Chapter2 - Research Methods for Business By Authors Uma Sekaran

1. Scientific Investigation
Chapter 2

2. Hallmarks of scientific research
1. Purposiveness
• Manager start the research with definite aim or purpose.
• Research Commitment less turnover, less absenteeism,
increased performance.
2. Rigor
• Good theoretical base and strong methodology
• Connotes  carefulness, scrupulousness and the degree of
exactitude.
• Manager ask from 10-12 employees  commitment
unscientific approach.
a. The conclusion would be incorrectly drawn 10-12
employees not representative of whole.
b. Question should be biased or incorrect.
c. Lots of other things influence commitment researcher
failed to include them Lack of theoretical background.

3. 3. Testability
• After random selection  study of the previous research  develop
hypothesis  statistical test  for purpose
• EXP: Hypothesis Participation is positive related to the
Commitment
• Appropriate statistical test
• To see weather data support your the educated conjecture
(inference).
4. Replicability
• Manager/Researcher Based on Previous study Concludes
Participation is positively related to commitment.
• We will place faith and credence in these findings if similar
findings emerge on data collected from other organization
employing same method.
• the result to test the hypothesis same when the same type of
research repeated  In similar circumstances.
• Gain confidence  in scientific nature

4. 5. Precision and confidence
• We hardly ever have the luxury of being able to draw definite
conclusion on the basis of result.
• Unable to study the universe.
• Our findings are based on sample.
• Sample is not exact to the population.
• Measurement error and other problems  make bias or error in
findings.
• We would like to design  Ensure  finding are close to reality.
Precision
• Closeness to reality on the basis of sample.
• No of production days lost during year = 35
• Your study = 30-40 favorable
• If your study = 20-50
• Confidence
• Probability that our estimation are correct
• We can confidently claim that 95% of time our result would be true.
• Significance level = p= .05 (Far from reality)

5. 6.Objectivity
• Conclusion drawn based on facts of the findings derived from
actual result.
• Not on subjective
• Damage can be sustain organization that implement non data base
or misleading conclusion.
7.Generalizability
• Applicability of the research from one organization setting to other.
• If the researchers find that  participation and commitment link
different settings generalizibility enhance.
• Not many research findings can be generalized.
8. Parsimony
• Simplicity in explaining the phenomena o a problem that occur,
generating solution, Is always preferred to complex research
framework.
• Two or three variable = change 45% more valuable
• Ten variables = change 48% beyond manager control
• Parsimony can be introduce with good understanding of the problem
and important factors that influence.

6. Building Blocks of science in Research
• Deduction
Process, we arrive at a reasoned conclusion by
logical generalization of a known fact.
• Induction
Process where we observe certain phenomena
and on the basis arrive at conclusion.

7. Building Blocks of Science
Observation
Identification
of Problem
Area
Hypothesis
Research
Design
Data
Interpretation Theoretical
Framework
Concept
Construct
Data
Collection
Data
Analysis
Theory refinement
or
implementation

8. Hypothetico Deductive Method
1. Observation
• Sense certain changes (new behavior, attitude, feeling)
• The observed phenomena have potentially important consequences
• How to observe?
• People- oriented manager is always aware of what is happening
in and around organization.
• Goals Effectiveness in processes Positive or negative reaction.
• Manager pick that problems through cues.
• Manager identify gap actual and required.
2. Preliminary information gathering
• Seeking information  what is observed in-depth information.
• Done by talking informally to workers or use other sources (what
is happening and why)
• To identify what transpire in situation.
• Increases the level of awareness Focus on problems and factors
structured and formal interviews
• Library identify  how issue have been tackled in other situation.

9. 3. Theory Formulation
• Integrate all information in logical manner
• All factors can be conceptualized and tested.
• Theoretical Framework  variables theoretically
woven (stretches in the bias directions) justification
• Why they might influence problem.
4.Hypothesizing
• Theoretical framework hypothesis generated.
• Hypothesis testing is called deduction
• Hypotheses not original formulated  generated
through induction.
• This is after data obtain  creative insight occur
New hypotheses generated.
• Hawthorne study

10. 5. Scientific data collection
• Data regarding every variable in hypotheses
needed to test hypothesis.
6. Data Analysis
• Data gathered are statistically analyzed.
• To see hypotheses generated supported
7. Deduction
• Arriving at conclusion interpretation of
analysis.

11. Other type of Research
• Case studies
• In-depth Contextual (relative)Analysis of similar situation in other
organization nature and definition of problem same
• Hypothesis can be developed in case studies.
• If the hypotheses cannot be validate in even single study it will
not support your alternate hypothesis.
• Not often undertaken in organization
• Action Research
• Sometime undertaken by consultants  initiate change process.
• Action research methodology most appropriate while effecting
planned changes.
• Researchers begin with problem gathered relevant data to provide
tentative problem solution.
• The solution then implemented with knowledge maybe
unintended consequences following such implementation.
• The effects then evaluated, defined and diagnosed  research
continuous  until the problem is fully solved.