10-Feb-17
1 Research Methods
Concept & Introduction
Research Methodology – Unit 1
MBA - 2nd Semester
2 Course Contents – Unit 1
Introduction & Concept,
Types of Research,
Characteristics of Good Research,
Research Process,
Problem Identification,
Formulation of Business Research Objectives.
3 What is Research ???
“a careful investigation or inquiry specially through search for new facts in any branch of
knowledge.”
It is what we do when we have a question we want to resolve.
We may already think we know the answer to our question already or we may think the answer is
obvious, common sense even.
But until we have subjected our problem to rigorous scientific scrutiny, our 'knowledge' remains
little more than guesswork or at best, intuition.
4 Why Research ???
Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits,
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research,
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work,
Desire to be of service to society,
Desire to get respectability.
5 Research - Definition
“Research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions;
collecting, organizing and evaluating data; making deductions and reaching conclusions; and at last
carefully testing the conclusions to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.” – Clifford
Woody
“the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or
verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art.”
6 Nature of Research
It is systematic problem solving which identifies variables and tests relationships between them
It is logical, so procedures can be duplicated or understood by others
1
10-Feb-17
It is logical, so procedures can be duplicated or understood by others
It is empirical, so decisions are based on data collected
It is reductive, so it investigates a small sample which can be generalized to a larger population
It is replicable, so others may test the findings by repeating it
7 Characteristics of Research
Empirical i.e. Derived from experiment and observation
Systematic
Controlled
Employ Hypothesis
Analytical
Objective, unbiased & Logical
Employs Statistical Methods
Original Work
Done by Experts
Must be a patient and unhurried activity
8 Objectives of Research
To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it (studies with this object
in view are termed as exploratory research studies);
To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or a group (studies
with this object in view are known as descriptive research studies);
To determine the frequency with which something occurs or with which it is associated with
something else (studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic research studies);
To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables (such studies are known as
hypothesis-testing research studies).
9 Motivation Behind the Research
Desire to get a research degree along with its consequential benefits;
Desire to face the challenge in solving the unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research;
Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some creative work;
Desire to be of service to society;
Desire to get respectability.
10 Types of
Research
11 Types of Research
Descriptive Vs. Analytical:
1) Descriptive Research includes surveys and fact-finding enquiries of different kinds. The major
purpose of descriptive research is description of the phenomenon as it exists at present.
i. Based on Ex post facto research, where the main characteristic is that the researcher has no
control over the variables; he can only report what has happened or what is happening.
ii.
2) 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
10-Feb-17
12 Types…
Applied Vs. Fundamental:
1) Applied Research aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an
industrial/business organization
i. Example: social, economic or political trends that may affect a particular institution
2) Fundamental Research is mainly concerned with generalizations and with the formulation of a
theory.
i. Example: Natural Phenomenon, Human Behavior, etc.
3)
13 Types…
Quantitative Vs. Qualitative:
1) Quantitative Research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It is applicable to
phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity.
2)
2) Qualitative Research, on the other hand, is concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e.,
phenomena relating to or involving quality or kind.
i. Example: investigating reasons for human behavior.
14 Types…
Conceptual Vs. Empirical:
1) Conceptual Research is that related to some abstract idea(s) or theory. It is generally used by
philosophers and thinkers to develop new concepts or to reinterpret existing ones.
2)
2) Empirical Research relies on experience or observation alone, often without due regard for
system and theory. It is data-based research, coming up with conclusions which are capable of
being verified by observation or experiment.
3)
15 Research Approach
16 Scientific Methods of Research
“the scientific method encourages a rigorous, impersonal mode of procedure dictated by the
demands of logic and objective procedure.”
1) It relies on empirical evidence;
2) It utilizes relevant concepts;
3) It is committed to only objective considerations;
4) It presupposes ethical neutrality, i.e., it aims at nothing but making only adequate and correct
statements about population objects;
5) It results into probabilistic predictions;
6) Its methodology is made known to all concerned for critical scrutiny are for use in testing the
conclusions through replication;
7) It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as scientific theories.
3
10-Feb-17
7) It aims at formulating most general axioms or what can be termed as scientific theories.
17 Research Process
18 Step 1: formulating the research problem
There are two types of research problems,
1) those which relate to ‘States of Nature’*, and
2) those which relate to relationships between variables.
19 Step 2: Extensive Literature Survey
Once the problem is formulated, a brief summary of it should be written down.
At this juncture the researcher should undertake extensive literature survey connected with the
problem.
For this purpose, the abstracting and indexing journals and published or unpublished
bibliographies are the first place to go to. Academic journals, conference proceedings,
government reports, books etc., must be tapped depending on the nature of the problem.
In this process, it should be remembered that one source will lead to another.
20 Step 3: Developing Working Hypothesis
Working hypothesis is tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or
empirical consequences.
They provide the focal point for research.
They also affect the manner in which tests must be conducted in the analysis of data and
indirectly the quality of data which is required for the analysis.
How does one go about developing working hypotheses? The answer is by using the following
approach:
1) Discussions with colleagues and experts about the problem, its origin and the objectives in
seeking a solution;
2) Examination of data and records concerning the problem
3) Review of similar studies in the area or of the studies on similar problems; and
4) Exploratory personal investigation which involves original field interviews on a limited scale
with interested parties and individuals with a view to secure greater insight into the practical
aspects of the problem.
21 Step 4: Preparing Research Design
The researcher will be required to prepare a research design, i.e., the conceptual structure within
which research would be conducted.
the function of research design is to provide for the collection of relevant evidence with minimal
expenditure of effort, time and money.
Research purposes may be grouped into four categories, viz., (i) Exploration, (ii) Description, (iii)
Diagnosis, and (iv) Experimentation
22 Step 5: Determining Sample Size
All the items under consideration in any field of inquiry constitute a ‘universe’ or ‘population’.
quite often we select only a few items from the universe for our study purposes. The items so
selected constitute what is technically called a sample.
The researcher must decide the way of selecting a sample or what is popularly known as the
sample design. A sample design is a definite plan determined before any data are actually
collected for obtaining a sample from a given population.
4
10-Feb-17
23 Contd…
24 Step 6: Collecting Data
By observations.
through personal interviews, telephone interviews, email interviews.
By mailing of questionnaire.
Through Schedules: Under this method the enumerators are appointed and given training. They
are provided with schedules containing relevant questions. These enumerators go to
respondents with these schedules. Data are collected by filling up the schedules by enumerators
on the basis of replies given by respondents.
25
26 Step 7: Analysis of Data
The analysis of data requires a number of closely related operations such as establishment of
categories, the application of these categories to raw data through coding, tabulation and then
drawing statistical inferences.
1) Coding is the process in which categories of data are transformed into symbols that may be
tabulated and counted.
2) Editing is the procedure that improves the quality of the data for coding. With coding the
stage is ready for tabulation.
3) Tabulation is a part of the technical procedure wherein the classified data are put in the form
of tables.
Analysis work after tabulation is generally based on the computation of various percentages,
coefficients, etc.
27 Contd…
In the process of analysis, relationships or differences supporting or conflicting with original or
new hypotheses should be subjected to tests of significance to determine with what validity data
can be said to indicate any conclusion(s).
After analyzing the data as stated above, the researcher is in a position to test the hypotheses, if
any, he had formulated earlier. Do the facts support the hypotheses or they happen to be
contrary?
28 Interpreting, Generalizing & Reporting
The process of interpretation may quite often trigger off new questions which in turn may lead to
further researches.
If a hypothesis is tested and upheld several times, it may be possible for the researcher to arrive
at generalization, i.e., to build a theory.
Finally, the researcher has to prepare the report of what has been done by him.
29 Research Report
Preliminary pages
Main text of the report
1) Introduction
2) Summary of previous findings
3) Main report
4) Conclusion
5
10-Feb-17
4) Conclusion
End report
1) References, bibliography, appendix, etc.
Include all relevant charts and illustration or figure.
30 Criteria of Good Research
Good research is
1) Systematic
2) Logical
3) Empirical
4) Replicable
31 Characteristics of Good Research
Originates with a question or problem.
Requires clear articulation of a goal.
Follows a specific plan or procedure.
Often divides main problem into sub problems.
Guided by specific problem, question, or hypothesis.
Accepts certain critical assumptions.
Requires collection and interpretation of data.
Cyclical (helical) in nature.
32 Steps in making good research
Raising a Question.
Suggest Hypothesis.
Literature Review.
Literature Evaluation.
Acquire Data.
Data Analysis.
Data Interpretation.
Hypothesis Support.
33 Formulation of Business Research Objectives
34 Research Problem
There are many problem situations that may give rise to research. Three sources usually
contribute to problem identification.
1) Own experience or the experience of others may be a source of problem.
2) A second source could be scientific literature. You may read about certain findings and notice
that a certain field was not covered. This could lead to a research problem.
3) Theories could be a third source. Shortcomings in theories could be researched.
35 Research Problem: Management Context
36 Research Questions
Research questions are refined statements of the specific components of the research problem.
The components of problem define the problem in specific terms, but further detail may be
6
10-Feb-17
The components of problem define the problem in specific terms, but further detail may be
needed to develop an approach.
Each component of the problem, may have to be broken down into sub-component or research
questions.
Research questions ask what specific information is required with respect to the problem
components.
Information obtained using research questions should aid the decision maker.
37 Research Objective
The formulation of objectives will help you to:
1) Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials);
2) understanding and solving the problem you have identified;
3) Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the development of your research
methodology and will help to orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data.
The objectives of a research summarize what is to be achieved by the study should be closely
related to the statement of the problem.
38 Types of Objectives
39 Specific Objectives
Stated in logical sequence
Clear and unambiguous – What is to be done?
Specific – Addressing one thing only
Measurable – Can be evaluated and Use proper action verbs (Determine, Find out, Identify)
Attainable, given the resources available
Realistic, given the local conditions
Time bound, can be achieved in the given time
Objectives should be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic & Time bound
40 Research Hypothesis
A hypothesis (H) is an unproven statement or proposition/assumption about a factor or
phenomenon that is of interest to the researcher.
It may be a tentative statement about relationship between two or more variables as stipulated
by the theoretical framework or the analytical model.
Often, a hypothesis is a possible answer to the research question.
41 Example…
Research Question: Do customers exhibit store loyalty?
Research Objective: To study the level of customer’s loyalty towards store.
Research Hypothesis: Customers of the store are loyal.
1) Null Hypothesis (H0): the assumption you are beginning with the opposite of what you’re
testing.
i. Customers of the store are not loyal.
ii.
2) Alternate Hypothesis (H1): the assumption that you’re testing in first hand.
i. Customers of the store are loyal.
7
10-Feb-17
i. Customers of the store are loyal.
42
