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Chapter 1-Introduction To Research - MGT646

This document provides an introduction to research methodology. It defines research and discusses the importance of research to managers and students. There are two main types of business research: applied research which aims to solve specific problems, and basic research which contributes to general knowledge. Both follow a systematic process but applied research has a shorter timeframe. Research can be conducted internally or externally, with different advantages and disadvantages to consider. The key aspects of scientific research are outlined, along with common obstacles in research. The hypothetico-deductive research method and its 7 steps are explained. Other research types like case studies and action research are also mentioned.

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3K views

Chapter 1-Introduction To Research - MGT646

This document provides an introduction to research methodology. It defines research and discusses the importance of research to managers and students. There are two main types of business research: applied research which aims to solve specific problems, and basic research which contributes to general knowledge. Both follow a systematic process but applied research has a shorter timeframe. Research can be conducted internally or externally, with different advantages and disadvantages to consider. The key aspects of scientific research are outlined, along with common obstacles in research. The hypothetico-deductive research method and its 7 steps are explained. Other research types like case studies and action research are also mentioned.

Uploaded by

Prince Desperado
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MGT 646: RESEARCH

METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
Instructor:
DR. MASTURAH MAIN

WHAT IS RESEARCH
DEFINITION
An organized and systematic inquiry or
investigation which provides info for solving
a problem or finding answers to a complex
issue
- Involves steps designed, executed to find answers
to issues
(know where the problem is, gather info, analyze
data, determine factors associated with the
problem, then solve by taking corrective
measures)
- Processes involving inquiry, examination,
experimentation are carried out systematically,

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH
TO MANAGERS
- Able to understand, explain phenomena so that
prediction can be made (eg. sales of certain
product, financial investment etc)
- Able to identify problem situations before they
become beyond control
- Able to interact effectively with researchers,
consultants
- Able to critically evaluate research findings
- Able to determine whether or not the
recommended solutions are appropriate for
implementation
- Able to sift through disseminated info in business
journals intelligently

- Able to take calculated, educated risks with


known probabilities attached to the success or
failure of their decisions (research is a useful
decision making tool)
- Sharpens their sensitivity to the many variables
operating in a situation given the variables
interdependent nature
- Able to prevent vested interest inside or outside
organizations from distorting info or manipulating
findings
(summary on p.10)
TO STUDENTS
- Enable them to undertake research on their own
later when in the workforce
- Helps them to discriminate between good and

TYPES OF BUSINESS RESEARCH


APPLIED RESEARCH
- Research with the intention to apply results of findings
to solve specific problems currently faced in an
organization
- Need timely solutions
- Eg. A product is not selling wellwhy? Solution?
BASIC RESEARCH
- Chiefly to contribute to existing knowledge
- Teaches us something we did not know before
- Generates a body of knowledge to understand how
certain problems that organizations faced can be
solved
- To build theories based on findings generated
- Eg. Lecturer researching on factors contributing to
absenteeism (as an academic interest), Causes and
consequences of global warming

MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN APPLIED AND BASIC


RESEARCH:
- APPLIED is aimed at solving currently experienced
problem, and usually has a shorter time-frame
- BASIC has a broader objective to generate
knowledge, understanding of phenomena and
problems that occur in various organizational
settings
SIMILARITY
- Both follow the same steps of systematic inquiry
to arrive at findings
- Both must be carried out in scientific manner so
that the findings are reliable and can effectively
solve the problems examined

MANAGER-RESEARCHER
RELATIONSHIP

Each party should know his/her role, constraints


Manager should inform researcher what type of
info may/may not be made available to them
Researcher then can find alternative way to
tackle this problem
Both should have congruence/similarity in value
systems to prevent clash of ideologies
Establish good rapport and trust levels between
manager and researcher, between researcher and
employees for full co-operation in the research
process
how? Exchange info in a straightforward and
forthright manner

Quantitative and Qualitative


Quantitative Research
Define as the systematic empirical
investigation of social phenomena via
statistical, mathematical or computational
techniques to develop models, theories
and hypotheses.
To identify patterns and predict behavior.
Is used in business, marketing, economics,
sociology and political science and less in
anthropology and history.
Generally include model, theories and
hypotheses, method of measurement,

Quantitative and Qualitative


Qualitative Research
Examination, analysis and interpretation of
observations for the purpose of discovering
underlying
meanings
and
patterns
of
relationships including classifications of types of
entities, does not involve mathematical models.
Helps in depth understanding of human
behavior and the reasons that govern such
behavior (why and how, not just what, where,
when).
Eg, data include story telling, describe specific
human cultures and societies, interview,
observation and focus group.

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL RESEARCHER
INTERNAL RESEARCHER
- advantages?
1. Readily accepted by employees
2. Less time to understand organizational structure,
philosophy, function and work-system
3. Readily avlble during and after implementation of
research findings
4. Costs less especially when problems with low
complexity are involved
-. disadvantages?
1. Fall into stereotyped way of thinking and looking
at the organizational problemsno fresh ideas,
perspectives

2. Certain vested interests may influence the team


to conceal, distort and misrepresent some facts
3. May not be perceived as experts by staff and
management
4. Biases of internal research team might make
findings less objective or scientific
EXTERNAL RESEARCHER
- advantages? Are the disadvtg of internal research
team
1. Can draw on a wealth of experience from having
worked with other organizations, can think both
divergently and convergently
2. Might have more knowledge of current
sophisticated problem-solving models through
their periodic training programs

- disadvantages?
1. High cost to hire
2. Considerable time needed to understand
organization, seldom get warm welcome, nor
readily accepted
3. Charges additional fees for their assistance in
implementing and evaluation phases
Decide on which one?
-. If complex problem, has vested interests, the very
existence of the organization is at stake
choose external
-. If fairly simple problem, time and cost is of
essence, there is a system-wide need to est
procedures and policies of a fairly routine
nature.choose internal

Knowledge of research greatly enhances the


decision-making skills of the manager
Ethics and business research:
- Ethics are codes of conduct or expected societal
norm of behavior while conducting research
- They must be reflected in the behavior of
researchers and must pervade each step of the
research process

HALLMARKS OF SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH

The hallmarks or main distinguishing


characteristics of scientific research can be listed
as follows:
1. Purposiveness have definite aim
2. Rigor carefulness, degree of exactitude
(accuracy) with good theoretical base, sound
methodological design
3. Testability develop testable hypotheses (data
support hypo?)
4. Replicability if similar findings emerge on basis
of data collected by other org using similar
method, theres more faith in findings
5. Precision and confidence closeness of findings
to reality, probability of estimations being correct

6. Objectivity conclusions should be based on


facts of the findings and not based on subjective
or emotional values
7. Generalizability scope of applicability of the
research findings in one organizational setting to
other settings, use more elaborate sampling
design to widen generalizability
8. Parsimony simplicity or economy in research
models is always preferred to complex
frameworks, build into our model a lesser number
of variables that can explain the variance more
effectively
If we follow the scientific method, results
will be less prone to error, more confidence
can be placed in the findings since there is
rigor in application of design details. This

COMMON OBSTACLES
At times, difficult to conduct 100% scientific
research
Results may not be exact or error free
Why?
1. Difficulty in measurement, collection of data
especially in areas of feeling, emotions,
attitudes, perception (subjective!)
2. Difficulty in obtaining representative sample
(restricting the generalizability of findings!)

HYPOTHETICO-DEDUCTIVE
METHOD
Popularized by Karl Popper
Provides a useful, systematic approach to solve
basic and managerial problems, involving 7 steps:
1. Identify a broad problem area
2. Define a problem statement that states the
general obj of the research.
-. Gather initial info about related factors to narrow
down the broad problem area
3. Develop hypotheses
-. Examine variables, their relationship is then
theoretically woven

- The hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable


- Falsifiable means it must be possible to disprove
the hypo
- Karl Popper claimed that we can only prove our
hypo until theyre disproved
4. Determine measures
- The variables in the theoretical framework must
be measurable so that the hypo can be tested.
Must determine how to measure
5. Data collection
- Obtain the data with respect to each variable
6. Data analysis
- Data gathered are statistically analyzed to see if
the hypotheses that were generated have been
supported

7. Data interpretation
- Interpret the meaning of the results by making
deductions which ultimately lead to
recommendations
- Deductive reasoning is key element in H-D
method
- Deductive reasoning (theory testing) argues from
general to specific.
- Inductive reasoning (generate theory) argues
from specific to general. Eg. Observe 1st, 2nd, 3rd
swans to be white, then conclude that all swans
must be white.
Karl Popper believes science is accomplished by
deduction
In reality, both induction and deduction processes
are used in research

OTHER TYPES OF RESEARCH


CASE STUDIES
- in-depth, contextual analyses of similar situations
in other org where the nature and definition of the
problem happen to be the same as experienced
in the current situation
- Not often undertaken as a problem-solving
technique since find it difficult to get the same
exact situation
ACTION RESEARCH
- Undertaken by consultants who want to initiate
change processes in organizations
- Constantly evolving project with interplay among
problem, solution, effects, new solution

OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH PROCESS


STEP 1: GETTING STARTED
- interests, ideas, theories (process of identifying,
defining the problem)
STEP 2: PLANNING STAGE OF THE RESEARCH
PROCESS
- Planning a research design (conceptualization,
operationalization)
- Choice of research method?
- Planning a sample : Population and sampling?
STEP 3: IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH PROCESS
- observation, data collection
- Analysis
STEP 4: FORMULATE CONCLUSIONS, PREPARE THE
REPORT

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