Skip to main content
UploadLanguage (EN)Support
BusinessMobileSocial MediaMarketingTechnologyArt & PhotosCareerDesignEducationPresentations & Public SpeakingGovernment & NonprofitHealthcareInternetLawLeadership & ManagementAutomotiveEngineeringSoftwareRecruiting & HRRetailSalesServicesScienceSmall Business & EntrepreneurshipFoodEnvironmentEconomy & FinanceData & AnalyticsInvestor RelationsSportsSpiritualNews & PoliticsTravelSelf ImprovementReal EstateEntertainment & HumorHealth & MedicineDevices & HardwareLifestyle
MP
Uploaded byMazhar Poohlah
10,559 views

Research Method for Business chapter # 2

The document discusses scientific research methods, outlining the hallmarks of scientific research which include purposiveness, rigor, testability, replicability, precision and confidence, objectivity, generalizability, and parsimony. It then explains the hypothetico-deductive research method which involves identifying a problem, developing hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. Finally, it briefly discusses other research methods like case studies and action research.

Education◦
Downloaded 451 times
Chapter - 2 Welcome
Chapter 2 SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION Research Methods: Chapter 2
 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research  Limitations to scientific research in the management  Hypo-thetico deductive research method  Other types of research (Case studies and Action research) Introduction to Research TOPICS Research Methods: Chapter 2
1. Purposiveness 2. Rigor 3. Testability 4. Replicability 5. Precision and Confidence 6. Objectivity 7. Generalizability 8. Parsimony Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Main Characteristics
Purposiveness  It has to start with a definite aim or purpose.  Thus it has a purposive focus. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
 A good theoretical base and sound methodological design would add rigor to the purposive study.  Rigor adds carefulness, scrupulousness and the degree of exactitude in research. Example:  How to increase the level of commitment.  A manager asks only from 10-12 employees Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Rigor
 After random selection manager and researcher develop certain hypothesis on how manager employee commitment can be enhanced, then these can be tested by applying certain statistical tests to the data collected for the purpose.  If the scientific analysis of data supports the hypothesis, it is accepted as a fact or as truth. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Testability
 It means that the results of the tests of hypotheses should be supported again and yet again when the same type of research is repeated in other similar circumstances. Example:  The study concludes that participation in decision making is one of the most important factors that influences the commitment, we will place more faith and credibility in these finding and apply in similar situations.  To the extent that this does happen, we will gain confidence in the scientific nature of our research.  Every objects is attracted to the center of the earth. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Replicability
Precision refers to the closeness of the findings to “reality” based on a sample. It reflects the degree of accuracy and exactitude of the results of the sample. Example:  If a supervisor estimated the number of production days lost during the year due to absenteeism at between 30 and 40, as against the actual of 35.  The precision of estimation more favorably than if he has indicated that the loss of production days was somewhere between 20 and 50. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Precision and Confidence
 Confidence refers to the probability 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 our being wrong.  This is also known as confidence level. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Precision and Confidence
 The conclusions drawn through the interpretation of the results of 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 subjective or emotional values. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Objectivity
 It refers to the scope of applicability of the research findings in one organization setting to other settings. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Generalizability
 Simplicity in explaining the phenomenon 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. Example:  For instance, if 2-3 specific variables in the work situation are identified, which when changed would raise the organizational commitment of the employees by 45%, that would be more useful and valuable to the manager than  if it were recommended that he should change 10 different variables to increase organizational commitment by 48%. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hallmarks of Scientific Research; Parsimony
 It is not possible to conduct 100% scientific research studies.  It is due to human behavior being studied.  Data collection in the subjective areas of feelings, moods, attitudes and perceptions may not be 100% accurate.  Sometimes, the obstacle is due to lack of a representative sample. Obstacles to conduct research in management area In business Research:
Deduction and Induction Deduction and Induction are the two methods of drawing conclusions. a. Deduction:  Deduction is a process of arriving at a conclusion by applying known facts or principles to a specific situation. b. Induction:  Induction is a process in which certain observations are used to logically establish a general proposition from which we draw a conclusion. CH-2: Scientific Investigation
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method CH-2: Scientific Investigation 1 • Identify a broad problem area 2 • Define the problem statement 3 • Develop hypothesis 4 • Determine measures 5 • Data collection 6 • Data analysis 7 • Interpretation of the data
Employee’s Turnover Low salaries Manager employee relations Employees Motivation Career opportunity Training Skills variety Rumors Work itself Location CH-2: Scientific Investigation
 Observation 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 work place).  Drop in sales  Customer switching  Disinterestedness of employees Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hypothetico-Deductive Method; Identify a broad problem area: Step 1
 Scientific research starts with a definite aim or purpose  It involves the seeking of information in depth, of what is observed, to find solutions for identified problems  A problem statement that states the general objective of the research should be developed  This could be done by talking informally to several people in the work setting or to clients or to other relevant sources, thereby gathering information on what is happening and why,  Then it is followed by structured interviews. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hypothetico-Deductive Method; Define the problem statement: Step 2
 To find solutions for identified problems, a problem statement that state a general objective of the research should be developed  Initial information helps to narrow the broad problem area and to define the problem statement  A clear, precise, and to the point statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of finding an answer or solution. Research Methods: Chapter 2 Define the Problem statement: The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
 What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range growth patterns of companies?  What are the specific factors to be considered in creating a data warehouse for a manufacturing company?  Has the new advertising message resulted in enhanced recall? Research Methods: Chapter 2 Examples of Problem statement: The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
Employee’s Turnover Low salaries Manager employee relations Employees Motivation Career opportunity Training Skills variety Rumors Work itself Location
 It is the next logical step after theory formulation.  From the theorized network of associations among the variables, certain testable hypotheses or educated conjectures can be generated.  Hypothesis testing is called deductive research. Sometimes, hypotheses that were not originally formulated do get generated through the process of induction. Research Methods: Chapter 2 Develop hypotheses: Step 3 The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
 Gathered information also helps the manager to formulate a conceptual model and theoretical framework of all the factors contributing to the problems.  It is an attempt to integrate all the information in a logical manners, so that the factors responsible for the problem can be on conceptualized and tested.  In this step the critical variables are identified and examined as to their contribution or influence in explaining why the problem occurs and how it can be solved. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hypothetic-Deductive Method Develop hypotheses: Step 3
 Measurement of variables (variables and measuring scales)  After the development of the hypotheses, data with respect to each variable in the hypotheses need to be obtained.  The variables in the theoretical framework should be measurable in some way.  Some variables cannot be measured quantitatively, such as unresponsive employees, we need to operationalize this variable Research Methods: Chapter 2 Determine measures: Step 4 The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
 Further data are collected to test the hypotheses that are generated in the study. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hypothetico-Deductive Method; Data Collection: Step 5
 Data gathered are statistically analyzed to see if the hypotheses that were generated have been supported.  Co-relational method will be used to analyze and determine the relationship of two or more factors in the hypotheses for example:  Stock availability and customer satisfaction. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hypothetico-Deductive Method; Data Analysis: Step 6
 Now we must decide whether our hypotheses are supported or not by interpreting the meaning of the results or the data analysis.  Based on these results, the researcher would make recommendations in order to solve the problem in hand.  Deduction is the process of arriving at conclusions by interpreting the meaning of results of the data analysis. Research Methods: Chapter 2 The Hypothetico-Deductive Method; Interpretation of data: Step 7
 Case studies and action research are sometimes used to study certain types of issues. 1. Case Studies 2. Action Research Research Methods: Chapter 2 Other Types of Research; Other Types
 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. Research Methods: Chapter 2 Other Types of Research; Case Studies
 Action Research is used by trained and experienced consultants to bring about a planned change.  In 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 as a result of this implementation.  The effects are then evaluated, defined and diagnosed and the research continues on an ongoing basis until the problem is fully resolved. CH-2: Other Types of Research Action Research
 Download five research papers and make a list.  HR – Marketing – Management – Finance – Project Management Title Author (s) Year Journal Vol. Issue Page 1 2 3 4 5 Assignment # 1
Assignment # 1 Example; Title Author (s) Journal Year Vol. Issue Page The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Brand Preference. Ayanwale, A. B., & Alimi, T. Journal of Social Science 2005 10 1 9-16