The research question identified in the assignment two is considered to be the following, namely whether the implementation of the business intelligence into the working process will beneficially influence the work of the Traffic Department in the United Arab Emirates and consequently improve it. To get a better understanding of the topic, the qualitative type of research with the data mining method will be most useful.
Assignment Task
Data mining is used for decision-making in the various spheres of human activity (Han, Kamber, & Pei, 2011). The basis of the data mining techniques makes all sorts of methods of classification, modeling, and prediction, based on the use of decision trees, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, evolutionary programming, associative memory, fuzzy logic (Ratner, 2012). Data mining techniques often include statistical methods (descriptive analysis, correlation, and regression analysis) (Yin, 2011).
One of the most important appointments of data mining methods is a visual representation of the results of calculations (visualization) that allows the usage of data mining toolkit by people who have no special mathematical training (Azzalini, Scarpa, & Walton, 2012). At the same time, the usage of statistical methods of data analysis requires a good knowledge of the theory of probability and mathematical statistics.
This qualitative method is relevant, however, in the vast majority of cases is undervalued while similar research in the field of business intelligence (Patton, 2010). The obtained data will significantly facilitate the decision-making process and will provide necessary and essential information concerning contextual meaning and reasoning for employee behavior. To get better involved in the issue, numeric data, and qualitative approach need to be supported by data mining (Merriam, 2009).
The instrument for data collection will be the following, namely questionnaires and interviews. While collecting data, ethical standards should be taken into consideration. As for questionnaires, it should be stressed that the information obtained should stay anonymous (Hammersley & Traianou, 2012). Also, it is essential to formulate questions properly as they should not sound offensive. Moreover, the participants should be provided with the opportunity to refuse to answer the proposed question (Wiles, 2013). The example of the questionnaire:
This survey is a part of an academic assignment. The information provided by you will be kept confidential and will be used for academic/research purpose only.
Based on the answers, the attitude of the workers of the Traffic Department can be analyzed. The information will provide better insights regarding the possible implications of the implementation of business intelligence. The statistics will be useful while deciding the effectiveness of the system.
Interviews should be confidential, and it should be stressed that personal information should be protected. All the documents should be signed. The researcher should make sure that everything that was said could not be misinterpreted.
The following questions are recommended for the interview, namely:
- How the implementation of business intelligence will affect the work of the Traffic Department?
- Will the implementation of business intelligence affect the work of the employees? How?
- What aspects should be considered during the implementation of business intelligence?
- Are there any factors that can affect the implementation of the system?
- How will business intelligence streamline the traffic?
- Are there any obstacles concerning the implementation of the system?
- What are the prognosis and desired outcomes?
- Is there anything should be changed in the working process after the implementation of the system?
- How should the employees change their working routine after the implementation of business intelligence?
- What are your recommendations for the improvement of the work of the Traffic Department?
The information obtained after the interview will be analyzed by an interviewer. Based on the answers appropriate diagrams and tables should be made.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be pointed out that the major difficulty was to make up the questions with the consideration of the ethical conduct. The personal information of the interviewed people should not be revealed, and questions should not offend any person.
References
Azzalini, A., Scarpa, B., & Walton, G. (2012). Data analysis and data mining: An Introduction. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Hammersley, M., & Traianou, A. (2012). Ethics in qualitative research: Controversies and contexts. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.
Han, J., Kamber, M., & Pei, J. (2011). Data mining: Concepts and techniques concepts and techniques. San Francisco, CA: Morgan Kaufmann In.
Merriam, S. (2009). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Patton, M. (2010). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Ratner, B. (2012). Statistical and machine-learning data mining: Techniques for better predictive modeling and analysis of big data. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis.
Wiles, R. (2013). What are qualitative research ethics? London, UK: Bloomsbury Academic.
Yin, Y. (2011). Data mining: Concepts, methods and applications in management and engineering design. London, UK: Springer.