Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods

Testing the Waters: Insights from Our Pilot Interview Study

2025-04-20T10:46:25+00:00

Qualitative research provides a deep exploration of human experiences, uncovering diverse philosophical perspectives, methodologies, and insights. A key objective is to understand how individuals interpret their experiences and actions. However, for novice researchers, conducting qualitative interviews can be challenging, particularly due to the emphasis on nuanced shifts in participant responses and emerging themes. Given these complexities, pilot studies serve as a crucial preliminary step in assessing research feasibility and refining methodological approaches before conducting the main study. This article examines the significance of pilot studies in qualitative research, detailing their methodological applications and the valuable lessons drawn from the process. A pilot interview was conducted with two micro-family food business (MFFB) owners to assess the clarity, relevance, and effectiveness of the interview guide. This initial phase allowed for the identification of ambiguities, refinement of questions, and adjustments in the sequencing of inquiries, ensuring they aligned with the study’s objectives. By testing the research instruments in a controlled setting, the pilot study facilitated modifications that enhanced the accuracy and depth of data collection. Beyond refining the research tools, pilot studies contribute to strengthening the overall research framework by improving researcher preparedness and mitigating potential biases. They help anticipate challenges in data collection, allowing for proactive problem-solving and methodological adjustments. Moreover, pilot studies reinforce the trustworthiness and rigor of qualitative research by ensuring coherence between research objectives, data collection techniques, and analytical approaches. This iterative process fosters reflexivity, enabling researchers to critically evaluate their methods and enhance the credibility of their findings. Importantly, pilot studies play an indispensable role in qualitative research by refining study design, optimizing data collection instruments, and ensuring methodological soundness. Through early identification of challenges and continuous improvement of research tools, pilot studies enhance the validity and reliability of qualitative inquiry. This article highlights the transformative impact of pilot studies, underscoring their significance in strengthening research methodologies and ensuring the success of qualitative investigations.

Understanding Acquiescence Bias: The Mediating Role of Careless Responding in Demographic Differences

2025-12-29T23:31:51+00:00

Acquiescence Response Style (ARS) results in unintended bias in survey research by systematically skewing respondents’ ratings. ARS has been considered to be influenced by individual traits and thus commonly attributed to demographic characteristics. This study investigates the mediating role of Careless Responding (CR) in the manifestation of ARS. Using large-scale survey data, this study demonstrates that CR strengthens or weakens the influence of demographic characteristics on ARS, explaining a significant portion of the variance in ARS. This study also demonstrates that the effectiveness of the instructional manipulation check (IMC) in detecting CR is diminished when it is designed to match the effects of ARS. ARS triggered by CR decreases IMC failure rates, thereby reducing the IMC’s ability to detect CR. The mediating role of CR remains underexplored in the extant literature. This study addresses this research gap, offering a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving ARS and CR.

Business Risk and Corporate Debt During COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis

2026-02-06T16:26:49+00:00

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented disruptions in global economic activity, exposing firms with high levels of leverage to heightened financial vulnerability and operational uncertainty. Understanding how corporate debt levels interact with business risk under such crisis conditions has therefore become an important topic in business and management research. This study applies bibliometric analysis to systematically examine the evolving relationship between corporate debt levels and business risk in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 2,488 relevant publications indexed in the Web of Science database and following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework, the research identifies core authors, influential journals, and major thematic clusters within this rapidly expanding body of literature. Co-citation analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis are employed to map the intellectual structure and developmental trajectory of the field. The findings show that the pandemic significantly intensified financial instability among highly leveraged firms, particularly in capital-intensive industries such as real estate and manufacturing. At the same time, the literature increasingly highlights the importance of effective debt management and risk mitigation strategies in strengthening organisational resilience during periods of large-scale economic shocks. From a theoretical perspective, the results indicate that the relationship between leverage and business risk is closely connected to discussions on organisational resilience and crisis management in strategic management research. Methodologically, this study contributes to business and management research by demonstrating how bibliometric mapping can be used to analyse complex and rapidly evolving research topics during global crisis events. By visualising knowledge structures, identifying influential research clusters, and tracing the evolution of key themes, the approach provides a systematic framework for synthesising fragmented academic debates. The results also offer practical insights for managers and policymakers. For example, the findings suggest that firms operating in capital-intensive sectors should adopt more flexible debt structures and strengthen liquidity management during crisis periods to reduce operational vulnerability. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape on corporate debt and business risk during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights promising directions for future research in corporate finance, risk management, and crisis-related business studies.