 Business Research

 Research is the process of finding solutions to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of
the situational factors.

 What is business research?

 Research provides the needed information that guides managers to make informed decisions to
successfully deal with problems.

 The information provided could be the result of a careful analysis of data gathered firsthand or
of data that are already available (in the company).

objectives of research

 The purpose of research is to discover answers through the application of scientific procedures.

 The objectives are:

1. To gain familiarity with the presents status of the business.

2. To measure the frequency of occurrences of various parameters/indicators.
3. To reveal the trend and tendencies in the business, i.e., to assess the growth or expansion
potential of the business.
4. To identify the influencing factor or determinants of business parameters.
5. To test the significance and validity and reliability of the results.

 Types of Business Research:

1.  Descriptive Vs Analytical

2.  Applied Vs Fundamental

3.  Quantitative Vs Qualitative

4.  Conceptual Vs Empirical

5. Special Types of Research

  Descriptive vs Analytical Research

 Descriptive Research is a fact finding investigation which is aimed at describing

the characteristics of individual, situation or a group (or) describing the state of affairs as it exists
at present.

Analytical Research is primarily concerned with testing hypothesis and specifying and
interpreting relationships, by analyzing the facts or information already available.

 Applied vs Fundamental Research

Applied Research or Action Research is carried out to find solution to a real life
problem requiring an action or policy decision.

Fundamental Research which is also known as basic or pure research is

undertaken for the sake of knowledge without any intention to apply it in practice.

It is undertaken out of intellectual curiosity and is not necessarily problem-oriented.

 Quantitative vs Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research is employed for measuring the quantity or amount of a

particular phenomena by the use of statistical analysis.

Qualitative Research is a non-quantitative type of analysis which is aimed at

finding out the quality of a particular phenomenon.

 Conceptual vs Empirical Research

Conceptual Research is generally used by philosophers and thinkers to develop

new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.

Empirical Research is a data based research which depends on experience or

observation alone. It is aimed at coming up with conclusions without due regard for system and
theory.

 Special types of research

Based on the purposes for which the researches are conducted, they may be divided into following
categories:
1.  Baseline/Bench-mark survey/Research.
2.  Evaluation Research:    
    a) Formative Evaluation (Mid-term)
    b) Terminal Evaluation.
3.  Impact assessment/research
4.  Feasibility studies.

 Baseline Survey

A baseline survey is a research in which data on pre-project socio-economic and business aspects are
generated in order to facilitate the assessment of future impact of project intervention.

Evaluation Research

a. Formative or mid term evaluation is done to assess whether the project is in the right track. It is
usually done to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. On the basis of
the findings of the formative evaluation research corrective measures are taken to attain the
goals of the project.

b. Terminal Evaluation research is conducted to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the
project/intervention.

 Impact Assessment
The research, which is undertaken to measure the quantitative benefits derived out of project
intervention and qualitative changes that occurred due to project intervention, is known as an
impact assessment research. This type of research also provides information for identifying the
negative impact of the project.

Feasibility Studies
This type of research is undertaken prior to starting of any business enterprise or any business
related project. This type of research is done to assess the technical, economic, market and
financial viability of the project. The issue whether the project is socially desirable and
environmentally acceptable is also taken into consideration.

Need of Research

 Identifying problems or opportunities.

 Diagnosing and assessing problems or opportunities.

 Selecting and implementing a course of action.

  Evaluating the course of action.

 Solve problems

 Availability of data

 Decision making tool

Characteristics of Research

1. Research begins with a problem in the form of a question in the mind of the researcher.
2. Research demands the identification of a problem, stated in clear, terms.
3.  Research requires a plan.
4. Research deals with the main problem through appropriate sub-problems.
5. Research seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses and is based upon obvious assumptions.
6. Research deals with facts and their meaning
7. Research is circular.

 Research Design

A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner
that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure.

What, why, where, what type of data, where to found, sample design, techniques, how to analyze,
report preparation etc.

Research design can be thought of as the structure of research -- it is the "glue" that holds all of the
elements in a research project together

Parts of Research Design

 Sampling Design (method of selecting data)

 Observational (observation conditions)

 Statistical( How to analyze)

 Operational (procedure specified in the sampling, statistical & observational designs)

  Features of RD

1. Plan that specify the sources & types of information relevant to the research problem.

2. Strategy specifying which approach will be used for gathering and analyzing the data.

3. Time & Cost.

Types of Research Design

 Hypothesis

 Descriptive & diagonostic

 explanatory

 Exploratory Research Design

ERD is the preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem, about which the researcher has little or no
knowledge. It is aimed to gain familiarity with the problem, to generate new ideas or to make a precise
formulation of the problem. Hence it is also known as formulative research.

 Descriptive and Diagnostic Research Design

Descriptive Research is a fact finding investigation which is aimed at describing the characteristics of
individual, situation or a group (or) describing the state of affairs as it exists at present.

Diagnostic Research – It is also called clinical research which aims at identifying the causes of a
problem, frequency with which it occurs and the possible solutions for it.

 Hypothesis Testing Research Design

In this the researcher test the hypothesis of fundamental relationships between variables.

Such studies require procedure which not only reduce bias but also increase reliability. Usually
experiments meet this requirement.

Research Proposal

• Table of Contents

• Introduction.

• Problem Statement

• Literature Review

• Hypothesis
 • Objectives

• Significance of Study.

• Research Design.

• Population.

• Sampling and Sampling Technique

• Data Collection

• Data collection instrument

• Data Analysis

• Conclusion

• Limitations.

• Reference/ Bibliography

CONCEPT

 A concept is a bundle of meanings and characteristics associated with a certain event, objects,
conditions and situations.

 Classifying and categorizing objects or events that have common characteristics beyond the
single observation create concepts.

Sources of concepts:

 Society

 Personal experience

 Culture

 perception
Importance in research

• Clear Conceptualization

• Understanding from others point

• Hypothesis design

 CONSTRUCT

 A construct is an image or an ideas specifically invented for a given research or theory building
purpose.

 Constructs are created by a combination of concepts.

E:g Language skill construct

Variable:

 Any factor that can take on different values is a scientific variable and influences the outcome of
experimental research.

 Gender, color and country are all perfectly acceptable variables, because they are naturally
changeable.

 Most scientific experiments measure quantifiable factors, such as time or weight, but this is not
essential for a component to be classed as a variable.

 Another important distinction having to do with the term 'variable' is the distinction between an
independent and dependent variable.

 The independent variable is the variable that is controlled and manipulated by the
experimenter. In fact the independent variable is what you (or nature) manipulates -- a
treatment or program or cause.

The dependent variable is the variable that is measured by the experimenter. The dependent variable
is what is affected by the independent variable -- your effects or outcomes.

 For example, if you are studying the effects of a new educational program on student
achievement, the program is the independent variable and your measures of achievement are
the dependent ones.

 Does a participative leadership (Independent variable) style influence job satisfaction

(dependent Variable)