Research Method for Business chapter # 2

1. Chapter - 2
Welcome

2. Chapter 2
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION
Research Methods: Chapter 2

3.  The Hallmarks of Scientific Research
 Limitations to scientific research in the management
 Hypo-thetico deductive research method
 Other types of research (Case studies and Action research)
Introduction to Research
TOPICS
Research Methods: Chapter 2

4. 1. Purposiveness
2. Rigor
3. Testability
4. Replicability
5. Precision and Confidence
6. Objectivity
7. Generalizability
8. Parsimony
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Main Characteristics

5. Purposiveness
 It has to start with a definite aim or purpose.
 Thus it has a purposive focus.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;

6.  A good theoretical base and sound methodological
design would add rigor to the purposive study.
 Rigor adds carefulness, scrupulousness and the
degree of exactitude in research.
Example:
 How to increase the level of commitment.
 A manager asks only from 10-12 employees
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Rigor

7.  After random selection manager and researcher develop
certain hypothesis on how manager employee
commitment can be enhanced, then these can be tested
by applying certain statistical tests to the data collected
for the purpose.
 If the scientific analysis of data supports the
hypothesis, it is accepted as a fact or as truth.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Testability

8.  It means that the results of the tests of hypotheses
should be supported again and yet again when the
same type of research is repeated in other similar
circumstances.
Example:
 The study concludes that participation in decision making is
one of the most important factors that influences the
commitment, we will place more faith and credibility in these
finding and apply in similar situations.
 To the extent that this does happen, we will gain confidence in
the scientific nature of our research.
 Every objects is attracted to the center of the earth.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Replicability

9. Precision refers to the closeness of the findings
to “reality” based on a sample.
It reflects the degree of accuracy and exactitude
of the results of the sample.
Example:
 If a supervisor estimated the number of production days lost
during the year due to absenteeism at between 30 and 40, as
against the actual of 35.
 The precision of estimation more favorably than if he has
indicated that the loss of production days was somewhere
between 20 and 50.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Precision and Confidence

10.  Confidence refers to the probability that our
estimations are correct.
 That is, it is not merely enough to be precise, but it
is also important that we can confidently claim that
95% of the time our results would be true and there
is only a 5% chance of our being wrong.
 This is also known as confidence level.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Precision and Confidence

11.  The conclusions drawn through the interpretation of
the results of data analysis should be objective; that
is, they should be based on the facts of the findings
derived from actual data, and not on our subjective
or emotional values.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Objectivity

12.  It refers to the scope of applicability of the research
findings in one organization setting to other
settings.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Generalizability

13.  Simplicity in explaining the phenomenon or problems
that occur, and in generating solutions for the problems,
is always preferred to complex research frameworks that
consider an unmanageable number of factors.
Example:
 For instance, if 2-3 specific variables in the work situation are
identified, which when changed would raise the organizational
commitment of the employees by 45%, that would be more
useful and valuable to the manager than
 if it were recommended that he should change 10 different
variables to increase organizational commitment by 48%.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Parsimony

14.  It is not possible to conduct 100% scientific research
studies.
 It is due to human behavior being studied.
 Data collection in the subjective areas of feelings, moods,
attitudes and perceptions may not be 100% accurate.
 Sometimes, the obstacle is due to lack of a representative
sample.
Obstacles to conduct research in management area
In business Research:

15. Deduction and Induction
Deduction and Induction are the two methods of drawing
conclusions.
a. Deduction:
 Deduction is a process of arriving at a conclusion by
applying known facts or principles to a specific
situation.
b. Induction:
 Induction is a process in which certain observations are
used to logically establish a general proposition from
which we draw a conclusion.
CH-2: Scientific Investigation

16. The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
CH-2: Scientific Investigation
1 • Identify a broad problem area
2 • Define the problem statement
3 • Develop hypothesis
4 • Determine measures
5 • Data collection
6 • Data analysis
7 • Interpretation of the data

17. Employee’s
Turnover
Low
salaries
Manager
employee
relations
Employees
Motivation
Career
opportunity
Training
Skills
variety
Rumors
Work
itself
Location
CH-2: Scientific Investigation

18.  Observation is the first stage, in which one senses
that certain changes are occurring or that some
new behaviors, attitudes and feelings are surfacing
in one’s environment (i.e., the work place).
 Drop in sales
 Customer switching
 Disinterestedness of employees
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;
Identify a broad problem area: Step 1

19.  Scientific research starts with a definite aim or purpose
 It involves the seeking of information in depth, of what is
observed, to find solutions for identified problems
 A problem statement that states the general objective of the
research should be developed
 This could be done by talking informally to several people in
the work setting or to clients or to other relevant sources,
thereby gathering information on what is happening and why,
 Then it is followed by structured interviews.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;
Define the problem statement: Step 2

20.  To find solutions for identified problems, a problem
statement that state a general objective of the research
should be developed
 Initial information helps to narrow the broad problem
area and to define the problem statement
 A clear, precise, and to the point statement of the
question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal
of finding an answer or solution.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
Define the Problem statement:
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method

21.  What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range
growth patterns of companies?
 What are the specific factors to be considered in
creating a data warehouse for a manufacturing
company?
 Has the new advertising message resulted in enhanced
recall?
Research Methods: Chapter 2
Examples of Problem statement:
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method

22. Employee’s
Turnover
Low
salaries
Manager
employee
relations
Employees
Motivation
Career
opportunity
Training
Skills
variety
Rumors
Work
itself
Location

23.  It is the next logical step after theory formulation.
 From the theorized network of associations among the
variables, certain testable hypotheses or educated conjectures
can be generated.
 Hypothesis testing is called deductive research. Sometimes,
hypotheses that were not originally formulated do get
generated through the process of induction.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
Develop hypotheses: Step 3
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method

24.  Gathered information also helps the manager to formulate a
conceptual model and theoretical framework of all the factors
contributing to the problems.
 It is an attempt to integrate all the information in a logical
manners, so that the factors responsible for the problem can
be on conceptualized and tested.
 In this step the critical variables are identified and examined as
to their contribution or influence in explaining why the problem
occurs and how it can be solved.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
Develop hypotheses: Step 3

25.  Measurement of variables (variables and measuring scales)
 After the development of the hypotheses, data with respect to
each variable in the hypotheses need to be obtained.
 The variables in the theoretical framework should be
measurable in some way.
 Some variables cannot be measured quantitatively, such as
unresponsive employees, we need to operationalize this
variable
Research Methods: Chapter 2
Determine measures: Step 4
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method

26.  Further data are collected to test the hypotheses that are
generated in the study.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;
Data Collection: Step 5

27.  Data gathered are statistically analyzed to see if the
hypotheses that were generated have been supported.
 Co-relational method will be used to analyze and
determine the relationship of two or more factors in the
hypotheses for example:
 Stock availability and customer satisfaction.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;
Data Analysis: Step 6

28.  Now we must decide whether our hypotheses are supported or
not by interpreting the meaning of the results or the data
analysis.
 Based on these results, the researcher would make
recommendations in order to solve the problem in hand.
 Deduction is the process of arriving at conclusions by
interpreting the meaning of results of the data analysis.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;
Interpretation of data: Step 7

29.  Case studies and action research are sometimes
used to study certain types of issues.
1. Case Studies
2. Action Research
Research Methods: Chapter 2
Other Types of Research;
Other Types

30.  Case studies involve in depth, contextual analyses of similar
situations in the other organizations, where the nature and
definition of the problem happen to be the same as
experienced in the current situation.
 Case study, as a problem solving technique, is not often
undertaken in organizations
 Because such studies dealing with problems similar to the
one experienced by a particular organization of a particular
size and in a particular type of setting are difficult to come by.
Research Methods: Chapter 2
Other Types of Research;
Case Studies

31.  Action Research is used by trained and experienced consultants
to bring about a planned change.
 In Action Research, the researcher begins with a problem that is
already identified, and gathers relevant data to provide a
tentative problem solution.
 This solution is then implemented, with the knowledge that there
may be unintended consequences as a result of this
implementation.
 The effects are then evaluated, defined and diagnosed and the
research continues on an ongoing basis until the problem is
fully resolved.
CH-2: Other Types of Research
Action Research

32.  Download five research papers and make a list.
 HR – Marketing – Management – Finance – Project Management
Title
Author
(s)
Year Journal Vol. Issue Page
1
2
3
4
5
Assignment # 1

33. Assignment # 1
Example;
Title Author (s) Journal Year Vol. Issue Page
The Influence of Advertising
on Consumer Brand
Preference.
Ayanwale, A. B., &
Alimi, T.
Journal of
Social Science
2005 10 1 9-16