BusinessResearchChapter1
BusinessResearchChapter1
Methods for
Business
A skill Building Approach
Fourth Edition
Uma Sekaran
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Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E 1A
Introduction to Research.
Scientific Investigation.
Technology and Business Research.
The Research Process: Steps 1 to 3:
The Broad Problem Area,
Preliminary Data Gathering,
Problem Definition.
The Research Process: Steps 4 and
5: Theoretical Framework
Hypothesis Development.
The Research Process: Step 6:
Elements of Research Design.
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Measurement of Variables:
Operational Definition and Scales.
Measurement: Scaling, Reliability,
Validity.
Data Collection Methods.
Sampling.
Data Analysis and Interpretation.
The Research Report.
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What is Research.
Research involves a series of well-thought-out and
carefully executed activities that will enable the
manager to know how org. problems can be
solved, or at least considerably minimized.
OR
Organized, systematic, data-based , critical,
objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into
a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose
of finding answers or solution to it.
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Management may take Decision
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The main FUNCTION of
Management is Decision Making
Good decision
• Problem Solved
Poor decision
• Problem persists
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Situations
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Check list for Good Decision
1. Do manager identify where exactly the problem
lies? Yes /No
2. Do they know what type of information are to be
gathered and how? Yes /No
3. Do they know how to make use of collected
information and draw appropriate conclusion to
make the right decisions? Yes /No
4. Do they know how to implement the results of the
process to solve the problem? Yes /No.
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Decision Making & Research
Problem Area
Problem identification
Gathering Information
Analysis of Data
Delineate (describe) the
factors OR
corrective
action
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What is Research.
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Business Research.
Is usually primarily conducted to resolve
problematic issues in or interrelated
among, the areas of business.
1. Accounting
2. Finance
3. Management
4. Marketing
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Accounting: budget control system,
Practices and procedure, inventory costing
method, Cash recovery, taxation Planning.
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Management: Employees attitude and
behavior, human recourses management,
impact of changing demographic on
management practices, production
operations.
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Fundamental Type of
Research
1. Applied Research:
– To solve the current
problem.
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Fundamental Type of Research
2. Basic / Pure /Fundamental Research
– To improve our understanding about
problems.
– Research done chiefly to enhance the
understanding of certain problems
that commonly occur in
organizational setting and seek
method of solving them.
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Fundamental Type of Research
2. Basic / Pure /Fundamental Research
– To generate a body of knowledge by trying
to comprehend how certain problems that
occur in organizations can be solved.
– e-g Multiculturalism, ethnicity,
demographic factors etc.
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Effect of Nasal Spray on Flu
A research scientist surveys
1000 employees in different
organization setting to study the
efficacy of several type of nasal
sprays in controlling the flu
virus. He subsequently
publishes his finding in a high
respected medical journal.
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Why should a manager know
research?
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Why should a manager know research?
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INTERNAL RESEARCHERS
Advantages
Better acceptance from staff
Knowledge about organization
Would be an integral part of implementation and
evolution of the research recommendations.
Disadvantages
Less fresh ideas
Power politics could prevail
Possibility not valued as “experts” by staff.
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EXTERNAL RESEARCHERS
Advantages
Divergent and convergent thinking
Experience from several situations in different type of
organizations.
Better technical training, usually.
Disadvantages
Take time to know and understand the organizational
system.
Rapport and corporation from staff not only easy.
Not available for evaluation after implementation
cost.
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