Introduction to Business Research Methods

Dr Anthony Yeong
DBA MBA PMP PRINCE2 Practitioner

July 2011

To understand the fundamental concepts of business research methods To appreciate the several terminologies in business research To be able to identify ones own philosophical position in business research To be able to identify ones own practical position in business research.

What is Business Research? What is Theory? Deduction & Induction Research Paradigms Ontology Epistemology Quantitative Research Qualitative Research Mixed Methods Q&A

What is Business Research? The application of the scientific method in searching for the truth about business phenomena. These activities include defining business opportunities and problems, generating and evaluating ideas, monitoring performance, and understanding the business process. (Zikmund, 2010, p5)

 Scope of Research
BASIC TYPES OF RESEARCH APPLIED

Non-Specific Research

Specific Research

Type of Research Natural Sciences Social Sciences Management Sciences (Business Research)

What is Theory? A formal, logical explanation of some events that includes predictions of how things relate to one another. (Zikmund, 2010, p39)

What is Good Theory? A theory is a good theory if it satisfies two requirements. It must accurately describe a large class of observations on the basis of a model that contains only a few arbitrary elements. And it must make definite predictions about the result of future observations
(Source: Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time, 1988 )

A prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Prediction is about what researcher expects to find in his/her research. Hypotheses are more specific than theories. A theory could have many different hypotheses. If the hypotheses offered by the theory are confirmed, the theory is supported. If the hypotheses offered by the theory are rejected, the theory is not supported and should be re-evaluated through further research.

Null Hypothesis (H0) There is no relationship between two measured phenomena. Eg. H0 :There is no link between smoking and cancer. Null Hypothesis can never be proven. It can either be rejected or fail to reject. Alternative Hypothesis (H1) A hypothesis to be adopted if the Null hypothesis implied to be highly implausible. ie. The hypothesis to be accepted if the Null hypothesis is rejected. eg. H1 : There is significant link between smoking and cancer.
Most confusing phrase in research: Fail to reject Null Hypothesis

Reject H0 Truth H0 H1 Type I Error (False Positive) Right Decision

Dont Reject H1 Right Decision Type II Error (False Negative)

Type I Error Example - H0: The patient is not sick. Reject H0. Implies patient is sick. Actual fact is the patient is healthy. Type II Error Example - H0: The patient is not sick. Dont Reject H0. Implies patient is healthy. Actual fact is the patient is sick.

Independent Variable: The presumed cause in the theoretical model.

Dependent Variable: The presumed effect in the theoretical model. Moderating Variable: Suspected or known to impact or influence the Dependent Variable.

Example of Theoretical Model

Independent Variables Dependent Variables Adoption of IT Tools

Perceived Usefulness

Perceived Ease of Use

Culture Moderating Variables

The Process of Deduction

Theory Hypothesis Data Collection

Waterfall

Findings Hypotheses confirmed or rejected Revision of theory

(Bryman, 2006, p11)

The Process of Induction

Theory Draw Conclusion Hill Climbing Test & Analyse Form Hypotheses

Observations State the Question

Theories
I N D U C T I O N D E D U C T I O N

Empirical Generalizations

Wheel of Science Hypotheses

Observations
(Source: Adapted from Walter Wallace, The Logic of Science in Sociology, 1971)

Source: Saunders et al, (2009)

A paradigm may be viewed as a set of basic beliefs that deals with ultimates or first principles. It represents a worldview that defines for its holder, the nature of the world, the individuals place in it, and the range of possible relationships to that world and its parts The beliefs are basic in the sense that they must be accepted simply on faith (however well argued); there is no way to establish their ultimate truthfulness. If there were, the philosophical debates would have been resolved millennia ago. (Guba and Lincoln, 1994 p. 107-108)

Source: Saunders et al, (2009)

Three fundamental questions:

The ontological question i.e. what is the form and nature of reality The epistemological question i.e. what is the basic belief about knowledge (i.e. what can be known) The methodological question i.e. how can the researcher go about finding out whatever s/he believes can be known.
(Guba and Lincoln, 1994)

A Researchers Ontology refers to:

His/Her Philosophical Assumptions about the Nature of Reality.

Objectivism asserts that social phenomena and their meanings have an existence that is independent of social actors. Business research is similar to Science. (Reality exists independent of researcher) Constructionism asserts that social phenomena and their meanings are continually being accomplished by social actors. It implies that social phenomena and categories are not only produced through social interaction but that they are in a constant state of revision. (Reality constructed by researcher)

A Researchers Epistemology is a result of researchers Ontological Position and refers to:

His/Her Assumptions about the Best Ways of Inquiring into the Nature of the World and Establishing Truth.

Positivism argues that the methods of the natural sciences are applicable to the study of societies. It involves the search for causal relationships between observable phenomena and theories are tested against observations. Interpretivism argues that there are fundamental differences between the natural sciences and the societies. The logic and methods of the natural sciences are not applicable to the study of societies. Investigating and understanding the meanings that people give to their actions. Realism a belief that the natural and the social sciences and should apply the same kinds of approach to the collection of data and to explanation, and a commitment to the view that there is an external reality to which scientists direct their attention.

Whats out there to know?

How we know what we know?

How to acquire the knowledge?

What procedures to use?

Ontology
Objectivism
Existence independent of researchers

Epistemology
Positivism
Truth out there to be discovered

Methodology
Deductive
General to specific

Methods
Quantitative
Interpretation of phenomena

Constructivism Phenomena continually accomplished by researchers

Interpretivism Develop truth based on social interaction

Inductive Observations to theory

Qualitative Empirical assessment

(Scott and Usher, 1999)

Example Theory: Computer Games leads Juvenile Violent Example Hypothesis: Violent in Computer Games increases Juvenile Violent Ontology: Objectivism - Facts exist independent of researcher Epistemology: Positivism - Using Scientific principle to study the phenomena Methodology Deductive approach (Theory Hypothesis Confirmation) Methods Quantitative research (surveys, questionnaires, samplings)

Question: Why Computer Games leads Juvenile Violent? Theory Building: Violent in Computer Games increases Juvenile Violent Ontology: Constructivism Phenomena exists through social interaction Epistemology: Interpretivism - Scientific principle not applicable. Investigate the people Methodology Inductive approach (Observation Hypothesis - Theory) Methods Qualitative research (observations, case studies, in-depth interviews)

Quantitative research addresses research objectives through empirical assessments that involve numerical measurement and analysis. Qualitative research addresses business objectives through techniques that allow the researcher to provide elaborate interpretations of phenomena without depending on numerical measurement; its focus is on discovering true inner meanings and new insights.
(Zikmund, 2010)

Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative research strategies

Quantitative Principal orientation Deductive to the role of theory in Testing of theory relation to research

Qualitative Inductive Generation of theory

Epistemological orientation Ontological orientation

Natural science model, Interpretivism in particular positivism Objectivism Constructionism

(Bryman, 2006)

Differences between Quantitative and Qualitative research strategies

Research Aspect Common Purpose Quantitative Test Hypotheses or Specific Research Questions Measure and Test Structured Response Categories Provided Researcher Uninvolved Observer. Results Are Objective. Qualitative Discover Ideas, used in Exploratory Research with General Research Objects Observe and Interpret Unstructure, Free-Form Researcher Is Intimately Involved. Results Are Subjective.

Approach Data Collection Approach Research Independence

Samples
Most Often Used

Large Samples to Produce Generalizable Results

Descriptive and Causal Research Designs

Small Samples Often in Natural Settings

Exploratory Research Designs

(Zikmund, 2010)

Strengths of Quantitative Research Easy to implement the research (surveys, questionnaire) Relatively quick to gather research data Provides precise and numerical research data Useful for large sampling size Relatively faster to analyse research data (SPSS) Easier to interpret research data

Weaknesses of Quantitative Research Researchers theory and hypotheses might not reflect real phenomena Research data gathered could be too general Research results might not be in-depth Research results could be bias as researcher is verifying his/her pre-determined theory and hypotheses instead of building them from the research findings

Strengths of Qualitative Research Useful to conduct limited in-depth case studies or interviews Useful for describing complex phenomena Useful for specific environment, context and condition Include researcher and peoples personal experiences of phenomena Research is more dynamic and flexible Research findings in words and narrative could explain the phenomena better and more in-depth Weaknesses of Qualitative Research Research findings might not be general and it applies to specific context Insufficient research data to test hypotheses and build theory Data collection and analysis could be time consuming Data collection and analysis could be resource intensive Research results are easily influenced by the researchers personal biases

Mono-method Research (Quan or Qual) Partially Mixed Research (Quan + % Qual or Qual + %Quan) Fully Mixed Research (Equal mixed of Quan + Qual)

Researcher should choose either one of the methods for his/her research

A mixed method approach is one in which the researcher collects, analyzes, and integrates both quantitative (quan) and qualitative (qual) data in a single study or in multiple studies in a sustained program of inquiry.
(Creswell, 2003)

Strengths: Mixture of words, pictures, narratives and numbers add more meaning to research findings Stronger evidence for research conclusion(triangulation) Complement the strengths and weaknesses in Quan and Qual More complete and generalization of research results.

Weaknesses:
More complex to carry out research Time consuming Resource intensive Risk in conflicting research findings from Quan and Qual.

Mixed Model Quan and Qual are mixed in research process Questionnaire with Quan questions (Closed-ended) and Qual questions (Open-ended) Open-ended interview (Qual) and results are quantified.

Mixed Method
Quan research and Qual research are conducted in phases Time consuming Resource intensive Risk in conflicting research findings from Quan and Qual.

Decision Matrix

Steps in Mixed Method Research

Dr Anthony Yeong Email: [email protected]