Research Methodology

Redefining Research
Used to identify and
define opportunities and
problems

Generate, refine, and

evaluate performance

Monitor business
performance

Improve understanding
of business as a process
 What Research Is Not???
• Research isn’t information gathering:

– Gathering information from resources such as books or

magazines isn’t research.
– No contribution to new knowledge.

• Research isn’t the transportation of facts:

– Merely transporting facts from one resource to another

doesn’t constitute research.
– No contribution to new knowledge although this might make
existing knowledge more accessible.
What Research Is…

• Research is:

“…the systematic & scientific process of collecting and analyzing

information (data) in order to increase our understanding of the
phenomenon about which we are concerned or interested.”
https://engineeringsport.co.uk/2012/06/21/how-fast-is-usain-bolt/
 Types of Research Studies
Applied Basic
Can use a combination of both.

Research aimed at solving a Research aimed at expanding the

specific pragmatic problem frontiers of knowledge rather than
such as better understanding of for solving a specific problem.
the marketplace, determining Research done for research sake.
why a strategy or tactic failed, Universities, and other grant
or reduction of uncertainty in recipients, often conduct basic
management decision making. research. Sometimes called
“pure” research.
 Applied Research Types

Research conducted to develop marketing options

Programmatic through market, market opportunity analyses, or
consumer attitude and product usage studies.

Selective Research used to test decision alternatives.

Evaluative Research done to assess program performance.

Decision to Conduct Business Research
Business research is the application of the scientific method in
searching for the truth about business phenomena.
The scientific method is the way
To Research or researchers go about using knowledge
Not to Research? and evidence to reach objective
conclusions about the real world.

Had research been around in the 16th century, Bill would have wisely considered:

Small Profit Large Profit

Small Cost likely greater Cost likely lower than

than benefit - research benefit.but market size
Market might be unwise might be limiting -
research might be wise

Large Benefits likely greater Benefits will most

Market than costs and market certainly outweigh costs
size offers potential - - conduct research is
research might be wise likely most profitable
here
 Why Use Research?

 Research is a tool used to develop, enhance,

assess, and refine plans

 Fodder for communications

 Demonstration of concern

 Raises expectations

 As a continuing process, shows progress over time

Data are simply facts or recorded measures of certain phenomena (things or events).
Information is data formatted (structured) to support decision making or define the relationship
between two facts.
Business intelligence is the subset of data and information that actually has some explanatory
power enabling effective managerial decisions to be made.
A theory consists of a coherent set of general propositions that offer an explanation of some
phenomena by describing the way other things correspond to this phenomena. Put another way,
a theory is a formal, testable explanation of some events that includes explanations of how
things relate to one another.
A concept or construct is a generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or
processes that has been given a name. If you, as an organizational theorist, were to describe
phenomena such as supervisory behavior or risk aversion, you would categorize empirical
events or real things into concepts. Moving up the ladder of abstraction, the basic concept
becomes more general, wider in scope, and less amenable to measurement.

The basic or scientific business researcher

operates at two levels: on the abstract level of
concepts (and propositions) and on the empirical
level of variables (and hypotheses). At the empirical
level, we “experience” reality—that is, we observe,
measure, or manipulate objects or events.
Propositions are statements concerned with the relationships among concepts. A
proposition explains the logical linkage among certain concepts by asserting a universal
connection between concepts.
A hypothesis is a formal statement explaining some outcome. Formal statement of an
unproven proposition that is empirically testable.
Empirical testing means examining a research hypothesis against reality using data.
Variables are anything that may assume different numerical values; the empirical
assessment of a concept.
Operationalizing the process of identifying the actual measurement scales to assess the
variables of interest.
Models are researchers interpretation of how concepts are related to one another. Theories
are more tested that models.
 A Basic Theory Explaining
Voluntary Job Turnover

Deductive reasoning is the logical process of deriving a conclusion about a specific

instance based on a known general premise or something known to be true.
For example, while you might occasionally have doubts, we know that all Marketing
professors are human beings. If we also know that Philip Kotler is a Marketing professor,
then we can deduce that Philip Kotler is a human being.
At the empirical level, a theory may be developed with inductive reasoning. Inductive
reasoning is the logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of
observation of particular facts.
For example, all business professors that have ever been seen are human beings;
therefore, all business professors are human beings.
Steps in Research Process - Systematic and Scientific Approach
Problem
Identification

Literature Review

Problem Formulation

Hypothesis

Methodology

Research Proposal

Research Design

Sampling Design
Pilot Study
Data Collection

Tools for Analysis

Data Analysis

Writing research
Ethical Issues (AIC)
report/paper
 Your Interest

Available Literature

1. Problem Feasibility- Time,

Identification Resources & Respondents

Ethical & Sensitive

Issues

Originality
 Readings –
the more the merrier
(Refer LRC electronic sources)

Critically analyze what you

read and Identify research
GAP(Refer Template)

2. Literature
Write your analysis
Review

Report the sources i.e. URL

page, journal name, issue,
page # etc.

Relevant Bibliographic
representation, citation
style- APA, MLA etc.
 Research Question

Research Objectives

Theory-Model
proposed

Hypothesis
3. Problem
Formulation Identify geographical
location of study

Time period (past, present,

prediction in future)

Specific sub-areas of
the topic

Describe demographic
aspects of population
(Subject or case)
 Research
Orientation & Design

Qualitative,
Quantitative, Mixed

Appropriate sampling
design (Frame, Unit, Size)

Probability, Non-
4. Methodology probability

Explain Model, Variables

considered, operationally
define

Tools for Data

Collection

Tools for Data

Analysis
 Clarify key elements
of the research

Problem, Rationale, RQs, Objectives,

Hypothesis, Key Concepts (Theory,
Model), Operational Definition,
Research Design

5. Research Initial Work Plan

Proposal

Assess Resources

Relevant & Sufficient

Information required for
Evaluation of proposed study

Formal Sanction
 Determine Sample size

Choosing a sample
technique, sources &
possible sampling errors

Identify appropriate tools

6. Sample
selection and Pre-testing, Pilot study,
Data collection Check reliability & validity.
Indicate limitations, if any

Data Collection- Field setting (real

world), controlled lab experiments
or secondary sources.

Check data representation and

responses
 Data Cleansing & Processing
in S/W packages

Quantitative- Statistical tools

& Techniques

7. Data Analysis Univariate, Bivariate,

& Interpretation Multivariate Analysis

Qualitative- Description,
Quote, Authenticity

Interpret in layman's term

 Writing skills and structuring
the report/paper (Apply style
guide as required)

Highlighting analytical and

critical findings

Similarity Check & AIC

8. Writing research
report/paper
Presentation

Stick to deadlines

Assessing research output

(Managerial Implications) -
Rigor & Relevance
 Formulation of Research Questions

Paper-1 Ways of constructing research questions: gap-spotting or

problematization? by Sandberg, J., & Alvesson, M. (2011)
Available on
https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/ifi/INF5571/v15/timeplan/ar-
docs/sandberg-and-alvesson-(2011)-ways-of-constructing-research-
questions_gapspotting-or-problematization.pdf

Paper-2 Generating Research Questions Through Problematization

by Alvesson, M. & Sandberg, J. (2011)
Available on
http://meipe.yolasite.com/resources/Alvesson-2011_AMR.pdf

Book Constructing Research Questions: Doing Interesting Research

By: Mats Alvesson & Jörgen Sandberg
Details on https://methods.sagepub.com/book/constructing-research-questions
Read Chapter-1, 3 & 6 from BRM Cooper & Schindler, TMH