Assignment on,

Research design, literature review, methods and data

Submitted to,
Dr. Chowdhury Saima Ferdous
Professor
Department of International Business
University of Dhaka

Submitted by,
Kohinoor Akhter
ID: SK-054
Registration No: 2017-812-108
MBA 15th Batch
Department of International Business
University of Dhaka

Date of Submission: 19th February, 2024

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Contents
What is research and what is not..................................................................................................... 4

Characteristics of research .......................................................................................................... 4

What is not research .................................................................................................................... 4

What is literature review ................................................................................................................. 5

Features of literature review ....................................................................................................... 5

Research design .............................................................................................................................. 6

Types of research design ................................................................................................................. 6

Quantitative research design ....................................................................................................... 6

Characteristics ......................................................................................................................... 6

Non-experimental research ..................................................................................................... 7

Experimental research ............................................................................................................. 7

Qualitative research .................................................................................................................... 8

Characteristics ......................................................................................................................... 8

Mixed method research ............................................................................................................... 9

Characteristics ......................................................................................................................... 9

Research methods ......................................................................................................................... 10

Types of research methods............................................................................................................ 10

Quantitative research ................................................................................................................ 10

Pros: ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Cons: ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Qualitative research .................................................................................................................. 11

Pros: ...................................................................................................................................... 12

Cons: ..................................................................................................................................... 12

Descriptive Research ................................................................................................................ 12

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 Analytical Research .................................................................................................................. 13

Research objective ........................................................................................................................ 13

Characteristics ........................................................................................................................... 13

Methods of stating objectives ................................................................................................... 14

Data ............................................................................................................................................... 14

Types of Data ............................................................................................................................ 15

Qualitative Data: ................................................................................................................... 15

Quantitative Data: ................................................................................................................. 15

Reference ...................................................................................................................................... 16

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What is research and what is not
In general, research is the methodical, structured process of answering questions. It is methodical
because it is a procedure with distinct steps that result in conclusions. Because a predetermined
framework or methodology was followed to arrive at the conclusion, the research is organized.
Finding answers—regardless of our feelings toward them—is the only thing that makes research
worthwhile (Adams, 2021)

Research is the methodical examination of data using scientific methods to address a specific issue
or research problem. American sociologist Earl Robert Babbie defined research as "a systematic
inquiry aimed at describing, explaining, forecasting, and controlling the observed phenomenon."
It uses both deductive and inductive reasoning (Fleetwood, 2023).

Characteristics of research
 Intensely personal activity (Frank, 2005)
 To obtain correct data, good research employs a methodical methodology.
 Based on logical reasoning, the analysis applies both deductive and inductive techniques.
 Real-time information and data come from firsthand observations made in natural
situations.
 Every piece of data is thoroughly examined to ensure that no anomalies are connected to
it.
 It makes it easier to come up with new ideas. Extant data facilitates the development of
new research avenues.
 It is analytical and makes use of all the information at hand to ensure that the conclusion is
clear.
 One of the most important parts of research is accuracy. The data needs to be precise and
up to date.

What is not research

We discover following fundamental distinctions between research and non-research from Ronald
I. Frank (2005):

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  Loud declaration with citation
 Argument by authority
 Face without reference
 Literature search
 Presentation of the known
 Anybody’s opinion
 Citation without verification
 Library ‘Research’ (Frank, 2005).

What is literature review

It's essential to understand what is meant by "the literature" before reviewing it. A research
literature comprises all academic papers on a specific topic that is being studied. These works may
take the shape of books, research papers, doctorate theses, peer-reviewed articles, conference
proceedings, etc. We must then "review" the literature in order to formulate "our" research
question, which is a challenging but crucial step in the research process (Shukla, 2017).

A literature review is a crucial stage and part of every research project, but academic research in
particular requires it. A literature review is a reassessment of the body of knowledge and data that
already exists on a given subject. Throughout a research project, the literature—that is, earlier
studies and researches on a specific topic and area—is evaluated (Budhathoki, 2021).

Features of literature review

A literature review's essential components can be summed up as follows:

 It offers a new perspective of the historical material or blends the modern and the ancient.
 It outlines the field's intellectual evolution, highlighting significant arguments,
 Assesses the sources and informs the reader on the most topical or relevant research,
depending on the circumstances
 Usually notes any gaps in the body of research on an issue that has been studied up to that
point in the conclusion of a literature review.

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An author can demonstrate their understanding of a certain subject of research, including
terminology, theories, important variables and phenomena, as well as its techniques and history,
by conducting a literature review. Additionally, it provides information to field research groups
and students (Shukla, 2017).

Research design
The types of analyses that must be performed in order to obtain the desired results are always
determined by the research design (Asenahabi,2019). In keeping with this, Jongbo (2014) notes
that if a researcher gathers data before considering the details of the research design and the data
needed to address the research questions, the results will probably be flimsy and unpersuasive,
ultimately failing to meet the goal of the study. In order to get sufficient findings and conclusions
from the research that would enable the researcher to make suggestions or implications based on
the study, the research design must include a method for interpreting the analyzed data. Three
categories exist for research design: mixed method, qualitative, and quantitative. The best design
for the type of research project must be chosen by the researcher.

Types of research design

Quantitative research design
The methods and measurements used in quantitative research design yield definite, quantifiable
values (Kothari, 2007). A systematic analysis of phenomena through the collection of measurable
data and the application of statistical, mathematical, or computer techniques is known as
quantitative research. Through the use of sampling techniques and the distribution of online
questionnaires, online polls, and surveys, among other tools, quantitative research gathers
statistically meaningful data from current and potential clients. This kind of research's primary
feature is its ability to present the findings numerically (Fleetwood, 2023).

Characteristics
Because of its many distinctive qualities, quantitative research is a good fit for several kinds of
projects. Let's examine the most important of these qualities:

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  To collect quantitative data, quantitative research uses organized instruments like polls,
surveys, and questionnaires.
 When conducting quantitative research, a sizable sample size that accurately represents the
target market is used.
 A key component of quantitative research is the use of closed-ended questions that are
especially created to support the study's goals.
 Prior to gathering respondent input, researchers frequently examine earlier research on the
subject of interest.
 Typically, tables, charts, graphs, or other numerical representations are used to depict
quantitative data.
 The capacity of quantitative research to extrapolate findings to the whole population is one
of its advantages.

The gathered information is the outcome of empirical measurements and observations. These
techniques take some time and preparation. Their answers are almost invariably closed-ended.
Non-experimental research and experimental research designs are the two categories of
quantitative research.

Non-experimental research
In basic terms, non-experimental design is quantitative research that gathers data without doing
experiments. It is separated into three categories: Designing surveys, causal-comparative studies,
and correlation analyses (Asenahabi,2019).

Experimental research
The study of manipulating one or more dependent variables to determine the impact on one or
more variables is known as experimental research (Asenahabi,2019). According to Jongbo's
(2014) theory, experimental study on a chosen topic matter is predicated on cause-and-effect
relationships. To determine the nature of the link between the variables under study, it makes use
of two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group receives
treatment, while the control group is left unaltered.

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In this case, there is no control group to compare with the experimental group. Quasiexperiments
where the researcher uses control and experimental groups but does not
randomly assign participants to groups. True experiment where the researcher randomly
assigns the participants to treatment groups. Single-subject design which involves observing
the behavior of a single individual or a small number of individuals over time. (Creswell,
2014).

Qualitative research
The focus of qualitative research is on examining and comprehending the meaning that an
individual or group of individuals assigns to a social or human issue (Creswell, 2014). Qualitative
research has its historical roots in the humanities, sociology, anthropology, and evaluation. Using
open-ended questions, a qualitative research design generates data that cannot be quantified.
Numerous methods are used in qualitative research, such as focus groups, observation, and
interviews. Unstructured interviews might include open-ended inquiries on a subject and the
interviewer adjusting to the answers. In structured interviews, each participant is asked the same
set of questions (Tenny, 2022).

Characteristics
Some of the characteristics of qualitative research include the following:

 Field data is gathered by qualitative researchers at the sites where participants encounter
the problem or topic under investigation.
 The primary methods used by qualitative researchers to gather their own study data include
participant observation, documentation, and in-person interviews.
 Instead of depending just on one source of data, qualitative researchers typically decide to
gather the necessary data from a variety of sources, including observations, documentation,
and interviews.
 In order to arrive at a comprehensive conclusion, qualitative researchers construct
categories, patterns, and themes either from scratch (inductively) or from discrete data.

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  Throughout the whole research process, the researcher's primary focus should be on
analyzing the meaning that participants have provided regarding the issue or research
problem, rather than the meaning that other authors or researchers have provided in specific
literatures.
 Qualitative researchers contend that their field is dynamic and ever-evolving.
 When conducting research, qualitative researchers frequently draw on a variety of
viewpoints, including ethnography, cultural notions, gender disparities, and racism.
 Researchers using qualitative methods interpret what they see, hear, and comprehend.
 The goal of qualitative research is typically to paint a complex picture of a topic or study
subject. Scholars delineate the various viewpoints and contributing variables to the
situation holistically (adminlp2m, 2022).

Mixed method research

In a research study, mixed method research design integrates data and research from both
qualitative and quantitative approaches(Asenahabi,2019). Burke-Johnson et al. (2007) describe
this empirical study as combining parts of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for
wide understanding, deep understanding, and corroboration goals. Qualitative research uses open-
ended questions without preset answers, while quantitative research uses closed-ended questions
(Creswell, 2014). This is known as mixed method study design.

Characteristics
Some fundamental characteristics of mixed methods research include the following:

 The examination of data that is both quantitative and qualitative.

 Gathering of quantitative and qualitative data, as well as open-ended and closed-ended
data, in answer to a study topic.
 Rigorous and convincing processes for both the qualitative and quantitative approaches.
 The combination, linking, and embedding of these two data sources.
 The use of a particular mixed-methods design with either a sequential or concurrent
integration.

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  A philosophically grounded approach to research methodology (Academike, 2015)

Research methods
A methodology refers to the underlying principles and structure that underpin the entire research
process. Research design is the strategy that connects particular techniques to philosophical
presumptions (Opoku et al., 2016). The strategies and tactics employed to successfully present the
research are referred to as research methodology. It has to do with a study's methodical design to
ensure that its goals and objectives are met by the findings. The main duty of the researcher is to
convey the concept and describe various forms of research methods.

Types of research methods

Research methodology is categorized using many criteria. They consist of a broad category, the
study's nature, its goal, its research design, and its data type. Additionally, case studies and
interviews based on research techniques are included. In some research, the investigator employs
both numerous and limited approaches.

Quantitative research
Quantitative data, as the name implies, is based on measuring a particular quantity or amount of
a particular phenomenon. It is centered on obtaining and evaluating numerical data, which can be
utilized to forecast results or identify averages and patterns. The following are some benefits and
drawbacks of quantitative research:

Pros:
 It makes it possible to use larger sample sizes, analyze the data thoroughly, and come to
more general conclusions about your target audience.

 There are few delays in getting the data under study because surveys, experiments, and
real-time data collection are all used in quantitative research. Therefore, in comparison to

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 other research approaches, the researcher analyzes the data under examination quite
quickly.

 Researchers often employ quantitative data while studying controversial topics because of
its anonymity. As such, this configuration reduces the likelihood of generating erroneous
data.

Cons:
 The research may seem unnatural and controlled since the researcher might not be able to
carry out the study in the subjects' natural circumstances. Responses from participants are
asserted and might not accurately represent their actions in real life.

 It is not possible to delve further into the behaviors, attitudes, and motivations of survey
participants than with qualitative research due to the low number of responses.

 Due to its potential expense, quantitative research has a financial component to take into
account.

Qualitative research
It is used to describe the research's non-numerical components. When a researcher is unable to
understand facts or data pertaining to numbers, qualitative research steps in to help. Qualitative
research aids in creating a better synthesis of the hypotheses contained in the data, despite being
less trustworthy than quantitative research. Furthermore, the goal of this kind of study is to identify
the driving forces behind human behavior, or the reasons behind why individuals act or believe a
certain way. This research helps us understand the factors that influence people's preferences
toward particular things or drive them to behave in particular ways. The following are some
benefits and drawbacks of qualitative research:

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Pros:
 Because qualitative research uses a lower sample size than other research approaches,
studies can be completed more rapidly.
 Because it is more intimate and can delve into specifics to better understand their thoughts
and actions to establish or examine a hypothesis, it allows for a more thorough investigation
of attitudes and behavior.

 It permits flexibility in that the interviewer can change the location and go into the subject
to ask any questions they deem pertinent.

Cons:
 There may have been bias in the sample selection process since the individuals chosen to
take part in the qualitative research may all hold a specific opinion on the topic rather than
representing a diverse range of viewpoints.

 Since it takes time to sort through the components and determine what is and is not
valuable, gathering the data takes a long time.

 Particularly when talking about delicate topics, some individuals could be worried about
their privacy.

Descriptive Research
Analyses that describe the characteristics of the population or topics being studied are known as
descriptive research. The "what" of the research problem is given greater weight than the "why"
in this kind of methodology. The researcher can only present the facts exactly as they have
happened or are happening because they have no control over the variables in this research
methodology. In descriptive research, surveys, case studies, and observations are the main
techniques employed. In descriptive research, a variety of variables can be used to describe the
data.

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Its benefits include: a) being more efficient in evaluating subjects and problems that defy
numerical analysis; b) being observable in a natural setting without modification; and c) requiring
less time than quantitative experiments.

Analytical Research
Proven facts serve as the foundation for analytical study. Scholars often conduct follow-up studies
to get data that validates and reinforces their previous conclusions. It also aids in the development
of fresh ideas on the research topic. Thus, in order to generate more plausible theories, analytical
research integrates minute facts. Thus, the analytical investigation clarifies the validity of a claim.

This research can be done in a number of methods, such as through meta-analyses, literary or
scientific trials, and public opinion research. Additionally, the researcher uses this strategy to
critically evaluate the material. Quantitative approaches are also frequently used in analytical
methods.

Other research methods, on the other hand, include surveys, case studies, primary vs. secondary
research, exploratory vs. definitive research, applied research, basic research, and so forth. The
kind of research and its objective will determine which approach to choose.

Research objective
Research objectives provide a succinct summary of the goals of the study. They include the study
direction and a summary of the goals the researcher hopes to accomplish with the project.

Characteristics
 A clear statement outlining the goals of the research is called a research objective.
 An aim that is well-crafted will be SMART, or Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic,
and Time-bound.

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  The purpose of the research should be clear, measurable, observable, logical, feasible, and
observable.
 An objective is a goal that is logically achievable in the anticipated amount of time and
with the resources at hand.
 The research project's objective outlines the goals the study is supposed to accomplish.
 The specific results the researchers expect to obtain through the study are outlined in the
research objectives.
 Finding the answers to research questions or putting the research hypothesis to the test are
part of the goal.

Methods of stating objectives

The following rules need to be considered while stating the study's objectives:

 The objectives ought to be communicated succinctly and clearly.

 They discuss the various facets of the issue and the elements that contribute to it logically
and cogently.

 The objectives are spelled out in precise practical language, outlining the researcher's actual
actions, locations, and goals.

 They make sense in light of the regional circumstances.

 Make use of action verbs that are sufficiently detailed for analysis. Verbs such as assess,
identify, find out, determine, compare, find, verify, compute, describe, analyze, establish,
and so on are examples of action verbs.

Data
Any systematic record of a certain quantity is referred to as data. This amount is represented as a
collection of all of its values. It is a compilation of data and information intended for a particular

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application, like an analysis or survey. Information is defined as data that has been arranged in a
systematic manner.

Types of Data
Two categories of data are listed below:

Qualitative Data:
Qualitative data illustrate certain traits or qualities. They provide descriptions that are observable
but not calculable or computeable. For instance, information gathered from a class's pupils as a
sample on qualities like creativity, intelligence, honesty, wisdom, cleanliness, and neatness would
be categorized as qualitative. They are not so much definitive as they are exploratory (Toppr,
2020).

Quantitative Data:
Quantitative data is not just observed; it may also be measured. They can be used for computations
and have numerical representations applied to them. For instance, information on the number of
students in your class participating in various sports can be used to estimate the proportion of
students who play each sport overall. This data can be categorized as quantitative because it is
numerical (Toppr, 2020).

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