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Brad BellMarch / April 2017

MBA 9

BUSINESS RESEARCH

Session 2b

MODULE OUTLINE (1 of 2)

General introduction

7.1 Introduction to research

7.2 Research ethics

7.3 Research problem, objectives & rationale

7.4 Formulating and clarifying the research topic

7.5Conducting a critical literature review

Practical: Zotero

7.6 The research philosophy and approach

7.7 Formulating the research design

Class 1a

Class 1b

Class 2a

Class 2b

MBA 9

BUSINESS RESEARCH

Class 2b

General Introduction to Research Design*Enrichment material

RESEARCH DESIGNS

If there is insufficient evidence – Collect your own “primary” data (most usual)• Do you want to generate a new theory to fill a gap in our

knowledge? = inductive / qualitative• Do you want to test an existing theory or model to confirm

its validity in a certain situation? = deductive / quantitative

If there is sufficient (but conflicting or unsynthesised) evidence – Pull together others’ “secondary” data (very unusual)• Do you want to compare / contrast what others have

(separately) found in other contexts about the same issue? = comparative / legal or statistical (e.g. meta-analysis)

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eklzv_5e5u0

after this video …

Startof the unit

VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eklzv_5e5u0

Primary -Quantitative

Primary –Qualitative

Secondary

WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT

• Cover the study guide

then

• *Two examples showing how we write up a basic qualitative and quantitative research designs and methodologies

MBA 9

BUSINESS RESEARCH

Class 2b – Section 7.6Page 58

The Research Philosophy and Approach

MODULE OUTLINE (1 of 2)

General introduction

7.1 Introduction to research

7.2 Research ethics

7.3 Research problem, objectives & rationale

7.4 Formulating and clarifying the research topic

7.5Conducting a critical literature review

Practical: Zotero

7.6 The research philosophy and approach

7.7 Formulating the research design

Class 1a

Class 1b

Class 2a

Class 2b

7.6.1 THE RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY

• “Research philosophy” is an overarching term that is related to the development of knowledge and the nature of that knowledge, and the way in which you, as a researcher, apply that knowledge

• As a researcher you will be required to make assumptions that are relevant for your dissertation or other research

• Your assumptions about human knowledge (“ontology”) and about the nature of the realities you encounter in your research (“epistemology”) inevitably shape how you understand your research questions, the methods you use and how you interpret your findings

THE “RESEARCH ONION”

RESEARCH DESIGN & METHODOLOGY

*Research Design• Philosophy (e.g. pragmatism)• Approach (e.g. deductive)• Strategy (e.g. survey)• Choice (e.g. mono method)• Time horizon (e.g. cross-sectional)*Research Methodology• Techniques and procedures

• Population and sample• Data collection and analysis, etc.

*Subjective

DON’T STRESS ABOUT DIFFERENCES

• Everyone has his or her own preferred system and labels• For example:-

• Inductive and deductive research• Inductive and deductive strategies• Inductive and deductive approaches• Inductive and deductive reasoning, etc.

• Another example:-• Sec 7.6 “strategy” = experiment, survey, case study, etc.• Sec 7.7 “strategy” = exploratory, formal, observation, etc.

• So … choose one set with which you are comfortable, and follow it happily!

7.6.2 DEDUCTIVE v INDUCTIVE RESEARCH

Deductive research: From the general (theory) to the specific (case)• The general rule may be a theory, the validity or

generalisability of which we want to test with our specific (large) sample

• Typical of quantitative / theory-testing researchInductive research: From the specific (case) to the general (theory) • We study a small sample in depth, make observations and

enquiries, and come up with a theory that we believe explains our observations and information

• Typical of qualitative / theory-generating research

7.6.3 QUANTITATIVE v QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Quantitative research: We collect data that exists in / can easily be converted into the form of numbers• It includes a narrow (“defined”) scope, standardised data

collection instrument, and statistical analysis• Typically used to test theories

Qualitative research: We collect data that exists in the form of words• It includes a broader scope, a more flexible data collection

instrument, and discourse analysis• Typically used to generate theories

PRELIMINARY NOTE ON “NUMBERS”

Quantitative techniques – collect data that are, or can readily be converted into, numbers:-• Nominal (labels, e.g. gender, highest qualification,

employment status, etc.)• Ordinal (rank, e.g. biggest – medium – smallest causes of

stress, or very satisfied – satisfied – dissatisfied, etc.)• Interval (measurement, e.g. height, weight, temperature,

revenue, expenses, etc.)• Ratio (paired, e.g. height & weight = BMI, or distance &

time = speed, or income & expenses = profitability, etc.

EXAMPLE: R. LAW (2016)

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ENDOF

THEUNIT

Congratulations!Nice going … !!

MBA 9

BUSINESS RESEARCH

Class 2b – Section 7.7Page 71

Formulating the Research Design

MODULE OUTLINE (1 of 2)

General introduction

7.1 Introduction to research

7.2 Research ethics

7.3 Research problem, objectives & rationale

7.4 Formulating and clarifying the research topic

7.5Conducting a critical literature review

Practical: Zotero

7.6 The research philosophy and approach

7.7 Formulating the research design

Class 1a

Class 1b

Class 2a

Class 2b

7.7.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

• A research design is the plan according to which the researcher obtains research participants and collects information from them

• If the research design is incorrect, the research may not yield the desired research output

7.7.2 TYPES OF RESEARCH STRATEGIES

• A research strategy should specify methods and procedures for the collection, measurement, and analysis of data

• Exploratory research = theory-generating in new area• Formal research = theory testing of well known issue• Observation = watch (non intrusively) what happens

naturally• Interrogation = ask questions seeking specific answers• Experimental = before and after; many variables controlled,

one variable different, establishing cause and effect• Ex post facto (“come afterwards”) = descriptive study of

what has already happened (e.g. success & failure factors)

7.7.3 THE RESEARCH PROCESS

THIS LINKS TO …

Checklist for first half of

“Chapter 3:Research Methodology”

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Research Design

3.2.1 Philosophy

3.2.2 Approach

3.2.3 Strategy

3.2.4 Choice

3.2.5 Time horizon

GOOD (QUANTITATIVE) EXAMPLE

• Smith, Deon. (2016). The effects of corporate values on organisational performance: A case study in two business units at a leading financial institution in Gauteng. MBA Dissertation: Regenesys Business School.

THE “RESEARCH ONION”

EXAMPLE OF PHILOSOPHY

EXAMPLE OF APPROACH

EXAMPLE OF STRATEGY

EXCELLENT (QUALITATIVE) EXAMPLE

• Patel, Fathima (Dr). (2017). The Outlook for Pharmaceutical Research and Development in South Africa. MBA Dissertation: Regenesys Business School.

THE “RESEARCH ONION”

EXAMPLE OF ABSTRACT

EXAMPLE OF TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXAMPLE OF PHILOSOPHY

EXAMPLE OF APPROACH

EXAMPLE OF STRATEGY

EXAMPLE OF TIME HORIZON

EXAMPLE OF TECHNIQUE

PRACTICAL 1 of 1

• Start developing your own research design for your proposed study

• Remember to include:-• Philosophy• Approach• Strategy• Choice• Time horizon• (Overview of) technique?

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ENDOF

THEUNIT

Congratulations!Nice going … !!

www.regenesys.co.za

Have a good evening!