Business research methods

1. RESEARCH DESIGN

2. MEANING OF RESEARCH DESIGN
In the words of miller, “designed research is the planned sequence of the entire process
involved in conducting a research study”
A research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation conceived so as to
obtain answers to research questions and to control variance.
Plan of study of a researcher is called the research design.it is the blue print of study.
Research Design has to answer the following questions
• What is the study about?
• For what purpose the study is carried on?
• Types of data required?
• Where the data can be found? Etc…

3. FEATURES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
• It is a plan that denotes the sources and types of information
• It specifies the approach used for gathering and analyzing data
• It is an activity and time based plan
• It is a plan which is always based on the Research question
• It comprises the time and cost budget
• The Research Design depends upon the purpose of research
• It is a guide for selecting sources and types of information needed

4. ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS CONCERNING TO A RESEARCH DESIGN
• DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
• EXTRANEOUS VARIABLE
These are independent variable which are not related for the study but at the same time
it effect the dependent variable
• CONTROL
The effect of extraneous variable should be minimized as per as possible. the term
control is used when we design The study by minimizing the effect of extraneous variable
• CONFOUNDED RELATIONSHIP
If the dependent variable is not free from the influence of extraneous variable such a
relationship is known as confounded relationship

5. • RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
• A hypothesis is a logical support system reasonable guess and an educated guess.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NON EXPERIMENTAL HYPOTHESIS TESTING
• EXPERIMENTAL AND CONTROL GROUP
when a group is exposed to some special conditions in an experimental results it is
termed as experimental group and if the group is exposure of usual conditions it is
termed as control group
• TREATMENTS
Treatment are the different condition enter with the groups are put.
• EXPERIMENT
Experiment process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis relating to some
research problem
• EXPERIMENTAL UNIT
These are the pre-determined plots Where different treatments are applied

6. STAGE OF RESEARCH DESIGN
1. Selection of a problem
research problem must rise from the minds of the researcher. In business research the
managers give statement of the problem. It is the duty of researcher to cover the
business problems into to an actual research problem.
the sources of research idea include individual experience, guess, written material,
personal conversation, day to day practical experience, research findings Etc..
2. Review of existing literature
All the relevant material connected with the selected problem are to be reviewed. It is
necessary to indicate how the problem understudy is related with the existing literature.
3. Sources of information to be utilized
There are mainly three sources of data namely Documentary sources of both official and
unofficial nature, personal sources And library sources.

7. 4. Nature of study
He wants to ascertain weather the study is a statistical study or comparative study or
experimental study or a combination of all
5. Objectives of study
The researcher should state the objective of the study in clear terms. The objective of
study differ from the nature of study and goal to be achieved.
6. Geographical area to be covered
7. Social cultural context of study
8. Period of study
9. Dimensions of study
It is essential to make clear the number of cases to be studied
10. Basis for selecting the data

8. 11. Technique of the study
A suitable technique is to be decided for collecting data. The technique may be
observation, interview, schedule and questionnaire or the combination of all. The
technique of study normally depends upon the nature of study.
12. The control of error
MERITS OF RESEARCH DESIGN
 it is helps to save researchers time money and energy
 it is helps to prepare and execute the various activities related to study systematically
 it helps the researcher to documents the research activities
 it ensures proper time schedule for the implementation of the project
 it provides confident to the researcher for completing the research work
 it provides a sense of success at every stage of work

9. TYPES OF RESAERCH DESIGN
1. EXPLORATORY RESERCH DESIGN
Exploratory research design is a preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which
the researcher has little or no knowledge
For example: a doctor examines a new patient who is suffering from unfamiliar disease.
An exploratory design is conducted about a research problem when there are few or no
earlier studies to refer to or relay upon to predict an outcome
Forms of exploratory research design
A. Experience survey
The experience survey involves talking with knowledgeable individuals, both inside and
out side the organization who may provide insight into the problem. The survey, then is
much like an informal discussion.

10. B. Secondary data analysis
Secondary data are data have been gathered for some of other than the one at hand. The
secondary data are in the form of finished products. Researcher has to modify such data
for their individual requirement.
C. Case analysis
The purpose of case analysis is to review information from a few other situations that are
similar to the present research problem. The main purpose of case study method is to
attain information from one or few situations that are similar to research’s problem
situation.
D. Pilot studies
A pilot study conducted in exploratory research project ureses sampling but does not
apply precise standards. This study using a limited number of respondents and employing
less accurate sampling techniques than are employed in large, quantitative studies.

11. 2. CAUSAL RESEARCH DESIGN
Casual research seeks to find cause and affect relationship between variables. To be
effective the design of causal research is highly structured and controlled so that other
factors do not affect those being studied.
3. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESIGN
It is a fact finding investigation with adequate interpretation. It is usually related with
determining frequency with which something occurs or how two variables vary together
Information obtained through descriptive research can be used for prediction about areas
of social life.

12. Types of descriptive research designs
a) Observation
The researcher may or may not have direct contact or communication with the people
whose behavior is being recorded.
 Participant and non participant observation
 Obtrusive and unobtrusive observation
 Disguised and non disguised observation
 Structured and unstructured observation
 Direct and indirect observation

13. b) Survey
Under this method the respondents are asked a number of questions regarding their
behavior, intentions, attitudes, awareness, motivations, demographic and lifestyles
characteristics. These questions may be asked verbally, in writing or through internet.
TYPES OF SURVEY
• Cross sectional survey
in cross sectional studies variables of interest in a sample of subjects are examined in
ones and the relationship between them are determined. Cross sectional surveys are
used to gather information on a population at a single point in time
• longitudinal surveys
longitudinal surveys gather data over a period of time. That means the respondents are
questioned at two different moments in time

14. 4. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Experimental research is a method used to establish a cause and effect relationship
between two variables or among group of variables.
An experiment is the process of manipulate in one or more independent variables and
measuring their effect on one or more dependent variables, while controlling for the
extraneous variables.
VARIABLES IN EXPERIMENTS
o Dependent variable
o Independent
o Extraneous
Extraneous variable are undesirable variables that influence the relationship between the
variables that an experimenter is examining. These variables are undesirable because
they add error to an experiment. The major goal in Research Design is to decrease or
control the influence of extraneous variables as much as possible.

15. GOALS OF EXPERIMENT
 To draw valid conclusions about the effect of independent variable on dependent
variables. It is the internal validity
 To make valid generalization to a larger population interested. It is external validity
Planning to conduct experimentation
1. Determine the dependent and independent variables involved in it.
2. Select the type of experimentation plan
3. Choose the setting the setting may be laboratory or field
4. Make the experimental condition as nearly the expected real life condition
5. Introduce suitable method for controlling extraneous variables

16. TYPES OF EXPERIMENT
1. laboratory experiment
Laboratory experiment is an investigation conducted in situation created specifically for
that purpose. This experiment is mainly conducted to found out causal relation under
clean conditions to test predictions derived from theory and other researches.
2. Field experiment
This is an experiment conducted in real life situation in which experimental manipulate
and independent variable in order to test the hypothesis. It is suitable for testing theory
and finding solutions for practical social problems

17. 3. Simulation
Sophisticated set off mathematical formula are used to simulate or imitate a real life
situation by changing one variable in the equation it is possible to determine the effect
on the other variables in the equation
Simulation involve the construction of a model representing the situation and in effect
experimenting with it rather than the actual situation
There are three uses of simulation
1. Assessment of a situation
2. Understanding a situation
3. Decision making in a situation

18. TYPES OF EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Experimental investigation can be conducted groups or individuals.
GROUP EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
If there is only one independent variable that can be manipulated then single variable
design is used. If there are two or more independent variables and at least one can be
manipulated then factorial design should be chosen.
A. SINGLE VARIABLE DESIGNS
These studies are classified under three main headings depending on the degree of
control maintained on other variables
1. Pre- experimental design (law degree of control)
2. True experimental design (high degree of control)
3. Quasi experimental design (medium degree of control)

20. I. PRE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
These designs are characterized by an absence of randomization
1) One Shot case studies
One group is exposed to the treatment, and only a post test is given to observe o
measure the effect of the treatment on the dependent variable within the experimental
group. Since it is applied on a single group, there is no control group involved in this
design
2) One group pretest posttest design
One group is pretested and exposed to the treatment and then post tested. This is called
one group pretest posttest design because the two test are administrated to the same
group.
3) Static group comparison design
In this design at least two groups are involved. After one group receives the treatment all
groups are post tested.

22. II. TRUE EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
In true experimental design the researcher randomly assigns test units two experimental
group. When subject are randomly assigned there is higher control of the internal validity
as well as external validity
Moreover there is always a control group to compare the result off the subject in the
experiment with other subject of similar status that have not been exposed to the
treatment.
 Manipulation
 Control
 Randomization

23. a) The post test only control group design
In this design, which uses two groups, one group is given the treatment and the results
are gathered at the end. The control group receives no treatment over the same period of
time. But undergoes exactly the same test.
b) The pretest-posttest control group design
Both groups are pre tested and both are post tested, the ultimate difference being that
one group was administered the treatment.

24. c) Solomon four group design
This design contains two extra control groups which server to reduce the influence of
confounding for extraneous variable and allow the researcher to test whether the pretest
itself has an effect on subjects.

25. III. QUASI EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
Quasi experimental designs are using construction that already exist in the real world.
A Quasi experimental design will have some sort of control and experimental group, but
these group probably weren’t randomly selected. Random selection is usually work true
experimental and Quasi experimental designs differ
This experimental design that does not meet all requirements necessary for controlling
influences of extraneous variables.
1) Non equivalent control group design
It is structured like a pre test post test randomized experiments, but it lacks the key
feature of the randomized designs.
This kind of design includes at least an experimental (treatment) group and a control
group. Participants are not randomly assigned two groups. Non equivalent control group
designs is similar to pretest-posttest control group design except that no randomization is
required.

26. b) Time series design
Time series design is an elaborated version of one group pretest posttest pre
experimental design in the sense that subjects are repeatedly pretested and post tested
before and after the treatment rather than being tested one it is a beginning second time
at the end of the treatment.
Time series design include a series of periodic measurement on the dependent variable
for a group of test unit
c) Counter balanced design
In this design the treatment are given to all the groups in a different order, and the
number of group should be equal to the number of treatments. In other words if there
are two different treatment there should be two group.

27. FACTORIAL DESIGN
A factorial design is used to measure the effect of two or more independent variables at
various levels. These are applied to determine if the effect of the independent variable
can be generalized. A factorial design in this sense, indicates relationship between
variables. It may be that while one variable increases the other one decreases, or an
increase in one variable give rise to other variable