Business Research Method

Compiler: Seetal Daas
BBA(Hons)-2k13 University of Sindh Laar Campus, Badin
seetal.daas@gmail.com
Business Research Method Prof.Makhdoom Tayyaba1
CHAPTER 1
What is Research?
Research is a combination of two terms i-Re and ii-Search, it further explains as re:a
new, a fresh, return, back with, once again and search:looking up something thoroughly.
It is driven from French word “Recherche” which means to about seeking. “It a careful
or diligent search for producing information”.
Research: is an organized and systematic way of finding answers to questions.
Why Research is done?
1. For establishing or confirming facts.
2. For reaffirming previous results.
3. To solve new or existing problems.
4. To develop theories.
5. To extend knowledge.
Information Versus Knowledge
Information(RAM): is overall information in depth.
Knowledge(ROM): concise collection of information.
Elements of Research
1. Purpose: the purpose for which research is conducting should be clear in the
researcher’s mind, he/she should not have ambiguity on the objective for.
2. Testability: the research should be on test basis that can be tested by the you and
others, also can test the same research for proving.
3. Replicability: the research should like that same research can be done on various
way, population and fields etc.
4. Precision: the research taking the sample of any phenomenon; that will take one of
all of them.
5. Accuracy confidence level: the research’s sample should represent researcher’s
information.
6. Objectivity: the research represent the reality of the opinion depends upon others
and their fact that is.
7. Generalizability: the research’s result can be applied on every element on which
the research is conducted; the same can be applied on other places and region.

Methods/Ways of Knowing
1. Sensory Experience: in this method research come to know when five senses are
applied.
2. Sixth Sense: after the complete use of five senses; researcher uses his sixth sense to
know information; is said (that) when a human is born; all of us are shown a movie
of our whole life by Almighty Allah.
3. Tenacity: can be said it is persistent determination, in which researcher know the
information since a long time that is told by someone; but researcher do not
remember that.
4. Authority: this is the way in which researcher come to know the information from
those who qualified, they will give more information such as teacher, scholar,
researcher etcetera.
5. Priority/Logic/Rationalism: in this way researcher thinks about the arguments as it
is valid or invalid according to his/her knowledge. For example, person-a knows 36
languages but person-b cannot trust on him because nobody knows more than 6
languages.
6. Scientific Method: in this method researcher him/herself collect the information
regarding the topic.
Classification of Research
1-By Purpose/Goal
1.1-Exploratory/Formulation: exploring a new topic or issue it will help in designing
and executing next systematic study. It is less systematic, researcher cannot decide about
what to do, he/she only collecting the data.
1.2-Descriptive: it presents the picture of specific detail of a situation, social setting or
relationship describes population or phenomenon, answer to who, what, when and
where and why. In this research the area of research is clear and planned well, researcher
knows that what I do now and next, here hypotheses and questions developed.
1.3-Explanatory/Causal: when researcher encounter an issue that is already known and
have description of it, he/she try to know why, can be ex-post facto and experimental.
2-By Method
2.1-Historical: it is critical enquiry into past events and facts to produce accurate
description and interpretation of those events and facts. it is done through investigation
and analysis of documents.

2.2-Descriptive (Ex-post Facto): it involves collection of data in order to taste
hypothesis or answers the question related to current states or subject of the study. It
collected through survey, interview or observations.
2.3-Correlational (Ex-post Facto): it determines the strength of the relationship
between two or more variables.
2.4-Causal Comparative (Ex-post Facto): it attempts to determine cause or reason for
existing differences in behavior or condition, begin with identifies facts and see its
possible cause involves two or more causes. Comparing effects and allocating causes.
2.5-Experimental: the researcher manipulates at least one variable and observe the
effect on one or more depends variables. Bringing change from different results.
2.6-Meta Analysis: researcher research to find the average impact of several different
studies on hypothesis, it involves constrain and combine results of different studies.
Using secondary data and concluding the conclusion for producing innovative
information.
3-By Usefulness
3.1-Pure Research: it is pure, fundamental research for knowledge enhancement, it
does not have immediate commercial potential, it is done for human welfare, animal
welfare or plant kingdom not for inventing or creating something.
3.2-Applied Research: it is done for solving practical problem of modern world rather
acquiring for sack of knowledge, its goal is to improve condition. For example, how to
solve the energy crisis, how our demand can be satisfied etc.
4-By Data Collection Techniques or by Statistical Context
S.# 4.1-Qualitative 4.2-Quantitaive
1 Explore Phenomenon. Seek to confirm hypothesis about the
phenomenon.
2 Instrument are flexible not very much
structured—interviews, focus group.
Instrument are rigid highly
structured—survey, questionnaire,
structured interview.
3 Sample is not very large. Large number of respondents or sample
4 Describes the variables—textual
information.
Quantify variation—numerical
information.
5 Subjective. Objective.
6 More depth in few cases. Less depth in many cases.

7 Data collection & research questions
are adjusted according to what is
learnt.
Study design subject to statistical
assumption and condition.
8 Open ended. Closed ended.
9 Time & monitory expenditure, lighter
on planning & data collection but
heavier on data analysis.
Time & monitory expenditure, lighter
on analysis but heavier on planning &
data collection.
Attributes of A Good Research Topic
1-It Should Meet Authority or Examining Body’s Requirement: researcher’s
research should must fulfill the criteria of the institution such as if it is degree
requirement of any institution, should be approved by an authority or supervisor.
2-It Should Meet Your Capabilities: researcher should select their topic on the basis
of their skills and level of understanding; should not be difficult, on which cannot be
think about ideas for the topic, you cannot plan and cannot make strategies to complete
it, therefore you should select the an easy that can be completed.
3-Having Interest in Topic: researcher should select the topic on the basis of his/her
interest, it can be selected from text book of subjects. If you choose the topic in which
you have no interest, it will get you bore, therefore choose the topic which make you
happy, active and you can love that topic cannot make you tired and boring.
4-Meet the Time and Financial Resources: researcher cannot work without resources;
most precious resource is time, choose the topic you can cover within limited time like
two months, etc., topic can be for degree requirement as well as an organization
requirement where you are doing the job; choose that topic which can be completed in
funds are allotted to you; so do not choose the topic which needs more finance.
5-Accessibility to Data: it is little difficult to collect the data from various place and
populations. People cannot understand what research is; so they discourage you. In
Pakistan people are anti-academic; they are not pro-academic, even educated person
also discouraged you because they feel jealousy on you, have to convince carefully
because they will point out mistakes.
6-It can be linked to Theory: making your research’s objective, it should be gone
through literature review. Whatever, you choose the topic according to literature review;
do not choose any topic which is not already researched. By theory you can make easy
your research.

7-You can prepare Objective and Questions clearly: without objective research
cannot go in a proper direction, despite it needs objective, objective should not be vague,
it should be specific. It should not extensive, topic should be specific not general.
Research’s questions should be related to objectives; if it is not related to objective then
remove them, these not questionnaire’s questions but these are those questions for which
you are doing research, these questions further will divide for questionnaire’s questions.
8-It should give fresh Insight: researcher should do something new in the research
because if the same already done elsewhere, then it is frivolous (useless). For example,
previous research was done in 2009 and current you do in 2016.
9-It should meet Your Career Goals: researcher should choose research topic
according to your career, which facilitate you in future in any organization.
Steps in a Research Report or Paper/Article
 Synopsis/Proposal: it is a plan, in which researcher plan for his/her research, it can
be used in an academic and organizational purpose too. Authority can be people,
government and official etcetera. It is prepared for taking permission for beginning
of research, it is also used for getting grants/funds from government. Proposal is
100% plan, in spite of synopsis is precise or conciseness of your research.
 Research Paper/Article: both are same and interchangeable, can be said a small
research report published in journal or presented in a conference. It should be
arranged with statistical data is expressed in a meaningful way by which supervisor
or people can understand. It supports your career.
 Research Report/Thesis/Dissertation: these are synonymous and interchangeable,
data is fully collected, it is designed properly. Thesis/Dissertation is academic, it
contains 300 pages, minimum 100 pages. It is more formal one, also composed as
booklet, consist of chapters, table of contents etcetera. At presentation researcher has
to defend his/her thesis/dissertation/research report.
Steps for designing (Thesis/Report/Dissertation/Paper/Article)
1-Abstract: it is added at first page but it is made at the end of the research. It is a
summary paragraph; it varies to organization; it is okay containing 150 to 300 words. It
is part of paper/article/thesis. It plays vital role, should be clearly written that represent
the whole research for sending authority (supervisor, organization, publisher), it is a
snapshot of whole research.
2-Keyword/Codes: these the words that are repeating in the research.
3-Acknowledge: in this research say thanks to those who helped and provided
resources. It is part of thesis/dissertation.

4-Table of Contents: researcher writes the table of contents of the chapters included,
page number etc. it is mandatory part of thesis/dissertation/research report.
5-Dedication: it is also important part of thesis/dissertation/research report, in which
researcher dedicate his/her whole research to someone.
6-Introduction: in this step researcher should write the about topic’s information which
is elementary, in which he/she introduce the audience about his/her research topic. It is
also mandatory part of thesis/dissertation/paper/article.
7-Obejctives of the Study: researcher should clearly write the objectives of the research
for which he/she is conducting the research, it can be written in one or two line, maybe
two or more than two objectives. Every statement of an objective should be begun with
“To”. It also mandatory part of thesis/dissertation/paper/article.
8-Significance of the Study: is also an important part in thesis/dissertation/report. In
which researcher tells what is new in this research, why this research/study is important
for academy, society and its benefits of study, each significance should be one or two
lines written.
9-Limitation of the Study: before the criticism of the audience, research should tell or
write about the weakness/limits, he/she should tell the limits for which he/she cannot
reach at various areas. It is important for thesis/dissertation/paper/article.
10-Literature Review: it plays vital role in research, researcher cannot understand the
research until he/she does review the literature of the topic, it facilitates the researcher
for collecting further information, by this researcher come to know the exact number of
sample should he/she select. It is mandatory for thesis/dissertation /paper/article.
11-Hypothesis: Hypothesis is assertion, it is prepared after literature review, there are
many ways of writing hypothesis, before writing it researcher should conduct an
interview, semi-interview publically at the area of study, it is written through: 1-
researcher make it by literature review, 2-pilot way (by interviews). It is claimed by
researcher, can be rejected or accepted by audience, in this assertive words are used to
defend your hypothesis. It can be one or more than one. It is mandatory part for
thesis/dissertation/paper/article.
12-Conceptual framework/theoretical framework: it is graphical representation of
the research through variables (independents and dependents), in this you show the
relation of the variables. Theoretical framework is what that is already given by other
scholar you put same here. It is important part of thesis/dissertation / paper/article.

13-Research Methodology: it is the most important step of the research which
researcher has to write carefully and properly. It is original words and work of you
because it helps other to understand your research. In which you write about the
population, instrument for data collection (interviews, questionnaires), sampling
method, sample size, data analyzing tools (mean, mode, frequency) etc., and secondary
data collection method.
 Structural interview: according to researcher’s questions respondent responses.
 Semi-structural interview: according to researcher’s questions and opinion of
the public.
 Non-structured interview: researcher collect the data which respondents are
telling about the topic.
14-Findings/ Discussion /Data Analysis: in findings you tell what you found new and
you express the data in chart, table etc., format in which you tell majority
like/agree/disagree, and minority dislike/disagree etcetera. It is important part for paper/
thesis.
15-Conclusion: it is also most important part of the research in which researcher tells
about the result/outcome of the whole research regarding the area of study. It is
concerned with data analysis/findings/discussion.
16-Recommendation: it is important for synopsis/proposal/paper/thesis in which
researcher advises that these things should be and these things should not be.
17-Expected conclusion: what should be the expected conclusion, means what
researcher was guessing/estimating about that.
18-References: it is also mandatory part of the research in which research can reference
with various ways such as APA, Harvard, Chicago styles etc.
Variables
Definition: is an object, event, idea, feeling, time period, or any other type of category
you are trying to measure.
 It is an entity that can be taken on different values.
 A factor that is being analyzed, measured of evaluated.
Description:
 Object can be: any kind of animal (bird, fish, tiger etc), or other things.
 Event: bankrupt, rainfall, load shedding etc.
 Idea: satisfaction, job performance, dissatisfaction etc.

 Feeling: child working, leadership etc.
 Time period: 10 years, from 2001 to 2015 etc.
Types of Variables
1-Dependent/Predictor/Outcome/Criterion: it is phenomenon that one is attempting
to explain or predict, is called dependent variable. The researchers are trying to
understand its main and primary interest, it is mostly starting point, its variation is
supposed to be dependent on independent variable. It can be one or more than one.
2-Independent/Treatment: in an organization research’s independent variable is one
which is manipulated; in non-experimental research independent is a factor to effect
explain to predict the dependable variable. Example, injection is independent variable
and disease is dependent variable.
3-Mediator/Intervening: it links the independent variable to dependent variable, this a
construct through which an independent variable indirectly effects the dependent
variable. Without this relation cannot be made. Example, doctor give prescription to
patient that these dose will be taken with milk or on this time—time and milk both are
mediator variables.
4-Moderator: it effects the relationship of independent with dependent variable, it
influences the strength of their relationship. Without it relation can be made.
5-Extraneous/Nuisance: it is not usually effect primary interest but these the problem
or resistance that are faced and difficult to control. Example, weather, pollution,
restriction by boss during filling the questionnaire etc. it cannot be controlled.
6-Control: it is not measured in a particular study; it must be kept constant or
neutralized or balanced. It can be controlled. It is only experimental. Example, during
the disease doctor advise you not eating the rice, if you will eat the rice, disease will not
be controlled, if you do not eat it will be controlled. Therefore, you should control it,
not it controls you.
Hypothesis
Definition: it is a tool of quantitative studies and it is a tentative and formal prediction(s)
about two or more variables in a population being studied.
Description:
Hypothesis translates research questions into a prediction of expected outcomes. It
includes variables, population and relationship (strong, positive/negative and
satisfactory). It should be expressed and written clearly: not to use tough words, it

should be testable: it can be approved and you can collect the data, relation between
variables: it should create relation of independent and dependent variables, limited in
scope: one hypothesis should express one things not more than one.
Classification of Hypothesis
1-Simle Hypothesis: it tells about the relationship about two variables; one is
independent and another is dependent variable. Example, job security effects job
performance.
2-Complex Hypothesis: it tells the relation more than one variable. Example, job
security effects on job performance that decrease productivity.
3-Null Hypothesis: there is no relation between two variables (independent,
dependent). It is by default, is usually rejected, is denoted by Ho. Example, there is no
relation between job security and job performance.
4-Alternate Hypothesis: null is rejected automatically alternate hypothesis is approved.
Example, all hypothesis that is collected from other sources.
5-Directional Hypothesis (One tailed): it tells about one thing either positive or
negative. It can be simple, complex and alternate hypothesis. Example, i-there is a
positive strong correlation between job security and job performance. ii-Load shedding
has negative relationship with retail business growth.
6-Non-Directional Hypothesis (Two tailed): it tells about two ways or directions.
Example, i-there is a relationship between load shedding and retail business.
Sampling
Definition with Example: it is a subset, or part of larger population taken for inferring
or estimating something unknown or representative characteristics of target population.
Or Taking a group/portion of larger population; represents whole population. For
example, banking/public/students is/are population, questionnaires you collected 2000,
now 25,30 you select from them, it is sample.
Classification of Sampling
1-Probability Sampling: it is selected in a way to be representative of population in
which all are given adequate chance to be selected and having condition.
1.2-Simple Random Sampling: it is most reliable, have no condition and criteria.
Researcher can select anybody from the department which belong to population.

1.3-Systematic Sampling: selecting every second person from the population on the
basis of criteria, may does not belong to population.
1.4-Stratified Sampling: population is divided into different categories or strata
according to the categories proportion the sample is randomly selected. Example, boys
and girls of classes 1st
, 2nd
year are two categories by seeing the proportion of population
you select as from 100/1000, or 10/100.
1.5-Cluster Sampling: it is chosen from a very large population. Example, from
continent to country to province. Suppose, you select 1 country, in country you select
randomly 10 districts, in districts you select people randomly.
2-Non-Probability Sampling: it might not fulfill the condition of representative in a
true sense, because it does not give chance all to be selected and having no condition.
2.1-Quota Sampling: it has no proportion; anyone can represent the group from
population, minimum one person represents each group.
2.2-Convinient Sampling: those who are near to you and easy to take/collect sample
and data.
2.3-Purposive/Judgement Sampling: taking the sampling on the basis of skills,
education and experience etc. For example, an interviewer of GEO NEWS come in the
university so he asks from the professor about from whom he should take interview,
professor refers some talented student’s names and show him so he goes to them and
take the interview.
2.4-Snowball Sampling: sample is taking like collecting information from few, they
few tells about other few. For example, prostitute, unpopular poet/poetess, gangster etc.
2.5-Consecutive Sampling: type of sampling includes all from the population. For
example, any country’s sports team viz. cricket team, football team, hockey team.

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