South Africa's 10 Most Influential CIOs to Watch.pdf
Research methods
1. RESEARCH METHODS
1. What are the characteristics of good research?
The features of good research can be broadly categorised as:
Clearly defined purpose: The problem should be clearly defined and sharply delineated.The
statement of the decision problemshould includeits scope,limitationsand precise
Specificationsof areas significantto research.This characteristic iscomparableto developing a
strategic plan before developing a tactical plan or action map for achievingan objective.
Objectivity : A good research is objectivein the sense that it must answer the research questions .
This necessitates the formulation of a proper hypothesis;otherwise there may be lack of congruence
between the research questions and the hypothesis.
Systematic: Research should be structured and logical.Agood research will satisfy thesteps to be
taken in orderly sequence accordingto a set of defined rules i.e. researcher uses scientific methods.
Empirical: Empirical means factual investigation ispossible.Its validity can be checked through
reliablesources and evidences.Research should be such that it can be validated i.e.it should be
possibleto describe,interpret and explain the phenomenon.
Generalisability: It refers to the feature where a study should have almostthe same resultby using
an identical methodology for universal applicability.
Replicability: Itmeans research is conducted can be repeated any number of times. A researcher can
verify the results by repeating the study and thereby deliveringa sound decision framework.
Adequate analysis: Analysis of data should be sufficiently adequateto reveal it’s significanceand
methods of analysis used should beappropriate.The extent to which this criterion is met is a good
measure of the competence of research.Data should be classified in ways that assisttheresearcher
to reach pertinent conclusions.
Findings presented unambiguously: Generalisationsthatoutrun the evidence on which they they are
based tend to leave an unfavourableimpression.Such reports are not valuableto managers for
business decision making.Presentation should becomprehensive, easily understood and organised.
Language should be restrained,clear precisewhen findings arepresented.
2. Discuss observational research and its types
Observation is the most commonly used data collection method in many of the studies relatingto
behavioural sciences observation enables to collectdata without askingquestions fromthe
respondents. The respondents can be observed in the natural work environment or in a lab settings
and their activities and behaviours of interestcan be recorded. In conductingresearch,causal
examination without purpose cannotbe called as observation.Observation becomes a scientific tool
for data collection,if itis conducted specifically to answer a research question.It should be
systematically planned and executed usingproper controls and should providea reliableand valid
accountof what has happened.
Types of observations
2. Type of activity under observation : observation includes monitoringboth behavioral and non-behavioral
activities and conditions.Behavioural observation includes nonverbal analysis,linguistic analysis,extra
linguistic analysisand spatial analysis.Nonverbal analysisincludes body movements , motor expressions and
exchanged glances.Body movement indicates interest,boredom, anger or pleasure.motor expression includes
facial movements , blink of eye exchanged glances.Linguistic behaviour includes thenumber of repeated
words used by persons in a conversation .italso includes thetype of interaction process thatoccurs,between
two persons or in small groups.
Directness of the observation : Based on the directness of observation,it can be grouped as director indirect.
Direct observation happens when the observer is physically presentand monitors whilethe event is taking
place.This is highly flexibleas the observer can decide what to observe, how much time to spend on
observation of an aspect, when to shiftfocus etc.
Concealment: This categorization is based on whether the participantis awareof the observer’s presence.
The presence of observer may causethe participantto behave in a different manner in which might arrestthe
very purpose of observation.If the activity in which the participants areinvolved is highly absorbingthen there
is a high chancethat participantmay remain unaffected by the presence of observer.
Participation: the presence of the observer and his involvement in the research setting is called participant
observation.He plays the roleof observer as well s participant.The participantmay or may not know know
about the same. The observer should be more efficient as he has to play a dual role.Non-participant
observation occurs when the observer collects data without becoming an integral partof the research setting.
The observer merely observes the activities,records them and tabulates them in a systematic manner.
Definiteness of structure: The observation can be grouped as structured and unstructured observation.Clear
definition of various aspects of observation viz.,the units to be observed, method of recording,extent of
accuracy needed, conditions of observation and selection of pertinent data of observation etc are the
characteristicsof structured observation.
3. State the research problem for each of the management decision problem
(i) Should a new product be introduced?
The various problemthat arisearelikedecidingthe type of productto be produced and
knowing whether the product is already existingin themarket and knowing about the
competitors.
(ii) Should advertising campaign that run for three years be changed?
It consists of knowingabout how the productis being sold in the market by the impact of
present advertisement strategy. Research aboutwhat kind of promotional tool should be
used. And what kind of technique that has to be adopted for promoting the product.
(iii) Should the in-store promotion for an existing product line increased?
Research about how the product lineof the particularorganisation isperceived by the
consumer. Decidingwhether to promote the product or sellingtheproduct without
promoting it becauseof the familiar of the brand name by the people.
(iv) What price strategy should be adopted for a new product?
Decidingabout the kind of pricingstrategy to be adopted choosingpenetration or skimming
pricingstrategy.Pricingaboveor less than the competitors price.
(v) Should the compensation package be changed to motivate the sales better?
what is the present compensation that is beingpaid to salesperson.Whatkind of
compensation should be given to salesperson in order to increasesales.Decidingabout
providingcommission or bonus or increasein salary
