Business Research Process

Dr. Sasmita Mishra

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

Define Research Problem A research problem in general refers to

some difficulty which a researcher experiences in the context of either a theoratical or practical situation and wants a solution for the same.

Research problem may be of two types:Relates to states of natureRelated to relationship of variables

Selecting the problemThe following points must be taken into

account while selecting a problem

Subject which is overdone must not be selected. Controversial subject should not be chosen by an

average researcher. Too narrow or too vague 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 is also an essential requisite factor.

Selection of problem must be preceded by a preliminary study.

What is Research Objective?

The objective of a research is like a torch bearer for the researcher.

Formulation of objectives is of basic importance because it determines the data which are to be collected, the characteristics of data which are relevant, relations which are to be explored, the choice of techniques to be used in these explorations and the form of final report….. W.A.Neiswanger.

Problem vs. Objectives Problem is the difficulty faced by the

researcher or a gap in the literature. Objective is the mission statement to solve

that difficulty or fill the gap in the literature.Ex. – Prob: Why apple is falling from the tree?Objective: To examine why apple is falling from

the tree.Or to find out the possible cause (s) of this

phenomena.

Types of Objectives pg.1

Quantitative: It aims to optimize certain measures of performances of the system of study.

Ex. _ A study on advertising budget aims to plan allocation of advertising fund in relation to other expenditure so that the incremental sales revenue is maximized.

Types of Objectives pg.2

Qualitative:It aims to test the significance of hypotheses of a study of importance

Ex. – A study on testing the effect of the level of education of sales force of a company on its sales revenue.

Research QuestionsResearch questions are the problems not

solved till date. One should ask question relating to the

Purpose: What is the purpose of the study Place: Where does the study take place? Present state: What is the present state of

the research issue? Means: How is the purpose achieved? Why

that particular method?These questions helps in crystallizing the

objectives.

Extensive literature survey Review the concept: what is the

meaning and definitions of the the particular concept.

Review earlier findings: what has already been researched in that area.

Formulating hypotheses Hypothesis are intelligent or

educated guess which can be put to test to determine its validity.

It is a tentative supposition about the outcomes of a research.

Ex. Age has no influence over achieving sales target of a sales person.

Preparing Research DesignIt is the blue print of a research.It may be

experimental or non experimental.While preparing research design the following

points are taken into consideration:

The means of obtaining the information

The availability of skills of the researchers and his

staff

Explanation of the what method to adopt to collect

information and why this way not anything else.

The time available for research

The cost factor relating to research

Data collection It is based upon the research

design and problem It may be by experimentation,

interview, questionnaire etc.

Analyze Data To analyze data different statistical

techniques are used such as ANOVA Regression Analysis Correlation, etc.

Interpretation and report writing Analysis of data ends with a number (Ex. .06) While interpreting we should ask the

question what finding we have got from the analysis of the data and why we have got this type of result.

At the end of the research the entire process are documented in a written form.

Report has Four broad sections: Introduction and review of literature, Methodology, Discussion and conclusion, and Bibliography/references.