Note for Mid 1

IB-406
Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research technique
Qualitative and quantitative research techniques are two different
approaches used in research to gather and analyze data. The main
differences between the two are:
 Nature of Data: Qualitative research is exploratory in nature and
deals with non-numerical data such as opinions, attitudes,
perceptions, and behaviors. It seeks to understand the underlying
reasons, motivations, and emotions behind a particular phenomenon.
On the other hand, quantitative research deals with numerical data
and statistical analysis. It is used to test hypotheses and measure
variables in a precise and objective manner.
 Sampling: Qualitative research often involves purposive or
convenience sampling, where the researcher selects participants
based on their relevance to the research question. In contrast,
quantitative research uses random or stratified sampling to ensure
that the sample is representative of the population being studied.
 Data Collection: Qualitative research uses techniques such as
interviews, focus groups, and observations to gather data. The
researcher typically spends more time with participants and has a
greater degree of interaction. In contrast, quantitative research uses
standardized methods such as surveys, questionnaires, and
experiments to collect data. The focus is on collecting a large amount
of data in a short amount of time.
 Data Analysis: Qualitative research involves subjective interpretation
of data and the identification of themes and patterns. The researcher
uses techniques such as content analysis and grounded theory to
analyze the data. In contrast, quantitative research involves statistical
analysis of data, using tools such as SPSS or SAS. The focus is on
identifying relationships between variables and testing hypotheses.
In summary, qualitative research is subjective, exploratory, and deals with
non-numerical data, while quantitative research is objective, conclusive,
and deals with numerical data.
Define the different categories of qualitative research with example
Qualitative research can be broadly categorized into four types, namely,
ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and case study. Here is a
brief explanation of each type with examples:
 Ethnography: Ethnography is a research method that involves
studying and documenting the cultural practices and beliefs of a
particular group of people. Researchers spend an extended period of
time in the field, often living with the participants, to gain an in-depth
understanding of their culture. An example of ethnography would be a
study of the cultural practices and beliefs of a remote tribe in the
Amazon rainforest.
 Phenomenology: Phenomenology is a research method that involves
studying the subjective experiences of individuals. Researchers seek
to understand how individuals perceive and interpret the world around
them. An example of phenomenology would be a study of the
experiences of individuals living with a chronic illness, such as
multiple sclerosis.
 Grounded Theory: Grounded theory is a research method that
involves developing a theory based on the data collected. The theory
is developed through a process of constant comparison of the data,
and researchers seek to identify patterns and themes in the data. An
example of grounded theory would be a study of the experiences of
individuals who have undergone a major life transition, such as
retirement.
 Case Study: A case study is a research method that involves studying
an individual or group in-depth to gain an understanding of a
particular phenomenon. Researchers gather data through interviews,
observations, and document analysis. An example of a case study
would be a study of a particular company that has successfully
implemented a new management strategy.
It is worth noting that these categories are not mutually exclusive, and
many qualitative studies may use a combination of these methods.
What is extraneous variable? how extraneous variable can be controlled?
An extraneous variable is any variable that could potentially influence the
relationship between the independent and dependent variables in a
research study. These variables are not the main focus of the study, but
they can still affect the results, making it difficult to determine causality.
For example, let's say a researcher is studying the relationship between
exercise and weight loss. The independent variable is exercise, and the
dependent variable is weight loss. However, there could be extraneous
variables that could affect the results, such as diet, age, gender, and
genetics.
To control extraneous variables in a research study, researchers typically
use two main strategies:
 Randomization: Researchers can randomly assign participants to
groups to ensure that the extraneous variables are evenly distributed
between the groups. This helps to minimize the impact of extraneous
variables on the results.
 Holding Extraneous Variables Constant: Researchers can also
control extraneous variables by holding them constant throughout the
study. For example, if the researcher wants to study the effect of
exercise on weight loss, they could hold diet constant by providing all
participants with the same meals.
In addition to these two strategies, researchers can also use statistical
techniques such as analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to control for
extraneous variables. ANCOVA involves statistically adjusting the results to
account for the effect of extraneous variables.
Controlling extraneous variables is essential to ensure that the results of a
research study are valid and reliable. By controlling extraneous variables,
researchers can increase the internal validity of the study, making it more
likely that the observed effect is due to the independent variable and not
some other factor.
Explain the basic types of research design?
There are three basic types of research design: exploratory, descriptive,
and causal.
 Exploratory Research Design: Exploratory research is conducted
when the researcher is not certain of the research problem or needs
more information about the topic. The purpose of exploratory
research is to gain a better understanding of the problem or
phenomenon being studied, and it often involves collecting qualitative
data through methods such as interviews, observations, and focus
groups. Exploratory research is useful when the topic is new, and
there is little existing knowledge about it.
 Descriptive Research Design: Descriptive research is conducted to
describe a particular population or phenomenon. The purpose of
descriptive research is to answer questions such as who, what, when,
where, and how. It involves collecting quantitative data through
methods such as surveys, questionnaires, and observation.
Descriptive research is useful when the topic is well-defined, and the
researcher wants to obtain a snapshot of the current state of the
phenomenon being studied.
 Causal Research Design: Causal research is conducted to establish
a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. The purpose of
causal research is to determine whether a change in one variable
causes a change in another variable. Causal research involves
manipulating one variable and observing the effect on another
variable. The most common method of causal research is
experimentation. Causal research is useful when the researcher
wants to make predictions or determine the effectiveness of an
intervention.
In summary, exploratory research is conducted to gain a better
understanding of a research problem, descriptive research is conducted to
describe a population or phenomenon, and causal research is conducted to
establish a cause-and-effect relationship between variables. The choice of
research design depends on the research question and the type of data
that needs to be collected.
Describe the common situations that call for qualitative research
Qualitative research is a research method that is used to explore complex
phenomena that cannot be adequately measured or understood through
numerical data. Here are some common situations that call for qualitative
research:
 Exploring new research areas: Qualitative research is often used to
explore new research areas or topics for which little is known.
Researchers can use qualitative methods to gather information about
the phenomenon being studied and generate hypotheses for further
research.
 Studying complex phenomena: Qualitative research is particularly
useful when studying complex phenomena that cannot be easily
measured or quantified. For example, qualitative research is
commonly used in the social sciences to study attitudes, beliefs, and
behaviors.
 Understanding individual experiences: Qualitative research is well-
suited for exploring individual experiences and perspectives.
Researchers can use qualitative methods such as interviews and
focus groups to gather rich, in-depth data on an individual's
experiences and perspectives.
 Contextualizing quantitative data: Qualitative research can be used to
provide context and meaning to quantitative data. For example, a
researcher may use qualitative methods to explore the reasons
behind a particular trend observed in quantitative data.
 Evaluating interventions: Qualitative research can be used to
evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. For example, a
researcher may use qualitative methods to gather feedback from
participants on the effectiveness of a particular treatment program.
In summary, qualitative research is commonly used to explore complex
phenomena, understand individual experiences, provide context to
quantitative data, and evaluate interventions. The choice of qualitative
research depends on the research question and the type of data that needs
to be collected.
Explain the evidences needed for establishing causality in an experiment
(আসার মতো না তেমন)
Establishing causality in an experiment involves demonstrating that a
change in one variable (the independent variable) causes a change in
another variable (the dependent variable). Here are the evidences needed
to establish causality in an experiment:
 Temporal precedence: This means that the independent variable
must come before the dependent variable in time. In other words, the
change in the independent variable must happen before the change
in the dependent variable. This establishes a clear sequence of
events and ensures that the independent variable caused the change
in the dependent variable, rather than the other way around.
 Covariation: This means that there must be a relationship between
the independent and dependent variables. If the independent variable
changes, then the dependent variable should also change in a
predictable way. This relationship should be statistically significant
and should hold up across multiple trials.
 Non-spuriousness: This means that the relationship between the
independent and dependent variables is not due to a third variable,
known as a confounding variable. Confounding variables can
influence the results of an experiment, making it difficult to establish
causality. Therefore, researchers must control for confounding
variables or randomize the assignment of participants to different
groups to ensure that they are evenly distributed between groups.
 Plausibility: This means that there must be a plausible explanation for
how the independent variable causes a change in the dependent
variable. Researchers should provide a theoretical framework or
mechanism to explain the relationship between the independent and
dependent variables.
In summary, to establish causality in an experiment, researchers must
demonstrate that there is a temporal precedence between the independent
and dependent variables, a covariation between the two variables, non-
spuriousness of the relationship, and a plausible explanation for how the
independent variable causes a change in the dependent variable.
What is research? What is the goal of theory and how theories are
developed?
Research refers to the systematic and scientific investigation of a problem
or issue to acquire new knowledge and understanding. Research is
typically carried out through a structured and organized process that
involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to draw conclusions.
The goal of theory is to explain and predict phenomena in a systematic
way. Theories are developed through a process of observation, analysis,
and testing. Theories are based on empirical evidence and are used to
organize and explain phenomena in a way that is consistent with existing
knowledge. Theories can be used to generate hypotheses and make
predictions about future events.
The development of theories typically involves the following steps:
 Observation: The first step in developing a theory is to observe and
collect data on a particular phenomenon. This may involve
conducting experiments, surveys, or other forms of data collection.
 Analysis: Once data has been collected, it is analyzed to identify
patterns and relationships. This may involve statistical analysis or
other forms of data processing.
 Hypothesis: Based on the observations and analysis, researchers
may develop a hypothesis to explain the phenomenon. A hypothesis
is a tentative explanation of a phenomenon that can be tested
through further research.
 Testing: The hypothesis is then tested through additional research to
determine whether it is supported or refuted by the evidence. This
may involve conducting additional experiments or collecting more
data.
 Refinement: If the hypothesis is supported by the evidence, it may be
further refined and developed into a theory. If the hypothesis is not
supported, researchers may need to revise or develop a new
hypothesis.
In summary, the goal of research is to acquire new knowledge and
understanding through a systematic and scientific investigation of a
problem or issue. The goal of theory is to explain and predict phenomena in
a systematic way, and theories are developed through a process of
observation, analysis, and testing.

"If facts conflict with a theory, either the theory must be changes or the
facts "- what is the practical meaning of this statement?
The statement "If facts conflict with a theory, either the theory must be
changed or the facts" means that when a theory does not align with the
observed facts, there are two possible ways to resolve the conflict. The first
way is to modify the theory to account for the observed facts. The second
way is to question the validity of the observed facts and re-evaluate the
evidence to ensure that it is accurate and reliable.
This statement emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence in
science and the need for scientific theories to be consistent with the
evidence. When a theory does not align with the observed facts, it suggests
that the theory is incomplete or inaccurate and needs to be revised or
replaced. Alternatively, it may suggest that the evidence is flawed or
incomplete and needs to be re-evaluated.
In practical terms, this statement highlights the need for scientists to be
open-minded, rigorous, and critical in their approach to research. It
encourages scientists to be willing to revise their theories in light of new
evidence and to be vigilant in ensuring that the evidence they rely on is
valid and reliable. Ultimately, this approach helps to ensure that scientific
knowledge is accurate, reliable, and robust.

how does proposition and hypotheses differ?

Propositions and hypotheses are both statements that are used in research
to make predictions about relationships between variables. However, there
are some key differences between these two concepts:
 Definition: A proposition is a statement that describes the relationship
between two or more variables. It is a general statement that is based
on existing knowledge or theories. A hypothesis, on the other hand, is
a specific statement that predicts the relationship between two or
 more variables. It is based on the proposition and is used to test the
validity of the proposition through empirical research.
 Level of generality: Propositions are more general and abstract than
hypotheses. They are often used to describe broad patterns or
relationships between variables. Hypotheses, on the other hand, are
more specific and precise than propositions. They are used to make
predictions about how variables will behave in a specific context or
under specific conditions.
 Testability: Propositions are not always testable through empirical
research because they are too general and abstract. Hypotheses, on
the other hand, are designed to be testable through empirical
research. They are specific statements that can be evaluated using
data.
In summary, propositions are general statements that describe the
relationship between variables, while hypotheses are specific statements
that predict the relationship between variables in a specific context or under
specific conditions. Propositions are often used to guide research and
generate hypotheses, while hypotheses are used to test the validity of
propositions through empirical research.

What is experimental research? Validity of experimental design

Experimental research is a type of research design that involves the
manipulation of one or more independent variables to observe their effect
on a dependent variable, while controlling for extraneous variables. The
purpose of experimental research is to establish cause-and-effect
relationships between variables.
The validity of experimental design refers to the degree to which the
experimental results can be attributed to the manipulation of the
independent variable(s) and not to other factors. There are several types of
validity that are relevant to experimental design:
 Internal validity: Refers to the extent to which the experimental results
can be attributed to the manipulation of the independent variable(s)
and not to extraneous factors. Internal validity is important because it
 ensures that the results of the experiment accurately reflect the
relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
 External validity: Refers to the extent to which the experimental
results can be generalized to other populations, settings, and
conditions. External validity is important because it ensures that the
results of the experiment are applicable to real-world situations
beyond the experimental setting.
 Construct validity: Refers to the extent to which the experimental
results accurately measure the underlying construct being studied.
Construct validity is important because it ensures that the
experimental results accurately reflect the phenomenon being
studied.
 Statistical conclusion validity: Refers to the extent to which the
statistical analysis accurately reflects the relationships between the
variables being studied. Statistical conclusion validity is important
because it ensures that the statistical analysis is accurate and
reliable.
To ensure the validity of experimental design, researchers use a variety of
techniques, such as randomization, control groups, and blinding, to
minimize the effects of extraneous variables and increase the internal
validity of the study. They also carefully select study participants and use
appropriate statistical analyses to increase the external and statistical
conclusion validity of the study. By ensuring the validity of experimental
design, researchers can have confidence in the results of their studies and
draw accurate conclusions about the relationships between variables.

Classification of experimental design. how do they differ in terms of

managing internal and external validity?
Experimental designs can be classified into different types based on their
characteristics and features. Here are some of the most common
experimental designs:
 Pre-experimental designs: These designs do not involve
randomization or control groups. Examples include one-shot case
 study, one-group pretest-posttest design, and static-group
comparison.
- Internal validity: pre-experimental designs typically have low
internal validity because they lack randomization and control
groups. This means that it is difficult to attribute the observed
effects to the manipulation of the independent variable rather
than extraneous factors.
- External validity: pre-experimental designs also have low
external validity because the lack of randomization and control
groups limits the generalizability of the results.
 True experimental designs: These designs involve randomization,
control groups, and manipulation of the independent variable.
Examples include randomized control trials, posttest-only control
group design, and pretest-posttest control group design.
- Internal validity: True experimental designs have high internal
validity because they involve randomization and control groups,
which help to minimize the effects of extraneous factors and
increase the validity of the study.
- External validity: True experimental designs may have lower
external validity than other designs because the strict control
over the study conditions may limit the generalizability of the
results.
 Quasi-experimental designs: These designs involve manipulation of
the independent variable, but lack randomization or control groups.
Examples include nonequivalent control group design, time series
design, and interrupted time series design.
- Internal validity: Quasi-experimental designs have moderate
internal validity because they involve manipulation of the
independent variable, but lack randomization or control groups.
- External validity: Quasi-experimental designs have higher
external validity than pre-experimental designs because they
involve manipulation of the independent variable. However,
they may have lower external validity than true experimental
designs because they lack randomization and control groups.
In summary, different experimental designs differ in their ability to manage
internal and external validity. True experimental designs have high internal
validity but may have lower external validity, while quasi-experimental
designs have moderate internal and external validity. Pre-experimental
designs have low internal and external validity. Researchers should
carefully consider their research question and study objectives when
selecting an experimental design to ensure that it is appropriate for their
needs.
Define focus group interview. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
the standard procedure of focus groups
A focus group interview is a qualitative research technique used to gather
data from a group of individuals about a specific topic or issue. It involves a
small group of participants (typically 6-10 people) who are brought together
in a facilitated discussion led by a trained moderator. The goal of a focus
group interview is to generate rich, detailed data about participants'
attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and experiences related to the topic of interest.
Advantages of Focus Group Interviews:
 Rich data: Focus group interviews can generate rich, detailed data
about participants' attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and experiences
related to the topic of interest.
 Group interaction: Group interaction can stimulate new ideas and
insights as participants respond to each other's comments and build
on each other's ideas.
 Cost-effective: Focus group interviews are generally less expensive
than other qualitative research techniques, such as in-depth
interviews.
 Time-efficient: Focus group interviews can be conducted in a
relatively short amount of time, usually lasting 1-2 hours.
 Flexibility: Focus group interviews can be conducted in person or
online, making them a flexible research technique.
Disadvantages of Focus Group Interviews:
 Limited generalizability: The results of focus group interviews cannot
be generalized to the population at large due to the small sample size
and non-random sampling.
 Group dynamics: Group dynamics can influence the data collected,
with dominant or vocal participants potentially biasing the discussion.
  Moderator bias: The moderator's own beliefs and opinions can
influence the discussion and the data collected.
 Limited depth: Focus group interviews may not provide as much
depth or detail as other qualitative research techniques, such as in-
depth interviews.
 Analysis challenges: Analyzing and interpreting focus group data can
be challenging due to the volume of data and the complex
interactions among participants.
Standard procedure of Focus Groups:
The standard procedure of focus groups involves the following steps:
 Define the research question: The first step is to define the research
question and the objectives of the study.
 Recruit participants: Participants are recruited based on specific
inclusion criteria, such as age, gender, or experience.
 Develop the moderator's guide: The moderator's guide outlines the
topics and questions to be discussed during the focus group.
 Conduct the focus group: The moderator leads the discussion,
following the moderator's guide and encouraging participation from all
participants.
 Record the discussion: The focus group discussion is audio or video
recorded and transcribed for analysis.
 Analyze the data: The data collected is analyzed using qualitative
analysis techniques, such as coding and theme identification.
 Report the results: The results are reported in a written report or
presentation, highlighting the key themes and findings from the focus
group.
Overall, focus group interviews can be a valuable research technique for
generating rich, detailed data about participants' attitudes, beliefs, opinions,
and experiences related to a specific topic. However, researchers should
be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the technique and
carefully consider their research objectives and the specific context of their
study when deciding whether to use focus groups.

Describe the common techniques used in qualitative research.

Qualitative research uses a variety of techniques to collect and analyze
data. Here are some common techniques used in qualitative research:
 In-depth interviews: One-on-one interviews with participants to
explore their perspectives and experiences related to the research
topic.
 Focus groups: A group discussion with participants to explore their
perspectives and experiences related to the research topic.
 Participant observation: The researcher observes and records
participants' behaviors, interactions, and experiences in their natural
setting.
 Case studies: In-depth exploration of a particular case or example to
gain a detailed understanding of a specific phenomenon.
 Content analysis: A systematic analysis of written or visual data to
identify themes and patterns related to the research topic.
 Narrative analysis: Analysis of stories or personal accounts to
understand how individuals construct meaning and make sense of
their experiences.
 Grounded theory: A systematic approach to developing a theory
based on the data collected, rather than starting with preconceived
hypotheses.
 Ethnography: In-depth exploration of a particular culture or social
group to understand their values, beliefs, and practices related to the
research topic.
 Phenomenology: Exploration of participants' subjective experiences
and how they make meaning of those experiences.
 Participatory research: Collaboration with participants to design and
conduct the research, with the goal of empowering and giving voice
to marginalized communities.
Each of these techniques has its own strengths and weaknesses, and
researchers should carefully consider which techniques are most
appropriate for their research question and the context of their study.
Qualitative research often involves a combination of these techniques to
collect and analyze rich, detailed data.
 IB-408

Define buyer and economic activities

A buyer is a person, group, or organization that acquires goods or services
in exchange for money or other valuable consideration. In other words, a
buyer is someone who makes a purchase from a seller.
Economic activities refer to any human activities that involve the
production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. These
activities include producing goods and services, selling and buying them,
investing in businesses, and using resources to create value. Economic
activities are essential for the functioning of an economy and are driven by
the principles of supply and demand, as well as various economic factors
such as prices, wages, interest rates, and government policies.

10 things the WTO can do

The world is complex. The World Trade Organization is complex. It
highlights benefits of the trading system, but it doesn’t claim that everything
is perfect, if it were, there would be no need for further negotiations and for
the system to evolve and reform continually.
The WTO can ...
1 ... cut living costs and raise living standards
2 ... settle disputes and reduce trade tensions
3 ... stimulate economic growth and employment
4 ... cut the cost of doing business internationally
5 ... encourage good governance
6 ... help countries develop
7 ... give the weak a stronger voice
8 ... support the environment and health
9 ... contribute to peace and stability
10 ... be effective without hitting the headlines

ERC and IRC are required to start a business or to establish an industrial

unit for importing and exporting goods or machineries from or to abroad.
Chief Controller of Import and Export (CCI&E) office issues these
certificates.
REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
 Attested photocopy of valid Trade License
 Tax Identification Number (TIN)
 Attested photocopy of membership certificate from local Chamber of
 Commerce and Industry or relevant Trade Association
 Original copy of Treasury Challan
 If a partnership business: Partnership Deed (certified attested copy)
 If a limited company: (certified attested copies) Certificate of
Incorporation, Articles of Association &Memorandum of Association

Application Process for getting a bond license

 Collect or download Bond License Application form.
 Download the list of documents needed for Bond License.
 Collect applicable all documents needed.
 Fill up the Bond License Application form correctly. If needed, you can
consult with Bond License Branch.
 Submit application form with all documents. During submission,
ensure that concern receiving officer checked the application and
write comment "All documents submitted along with application" on
your received copy and give a receive number on it.
  Take the date and time of visit to your premises to see the factory
facilities and information provided by you.
 If any wanting is there, please provide it as early as possible to get
the license in short period of time.
 After inspection, officers will submit a report. It should be approved by
Commissioner.
 After getting approval from Commissioner, please collect License
 Form and back it after typing information on it.
 Submit appropriate fees and General Bond.
 Then appear all directors/partners/proprietor in person before officer
in charge for signing the License.
 Receive the Bond Licenses

The following registers/records should be maintained in the office of the

private or public limited company as aspect of shareholder:
 Share register
 Share transfer register
 Resolution book of the meeting of the Board of Directors
 Resolution book of the meeting
 Issuing share certificate to respective directors after getting
incorporation of certificate and share certificate
 At the time of starting business, you will have to collect “Certificate of
commencement”.

In case of a public limited company, without the Registration of Joint Stock

Company you cannot run the business. For having a registration certificate
for limited or a public limited company you have to submit the following
documents:
 Memorandum of Articles of the company in Bangla or English. It is to
be mentioned that a private limited company can only be formed
when the number or directors is more than two. Memorandum of
Articles should be drafted as per the government rules and
procedures.
  You have to obtain a no objection certificate from the Joint Stick
Company on the name of your firm and submit that along with the
application for incorporation certificate of your company.
 In case of incorporation of a private limited company forms no I, VI,
XII, XIXI with proper inclusion of information should be submitted.
Forms No. I, XI, X, XI and XII shall be submitted in case of a public
limited company. The forms are available in the office of the Joint
Stock Company.
 Two non-judicial stamps of respective amount shall be affixed in the
first pages of the Memorandum of Articles and Articles of Associations
respectively as per govt. order. The rates are as follows as samples.

Authorized Capital Price of two stamps

Tk. 1,00,000 (one lakh) to 10,00,000 Tk. 500 and taka 1000
(Ten lakh)
Tk. 10,00,000 (tan lakh) to Tk. 500 and taka 2000
3,00,00,000 (three crore)
More than Tk. 3 (three) crore Tk. 500 and 5000

 You have to deposit registration fee in the Bangladesh Bank through

a chalan and its copy should be submitted along with the application.
Registration fee is fixed as follows on the basis of the amount of
authorized capital

 If any Limited company transfer its Share, it will have to fill-up form
117 and in will have to submit to Joint Stock Company with stamp.

Export management company (EMC): An EMC handles export operations

for a domestic company that wants to sell its product overseas but doesn't
know how (and perhaps doesn't want to know how). The EMC does it all--
hiring dealers, distributors and representatives; handling advertising,
marketing and promotions; overseeing marking and packaging; arranging
shipping; and sometimes arranging financing. In some cases, the EMC
even takes title to the goods, in essence becoming its own distributor.
EMCs usually specialize by product, foreign market or both, and--unless
they've taken title--are paid by commission, salary or retainer plus
commission.

Who are in Trade Channel?

Now that you're familiar with the players, you'll need to operate the trade
channel, the means by which the merchandise travels from manufacturer to
end user. A manufacturer who uses a middleman who resells to the
consumer is paddling around in a three-level channel of distribution. The
middleman can be a merchant who purchases the goods and then resells
them, or he can be an agent who acts as a broker but doesn't take title to
the stuff. Your fellows are will depend on how you configure your trade
channel, they could include any of the following:
 Manufacturer's representative: a salesperson who specializes in a
type of product or line of complementary products; for example, home
electronics: televisions, radios, CD players and sound systems. He
often provides additional product assistance, such as warehousing
and technical service.
 Distributor or wholesale distributor: a company that buys the product
you've imported and sells it to a retailer or other agent for further
distribution until it gets to the end user
 Representative: a savvy salesperson who pitches your product to
wholesale or retail buyers, then passes the sale on to you; differs
from a manufacturer's representative in that he doesn't necessarily
specialize in a particular product or group of products
 Retailer: the tail end of the trade channel where the merchandise
smacks into the consumer; as yet another variation on a theme, if the
end user is not Joan Q. Public but an original equipment
manufacturer (OEM), then you don't need to worry about the retailer
because the OEM becomes your end of the line. (Think Dell
Computer purchasing a software program to pass along to its
personal computer buyer as part of the goodie package.)