The document outlines various types of research methods relevant to business, including applied, basic, descriptive, analytical, quantitative, qualitative, conceptual, empirical, and exploratory research. It emphasizes the importance of research for managers in solving problems, making decisions, and understanding competition. Additionally, it details the building blocks of scientific investigation, highlighting the steps and principles inherent in the scientific method.

1. BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS Unit 1
Types of Research & Building Blocks of Science in Research
Dr. THULASI KRISHNA. K, Ph.D.
Dept. of Management Studies,
MITS, Madanapalle, A.P.

2. TYPES OF RESEARCH
• Applied Research (Action Research)
It helps to solve a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting,
demanding a timely solution.
Ex.: Research to identify social, economic or political trends
• Basic Research (Fundamental, Pure)
It helps to generate a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend how
certain problems that occur in organizations can be solved. The findings of
such research contribute to the building of knowledge in the various
functional areas of business. Ex: Research studies concentrating on
examining the financial statements, determining likely mergers and
acquisitions, analysing the market competition

3. • Descriptive research
It includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major purpose of descriptive research
is description of the state of affairs as it exists at present.
Ex: Frequencies of shopping, preferences of people
Analytical Research
In Analytical research one has to use facts or information already available and analyse these to
make a critical evaluation of the material.
Examining the fluctuations of U. S. International Trade Balance is a descriptive research and explaining why and
how U.S. Trade Balance moved is an analytical research.

4. • Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is applicable to phenomena that are measurable so that they can be
expressed in terms of quantity.
Ex: Survey that concludes that the patient has to wait for an average time of two hours in the
waiting room of a certain doctor before being treated is an example of quantitative research.
Qualitative Research
• Qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomenon. Research designed to find out
how people feel or what they think about a particular subject is a qualitative research.
• Qualitative research is especially important in the behavioural sciences where the aim is to
discover underlying motives of human behaviour

5. Conceptual Research
• Conceptual research is that related to some abstract ideas or theory. It
is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts
or to interpret existing ones.
Empirical Research
Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone. It is data
based research coming up with conclusions capable of being verified by
observation or experiment.

6. Exploratory Research
• It is an examination into a subject in an attempt to gain further insight.
• It is a type of research conducted for a problem that has not been clearly
defined. Exploratory research helps determine the best research design,
data collection method and selection of subjects.

7. Why is it important for managers to know about
research?
• Solve problems
• Decision making tool
• Competition
• Risk
• Investment
• Hire researchers and consultants more effectively

8. Scientific Investigation [Building Blocks of Science in Research]
• 1 Observation
• 2 Identification of problem area
• 3 Theoretical framework
• 4 Hypotheses
• 5 Research design
• 6 Data collection
• 7 Data analysis
• 8 Data interpretation
• 9 Implementation

9. Basis of Scientific Method
The scientific method is based on certain elements which are mentioned
below-
• i. Reliance on empirical evidence
• ii. Use of relevant concept [Ex. Education]
• iii. Verifiability
• iv. Generalisation
• v. Logical reasoning process [Induction and Deduction]

10. • THANK YOU