research methods in mis dr. deepak khazanchi. objectives for the course identify problem areas...
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Research Methods in MIS
Dr. Deepak Khazanchi
Objectives for the Course
Identify Problem Areas Conduct Interview Do Library Research Develop Theoretical Framework Formulate Hypothesis Make Research Design Decisions Collect Data Analyze & Interpret Data Discuss Findings & Implications Discriminate between Good and
Bad Research Know the Manager-Researcher
Relationship
Self Management of Time, Talents, and Other Resources
Develop Communication Skills-Oral & Written
Take Personal Responsibility for Learning & Information Seeking
Learn to Handle Ambiguity Develop Logical Thinking and a
feel for What is Involved in Managerial Decision Making
Develop Confidence in Competence
Knowledge & Skills Acquisition
Personal & Professional Development
Definition of Research
Research is the organized and systematic inquiry or investigation which provides information for solving a problem or finding answers to a complex issue.
Why Study Research?
Research provides you with the knowledge and skills needed for the fast-paced decision-making environment
Why Managers need Better Information
Global and domestic competition is more vigorous
Organizations are increasingly practicing data mining and data warehousing
The Value of Acquiring Skills To gather more information before
selecting a course of action To do a high-level research study To understand research design To evaluate and resolve a current
management dilemma To establish a career as a research
specialist
Different Styles of Research Pure/Basic Research
Research conducted for the purpose of adding to general knowledge for future use.
Usually not prompted by a specific problem.
Applied Research Research conducted for the purpose of
practical application Usually, undertaken in response to a specific
problem o need for decision making.
Research Process
Specific planned and controlled steps for empirically investigating a problem. Also referred to as hypothetico-
deductive research THE RESEARCH PROCESS IS THE SAME
FOR Basic and Applied RESEARCH. However, methods used within the “process” might differ.
What is Good Research?
Conforms to the characteristics of the scientific method Purpose clearly defined Research process detailed Research design thoroughly planned High ethical standards applied Limitations frankly revealed
What is Good Research? (Cont’d)
Adequate analysis for decision-maker’s needs
Findings presented unambiguously Conclusions justified Researcher’s experience reflected
Why Managers should Know Research?
facilitates good decision making become discriminating about
research findings prevent vested interests educates to share pertinent and
relevant information with researcher
Why Managers should Know Research? (cont’d).
Helps take calculated risks with probabilities attached
Understand the complexity of the variables impacting an organization
An integral part of professionalization of management
The Manager-Researcher Relationship Manager’s obligations
Specify problems Provide adequate background information Access to company information gatekeepers
Researcher’s obligations Develop a creative research design Provide answers to important business
questions
Manager-Researcher Conflicts Management’s limited exposure to
research Manager sees researcher as threat to
personal status Researcher has to consider corporate
culture and political situations Researcher’s isolation from managers
Internal vs. External Researchers Internal Researchers:
Advantages: Better acceptance from staff Knowledge about organization Would be an integral part of implementation and
evaluation of the research recommendations Disadvantages:
Less fresh ideas Power politics could prevail Possibility not valued as “experts” by staff
Internal vs. External Researchers (Cont’d) External Researchers
Advantages: Divergent and Convergent thinking Experience from several situations in different types
of organizations Usually, external researchers have better technical
training Disadvantages:
Takes time to know and understand the organizational system
Rapport and cooperation from staff not easy Not available for evaluation after implementation Costs money
Types of Studies Used to do Research
Reporting Study Provides an account or simulation of
some data or generate some statistics Research design does not have to be
complex and require inferences for a project to be called research.
Purists do not qualify this as research; some authors consider investigative reporting as a candidate for being called research.
Types of Studies Used to do Research (cont’d) Descriptive Study
Tries to discover answers to the questions who, what, when, where, and sometimes how.
Describe and define a subject, often by creating a profile of a group of problems, people, or events.
Descriptive studies may or may not have the potential for drawing powerful inferences.
Popular in business research because of its versatility across disciplines.
Types of Studies Used to do Research (Cont’d) Explanatory Study
Goes beyond description and attempts to explain the reasons for the phenomenon that the descriptive study only observed.
Grounded in theory or past literature Researcher asserts hypotheses or testable
propositions Hypotheses are tested by modeling
relationships between variable so of interest Addresses why and how questions
Types of Studies Used to do Research (Cont’d) Predictive Study
Attempts to predict when and in what situations an event or phenomenon will occur
Is as rooted in theory as explanatory studies.
Predictive studies allow for control of phenomenon once we can explain and predict it
Being able to replicate a scenario and dictate a particular outcome is the objective of control
Steps in The Research Process Research Problem Arises (Observation?)
Recognition of Existing Problem Desire to Improve Status Quo Planning for the future (environmental
scanning) Curiosity/Discovery
Preliminary Information Gathering Interviews Literature Survey Determine the variables and operational
definitions
Revie
w R
esearc
h E
thic
s
Steps in The Research Process (cont’d) Theory Formulation
Concepts, Constructs, Variables, and Relationships
Hypothesis Development Vs. Research Questions
Further Data Collection Data Analysis Deduction-Draw Conclusions