RESEARCH DESIGN, SAMPLE DESIGN

1. BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
MB2206

2. RESEARCH
A Research is an Enquiry or
Investigation process employed
to gain new Knowledge by
discovering new Facts or
Principles in any Branch of
Study.

3. BUSINESS RESEARCH - MEANING
• Research conducted in the Areas of Business
is called Business Research.
• The Major Areas of Business Research are
General Management, Finance, Marketing
Management, Organizational Behaviour,
Information System , Corporate Social
Responsibility, etc.

4. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Definition
• Business Research is a process of acquiring
detailed Information of all the areas of
Business and use such Information for
maximizing the Sales and Profit of the
Business
• Business Research is the planning, collection
and analysis of Data relevant to Business
Decision-making

5. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
1. Purpose clearly Defined:
• The purpose of the Business Research—the
Problem involved or the Decision to be
made—should be clearly Defined.
• The Statement of the Decision problem should
include its Scope, its Limitations, and the
precise meanings of all Words and Terms
significant to the Research.

6. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
2. Research process Detailed:
• The Research Procedures used should be
described in sufficient Detail to permit
another Researcher to repeat the Research.
• This includes the steps to acquire Participants,
Sampling methods, Representativeness and
Data gathering procedures.

7. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
3. High Ethical Standards applied:
• A Research design must make Data Integrity a
first Priority.
• A Research design must not cause Mental or
Physical harm to Participants.
• Careful Considerations must be given to avoid
possibilities for Physical or Psychological
Harm, Exploitation, Invasion of Privacy and
loss of Dignity.

8. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
4. Limitations frankly Revealed: The Researcher should
Report with complete Frankness, flaws in Procedural
design and estimate their effect on the Findings. There
are very few perfect Research Designs.
• Issues with Selection of Samples
• Insufficient Sample size for Statistical measurements.
• Limited access to Data.
• Time constraints.
• Lack of previous Research studies on the Topic.
• Conflicts arising from Cultural bias and other Personal
issues.

9. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
5. Adequate Analysis for Decision maker’s Needs:
• The Data should assist the Researcher to clearly
reveal the Findings that must lead to
Conclusions.
• When Statistical methods are used appropriate
Descriptive Techniques should be chosen, the
Probability of Error should be estimated, and the
criteria of Statistical -significance should be
applied.

10. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
6. Findings presented Unambiguously:
Presentation of data should be Comprehensive,
Reasonably interpreted, easily Understood by
the Decision maker and Organized so that the
Decision maker can readily locate Critical-
Findings.

11. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
7. Conclusions Justified:
• Researchers are often tempted to broaden
the basis of induction by including personal
experiences and their interpretations—data
not subject to the controls under which the
research was conducted.
• Good researchers always focus on Research
Problem, under which their Conclusions
seem to be valid.

12. BUSINESS RESEARCH - Significance
8. Researcher’s Experience reflected:
• Greater confidence in the Research is warranted
if the Researcher is experienced, has a good
Reputation in Research, and is a person of
Integrity.
• The Validity and Reliability of Data should be
checked Carefully.
• For this reason, the Research report should
contain Information about the Qualifications of
the Researcher.

13. Research Process
1. Formulating Research Problem
• Identifying a Research Problem is the First &
foremost step in any Research Process
• Any Researcher who has succeeded in Identifying
the Research Problem is Half – Successful
• Researcher has to select his Area of Interest or
Subject –matter that he wants to Study
• Proper Formulation of the Problem provides
Direction to the Research

14. Research Process
2. Review of Literature
• A Literature review is a piece of academic writing
demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the
Academic Literature on a specific Topic placed in context.
• Academic Journals, Conference Proceedings, Government
Reports, Published Books, Unpublished Thesis should be
Studied depending upon the Nature of Topic.
• It help us to determine Sample size, Mode of Collecting
Data, selecting appropriate Statistical Tools and Procedure
for Interpreting Results.
• ROL act as a Source of Reference until the Final Stages of
Research Work

15. Research Process
3. Developing of Hypothesis
Hypothesis is an Assumption made to Test upon its
Logical Consequences.
Formulating Hypothesis require the following Steps
:
1. Understand the Objectives in seeking Solution
2. Review of similar Studies on the same Problem
3. Discuss the Problem with Colleagues & Experts
4. Frame the Hypothesis in Precise & clearly
Defined Terms

16. Research Process
4. Preparation of Research Design
• It is a Blue-Print of Research activity.
• A good Research design must use minimum of Resources
like Time, Money and Manpower
• A Research design must be able to Translate the general
Scientific model into a practical Research operation.
• Depending upon Operation of Research the type of
Research Design varies :
i).Causal Research Design
ii). Describtive Research Design
iii).Exploratory Research Design
iv). Experimental Research Design

17. Research Process
5.Determining the Sample Design
• The Selection of Sample is a very important
Task
• The Researcher should determine the Size of
Sample & Techniques of Sampling.
• If the Choice of Sample size & Techniques of
Sampling is Wrong then the Research will
invite Serious Criticisms

18. SAMPLE
• In Research terms, a Sample is a group of
People, Objects, or Items that are taken from
a larger Population for Measurement.
• The Sample should be Representative of the
Population for which Research Findings are to
be Applied.
• A Sample, in other words, is a Portion, Part, or
Fraction of the whole Group, and acts as a
subset of the Population.

20. Research Process
6. Collecting Data
• Primary Data refers to the Data collected for
the First Time by the Researcher.
Various Sources of Primary data are :
i). Questionnaire Method ii). Interview
iii). Observation iv). Feedack form v). Sales
Force Opinion.

21. Research Process
6. Collecting Data
• Secondary Data means the Data Already
Collected ( Published or Unpublished) and
Available for Use.
• Various Sources of Secondary Data are :
i). Book ii). Journals iii). Research Thesis
iv). Magazines
v). Statistical Data Source

22. Research Process
7. Analysis of Data
• Once the Data are Collected, they should be
Classified & Tabulated
• At this Stage, the Researcher should use
Statistical Tools for Analysis. He may use the
Computer-aided Research Analysis.
• The Tendency to carry out Irrelevant Analysis
should be Avoided.
Eg : Just because the Researcher is familiar with
Correlation, doesnot mean he should apply only
Correlation whereever Possible.

23. Research Process
8. Testing Hypothesis
• The Hypothesis Developed must be Tested
with the Data Available.
• The Hypothesis may be Tested through Use of
One or more Statistical Tests, depending upon
Nature and Need of Research.
• Hypothesis Testing results in either Accepting
or Rejecting the Hypothesis, which help us to
arrive in certain Generalizations & Findings.

25. Research Process
9. Generalization & Interpretation
• The Interpretation is Comparing the Present
Findings with previous Findings done by other
Researcher in Earlier Times.
• The Result of Interpretation is the Original
Work of the Researcher and it helps to arrive
at Generalization.
• This Generalization inturn provides Solution
to the Problem.

26. Research Process
10. Preparation of Report
• All the Elements of the Research should be
presented in a Logical sequence and Broken
down into readily Identifiable Sections.
• The Report should Indicate the Justification of
Study, Period of Study, Review of Past Studies,
Sample size, Sources of Data, Tools for
Analysis,etc.
• It should have a separate Chapter on Results &
Discussion, where the Researcher would Report
all his Findings and give his Interpretations.

27. Research Process
• Formulating Research Problem
• Review of Literature
• Developing of Hypothesis
• Preparation of Research Design
(Causal,Describtive,Experimental, Exploratory)
• Determining the Sample Design (Probabilistic/ non-
Probabilistic)
• Collecting Data (Primary/ Secondary)
• Analysis of Data (Statistical Tools)
• Testing Hypothesis
• Generalization & Interpretation
• Preparation of Report

28. Research Objective
• The Research Objective should address the
underlying purpose of Investigation.
• The Research Objective should be closely related
to the Research Problem, giving way to
Achievable Goals.
• It should Outline the Steps you must take to
achieve Desirable Outcomes.
• Research objective help you stay Focused and
Align your Expectations as you Progress.

29. A. General Objective
• General Objective provide a detailed View of
the Aim of a Study.
• In other words, you get a general Overview of
what you want to achieve by the End of your
Study.

30. A. General Objective
Example :
If you want to study on Organization’s
contribution to Environmental Sustainability,
your General Objective could be:
“A Study of Sustainable Practices and the use of
Renewable Energy by the Organization”.

31. B. Specific Objective
• When General objectives are broken down
into smaller and Logically connected
Objectives, they are known as Specific
objectives.
• Specific Objective help Define the who, what,
why, when and where Aspects of your
Research.

32. B. Specific Objective
Example :
For General Objective “A Study of Sustainable
Practices and the use of Renewable Energy by the
Organization”., your Specific Objective will be:
• To determine through History how the
Organization has changed its Practices and
adopted New solutions
• To assess how the New Practices and Strategy will
contribute to Environmental Sustainability.

34. Research question / Problem
• A Research Problem is a statement about a
Condition to be Improved, a Difficulty to be
eliminated, or a Troubling Question that exists
in Theory or in Practice that points to
Deliberate Investigation.
• In some Disciplines, the Research Problem is
typically posed in the form of a Question.

35. Research Problem
For example, if you Identify, "The Unavailability of a
Hospital in this Locality."
This only leads to a Research problem:
• The evaluation is to measure if there is a Need
for a Hospital.
• The objective is to create a Hospital
• The method is to plan for Building a Hospital

36. Research Problem
Problem statement in the Research Problem
should promote:
• An Indication of the central Focus of the Study,
and
• An Explanation of the Study's Significance or the
Benefits to be derived from Investigating a
Problem.
• A Declaration of Originality.
• Ensure the Reader will maintain Interest over the
Study

37. Sources of Research Problem
Own Interest : The Researcher may select a
Problem for Investigation in which he has
Considerable Interest
Daily Problems : A Research Problem can also
be selected on the basis of Daily Experiences of
Researcher. Everyday Problems constantly
present something New and Worthy of
Investigations.

38. Sources of Research Problem
Technological Development : Technological
Development in a Fast-changing Society
Constantly bring in New Problems and new
Opportunities for Research.
Eg : 1). What is the impact of Internet
Technology in Present Generation
2). What is the impact of Biotechnology on our
Economy ?

39. Sources of Research Problem
Observation : The Changes in Behaviour of
People, Situation of Field, Attitude of People etc.
can be Observed to formulate Research Problem
Social Problem : The Social Problem itself is the
Source of Research Problem. The Social Issues,
Social Trend, Social Changes are a Source of
Research Problem.

40. Social Problem
• Change in Family Culture (Neutral & Joint)
• Change in Youth Culture
• Change in Food Habits
• Difference in Caste
• Difference in Gender

41. Sources of Research Problem
Theory : Theory is establishing the relation
between Dependent & Independent Variable.
Testing the Theory in Field, its Challenges is also
a source of Research Problem
Contradictory Results : Some Facts or Theories
have some degree of Contradiction and inorder
to Clarify these Issues, we can Conduct a
Research.Hence these Contradictions are
Sources of Research Problem

42. Contradictory Theories
Miasma Theory of Disease - proposes that all
Diseases were transmitted by Contamination of
Air.
Germ Theory of Disease - proposes that many
Diseases are caused by Contamination of Water.

43. Sources of Research Problem
Discussion with Research Advisor : If the
Researcher needs to be Trained in the
Methodological aspects of Research. Research
Supervisor suggest the Research Problem.

45. Research Hypothesis
• After Formulating the Research Problem, we
have to think about Hypothesis.
• Hypothesis is an Assumption made to Test
upon its Logical Consequences.

46. Research Hypothesis
• An Idea or Explanation about a Concept that is
based on known Facts but has not yet been
Proved.
Eg : A Consumer’s Likelihood to trust a Financial
Advisor is influenced by their Perception of
Competence of the Financial Advisor.
• The link to the relationship between perceptions
of Competence and likelihood to Trust is Logical,
but it is not Proven .So, this Qualifies as a
Hypothesis

47. Research Hypothesis
Hypothesis is a Predictive Statement to be
Tested or Examined on the basis of Available
Information.

48. Characteristic Research Problem Research Hypothesis
Defenition A Research Problem is an
Enquiry that must be
Answered through
Elaborative Research Work.
Research Hypothesis is a Predictive
Statement that either Approves or
Disapproves the Research at the
End.
Nature Straight - Forward Predictive / Probabilistic
Structure Written as a Question Written as a Statement
Example What is the Impact of
Pollution on Earth ?
The Possible impact of Pollution is
on Human Health.
Outcomes Direct Answer Possible Reasons for the Answer
Applications Used in Qualitative &
Quantitative Studies
Used in Quantitative ,Scientific &
Experimental Studies

49. Impact of Pollution

50. Formulation of Hypothesis
1. Ask a Research Question
• Writing a Hypothesis begins with a Research
Question that you want to Answer.
• Make sure that the Hypothesis Logically
supports the Topic and the focus of the
Experiment.
Eg : Do Students who attend more Lectures get
better Exam Results?

51. Formulation of Hypothesis
2. Do some preliminary Research
• Your Initial answer to the question should be
based on what is already known Facts about
the Topic.
• Look for Theories and previous Studies to
help you form Educated assumptions about
what your Research will find.

52. Review of Literature
• A Literature review is a piece of Academic
Literature on a specific Topic placed in
Context.
• Published Books, Unpublished Thesis,
Academic Journals, Government Reports
should be Studied depending upon the
Nature of Topic.

53. Formulation of Hypothesis
3.List the Variables & establish the Relationship.
• A Variable may be a Person, Place, Object, Idea,
or any other Characteristic which we are trying
to Measure.
• A Variable can be Age, Blood pressure, Height,
Exam score, Sea level, Temperature, etc.
• One is called the Dependent variable and the
other the Independent variable.
• To create Cause-and-Effect relationships.

54. Formulation of Hypothesis
3.List the Variables & establish the Relationship.
• The Independent variable is the Cause. Its Value
is independent of other variables in your Study.
• The Dependent variable is the Effect. Its value depends on
changes in the independent variable.
Eg : A study to test whether changes in Room temperature
have an effect on Exam test scores.
• Your Independent variable is the Temperature of the
Room. You can vary the Room-temperature (Cooler or
Warmer)
• Your Dependent variable is Exam test scores. You Measure
the Exam Test Score of all Students.

55. Formulation of Hypothesis
3.List the Variables & establish the
Relationship.
• An Independent-variable is the Characteristics
which the Researcher Changes or Controls.
• A Dependent-variable is the Characteristics
which the Researcher Observes and
Measures.

56. Formulation of Hypothesis
4 . Formulate your Initial Hypothesis
• Now you should have Basic-idea of what you
expect to Find.
• Write your Initial answer to the Question in a
clear, concise Sentence.
Eg : Attending more Lectures leads to better
Exam results.

57. Formulation of Hypothesis
5. Refine your Hypothesis
• Make sure your Hypothesis is Specific and
Testable.
• While phrasing a Hypothesis, it should contain:
a). The relevant Variables
b). The specific Group being Studied
c). The predicted Outcome of the Experiment or
Analysis
Eg : Attending more Lectures by First-year Students
lead to better Exam results.

58. Formulation of Hypothesis
6. Try to write the Hypothesis as an If-then
Statement.
• To identify the Variables, you can write a simple
prediction in If…then form.
• The First part of the sentence states the
independent variable and the Second part states
the dependent variable.
Eg : If a First-year Student starts attending
more Lectures, then their Exam-scores will
improve.

59. Formulation of Hypothesis
7. Write a Null-hypothesis
• If your Research involves Statistical Hypothesis
Testing, you will also have to write a Null-
hypothesis.
• The Null-hypothesis is the Default position that
there is no Association between the Variables.
• The Null-hypothesis is written as H0, while the
Alternative-hypothesis is H1 or Ha.

60. Formulation of Hypothesis
7. Write a Null-hypothesis
H0: The number of Lectures attended by First-
year Students has no Effect on their Final-exam
Scores.
H1: The number of Lectures attended by First-
year Students has a positive Effect on their
Final- exam Scores.

61. Types of Research

62. Exploratory Research
• When a Researcher wants to deal with a New
Issue or try to begin a New Research is called
Exploratory Research. The Focus is mainly on
“Discovering of Ideas”.
• When the purpose of Research is to gain
Familiarity with new Insights or new
Phenomenon to formulate a Research
Problem or Hypothesis.

63. Exploratory Research
• This type of Study is conducted to classify
Ambiguous Problems.
• An Exploratory Research is generally based on
Secondary Data that are Already available.
Sources of Information for Exploratory Research :
1. Surveys
2. Secondary Data
3. Case Studies
4. Pilot Studies

64. Ambiguous Unambiguous
Confusing Clear
uncertain Certain
Indefinite Definite
Indistinct Distinct

65. • Secondary Data means the Data Already
Collected ( Published or Unpublished) and
Available for Use.
• Various Sources of Secondary Data are :
i). Book ii). Journals iii). Research Thesis
iv). Magazines
v). Statistical Data Source

66. Reasons for conducting Exploratory
Research
• Exploratory Research is often Conducted when a
Research Problem is not clearly Defined or its
real Scope is not yet Clear.
• Emphasizes the Researcher to Learn more about
the Particular Problem.
• Helps to determine the best Research Design,
Data Collection method and Selection of Objects
• In Marketing, to test Concepts before they are
Launched in the Market-place.

68. Descriptive Research
• Descriptive Studies are more Formalized &
typically structure with Clearly stated
Hypothesis
• In a Descriptive Study, an accurate Description
of a Situation & Association between
Variables will be Employed
• In a Descriptive Study, a Detailed account of
Past, Present & Future Data and Statistical
Data is given.

69. Descriptive Research
• When the Researcher is interested in knowing
the Characteristics of certain Groups such as
Age, Sex, Educational level, Occupation or
Income level, a Descriptive Study will be
necessary.
Sources of Information for Exploratory
Research :
1. Observation
2. Surveys

70. Descriptive Research
Descriptive Studies are classified into :
1). Cross- sectional Studies
• Sample of Elements from a given Population is Selected.
• Number of Characteristics from the Sample-elements are
Collected & Analysed.
2). Longitudinal Studies
• A Particular Variable is selected.
• A Group of Respondents are Interviewed about their View-
point towards the ‘Particular Variable’
• Helps in Studying the Particular Behaviour of the
Respondents.

71. Causal Research
• Causal Research is a type of conclusive research,
which attempts to establish a cause-and-effect
relationship between two or more variables
• It assists in determining the impact of a change in
process and existing methods.
• An easy to replicate the process, Causal Research
is widely employed by several companies

72. Causal Research
• It is easy to narrow down the cause and effect
relationship by making sure that both variables
are not affected by any force other than each
other.
• In order to maintain accuracy, other variables are
assumed to be constant. It can help determine
the exact impact an individual variable has on
another.
• It can help determine the exact impact an
individual variable has on another.

73. Theoretical Research
• The theoretical research is conducted in order to
gather information on any subject, and increase our
understanding of it. The knowledge thus collected is
not used for something in particular, because the
important thing about this type of research is,
precisely, to expand knowledge.
• Theoretical research can be carried out by all kinds of
professionals: from biologists, chemists, engineers,
architects to philosophers, writers, sociologists,
historians, etc. No matter the professional area,
theoretical research is the basis that guides subsequent
innovations.

74. Theoretical Research
• It seeks to answer fundamental questions for the human
being, and that is why this type of research is common to
all areas of knowledge.
• The researcher starts from the premise that we must
understand the world around us, and for this he begins
with a hypothesis and the test by designing various
experiments, which will serve to develop new theories. This
is what is known as the scientific method .
• A scientific investigation does not solve practical problems
or make innovations. Just give information on the
subject. Plentiful, relevant and deep information, but
nothing more.

75. Empirical Research
• Empirical Research applies Observation &
Experiments as the main modes of gathering
Data
• Data collected in this Research is referred to as
Empirical Evidence which is subjected to
Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis to answer
Empirical Questions.

76. Empirical Research
• Empirical Research can be defined as “Research
based on Experimentation or Observation. Such
Research is conducted to Test a Hypothesis”
• Empirical Research is based on Observations.This
Research is considered Accurate as the
Researcher record what is Observed
• Empirical Research is conducted to Test the
Validity of a Theory or Hypothesis.

77. Observation
• The act or practice of noting and recording facts and
events, as for some scientific study.
• The definition of an observation is the act of noticing
something or a judgment or inference from
something seen or experienced.
• The act or process of perceiving something, such as a
phenomenon, often by means of an instrument, and
making a record of the resulting information.
• an act or instance of noticing or perceiving.

78. Cross-sectional Research
• Aims at finding out the prevalence of a
Phenomenon, Problem,Situation, Attitude or
Issue by taking a Cross-section of the
Population
• The most commonly used Research for Social
Sciences. It is Cross-sectional with regard to
both the Study of Population & Time of
Investigation

79. Cross-sectional Research
• A Cross-sectional Research simple in Study.You
decide what you want to Find out, Identify the
Study Population, Select a Sample and contact
him to find out the required Information
Examples :
1. Health Needs of a Community
2. Education Needs of a Community
3. The Extend of Unemployment in a City
4. The Extend of Poverty in a City

80. Time Series Data
• Time series analysis is a specific way of
analyzing a sequence of data points collected
over an interval of time.
• In time series analysis, analysts record data
points at consistent intervals over a set period
of time rather than just recording the data
points intermittently or randomly.

81. Time Series Data
• It can show likely changes in the data, like
seasonality or cyclic behavior, which provides
a better understanding of data variables and
helps forecast better. Time series forecasting is
part of predictive analytics.
• When organizations analyze data over
consistent intervals, they can also use time
series forecasting to predict the likelihood of
future events.

82. Time Series Data
• Today’s technology allows us to collect massive
amounts of data every day and it’s easier than
ever to gather enough consistent data for
comprehensive analysis.
• Industries like finance, retail, and economics
frequently use time series analysis because
currency and sales are always changing. Stock
market analysis is an excellent example of time
series analysis in action, especially with
automated trading algorithms.