RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
• Scientific & systematic search of pertinent information on a specific topic
• The search for knowledge through objective and systematic method of
finding solution to a problem is research

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
• Scientific research is systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical
investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relations
among phenomena

BUSINESS RESEARCH
• A systematic inquiry whose objective is to provide information to solve
managerial problem
• It is systematic, controlled, empirical, and critical investigation of
phenomena of interest to managerial decision maker
• Applied Research:It has a practical problem solving emphasis.
• Pure Research: It aims to solve perplexing questions (that is problems) of
a theoretical nature that have little direct impact on action, performance or
policy decision.

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 CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFC METHOD
• Systematic- Each step must be so planned that it leads to the next step
• Reliance on empirical evidence
• Objectivity- Independent of researcher’s personal views and opinions
• Ethical Neutrality
• Reproducible- If it is duplicated, approximately same result can be
obtained
• Relevant- Use of relevant concepts, application of relevant procedure
• Control-Controlling other variables than the variables under study
• It results into probabilistic prediction

CHARCTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC BUSINESS RESEARCH

• 1. Purpose clearly defined

• 2. The research procedure used should be described in detail
• 3. Research design thorough planned- It includes Exploratory procedures,
sample unit, data collection procedure
• 4. High ethical standards maintained to protect study participants,
organisations, clients and researchers
• 5. Limitations frankly revealed
• 6. Adequate analysis of decision maker’s needs
• 7. Findings present unambiguously
• 8. Conclusions justified

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 BUSINESS DECISION MAKING
• Business decision making involves the formulation, evaluation and
selection of alternatives to solve managerial problems
• Quality of decisions is usually tied with availability of usable information
at the time of decision making
• Business research is a primary means of obtaining usable information for
decision making

DECISION MAKING PROCESS

• Problem Recognition
• Information Search
• Problem Analysis
• Alternatives Evaluation
• Decision

IMPORTANCE OF RESEARCH IN MANAGEMENT DECISION

• The manager’s increased need for more and better information
• The availability of improved techniques and tools to meet this need
• The resulting information overload
• Reduces the probability of wrong choice
• Research methodology can minimize the degree of uncertainty

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS RELATING TO RESEARCH

• Concepts: It is a generally accepted collection of meanings or

characteristics associated with certain events, objects, conditions,
situations and behaviour.
• Constructs are specific type of concepts. It is an image or idea specifically
invented for a given research or theory building purposes

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 • Variable: A concept which can take different quantitative values is called
a variable
• Continuous Variable: It can assume any numerical value within a specific
range
• Discrete Variable: The individual values fall on the scale with distinct
gaps
• An Independent Variable causes the dependent variable to change; it can
be manipulated
• Dependent variable cannot be manipulated, it is observed for variation as
a presumed result of independent variable
A participative leadership style (IV) influences job satisfaction (DV)
• Extraneous Variable: Independent variables that are not related to purpose
of study, but may affect the dependent variable
• Intervening Variables: The factor which theoretically affects the observed
phenomenon but cannot be seen, measured, or manipulated, its effect must
be inferred from the effects of the independent and moderator variables on
the observed phenomenon
• Moderating Variable: A second independent variable that is included
because it is believed to have a significant contributory or contingent
effect on the originally stated IV-DV relationship

In routine office work (EV-Control)), the introduction of a four-day

workweek (IV) will lead to higher productivity (DV), especially among
young workers (MV)
• The introduction of a four-day workweek (IV) will lead to higher
productivity (DV), especially among young workers, by increasing job
satisfaction (IVV)

• Dictionary Definition: A concept is defined with a synonym

• Operational Definition: It assigns meaning to a construct or variable by
identifying the activities or operations necessary to measure it.
• Measured operational Definition: How a variable will be measured?
• An experimental operational definition spells out the details (operations)
of the investigator’s manipulation of a variable

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 • Proposition: A statement about concepts that may be judged true or false
if it refers to observable phenomena.
• Hypothesis: When a proposition is formulated for empirical testing, it is
called hypothesis.
• Hypotheses are also the statements in which we assign variables to cases.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYPOTHESIS

• Descriptive hypothesis: State the existence, size, form, or distribution of

some variable. Example: Executives in company Z have a higher than
average achievement motivation
• Relational Hypothesis: These are statements that describe a relationship
between two variables with respect to some case.
• Example: Foreign (Variable) cars are perceived by American consumers
(case) to be betterquality than domestic cars.
• Two Variables: Country of origin and Peceived quality

• Correlational Hypothesis: State merely the variables occur together in

some specified manner without implying that one causes other.
Young machinist (under 35 years of age) are less productive than those of
35 years of age or older.

TYPES OF RESEARCH
• 1. Descriptive vs. Analytical:
• Descriptive: Tries to discover answer to the questions- who, what, where,
when, major purpose is description of the present state of affairs
Ex post facto Research: Investigators have no control over the variables in
the sense of being manipulate them
• Analytical: Use facts or information already available, and analyse those
to make a critical evaluation

• Applied versus Fundamental:

• Applied Research- Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem
facing a society or an industrial business organisation

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 • Fundamental Research- It is mainly concerned with the generalisation &
formulation of a theory

• Quantitative versus Qualitative:

• Quantitative Research: Based on the measurement of quantity or amount,
applicable to phenomena that can be expressed in terms of quantity
• Qualitative: Concerned with qualitative phenomenon, i.e., phenomena
relating or involving quality or kind
• Conceptual versus Empirical:
• Conceptual Research: Related to some abstract idea or theory.
• Empirical Research: Relies on experience or observation alone, often
without due regard for system and theory

• Based on Time dimension

• Cross-sectional versus Longitudinal:
Cross sectional studies are carried out once and represent a snapshot of
one point in time
Longitudinal- Carried on over several time period. It can track changes
over time.

RESEARCH PROCESS
• 1. Formulating the research problem
• 2. Extensive Literature survey
• 3. Development of working hypothesis
• 4. Preparing the research design
• 5. Determining Sampling design
• 6. Collection of data
• 7. Analysis of data

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