Business research methodology

1. BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
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2. Introduction
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3. Welcome to Research Methods!
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Teaches you the skills and practices of research
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Reading
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Experimenting
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Analysing/Decision Making
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Writing
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Presenting
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Critical thinking!
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Directly relevant to your Research Activity (thesis/project).
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Likely to be relevant to your future activities (research or otherwise…)
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4. What is research?
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In general:
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Term ‘Research’
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Some work of scientist in laboratory in the shape of experiments
Re + Search whereas Re = Again and Search = to find something
Therefore,
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Research is simply the process of findings solutions to a problem after thorough
study and analysis of the situational factors
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5. What is research?
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We can say that:
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Research is oriented towards the discovery of relationship that exists among
phenomena of the world in which we live.
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Definitions: “The systematic and scholarly application of the scientific method interpreted
in its broader sense, to the solution of social studiesal problems; conversely, any systematic
study designed to promote the development of social studies as a science can be considered
research” (George J. Mouly).
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“Research is, literally speaking, a kind of human behavior, an activity in which people
engage. By this definition all intelligent human behavior involves some research”
(Francis G. Cornell).
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6. What is research?
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“Research is a carefully inquiry or examination in seeking facts or principles; a
diligent investigation to ascertain something, according to Webster‟s New
International Dictionary” (Clifford Woody).
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“Research is simply a systematic and refined technique of thinking, employing
specialized tools, instruments, and procedures in order to obtain a more adequate
solution of a problem than would be possible under ordinary means. It starts with a
problem, collects data or facts, analysis these critically and reaches decisions based
on the actual evidence. It evolves original work instead of mere exercise of personal.
It evolves from a genuine desire to know rather than a desire to prove something. It is
quantitative, seeking to know not only what but how much, and measurement is
therefore, a central feature of it” (C. C. Crawford)
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There are many more definitions of research available in literature.
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7. What is research?
P.M. Cook has given a very comprehensive and functional definition of the term
research
“Research is an honest exhaustive, intelligent searching for facts and their meanings or
implications with reference to a given problem. The product or findings of a given
piece of
research should be an authentic, verifiable and contribution to knowledge in the field
studied.”
He has emphasized the following characteristics of research in his definition:
• It is an honest and exhaustive process.
• The facts are studied with understanding.
• The facts are discovered in the light of problem. Research is problem-centred.
• The findings are valid and verifiable.
• Research work should contribute new knowledge in that field.
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8. What is Research?
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In fact we all do research every day – research is a particular kind of everyday thinking.
Research Task
Everyday Thinking
Example
Identify a problem
How can I deal with my punctured
tyre?
Gather data
Obtain prices of new tyres.
Analysis the data
What is the cheapest?
Interpret the data
That‟s more than I want to pay. I need
more information.
Gather more data
Is it reparable? Obtain prices for typre
repair.
Analysis the data
Can it be repaired? What is the lowest
cost? How does the cost compare with a
new tyre?
Interpret the data
Repairing it is possible. Repair will cost
20% of a new tyre. Repair rather than
replace means I can still afford to go
out on Friday night.
Draw conclusion
I will get it repaired at Tyres-U-Like
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9. Value of Research
• Research is simply the process of finding solutions to a problem
after through study and analysis of the situational factors. It is
gathering information needed to answer a question, and thereby help
in solving a problem. (nature of research problems could vary)
• Some years ago man did not know what exactly the moon? (Now
Man on Moon)
• MA/M.Sc examination of the UOM 76 percent of the students
failed. The researcher may come up with a variety of reasons that
may relate with the students, the teachers, the curricula, the
availability of books, the examination system, the family
environment of the student, and many more. (This is an academic
problem but certainly a research problem)
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10. • Questions in the examinations are not research because its
solutions are already available in the text books, class-notes.
• Research answers only those questions of which the answers
are not available in literature i.e. in human knowledge.
• The researchers try to make use of their findings for generating
theories and models that could be used for understanding
human behavior and the functioning of different structures
both at the micro (organizational) and macro (societal) level.
• A person no longer looks up a word in dictionary or a
historical fact in the encyclopedia he researches it. Many
agencies claiming to do research are engaged in nothing more
than fact-findings.

11. • Managers and administrators with knowledge of research have
an advantage over those who are without.
• Managers may not be doing the research themselves, in fact
they could hire the services of professionals, and still they
should be well conversant with research methodologies. The
manager who is knowledgeable about research can interact
effectively with outside researchers or consultants.
• We are surrounded by Research
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12. Significance of Research
• To achieve credibility with the management:
Executives want facts, not guesses. So, each
employee should be able to do research and
relate their findings to the organization’s
objectives.
• To define audiences and segment publics:
Detailed information about the
demographics, life styles, characteristics, and
consumption patterns of audience help to ensure
that messages of the companies reach the proper
audiences.

13. Significance of Research
• To monitor the competition: Intelligent
organizations keep track of what the competition
is doing. This is done through surveys that ask
consumers to comment on competing products
and thereforere-shape its marketing and
communication strategies to counter a
competitor’s strengths and capitalize on its
weaknesses.

14. Significance of Research
• To sway public opinion: Facts and
figures, compiled from a variety of primary
and secondary sources, can change public
opinion
• To measure success: By research, companies
can find out by measuring whether the time
and money spent accomplished the stated
objective.

15. The nature of research
• On tv, newspaper the term “research” is always
mentioned
– Findings of a recent poll of people’s opinions referring to
the way which the data were collected
– Newspapers report the findings of market research
companies’ findings
– Advertisers highlight the ‘results of research’
• However, many of these everyday uses of the term
‘research’ are not the true meaning of the word...

16. The nature of research
• The ways in which the term is used wrongly:
– Just collecting facts or information with no clear
purpose
– Reassembling and reordering facts or information
without interpretation
– As a term to get your product or idea noticed and
respected

17. The nature of research
• So, research should have a number of
characteristics:
– Data are collected systematically
– Data are interpreted systematically
– There is a clear purpose: to find things out

18. The nature of research
• We can define research as something that people
undertake in order to find out things in a systematic
way, thereby increasing their knowledge.
• Systematic way: Research is based on logical
relationships and not just beliefs
• To find out things: Research should aim at;
describing, explaining, criticising and analysing.
Also, there are set of things to be found out; such as
the answer to research question

19. Traditional Views of Research
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Finding the truth
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Knowledge based on objective evidence
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Knowledge gained through strict methods
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Knowledge gain by experts
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Open to the public
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Open to scrutiny and inspection
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Expert way of finding things out
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Privileged way of knowing
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20. General Characteristics of Research
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The following characteristics may be gathered from the definitions of „Research‟:
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It gathers new knowledge or data from primary or first-hand sources.
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It places emphasis upon the discovery of general principles.
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It is an exact systematic and accurate investigation.
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It uses certain valid data gathering devices.
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It is logical and objective.
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The researcher resists the temptation to seek only the data that support his hypotheses.
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The researcher eliminates personal feelings and preferences.
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Research is patient and unhurried activity.
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Research is carefully recorded and reported.
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Conclusions and generalizations are arrived at carefully and cautiously.
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21. Specific Characteristics of Research
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A sound philosophy as the basis of research
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Requires an inter-disciplinary approach (It must be related to the study of complex
relationships of various facts).
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Employs deductive reasoning process (mathematical or measurement procedures)
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Should come out of a desire to do things better
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Is not as exact as research in physical science (No two human beings have ever been found to
be alike)
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Is not the field of the specialist only
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Generally requires inexpensive material
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Perhaps incapable of being dealt through empirical method
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Based on inter dependence of causes and effect
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Cannot be a mechanical process (not something that can be ground out as by a machine)
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22. Why study Business Research?
Business research
provides
information to
guide business
decisions

23. Research Should Reduce Risk
The primary
purpose of
research is to
reduce the level of
risk of a marketing
decision

24. What is business research?
• Research provides the needed
information that guides managers to
make informed decisions to successfully
deal with problems.
• The information provided could be the
result of a careful analysis of data
gathered firsthand or of data that are
already available (in the company).

25. Why is it important for managers to know about research?
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Solve problems
Decision making tool
Competition
Risk
Investment
Hire researchers and consultants more
effectively

26. Information needs in business
• Almost every organization has to engage in
research at some level to stay competitive.
• Companies gather data both from within and
outside the organization.
• The methods used to gather,analyze,and
synthesize information from the external and
internal environments are becoming
increasingly sophisticated to the immense
scope of computer technology.

27. The nature of business and management
research
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Three things combine to make business and
management a distinctive focus for research:
1. The way in which managers and researchers draw on
knowledge developed by other disciplines
2. The fact that managers tend to be powerful and busy
people. Therefore they are unlikely to allow research
unless they can see personal or commercial advantages
3. The requirement for the research to have some practical
consequence.

28. The nature of business and management
research
• Business and management reseach not only
needs to provide findings that advance
knowledge and understanding, it also needs to
address business issues and practical
managerial problem.
• The findings of business and management
research might also contain practical
implications

29. The nature of business and management
research
• Management research is “transdisciplinary”.
• Using knowledge from a range of disciplines
enables management research to gain new
insights that can not be obtained through all
of these disciplines seperately.

30. Types of Business research.
• 1.Applied research
• Is to solve a current problem faced by the manager in
the work setting, demanding a timely solution.
• 2.Basic research (fundamental, pure)
• Is to generate a body of knowledge by trying to
comprehend how certain problems that occur in
organizations can be solved.
• The findings of such research contribute to the
building of knowledge in the various functional areas
of business.

32. Problem Formulation
• Well begun is half done --Aristotle, quoting
an old proverb
• Where do research topics come from?
• The idea for a research project?
• one of the most common sources of research
ideas is the experience of practical problems
in the field?
• The Literature Review

33. • The Research Cycle
• QUESTIONING
• PLANNING
• GATHERING
• SORTING &
SIFTING
• SYNTHESIZING
• EVALUATING
• REPORTING

34. The research process
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1 Observation
2 Data gathering
3 Problem definition
4 Theoretical framework (variables identified)
5 Hypotheses
6 Research design
7 Data collection,analysis,interpretation
8 Deduction
9 Report writing
10 Report presentation
11 Managerial decision making

35. Research design
• Purpose of the study:
– Exploratory study
• Is undertaken when no information is available on how similar problems or
research issues have been solved in the past
– Descriptive study
• Is to able to describe the characteristics of the variables of interest in a
situation.
– Hypotheses testing
• Is undertaken to explain the variance in the dependent variable or to
predict organizational outcomes.
– Case studies
– Research design can be thought of as the structure of
research -- it is the glue that holds all of the elements in a
research project together