A) Description of the Study  What was the purpose of the research?  Why was the research conducted (significant)?  Were the research questions, objectives or hypothesis (es) clearly stated? B) Literature and conceptualization (conceptual framework)  Does the literature contain theoretical and empirical review?  Does the paper frame the researchable relationship in an understandable conceptual model

1. 3/26/2024 @ Dinkisa Keno (PhD) 1
Advanced Research Methodology
By
Dinkisa Keno (PhD, Assistant
Professor)

2. Unit 1
Introduction to Research
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3. Meaning of Research
Research-definition
• Research Commonly refers to a search for
knowledge.
• Some people consider research as a movement from
known to unknown.
• It is indeed a journey of knowledge.
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4. -
• Hertz provided the most simplified definition of
research.
– His definition referred research to the original and
creative activities.
• Research is the application of human intelligence in a
systematic manner to a problem whose solution is
not immediately available.
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5. -
• Woody on the other hand defined research, as
“an activity comprises defining and redefining problems,
formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions; collecting,
organizing and evaluating data; making deduction and reaching
at conclusion to determine whether they fit the formulated
hypothesis(QUANTITATIVE).”
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6. -
• Research as a Systematic form of Inquiry
– Research is the name for the process of finding out about things,
especially the relationship between things.
– There are two approaches: qualitative and quantitative.
• Use qualitative research to answer "What has happened here?”
• Use quantitative research to answer "What is happening
generally?"
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7. 3
What is Research?
 Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem
after a thorough study and analysis of the situational
factors .
 Basically, Research is the process of problem-solving.
Research = Re
Knowledge acquisition gained
through reasoning through intuition
but most importantly through the use of
appropriate methods
+ Search
 The Scientific Method

8. SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATIO
N

9. Definition of Scientific
Research
Scientific Research focusing on solving
problems and pursues a step by step logical,
organized and rigorous method to identify the
problems, gather data, analyze them and draw
valid c o n c l u s i o n s t h e r e f r o m .

10. Why Scientific
Research?
 This research is not based on hunches,
experience and intuition.
 It is purposive and rigorous.
 Enables all those who are interested in
researching and knowing about the same or
similar issues to come up with comparable
findings when data are analyzed.
 Findings are accurate and confident.
 Apply solutions to similar problems.
 It is more objective.

11. Cont.
 Highlights the most critical factors at the work
place that need specific attention to solve or
minimize problems.
 Scientific Investigation and Managerial Decision
Making are integral part of effective problem
solving.
 It can be applied to both basic and applied
research.

12. Characteristics of Research
 Research is directed towards the solution of a problem.
 Research is based upon observable experience or empirical
evidence.
 Research demands accurate observation and description.
 Research involves gathering new data from primary
sources or using existing data for a new purpose.
 Research activities are characterized by carefully designed
procedures.
 Research requires expertise i.e., skill necessary to carryout
investigation, search the related literature and to
understand and analyze the data gathered.

13.  Research is objective and logical – applying every possible
test to validate the data collected and conclusions reached.
 Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved
problems.
 Research requires courage.
 Research is characterized by patient and unhurried
activity.
 Research is carefully recorded and reported.

14. The Building Blocks of Science in
Research
Deduction and Inductions
Answers to issues can be found
either by the process of
deduction or the process of
induction, or by a combination
of the two.

15. Deduction
 Deduction is the process by which we arrive at a
reasoned conclusion by logical generalization of a
known fact.
Example: we know that all high performers are highly
proficient in their jobs.
If John is a high performer, we then conclude that he
is highly proficient in his job

16. Induction
 Induction is a process where we observe certain
phenomena and on this basis arrive at conclusions.
In other words, in induction we logically
establish a general proposition based on
observed facts.

17. Other Types of
Research
 Case studies and action research
are sometimes used to study
certain types of issues.
1. Case Studies
2. Action Research

18. Case
Studies
 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.

19. 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 following such implementation.
 The effects are then evaluated, defined and diagnosed
and the research continues on an ongoing basis until
the problem is fully resolved.

20. Business Research
20
 Business research can be described as a systematic
and organized effort to investigate a specific problem
encountered in the work setting, that needs a
solution.
 Business research comprises a series of steps
designed and executed, with the goal of finding
answers to the issues that are of concern to the
manager in the work environment.

21. Business Research
21
 Steps of business research:
 To know where the problem areas exist in the
organization.
 To identify as clearly and specifically as
possible the problems that need to be studied
and resolved.
 Gather information, analyze the data, and
determine the factors that are associated
with the problem and solve it by taking the
necessary corrective measures.

22. Types of Business Research
22
 Research can be undertaken for two
different purposes:
1. To solve a current problem faced by the
manager in the work setting. Such research is
called applied research.
2. To generate a body of knowledge about how to
solve problems that could be occurred in
organizations. This is called basic research or
fundamental research. It is also known as pure
research.

23. Examples of Applied
Research
23
 Apple’s iPod sales increased by 200% from
2001 to 2008. but the sales decreased by
6% in 2009. What is the reason for this
decrease?
 The question is: what will apple do about this
problem?

24. Examples of Basic Research
24
 University professors engage in basic research in an
effort to understand and generate more knowledge
about various aspects of businesses, such as:
 How to improve the effectiveness of information
systems.
 How to integrate technology into the overall
strategic
 objectives of an organization.
 How to increase the productivity of the employees.
 How to increase the effectiveness of small
businesses.

25. Examples of Basic Research
25
 These findings later become useful
for application in business
situations.

26. Distinction Between Applied
and Basic Research
26
 The main distinction between applied and basic
business research is:
- Applied research is specifically aimed at solving a
currently experienced problem.
- Basic research has a broader objective of
generating knowledge and understanding of
phenomena and problems that occur in various
organizational settings.
- Both types of research follow the same steps of
systematic inquiry to arrive at solutions to problems.

27. Purposes of research
1. Exploratory
– Goal is to generate many ideas.
– Develop tentative theories and conjectures.
– Become familiar with the basic facts, people and
concerns involved.
– Formulate questions and refine issues for future
research.
– Used when little is written on an issue.
– It is the initial research.
– Usually qualitative research.
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28. Purposes of research….
2. Descriptive research
– Presents a profile of a group or describes a process,
mechanism or relationship or presents basic
background information or a context.
– Used very often in applied research.
– E.g.: General Household survey – describes demographic
characteristics, economic factors and social trends.
– Can be used to monitor changes in family structure and
household composition.
– Can also be used to gain an insight into the changing
social and economic circumstances of population
groups.
– Often survey research.
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29. Purposes of research….
3. Analytical (or explanatory) :
–goes beyond simple description to model
empirically the social phenomena under
investigation.
–It involves theory testing or elaboration of a
theory.
–Used mostly in basic research.
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30. Purposes of research….
4. Evaluation
– characterised by the focus on collecting data to
ascertain the effects of some form of planned
change.
– Used in applied research to evaluate a policy
initiative or social programme to determine if it is
working.
– Can be small or large scale, e.g.: effectiveness of a
crime prevention programme in a local housing
estate.
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31. Three Kinds of Research Problems
• Theoretical – “problems of values, principles, and concepts”
• Empirical – “concern facts that can be observed or tested”
• Practical – “require choice about action”
• Research projects are to be fundamentally practical in
addressing a particular client, but may have theoretical or
empirical elements.
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32. What is the Best Method of Research?
• Researchers often identify themselves as practitioners of
specific research methods, and some go even further to claim
that other research is inferior.
• Some are dogmatic about what constitutes the “best” method
of research.
• Taking a pragmatic approach – considering the research topic,
communities, populations and available resources, one may
answer the question - what are the most appropriate research
methods to utilize?
• There is no one best method – situations dictate
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33. 1.4. Research ethics
• How to conduct technically correct, practically
efficient and ethically sound research?
• We do have ethical responsibility to:
i. Research participants,
ii. Professional colleagues,
iii. The Wider public,
iv. Sponsors and funders of the research,
v. Protecting research subjects
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34. Research ethics...
i. Research participants,
• Five ethical code of conducts:
i. Voluntary participation,
ii. Informed consent,
iii. No harm,
iv. Confidentiality anonymity,
v. Privacy,
vi. No deception,
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35. Research ethics...
ii. Professional colleagues;
 Provide sufficient details of your procedures,
 Properly acknowledge the contributions of
others,
 Avoid discrediting others
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36. Research ethics...
iii. The Wider public,
 Avoid spreading of misleading information,
 Understand the political existing context,
 Respect norms, values and cultures,
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37. Research ethics...
iv. Sponsors and funders of the research,
 Avoid overstating your expertise,
 Avoid over-claiming of methods,
 Make the sponsor aware of any limitation,
 Respect confidentiality
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38. Research ethics...
v. Protecting research subjects
Legal protection
Professional associations and universities
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39. •Any Question?
•Well Come
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