BRM - Based on SPPU Syllabus

1. Business Research
Methodology
DR. PRACHI MURKUTE

2. Contents of the Unit
1. Foundations of Research: Definition of Research, Need of business research, Characteristics
of scientific research method, Typical Research applications in business and management.
2. Questions in Research: Formulation of Research Problem – Management Question –
Research Question – Investigation Question.
3. The process of business research: Literature review - Concepts and theories - Research
questions - Sampling - Data collection - Data analysis - Writing up The iterative nature of
business research process, Elements of a Research Proposal.
4. Practical considerations: Values – researcher & organization. Ethical principles - Harm to
participants, Lack of informed consent, Invasion of privacy, Deception, Reciprocity and trust,
Affiliation and conflicts of interest. Legal considerations - Data management, Copyright.

3. I. Foundations of Research:
Foundations of Research:
◦ Definition of Research,
◦ Need of business research,
◦ Characteristics of scientific research method,
◦ Typical Research applications in business and management.

4. Definition of Research,
Research is a process of systematic inquiry that entails collection of data; documentation of
critical information; and analysis and interpretation of that data/information, in accordance with
suitable methodologies set by specific professional fields and academic disciplines.

5. Need of business research
Business research helps to identify opportunities and
threats.
It helps identify problems and using this information, wise
decisions can be made to tackle the issue appropriately.
It helps to understand customers better and hence can be
useful to communicate better with the customers or
stakeholders.

6. 1
6
2
3 4
5
6
Systemic
T
o capture accurate data and
to practice ethics & code of
conduct
Efficient Analysis
DataAccuracy is one of the most
critical aspects of research
Elaboration
Research procedures to be
mentioned clearly. It creates a path
for generating new questions
Empirical
Unique, based on actual data
derived from observation and
experience
Logical
To be based on logical
reasoning: inductive and
deductive
Clear purpose
Clearly defined objectives
Characteristics
of
Good
Research
Characteristics of scientific research
method

7. Typical Research applications in business
and management
Business research helps to identify opportunities
and threats.
It helps identify problems and using this
information, wise decisions can be made to tackle
the issue appropriately.
It helps to understand customers better and
hence can be useful to communicate better with
the customers or stakeholders.

8. 2. Questions in Research:
Questions in Research: Formulation of Research Problem – Management Question – Research
Question – Investigation Question.

9. Formulation of Research Problem
A research problem is a statement about an area of
concern,
a condition to be improved,
a difficulty to be eliminated,
or a troubling question that exists in scholarly
literature, in theory, or in practice
that points to the need for meaningful understanding
and deliberate investigation.

10. Management Question – Research
Question – Investigation Question.
A management question is a restatement of the manager's dilemma
in question form.
A research question is the hypothesis that best states the objective
of the research;
Investigation Question is the question that focuses the researcher's
attention.

11. 3. The process of business research
The process of business research: Literature review -
Concepts and theories - Research questions - Sampling -
Data collection - Data analysis - Writing up The iterative
nature of business research process, Elements of a Research
Proposal.

12. Literature review
A literature review is a piece of academic writing
demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the
academic literature on a specific topic placed in context.
A literature review also includes a critical evaluation of the
material; this is why it is called a literature review rather
than a literature report.

13. Concepts and theories
The theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing
knowledge.
Guided by a relevant theory, you are given a basis for your
hypotheses and choice of research methods.

14. Research questions
A research question is a
question that a study or
research project aims to
answer. This question often
addresses an issue or a problem,
which, through analysis and
interpretation of data, is
answered in the study's
conclusion.

15. Sampling -
Sampling means selecting the group that you will actually collect
data from in your research.
For example, if you are researching the opinions of students in your
university, you could survey a sample of 100 students. In statistics,
sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the characteristics of
a population.

16. Data collection -
Data collection is the process of gathering and
measuring information on variables of interest, in an
established systematic fashion that enables one to
answer stated research questions, test hypotheses,
and evaluate outcomes.

17. Data analysis -
Data Analysis is the process of systematically applying
statistical and/or logical techniques to describe and
illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data.

18. Elements of a Research Proposal.
The elements of a good research proposal are
1. The Title,
2. The Introduction,
3. Literature Review,
4. Aims And Objectives,
5. Methodology,
6. Scope Of The Research,
7. Outline And Timetable,
8. And Bibliography.
It's important to include these elements in your research proposal exactly in
the order in which they appear in the list above

19. 4. Practical considerations:
Practical considerations:
Values – researcher & organization.
Ethical principles - Harm to participants,
Lack of informed consent, Invasion of privacy, Deception, Reciprocity
and trust, Affiliation and conflicts of interest. Legal considerations -
Data management, Copyright.

20. Values – researcher & organization
Strive for honesty in all scientific communications.
Honestly report data, results, methods and procedures, and
publication status.
Do not fabricate, falsify, or misrepresent data.

21. Ethical principles - Harm to participants,
Broadly categorizing, there are mainly five principles of research ethics:
◦ MINIMIZING THE RISK OF HARM. It is necessary to minimize any sort of harm to the participants. ...
◦ OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT. ...
◦ PROTECTING SECRECY AND CONFIDENTIALITY. ...
◦ AVOIDING MISLEADING PRACTICES. ...
◦ PROVIDING THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW

22. Lack of informed consent, Invasion of
privacy,
Informedconsent is crucial in research as it ensures individuals
have an informed choice about whether to participate in a research
study.
Invasion of privacy is a legal term. It is used to describe a
circumstance where an individual or organization knowingly intrudes
upon a person. The intrusion occurs when the person has a
reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in a bathroom or locker
room. An invasion of privacy is considered to be a tort.

23. Deception,
Deception is the intentional misleading of subjects or the
withholding of full information about the nature of the experiment.
Investigators may mislead or omit information about the purpose of
the research, the role of the researcher, or what procedures in the
study are actually experimental.

24. Reciprocity and trust,
Trust and reciprocity facilitate cooperation and are relevant
to virtually all human interactions.

25. Affiliation and conflicts of interest.
A conflict of interest can also be known as 'competing
interest'.
A conflict of interest can occur when you, or your employer,
or sponsor have a financial, commercial, legal, or
professional relationship with other organizations, or with
the people working with them, that could influence your
research.

26. Legal considerations - Data management,
Key Ethical Concerns
» Minimizing risks of harm.
» Confidentiality and privacy.
» Ethical data management.
» Informed consent.
» Recruiting research participants.
» Remuneration for participants.
» Feedback to participants.

27. Copyright.
Copyright gives you, the owner, exclusive rights
to: reproduce. publish in print or electronic form. perform the work
in public, and. communicate to the public and adapt or modify
their work.

28. Thank You

29. Question
1. Briefly describe the different steps involved in a research process.
2. What do you mean by research? Explain its significance in modern times.
3. Distinguish between Research methods and Research methodology.
4. Describe the different types of research, clearly pointing out the difference between an experiment and a
survey.
5. Write short notes on:
(1) Design of the research project;
(2) Ex post facto research;
(3) Motivation in research;
(4) Objectives of research;
(5) Criteria of good research;
(7) Research and scientific method.

30. Lets do this…………………
“A research scholar has to work as a judge and derive the
truth and not as a pleader who is only eager to prove his
case in favor of his plaintiff.” Discuss the statement pointing
out the objectives of research”