Welcome to the web site of Dr

Dr. Michael Ritchie's

Research Page

Home

Academics

Business Strategy Game

I know you guys hate the term research, but all it really means is trying to figure out why the inside of my 1991 Lumina (now that's a sweet ride) gets wet every time it rains. To answer this question, I have to do some research. The research process involves several steps:

1. Defining your question or topic.

2. Selecting and using the best research resources for your topic.

3. Locating the information (Experimental, Primary, Secondary, etc)

4. Evaluating the resources you have found

5. Documenting your research

The point of this research methods section is to make us all aware that there are accepted research practices which have proven useful. Use these methods as a guide and I promise your research will be much easier. Remember, research should be enjoyable, simply because you should be INTERESTED in whatever you are researching.

You and I do research everyday. For instance, we want to go to a movie. Ok - what do you want to see? Somebody asks, "What's playing". - AHA - Now we have to do some research. Where do you start? The answer to that question is that you can start anywhere. Maybe we look in the newspaper. Maybe we ask a friend if they could recommend a movie. Maybe we just drive around until we see a movie theatre. None of these methods are fool proof, although some may be more effective and efficient than others. The point is we are doing research. The minute you start asking questions, you are involved in this process.

Now in terms of your academic experience, most of your classes require some type of research. We aren't doing that just to make you mad. We ask that you learn how to do research because as you go through life, you will be required to do some research, whether its for your job or for your community or your family. The point is you need to know how to do research.

The basic drive of research is curiosity and the basic way to resolve you curiosity is to gather useful, accurate, and applicable information. To help with your gathering of information, I have included several websites which may help you as you begin your inquisition. I plan to update this list on a regular basis and if you know of one that should be listed, please let me know at michaelr@usca.edu .

HERE ARE SOME JOURNALS

THAT WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR RESEARCH

Just click on a link and away you go. Some of them give a little information but want you to subscribe to get the whole issue. Other links (e.g. The Internet Public Library and the Department of Labor give you everything you want and more). Ok - here it is. You don't have any excuse now.

The Economist - This is an excellent journal if you are interested in the effect of economics on world behavior. Published in England, it provides a great view of the world around us and how economics drives everything.

Inc. - If you are interested in starting your own business, this is the entrepreneurs guide. Not only does it provide insightful suggestions as to starting your own business, it also provides networking and other essential elements of entrepreneurship.

Financial Times - The Financial Times takes a global rather than a regional approach to their coverage, putting national news into an international context by pulling together the unique resource of an international network of editors and correspondents. "We seek to show how events in one corner of the world are likely to impact on institutions and economies in the United States."

Hispanic Trends Magazine - This journal is dedicated to the inclusion of the Hispanic population into the world markets. Focused on opportunities as well as excellent business advice, Hispanic Trends stands as an excellent source of information.

Diversity Inc. - DiversityInc's staff of diverse journalists is committed to providing cutting-edge news, commentary, and in-depth analysis from an inclusive point of view. It is one of the few magazines focusing on diversity in business and the marketplace.

Fast Company - Launched in November 1995 by Alan Webber and Bill Taylor, two former Harvard Business Review editors, the magazine was founded on a single premise: A global revolution was changing business, and business was changing the world. Fast Company set out to chronicle how a new breed of companies create and compete, to highlight new business practices, and to showcase the teams and individuals who are reinventing business.

Wall Street Journal - What can I say? You need to read this everyday.

Money - This journal has been around for years. Full of great stuff. Check it out. Peace.

Black Enterprise - Founded in 1968 by Earl G. Graves, Sr., Black Enterprise serves to seek out, analyze and disseminate information that is helpful to, and provides a forum for the ideas, ambitions and expressions of African American business people.

Forbes - Owned by a bunch of rich dudes named Forbes. Find out what they think.

BeE Women - BeE is a dynamic new woman’s magazine for active, hardworking, educated women—either at home or in the office—between the ages of 25–54. BeE is the first woman’s magazine devoted to personal finance, politics and lifestyle. It conveys what so many women are: enlightened, empowered, engaged, inspired, and striving for financial independence.

Business Week - This is the most friendly of the business journals. Reads like a Time or News Week. Easy to use if you are in a hurry.

High-Level Company Information - This site is really helpful. Tons of information. Before starting your Internet research, determine whether the company is publicly held (traded on a stock exchange), privately owned, or a subsidiary of a publicly held organization. You will be much more successful in obtaining information on publicly held companies. Public companies must report certain financial information to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and their shareholders. Also, serious investors use the Internet to research potential stock purchases or monitor companies in their portfolios. As a result, the Internet provides much more information on public corporations than on private companies.

U.S. Government Resources - This site provides a compendium (what in the world does THAT mean) of U.S. Government information available on the Internet. You'll find sites including the necessary forms, job listings, historical data, and relevant research information

The Internet Public Library - The Internet Public Library (IPL) is a public service organization and learning/teaching environment at the University of Michigan School of Information. Career Builder . THIS SITE IS REALLY COOL!!!

Women-Related Business/Work Web Sites - What follows are some women-related sites containing information about business and/or work that an academic women's studies program might find useful.

University of Florida – George A. Smathers Library

Business Library - This cite is the MAC-DADDY. If you are looking a great business reference page, this is it. It has EVERYTHING, trust me.

U.S. Department of Labor - If you have a U.S. labor question, you can find the answer here - but remember - this is a government site, so it may be kind of confusing to navigate. But believe me, the information is there.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics - You need to find out how much the average family of four makes in Montana? This is your site. Great information about any and all U.S. Labor Statistics.

IBM center for

The Business of Government - This site is unbelievable. The goal of the Center is to systematically document the major changes under way at the federal, state, and local levels in the United States, as well as in governments across the world.