This chapter outlines the scientific investigation process and key hallmarks of scientific research. It discusses the hypothetical-deductive method which involves observation, preliminary information gathering, theory formulation, hypothesis generation, further data collection, data analysis, and deduction. The key steps are observation of a problem, gathering preliminary information to better understand it, formulating a theoretical framework to integrate relevant factors, generating testable hypotheses, collecting more data to test the hypotheses, analyzing the data, and deducing conclusions. Rigor, testability, replicability, precision, objectivity, generalizability, and parsimony are important hallmarks of scientific research.

1. Business Research Methods
(BRM )
Chapter # 2
Scientific investigation
Lecturer: Noorullah Nabizai

2. Chapter Outline:
• The Hallmarks of Scientific Research
• Purposiveness
• Rigor
• Testability
• Replicability (doing something again in the same way)
• Precision and confidence
• Objectivity
• Generalizability
• Parsimony
• The Hypothetical–deductive method
• Observation
• Preliminary information gathering
• Theory formulation
• Hypothesis
• Further scientific data collection
• Data analysis
• Deduction
• The Building Blocks of Science
• Observation
• Problem Identification
• Theoretical framework
• Hypothesis
• Operationally defined process
• Research design
• Data collection
• Analysis of data
• Interpretation
• Deduction

3. The Hallmarks of Scientific Research
• The hallmarks or main distinguishing characteristics of scientific research
may be listed as follows:
• Purposiveness
• Rigor
• Testability
• Replicability (doing something again in the same way)
• Precision and confidence
• Objectivity
• Generalizability
• Parsimony

4. Purposiveness:
It has to start with a definite aim or purpose.
E.g.
THE FOCUS IS ON INCREASING EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT.
oIncrease employee commitment will translate into less turnover, less
absenteeism and increased performance levels.
oThus it has a purposive focus.

5. Rigor:
●RIGOR ADDS CAREFULNESS,) AND THE DEGREE OF
EXACTITUDE (ACCURACY) IN RESEARCH.
●A GOOD THEORETICAL BASE AND SOUND
METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN WOULD ADD RIGOR TO THE
PURPOSIVE STUDY.

6. Testability:
•This is a hypothesis which can be tested when
the data are collected and we can use certain
statistical tools for checking the correctness
of hypothesis.

7. Replicability (repeat,):
• IT MEANS THAT IT CAN BE USED AGAIN IF SIMILAR
CIRCUMSTANCES PREVAILS.
• when the same type of research is repeated in the other similar
circumstances.

8. Precision (accuracy) and confidence:
•Precision refers to the closeness of the findings
to “reality” based on a sample.

9. Confidence
• Refers to the probability (possibility) 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 being wrong. This is also
known as confidence level.

10. Objectivity:
• The conclusion drawn through the interpretation (explanation) of
results of the 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 own subjective or emotional values.

11. Generalizability:
• Generalizability refers to the scope of applicability of the research
findings in one organizational setting to other settings.
• Obviously, the wider the range of applicability of the solutions
generated by research, the more useful the research is to the users.
• The more generalizable the research, the greater its usefulness and
value.

12. Parsimony:
• Simplicity in explaining the phenomena 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.

14. Observation:
• A sales manager might observe that customers are
perhaps not as satisfied as they used to be.
• The manager may not be sure that this is really the
case but may experience anxiety or some nervousness
that customer satisfaction is on the decline.

15. Problem identification
• This problem identification will call for some preliminary
data gathering. They might talk casually to a few customers
to find out how they feel about the products and customers
service.
• During the course of these conversations the anger (feeling
sad) might find that the customers like the products but are
upset because many- of the items they need are frequently
out of stock, and they perceive the salespersons as not being
helpful.

16. Theoretical framework:
• Theoretical framework of all the factors contributing the problem. In
this case, there is a network of connections among the following
factors:
• delays by the factory in delivering the goods, the notification of later
delivery dates that are not kept, the promises of salespersons to the
customers (in hope of retaining them) that cannot be fulfilled, all of
which contribute to the customer dissatisfaction.
• From the theoretical framework, which is a meaningful integration of
all the information gathered, several hypothesis.

17. • Hypothesis:
• It can be can be generated and tested to determine if the data
support them.
• Operationally defined:
• Concepts are then operationally defined so that they can be
measured.
• Research design:
• It is set up to decide on, among other issues.
• Data collection:
• It is the collection of further data about the problem.

18. Analysis of data:
• Analyze the collected data remove
the excessive and unnecessary data.
• Interpret:
• Interpret the collected data, and
finally, to provide an answer to
the problem.
• The process of drawing from logical
analysis an inference (conclusion)
that purport (meaning) to be
conclusive.
• Deduction:
• The last stage is the arrival at
conclusion.

19. The Hypothetic–deductive method
• The seven steps involved in the Hypothetic-deductive method of research
stem from the buildings blocks discussed above, and are listed and
discussed below.
• Observation
• Preliminary information gathering
• Theory formulation
• Hypothesis
• Further scientific data collection
• Data analysis
• Deduction

20. Observation:
• It 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 workplace).

21. Preliminary information gathering:
• Information gathering involves the
seeking of information in depth, of
what is observed.
• This could be done by talking
informally several people in the
work setting or to clients, or other
relevant sources, thereby gathering
information on what is happening
and why.

22. Theory formulation:
•Theory formulation, the next
step, is an attempt to
integrate all the information
in a logical manner, so that
the factors responsible for the
problem can be
conceptualized and tested.
•The theoretical framework
formulated is often guided by
experience and intuition
(perception).

23. Hypothesizing:
• It is the next logical step after theory formulation.
From the theorized network of association among the
variables, certain testable hypotheses or educated
conjectures (estimations) can be generated.

24. Further scientific data collection:
• After the development of the hypothesis, data with
respect to each variable in the hypothesis need to be
obtained.
• In other words, further scientific data collection is
needed to test the hypothesis that are generated in
the study.

25. Data analysis:
• In the data analysis step, the data gathered are
statistically analyzed to see if the hypotheses that
were generated have been supported

26. Deduction(conclusion):
• Deduction is the process of arriving at conclusions by interpreting the
meaning of the results of the data analysis
• .e.g. based on the results, the manager deduces or concludes that
managers do not use MIS owing to certain factors.

27. Group work
Each group should work and design a research plan
http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/