BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

MBA – FALL 2014

Agenda

Types of Research Research Process

Basic research

Applied research

based on the purpose and context of

the problem

Business Research Types

Basic ResearchBasic / Fundamental Research – also

known as pure research

Research done to enhance the understanding of a phenomena or problems that commonly occur in organizational settings and seek methods of solving them in general.

Example: A study on the influence of different compensation systems such as pay by piece-work versus salary-plus-bonus structure on productivity.

Applied ResearchApplied Research

Applied Research has a practical problem solving emphasis. Research done with the intention of applying the results of the findings to solve specific problems currently being experienced in the organization.

Example: A study undertaken by organization ABC to decide on an acquisition to increase stockholder wealth.

Basic & Applied ResearchBasic Research Applied Research

Purpose Expand knowledge of business

processes and management

Results in universal principles relating to the process and its relationship to outcomes

Findings of significance and value to society in general.

Context Conducted by people in

universities Flexible timescales Choice of topic and objectives

determined by the researcher

Purpose Improve understanding of

particular business and management problem.

Results in solution to problem related to action, performance or policy needs.

Findings of practical relevance and value to manager(s) in organization(s)

Context Conducted by people in

universities and organizations Tight timescales Objectives negotiated with the

originator

Stages in a Research Process

1. Identify and define Research problem/opportunity 2. Design the

Research study

3. Select a Research Method

4. Collect data and analyze

data and draw

conclusions 5. Report findings

Stages in a Research Process 1.Select

Topic/Identify the problem

2.Literature Review

3.Decide Research Question(s)/Problem definition

4. Develop Conceptual Framework & Operationalise

5. Plan Research Design

6.Decide Research Method

7.Conduct Research

8. Report Findings

Identify Research Topic

Sounds simple but very daunting and important part of your research project◦Lead you in the right direction for planning

and designing your research

“a problem well defined is a problem half solved”

Time consuming process – utmost care should be given in defining research topic.

Identify Research TopicHow to do it?

◦ Begin with the area that is of personal interest to you and ask yourselves

“what is it about your area of interest that you want to know?” That is explore different avenues of the area of interest

For this you can: Look at the past project titles related to your area of interest. Have discussions with the experts of that area of interest. Look at the past projects and ask what appeals you and what is

good about that research and why is it good? Brainstorming

And from there develop a working title for your research.

Refining Research TopicResearch idea needs to be refined to turn it

into a research project.◦ This process is also known as preliminary study◦ It can be done through:

Review of some of the literature Informal discussions with the experts of that area Shadowing employees can also provide some useful insight If your research is about a specific organization then get good

understanding of that organization

There is no sequence for these activities and they can be used simultaneously depending on the needs of the researcher.

Refining Research Topic

During the process of refining your research topic subject it to the checklist of attributes of a good research topic/idea before embarking on developing research questions and research objectives

These attributes are: The topic fit the specifications and meet the standards set by the

examiner Interest and excites you Must have a link to the theory Can be done within the timeframe Achievable within the financial resources Able to gain access to the data Provide fresh insights into this topic Findings will be valuable Able to state clear research questions and research objectives

Turning Research Topic into Research QuestionWhen stating your research

question start with the general focus question also known as primary research question from the refined research topic.

Later develop more detailed research questions known as subsidiary research questions or research objectives.

Turning Research Topic into Research Question

Research Topic/Problem Primary Research Question

Online transaction services for bank customers

Job recruitment via internet

Should the bank offer OTS? And in which possible forms should it be offered?

How effective is recruiting for new staff via internet in comparison with traditional methods?

Turning Research Topic into Research Question

Primary Research Question Subsidiary Research Questions

Should the bank offer OTS? And in which possible forms should it be offered?

A. Are consumers aware of OTS system?

B. What are consumer reactions to OTS?

C. How do consumers react to different OTS form A? B? C?

D. What benefits are perceived by consumers for each form of service?

Turning Research Questions into Research Objectives

Research Question Research Questions Research Objectives

Should the bank offer OTS? And in which possible forms should it be offered?

A. Are consumers aware of OTS system?

B. What are consumer reactions to OTS?

C. How do consumers react to different OTS form A? B? C?

D. What benefits are perceived by consumers for each form of service?

To determine consumer awareness of OTS.

To measure consumer attitudes and beliefs about OTS.

To obtain ratings and ranking for each form of service.

a) To identify perceived benefits of service

b) To identify perceived disadvantages of service.

Research question & Research ObjectivesOnce Research questions are stated

research objectives are derived from the research problem/question.

Research objectives basically ensure that the research project is manageable in size and offer an explanation of the reasons for conducting the research.

Mostly business problems and research objectives are the same.

Types of Business Research

Research can be classified into 3 types with respect to the objectives it serves (type of question it answers):

Descriptive Research

Explanatory Research

Evaluative Research

Types of Business Research1. Descriptive Research

has no other purpose then to describe an event or characteristic may be through distributions.

Does not attempt to understand or explain the situation or to predict what it might be in the future or how it might be changed.

Descriptive studies have a broad appeal to the administrator and policy analysts for planning.

Asks ‘Who’, ‘what’, ‘When’, ‘Where’ questions. E.g. Census study E.g. Do Pakistanis support cricket more than

hockey?

Types of Business Research2. Explanatory Research

Goes beyond description and attempts to explain the reasons for the phenomenon that the descriptive study only observed.

Tries to explain why things are as they are. Searches for explanations. Asks ‘Why’ or ‘How’ questions E.g. (How) Is the popularity of a sport influenced

by the amount of TV coverage it gets?

Types of Business ResearchExplanatory Research

◦Causal Research Sequence of events: when we do one thing

another follows (temporal sequence)

Types of Business Research3. Evaluative Research

Done to make judgments on the success or effectiveness of policies, strategies, practices or programs.

E.g. whether the recently introduced compensation policy has helped in increasing motivational levels of employees.

Literature review refers to the process of identifying and engaging with previously published research relevant to the topic of interest.

Critical literature review forms the foundation on which research is built as it helps the researcher develop an understanding and insight into the topic and the trends that have emerged in the specific field.

Literature Review

Serves 4 main functions

Focuses on what has been done before; highlights how your study will contribute to the field of knowledge.

Outlines the instruments you will use and why.

Points out why it is necessary to conduct your research.

Sets the boundaries for your study.

Literature Review (cont’d)

Guidelines for writing literature Review

Avoid copying (quoted text), except for definitions.

Aim to summarize and synthesize ideas from your sources and comment in your own words.

Use your own words

Content of literature review

How to combine academic theories and ideas the literature contains to form the literature review of your proposal/paper/project.

This will need: Discuss the work that has already been

undertaken and reference that work. Draw out the key points and trends and

present them in a logical way.

What is meant by critical?Critical – means detailed and

justified analysis of and commentary on the merits and faults of key literature within your chosen area.

Refer to work by recognized experts Discuss work that supports or opposes your idea Make reasoned judgments about the value of

others work to your research Support arguments with valid evidence in a

logical way Distinguish between facts and opinions

Structure of literature reviewThink of your literature review as a

funnel Start with a more general level before narrowing down

to your specific Research question and objectives. Provide a brief overview of key ideas. Summarize, compare and contrast the work of key

writers. Narrow down to highlight the work most relevant to

your research. Provide detailed account of findings. Highlight those issues where your research will

provide fresh insight. Lead the reader into subsequent sections of your

project report which explore these issues.

Research HypothesisLiterature Review Hypothesis

development

Hypothesis Conceptual/theoretical framework

Research HypothesisHypothesis is a statement that

expresses relationship or differences among variables”.

It is a statement that could be accepted or rejected.

So research questions are interrogative.

Hypothesis are declarative.

Hypothesis are more appropriate for explanatory or deductive study.

Research Question & Hypothesis

Directional Hypothesis – predicts the direction of the difference or relationship between two groups or two variables.

Non-directional Hypothesis – do not predict the direction of the relationship.

Null HypothesisAlternative Hypothesis

Types of Hypothesis

Research ApproachesThe research approach selected

by the researchers will depend on the extent to which they are clear about the theory at the beginning of research.

The two approaches to research are:

1. Deductive Research2. Inductive Research

Research Approaches

1. Deductive Research

Explanation Data Analysis

The process begins by drawing propositions from what is known to be true about a particular domain and then the proposition is subject to empirical scrutiny.

Research Approaches

2. Inductive Research

Data Analysis Explanation/Theory

Propositions are established on the basis of observation of particular facts.

Research Approaches

Deductive

o Moving from theory to data

o Explain causal relationships between variables

o Collection of quantitative data (numerical data)

o Application of controls to test the hypothesis

o Sample sizes are generally large to generalize conclusions

Inductive

o Moves from data to theory

o Explain meaning human attach to events (allows alternative explanations)

o Collection of qualitative data (non-numerical data)

o Flexible structureo Less concern with the

need to generalize