31. Leadership Research (continued)
Types of Research Questions
Power and influence questions
What are the different types and sources of power?
How is power acquired and lost by leaders?
How is power exercised by effective leaders?
How much power should a leader have?
What is the nature of managerial work? How should managerial behavior be classified?
What types of managerial behavior are related to effectiveness/
What traits are related to leadership effectiveness?
What skills are related to leader effectiveness?
What aspects of the situation influence leader behavior?
How much discretion do leaders have and how is it related to effectiveness?
Professional versus academic research
Strives to get information to enhance the “batting average” of important decisions. Not concerned with demonstrating proof or adding to a body of knowledge.
Extrapolate from limited information.
Example: market research by an advertising agency to decide which of ten possible messages is the most influential.
Define the specific question or objective.
- “Get inside the head” of your audience.
- Evaluate your competition.
Gather information:
- Focus group interviews
- Surveys (mail, telephone, or face-to-face),
- Published data and other sources.
Analyze and evaluate information.
Interpret and add personal judgement.