competition when time is of the essence in these competitions. The reels are powered by a

six-volt battery that the fisherman fastens to his belt or around his neck (Bean, 1989). In order to

cast, the angler pushes the button to extricate the reel and casts as he/she typically would. When

the fisherman feels a nibble, he/she sets the hook as they would normally do with any other rod

and reel. Zebco, the tackle giant out of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has integrated the Royal Bee into a spin

cast reel based on the Zebco 733, and at the time of this article, 4,000 Royal Bee reels have been

sold, but Barton expects the number to increase significantly with the involvement of this

organization (Bean, 1989). A fully equipped Royal Bee reel sells for $175.00 to $200.00 (Bean,

1989). Another admirable aspect is that there have been several of these rod and reels have been

sold to public libraries with the intent of disabled fishermen checking out these items as they

would a book or a video in order for them to enjoy this favorite American pastime.

Process for Collecting and Analyzing Interview Data

The process for collecting and analyzing this type of interview data in relation to the

Royal Bee fishing reel can be accomplished as any other type of qualitative research. Personal

interviews with a desired group of individuals are one of the most popular techniques used in the

collection of data in qualitative research. Personal face-to-face interviews permit the involved

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participants to deliver honest and relative opinions and descriptions of the specific product; in

this case, the Royal Bee electronic reel. While this process can be laborious, the quality of data

collected is often determined by the capability and the propensity of the individual conducting

the interview. The first step in any type of research is to conduct a pilot study, with the

researcher practicing the manner that he or she will gain access to a sample, conduct interviews,

and transcribe and analyze the data (Byrne, 2001). There can be various approaches and a

consistent methodology should be utilized with the pilot study as well as performing the actual

study. In this scenario, I feel that personal interviews would be the preferred method in this

research survey. Personal interview is a form of direct communication in which an interviewer

asks respondents questions face-to-face, and is both versatile and a flexible method as a

collaborative conversation between interviewer and respondent (Zikmund, Babin, Carr, &

Griffin, 2013, p. 207). This type of research will provide the opportunity for feedback and

clarification from participants, which is advantageous for the company performing the survey. In

this research process, the first step in this process would be to determine who the individuals are

that are to be surveyed and how to find participants for the research; are the participants of the

survey handicapped, or should it include all fishermen. The survey participants could be located

through a website or through stores that sell this product, and invite the purchaser the opportunity

to participate in the survey. In addition, it must be taken into consideration where the participants

will be found, as well as where they live in relation to the surveyors. In addition, the complexity

of the questions and the length of the survey must be considered. If a personal face-to-face

interview, it could take a longer time, as opposed to a phone interview. Furthermore, the shared

interaction between the interviewer and the respondent in a personal interview increases the

probability that the respondent will answer every question in the research survey. Once the

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respondents are located, the interviews should be conducted in a location that is a quiet

environment where there will be no disturbances or interruptions. If at all possible, participant

and researcher should be placed across from each other at a small table with a recording device

between the two individuals in order to obtain a clear recording of both voices. This seating

arrangement also allows the researcher to observe nonverbal cues, such as eye contact, crying,

laughing, or hand gestures (Byrne, 2001). The use of a recording device will lessen the

possibility misinterpretation or misunderstanding of responses. To expedite the recording

process, the researcher should check the tapes, if they are being used, or check batteries, volume,

and equipment with a "this is a test" directly before an interview; this should also include the

researcher stating the date and place and letting the participant state his or her name and consent

to be included in the study (Byrne, 2001). In analyzing the data, information should be

transcribed from the recording device in each interview to categorize responses to the survey

questions. The data can then be combined to make the best recommendations for the company in

regard to the product.

Compare Various Interview Research Practices

There are several different research practices to consider, including phone interviews,

online surveys, call-backs, which are an attempt to re-contact individuals selected for a sample

who were not available initially (Zikmund, Babin, Carr, & Griffin, 2013, p. 211). In addition,

there are mall intercept surveys. This type of survey is not one that is very reliable as individuals

typically are in a hurry to shop and do not want to stop to listen to the interviewer, therefore, the

number of refusal is high. In addition, because the survey will be conducted with at least some of

the individuals being handicapped at some level, personal interviews would bring about the best

results.

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Recommend an Approach That Would Best Meet Royal Barton’s Needs

I recommend that the type of approach is the personal interview. This type of research

methodology will allow for open and honest responses to the questions in regard to this product

survey. It also allows for hands on demonstration of the product, and allows participants to be

active and provide valuable data that can be beneficial for Royal Barton. Personal interviewing

as a method to collect data is a good option for a research study such as this. Methodology may

cause the process of interviewing to differ; however, many methods are similar (Byrne, 2001).

The researcher must contact respondents prior to the interview, as well as prepare for the

interview by preparing a guide for the interview as well as all types of research interviews

require the use of excellent communication skills. Even though the entire process of questioning

respondents can be laborious and even expensive, it can be a worthwhile experience for the

researcher and for the company.

Why Recommend This Approach over Other Approaches

I would recommend this type of research because face-to-face interviews can bring about

more open and honest answers to survey questions. Participants are more likely to be honest in

answering questions when in direct contact than if they are answering questions over the phone,

or an online survey. A good interviewer must become proficient at communicating. These skills

include listening, paraphrasing, probing, and summarizing (Byrne, 2001). I also would

recommend this type of approach because while some individuals may be disinclined to take part

in a survey, the presence of an interviewer will typically improve the number of individuals

willing to participate in the interviews, especially if they are just to answer question; no reading

or writing. Many people enjoy sharing information and insights with friendly and sympathetic

interviewers. People are often more hesitant to tell a person “no” face-to-face than they are over

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the phone or through some impersonal contact. Furthermore, I would use props in the interview;

in this case I would like the respondents to demonstrate the product and just how easy and

effective the reel is. It is my opinion that using the reel during the interview will provide

responses that the company could use to their advantage.

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References

Bean, C. (1989, July 20). Barton's Royal Bee Reel Makes Casting a Snap. Retrieved August 15,

2015, from Newsok:

http://newsok.com/bartons-royal-bee-reel-makes-casting-a-snap/article/2273136/?page=2

Byrne, M. (2001). Interviewing as a data collection method. Association of Operating Room

Nurses.AORN Journal, 74(2), 233-5. Retrieved August 15, 2015 from

http://search.proquest.com/docview/200836835?accountid=158297

Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B. J., Carr, J. C., & Griffin, M. (2013). Business research methods (9th

ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Retrieved August 15, 2015, from

https://everest.vitalsource.com/#/books/9991133473633/pages/192658792