04. business research process (an overview)
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Business Research
Process (An overview)
Chapter 4
References:
Business Research Book of VU
Research Methods For Business (Uma Sekaran)
Business Research Methods (William G. Zikmund)
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Business Research Process
Research task is usually treated as a sequentialprocess/steps involving several clearly defined steps.
These steps may differ in various situations. Recycling,adding, and skipping occur.
Various approaches suggest somewhat different steps ranging from five steps to eleven steps.
The variation may be due to purposes, and methods
used by the researches, though some researchers maycombine some of the steps.
Completion of each step before going to next is notrequired i.e skipping is possible
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The Business Research Process
Observation
Broad
problem area
Preliminary Data
Gathering
Problem
definition
Theoretical
Framework
Variables
Identification and
labelling
Generation of
Hypothesis
Scientific
Researc
h
Design
Data
Collection,analysis &
interpretation
Deduction
Research QuestionAnswered?
Report
Writing
Report
Presentation
Decision
MakingYes
NO
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1. Observation/Broad Problem Area
The process begins with a researcher selecting atopic the entire situation where one sees apossible need for research and problem solving
The specific issues that need to be researchedwithin the situation may not be identified at thisstage. E.g. Problem currently existing in an organizational setting that need
to be solved (Inefficiency in production)
Areas that a manager believes need to be improved in theorganization (improving the existing policies)
The broad problem area would be narrowed down tospecific issues for investigation after some preliminary
data are gathered by the researcher.
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2. Preliminary Data Collection
Also know of literature review. This step may beconsidered as part of the exploratory research. Anexploration typically begins with a search for published data (Secondary Data) and studies.
Some secondary sources of data are statisticalbulletins, government publications, informationpublished or unpublished, case studies, online data,
web sites, discussions and the Internet. Such sources can provide data which becomes part of
the background information (about the organization,groups of people, context (background) of the issue.
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3. Problem Definition
After having discussions with the professionals, with thepersons to whom the issue relates, and the review ofliterature, the researcher is in a position to narrow downfrom its original broad base and define the issue clearly.
Translate the broad issue into a research question. A research problem in general refers to some difficulty
which a researcher experiences in the context of either atheoretical or practical situation and wants a solution for the
same. Problem is defined as any situation where a gap exists
between the actual and the desired ideal state. Eg. Zerodefects in products, High quotation in the stock market.
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If the research problem is defined incorrectly, the
research objectives will also be wrong, and the entireresearch process will be a waste of time and money.
Components of a research problem
There must be an individual or a group which has some
difficulty or the problem
There must be some objective(s) to be attained at.
If one wants nothing one cannot have a problem.
There must be alternative means (courses of action) for
obtaining the objective.
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Main Features of Good Research Problem.
The question should be feasible i.e it can be investigated without
an undue amount of time, energy or money.
The question should be ethical i.e it should not involve physical or
psychological harm or damage to human feelings or to natural or
social environment of which they are part.
Subject which is overdone (too investigated) must not be selected.Too narrow or too vague (unclear) problems should not be chosen.
The problem should be chosen in such a way that the ingredients
required for the study should be within the reach of a researcher.
The importance of the subject, time ,efficiency of the researchers isalso an essential requisite factor.
Selection of problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.
Controversial subject should not be chosen by an average
researcher.
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For example a productivity decline of workers may be anissue. The management may have tried to solve it by the
provision of incentive but did not work. The researcher mayhave to dig deep and find the possible factors like the moraleand motivation of the workers having some otherbackgrounds.
There could be similar other broad issues which have to benarrowed down to research questions like:i. To what extent has the new advertising campaign been successful in
creating the high quality, consumer-centered corporate image that itwas intended to produce?
ii. Has the new packaging affected the sale of the products?iii. Will the day care centers affect the productivity of female workers?
iv. Why the divorce rate is on the increase in Pakistan?
v. Why the family in Pakistan is changing?
vi. What could be the impact of changing family patterns on the sales
volume of products?
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4.Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework discusses theinterrelationships among the variables that are deemed to
be essential to the dynamics of the situation being
investigated. Or
A logical structure or theoretical framework is the set ofterms and relationships within which the problem is
formulated and solved.
Theoretical framework :
Elaborates the relationship among the variables.
Explains the logic underlying these relationships.
Describes the nature, and direction of the
relationships.
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5. Generation of Hypotheses
After determining the important variables relevant to an
issue and established the logical reasoning in the theoretical
framework, we test whether the relationships that have been
conceived do in fact hold true, formulating such testablestatements is called Hypothesis development
An hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It
describes in concrete (rather than theoretical) terms what
you expect will happen in your study. Eg
If the pilots are given adequate training to handle midaircrowded
situations, air-safety violations will be reduced
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6. Research Design
Research design is a master plan specifying themethods and procedures for collecting andanalyzing the needed information.
Research design provides the glue that holds the
research project together. A design is used tostructure the research, to show how all of themajor parts of the research project (the samples orgroups, measures, treatments or programs, andmethods of assignment) work together to try toaddress the central research questions.
The researcher must specify the sources ofinformation, and the research method ortechnique to be followed in thee study.
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The research design constitutes
the blueprint for the collection, measurement, andanalysis of data. It aids the scientist in the
allocation of his limited resources by posing
crucial choices
Research design is the plan and structure ofinvestigation so conceived as to obtain answers to
research questions. The plan is the overall scheme
or program of the research. It includes an outline
of what the investigator will do from writing
hypotheses and their operational implications to
the final analysis of data.
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7. Data Collection, Data Processing,
and Analysis Data collection is integral part of the research design, thoughwe are dealing it separately.
Data can be collected in a variety of ways, in different
settings field or lab and from different sources. Data are special type of information, generally obtained
through observation, surveys, enquiries, or are generated as
are result of human activity.
Data processing generally begins with the editing and codingof the data.
Data Editing: It is the activity aimed at detecting and
correcting errors (logical inconsistencies) in data.Thisaction ensures that the information provided is accurate, complete and
consistent.
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Data Coding. A systematic way in which to condense extensive datasets into smaller analyzable units through the creation of categories
and concepts derived from the data Once data is collected, it is processed to convert it into
useful information. The data is processed again and againuntil the accurate result is achieved. This is called data
processing cycle.
Analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning(error free data), transforming, and representingdata with the goal of highlighting usefulinformation, suggesting conclusions, andsupporting decision making.
Analysis is the application of reasoning tounderstand and interpret the data that have beencollected.
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8.Testing the Hypotheses;
Answering the Research Questions The analysis and interpretation of the data shall be
the means to testing the formulated hypotheses aswell as finding answers to the research questions.
A statistical hypothesis test is a method of makingdecisions using data,
Making recommendations may also be part of this
process.9. Report Writing
10. Report Presentation
11. Decision Making
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Problem
discovery
Problem definition
(statement of
research objectives)
Secondary
(historical)
data
Experience
survey
Pilot
study
Case
study
Selection ofexploratory research
technique
Selection of
basic research
method
Experiment Survey
ObservationSecondary
Data StudyLaboratory Field Interview Questionnaire
Selection ofexploratory research
techniqueSampling
Probability Nonprobability
Collection of
data
(fieldwork)
Editing andcoding
data
Data
processing
Interpretation
of
findings
Report
DataGathering
DataProcessing
andAnalysis
Conclusionsand Report
Research Design
Problem Discoveryand Definition
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Steps in the Research Process
Identifying and Defining Problem/ Opportunity
Planning the Research Design
Selecting a Research Method
Selecting a Sampling Procedure
Data Collection
Evaluating the Data
Preparing and Presenting the Research Report
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Research Process Flow Chart
Define research problem
Review concepts and theories
Review previous Research Findings
Formulate hypothesis
Design research
Data collection
Analyze data
Interpretation and report writing
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