HAND NOTES

Research Method in Business (BUS 502)

INTRODUCTON

Meaning of Research

Research is the scientific and systematic investigation on a specific topic, materials and sources in order

to establish facts and reach new conclusions. Some people consider research as a movement from the

known to the unknown.

Research is an organized investigation of a problem in which there is an attempt to gain solution to a

problem.

Objectives of Research

The purpose of the research is to discover answer to question through the application of scientific

procedures. The main aim of research is to find out the truth which is hidden and has not been

discovered yet. Though each research study has its own specific purpose, we mention some general

objectives of research below-

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new sights into it.

To describe accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group.

To determine frequency

To test a casual hypothesis of a casual relationship between variables.

Types of Research

The basic types of research are as follows:

1. Descriptive VS Analytical:

The main characteristics of descriptive method are that the researcher has no control over the

variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.

In analytical research, on the other hand, the researcher has to use facts or information already

available, and analyze these to make a critical evaluation of the material.

2. Applied VS Fundamental:

Applied research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an

industrial/business organization.

Fundamental research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a

theory.

3. Quantitative VS Qualitative:

Quantitative research is based on the quantitative measurement of some characteristics. It is

applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.

Qualitative research is concerned with the phenomena relating to quality or kind.

4. Conceptual VS Empirical:

Conceptual research is that related to abstract idea or theory. It is generally used by

philosophers and thinkers to develop a new concept.

Empirical research relies on experience or observation alone. It is data based research. We can

also call it as experimental type of research.

5. Some other type of research:

One time research

Field-sitting Research

Diagnostic Research

Historical research

Decision oriented research

Research Approaches

Three research approaches are advanced. Such as

1. Qualitative Approach

2. Quantitative Approach

3. Mixed Approach

Difference between Research Methods VS Methodology

Research methods are the tools, techniques or processes that we use in our research. These might be,

for example, surveys, interviews, Photo voice, or participant observation. Methods and how they are

used are shaped by methodology.

Methodology is the study of how research is done, how we find out about things, and how knowledge is

gained. In other words, methodology is about the principles that guide our research practices.

Methodology therefore explains why we’re using certain methods or tools in our research.

Research Process

The research process is the step-by-step procedure of developing or carryout one's research — and

research paper.

1. Formulation the research Problem:

In this step it should determined that what exactly is being researched and why; what the

relevance or importance is; what questions will be addressed, and an overview of what

conclusions will be drawn.

2. Existing Literature survey:

Once the problem formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down. A good library will

be of a great help to the researcher at this stage. Even he can use internet to search an article or

info.

3. Development of working hypothesis/Assumption/ Methodology:

What is Being Studied, and How: In this section the purpose and research questions or

hypotheses are re-stated, and the exact nature of what is being researched and how (population

and sampling) is defined, along with what instrumentation was used (copies of instruments

should be included in Appendices). Also in this section are details on the procedure and time

frame of the research, the analysis plan, the validity and reliability of the data used, the author's

assumptions which are based on the research, and possible limitations to these assumptions, or

other conclusions.

4. Preparing the research design:

The research problem having been formulated in clear terms, the researcher will be required to

prepare a research design, i.e., he will have to state the conceptual structure. There are several

research design like Experimental & Non-experimental design.

The researcher must decide the way of selecting & collecting sample from the population is

known as Sample design.

The sampling techniques are-

Deliberate Sampling, Simple Random Sampling, Systematic Sampling,

Stratified Sampling, Quota sampling, Cluster and Area Sampling,

Multi-Stage Sampling, Sequential sampling

5. Data Collection:

Primary data can be collected either through experiment or through survey. There are some

techniques such as

By Observation Personal Interview Telephone Interview

Mailing of questionnaires

6. Execution of the Project:

Execution of project is very important step in the research process. To do so all the above

mentioned process should be executed carefully & successfully.

7. Findings (Results and Analysis of Your Data):

A discussion of what you did and discovered, including why and how you feel it is significant.

8. Conclusions:

A summary of the nature and application of the "new knowledge" represented in your paper.

Also included here are possible contraindications of your conclusions, along with proposed

further research based on your findings (and the possible contraindications).

9. Discussion of 'Limitations':

This section is increasingly a part of research articles published in academic journals. It is a

separate section of the paper which describes real or potential faults with the methodology,

research material, or other factors that could have influenced the research findings.

10. Notes (if needed — usually they are . . . )

11. Works Cited, plus a review (where relevant) of related materials which were not cited

12. Appendices (if needed), for example to present research instruments which were employed

(questionnaires, surveys, statistical data, etc.

Criteria of Good research

Whatever may be the types of research, works and studies, one thing that is important is that they all

meet on the common ground of scientific method employed by them. One expects scientific research to

satisfy the following criteria:

1. The purpose of the research should be clearly defined and common concepts be used.

2. The research procedure used should be described in sufficient detail to permit another

researcher to repeat the research for further advancement, keeping the continuity of what has

already been attained.

3. The procedural design of the research should be carefully planned to yield results that are as

objectives as possible.

4. The researcher should report with complete frankness, flaws in procedural design and estimate

their effects upon the findings.

5. The analysis of data should be sufficiently adequate to reveal its significance and the methods of

analysis used should be appropriate. The validity and reliability of the data should be checked

carefully.

6. Conclusions should be confined to those justified by the data of the research and limited to

those for which the data provide an adequate basis.

7. Greater confidence in research is warranted if the researcher is experienced, has a good

reputation in research and is a person of integrity.

In other words, we can state the qualities of a good research as under:

1. Good Research is Systematic:

It means that research is structured with specified steps to be taken in a specified sequence in

accordance with the well defined set of rules. Systematic characteristic of the research does not

rule out creative thinking but it certainly does reject the use of guessing and intuition arriving at

conclusions.

2. Good Research is Logical:

This implies that research is guided by the rules of logical reasoning and the logical process of

induction and deduction are of great value in carrying out research. Induction is the process of

reasoning from a part to the whole whereas deduction is the process of reasoning from the

premise. In fact, logical reasoning makes research more meaningful in the context of decision

making.

3. Good Research is Empirical/Practical:

It implies that research is related basically to one or more aspects of a real situation and deals

with concrete data that provides a basis for external validity to research results.

4. Good Research is Replicable:

This characteristic allows research to be verified by replicating the study and thereby building a

sound basis for decisions.

RESEARCH DESIGN

Meaning of Research Design

A research design is the arrangement of conditions for collection and analysis of data in a manner that

aims to combine to the search purpose with economy in procedure.

A research design will typically include

How data is to be collected,

What instruments will be employed,

How the instruments will be used and

The intended means for analyzing data collected.

Features of a Good Design

When a researcher has formulated a research problem, he/she has to focus on developing a good design

for solving the problem. A good design is one that minimizes bias and maximizes the reliability of the

data. It also yields maximum information, gives minimum experimental error, and provides different

aspects of a single problem. A research design depends on the purpose and nature of the research

problem. Thus, one single design cannot be used to solve all types of research problem, i.e., a particular

design is suitable for a particular problem.

A research design usually consists of the following factors:

(i) The means of obtaining information; (ii) The availability and skills of the researcher and his staff, if any; (iii) The objective of the problem to be studied; (iv) The nature of the problem; and (v) The availability of time and money for the research work. A study can be categorized only on the basis of its primary function and accordingly, its design can be

developed. Moreover, the above mentioned factors must be given due weight age while working on the

details of the research design.

Important Concepts Relating to Research Design

In order to facilitate a clear and better understanding of the different research designs, it is initially

necessary to define all the various important concepts of research design itself.

1. Dependent and independent variables:

A variable is a concept that can take on different quantitative values. E.g., weight, height,

income, etc. A dependent variable can be defined as the variable, which depends upon or is a

consequence of the other variable. On the other hand, an independent variable can be defined

as the variable that is antecedent to the dependent variable. E.g., if height depends upon age,

then height is a dependent variable, while age is an independent variable.

2. Extraneous variable:

Although, the independent variables are unrelated to the study purpose, they might however

affect the dependent variables, known as extraneous variables. However, intelligence may also

affect the moral studies achievement, but as it is unrelated to the study purpose, it will thus be

called an extraneous variable.

3. Control:

The most significant quality of a good research design is to reduce the influence/effect of

extraneous variables. Control is a technical term, which is used while designing the study, by

reducing the effects of extraneous independent variables.

4. Confounded relationship:

In case the dependent variable is bound by the influence of extraneous variable, the relationship

between the dependent and independent variables is known to be confused by extraneous

variables.

5. Research hypothesis:

This can be defined as the prediction or a hypothesis relationship that needs to be tested by

scientific methods. Moreover, a research hypothesis needs to contain, at least, one independent

and one dependent variable.

6. Experimental and non-experimental hypothesis-testing research:

When a research aims at investigating a research hypothesis, it is known as the hypothesis-

testing research. However, it can be of the experimental or the non-experimental design. On the

other hand, a research in which the independent variable is manipulated is known as the

experimental hypothesis-testing research, while the research in which an independent variable

is not manipulated is known as the non-experimental hypothesis-testing research.

7. Experimental and control groups:

When any group is exposed to the usual conditions of an experimental hypothesis-testing

research, it is known as a control group. Whereas, when the group is exposed to some other

special condition, it is known as an experimental group.

8. Treatments:

This can be defined as the different types of conditions under which the experimental and

control groups are put. E.g., In order to determine the comparative impact of three varieties of

fertilizers on a crop yield, the three different varieties of fertilizers will be treated as three

different treatments.

9. Experiment:

This can be defined as the process of examining the truth of a statistical hypothesis, relating to

some research problem. E.g., an experiment conducted in order to research the usefulness of a

newly developed medicine.

Moreover, experiments can be of two types:

i. Absolute experiment The determination of the impact of a fertilizer on a crop yield is an

example of absolute experiment.

ii. Comparative experiment The determination of the impact of one fertilizer, in comparison to

another fertilizer, is an example of comparative experiment.

10. Experimental units:

These represent the pre-determined plots or blocks, where different types of treatments are

used. Moreover, such type of experimental units must be selected, as well as defined, very

cautiously and thoroughly

Different Research Designs

Descriptive research studies describe the characteristics of a person or a group whereas diagnostic

research studies determine the frequency of occurrence of something or its association with something

else. From the research design point of view, the design of such studies should be rigid and should focus

on the following:

a. Objective of the study (what the study is about and why is it being made?)

b. Methods of data collection (what techniques of data collection will be adopted?)

c. Sample selection (how much material will be needed?)

d. Data collection (where the required data can be found and with what time frequency

should the data be related?)

e. Data processing and analysis

f. Reporting the findings

Given below is the difference between research designs of exploratory and descriptive research studies:

Type of study

Research Design Exploratory Descriptive/Diagnostic

Overall design Flexible design Rigid design

1. Sampling design Non-probability sampling design Probability sampling design

2. Statistical design No pre-planned design for analysis Pre-planned design for analysis

3. Observational design Unstructured instruments for Structured or well thought out

data collection instruments for data collection

4. Operational design No fixed decisions about Advanced decisions about

the operational procedures operational procedures

DEFINE THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

What is a research problem?

A research problem refers to any difficulty which a researcher experiences either in a theoretical or

practical situation and, thus, wants to obtain its solution. Generally, a research problem requires the

following conditions:

There must be-

- An individual or a group having some difficulty or problem.

- Some objective(s) to attain. Without any objective, one cannot have a problem.

- Alternative means (or courses of action) to obtain the objective(s). This means that at least two means

should be available to a researcher because if he has no options, he cannot have a problem.

- The researcher should have some doubts related to the selection of alternatives. This means that the

research should be able to answer questions regarding the possible alternatives.

- Some environment(s) to which the difficulty pertains.

Thus, a research problem helps a researcher to find out the best solution for any given problem, i.e., the

course of action that can help attain the objective optimally in the context of a given environment.

Selecting the Problem/Subject of Research

The undertaken research problem must be carefully selected. For this purpose, the help of a research

guide can also be taken. However, since research problems cannot be usually borrowed, each and every

researcher must therefore strive to find out his research problem for the study.

However, the following points can be observed by the researcher while selecting a research

problem/subject:

a. Generally, the subject, which is overdone, is avoided, as it will be a hard and complex

task to throw any new light on such a case that has already been done. Moreover, too

narrow or too vague problems should be avoided.

b. The selected research subject should be practical and realistic, so that the related

research material/sources are easily available within one’s reach. Thus, for this purpose

the researcher should definitely contact an expert or a professor, in the University, who

is already occupied in a research. Besides, he may read articles on the subject published

in literature and may also get the notions about how the techniques/ideas discussed

therein might be functional in obtaining the solutions of other problems. Moreover, he

may discuss what he has in his mind, concerning a problem, with others as well. By this

way, he should be absolutely successful in selecting a problem by putting his best

efforts.

c. Â Some of the other criteria, which must also be considered while selecting a problem,

are: importance of the subject, qualifications and training of the researcher, costs

involved, and the time factor. In other words, before selecting a problem, the

researcher must ask himself the following questions:

I. Is he well equipped, concerning his background, to conduct the research?

II. Does the research/study come within the budget he can afford?

III. Can the necessary cooperation be obtained from those who must participate in the

research as subjects?

In case, the answers to all of the above mentioned questions are positive, one may

become confident concerning the practicability of the study.

d. A preliminary study should most certainly precede the selection of a problem. However,

this won’t be necessary regarding the problem needs the conduct of a research closely

similar to the one, which has already been conducted. But, usually a brief feasibility

study must be undertaken, when the field of inquiry is reasonably new and lacks the

availability of a set of well developed techniques.

In conclusion, when the research subject is selected appropriately, by conforming to the above

mentioned points, the research will, most probably, not be a boring hard work. Rather, it will be exciting

and educating. The selected subject/problem must involve the researcher and be the prime priority in

his mind, so that he may give his best shot required for the study.

Necessity of Defining the Problem

The old proverb, A problem well-defined is a problem half-solved•, holds strong even today. Proper

definition of a research problem is an important prerequisite for any research study. Often, the

formulation of a problem holds more significance than its solution. The manner in which the problem is

defined decides the direction for the entire research. The problem that has to be analyzed should be

defined clearly, which will help to discriminate between the relevant and irrelevant data. A careful

scrutiny of the research problem will help in working out the research design. This will ensure smooth

coordination of all the consequential steps involved in the research. Lots of questions may arise during

the course of the research:

What data needs to be collected?

What characteristics of that data are relevant and need to be studied?

What relations have to be explored?

What techniques have to be used for the purpose?

The researcher can find answers to all these questions only if the problem has been properly defined. A

proper definition of the problem helps to improve the overall efficiency and quality of the study.

Techniques Involved in Defining a Problem

As a researcher, you must have often read that defining a problem is the first step in a research process.

Defining a problem is a extraordinary task, and this must be done intelligently to avoid confusions that

arise in the research operation.

Try to follow the below steps systematically to best define a problem:

1. State the problem in a general way:

First state the problem in general terms with respect to some practical, scientific or intellectual

interest. For this, the researcher may himself read the concerned subject matter thoroughly or take

the help of the subject expert.

2. Understand the nature of the problem:

The next step is to understand the nature and origin of the problem. The researcher needs to

discuss the problem with those related to the subject matter in order to clearly understand the

origin of the problem, its nature, objectives, and the environment in which the problem is to be

studied.

3. Survey the available literature:

All available literature including relevant theories, reports, records, and other relevant literature on

the problem needs to be reviewed and examined.

4. Go for discussions for developing ideas:

The researcher may discuss the problem with his/her colleagues and others related to the

concerned subject. This helps the researcher to generate new ideas, identify different aspects on

the problem, gain suggestions and advices from others.

5. Reshape the research problem into a working proposition:

Finally, the researcher must reshape the problem into a working proposition. Once the researcher

has gone through the above steps systematically, it is easy to rephrase the problem into analytical

and operational terms.