BMBR 5103

An Overview of
Business Research Methods
Presented by : Dr. Teh

Topics To Be Covered
An Outline of Lesson Plan.
The Art of Research Approach.
To kick Start a Research Project with a
phenomenon.
something (such as an interesting fact or
event e.g. impending GST) that can be
observed and studied
and that typically is unusual or difficult to
understand or explain fully.
Problem formulation.

Topics To Be Covered
Research Proposal leading to the
Submission of
Thesis/Dissertation.
An Overview of Business
Research Methods.

The Impact of GST on Business Operations

The introduction in Malaysia on 1 April 2015 of a 6
% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will replace
the current sales and services tax.
With the implementation of GST, it is mandatory for
businesses to have a complete end-to-end automation
starting - from manufacturing to distribution and
accounting operations as GST entails tracking and
reporting throughout the entire chain of operations,
within the organisation as well as the entire group in
the context of output tax and input tax credit.

The Importance of
RESEARCH ?
A good understanding of various research
methods will help managers to understand,
predict, and control their environment
namely in sales & marketing, the impact of
GST on companys cash flow, internal &
external variables, etc.

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
After problems were identified & problems formulation

is done with.
Research is to get started to verify and clarify the
existence of problems, cause & effect as well as the
availability of opportunities.
How to maximize or leveraging on opportunities
available and at the same time how to minimize the
risks or problems identified.
Then apply the concept of SWOT analysis.
This is what we termed as a systematic approach
rather than intuitive approach.

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?

Research can be described as a systematic and organized

effort to investigate a specific problem that needs a solution.
It is a series of steps designed and followed with the goal of
answers to the issues that are of concern to us in the work
environment.
This means that the first step in research is to know where the
problem areas are in the organization, and to identify as
clearly and specifically as possible the problems that need to
be studied and rectified.
Once the problem or problems that need attention are clearly
defined, then steps can be taken to gather information, analyze
the data, and delineate the factors that are associated with the
problem. By taking the necessary corrective action, the
problem could be resolved.

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
This entire process by which we attempt to solve problems is
called research.
Thus, research involves a series of well-thought out and
carefully executed activities that will enable us to know how
organizational problems can be resolved or at least minimized.
Research thus encompasses the process of inquiry,
investigation, examination, and experimentation.
These processes. Have to be carried out systematically,
diligently, critically, objectively, and logically.
The expected end results would be to discover new facts that
will help us to deal with the problem situation.

Types of RESEARCH
Research can be undertaken for two different
purposes. One is to solve a currently existing
problem in the work setting, the other is to
add or contribute to the general body of
knowledge in a particular area of interest to
the researcher.
When research is done with the intention of
applying the results of its findings to solving
specific problems currently being experienced
in the organization, it is called applied
research.

Types of RESEARCH
However, when research is being done chiefly
to improve our understanding of certain
problems that commonly occur in
organizational setting, and how to solve them,
the research is called basic or fundamental
research. It is also known as pure research.
The findings from such research contribute to
the building of knowledge in the various
management areas.

WHEN RESEARCH
IS NEEDED

The need to make intelligent, informed

decisions ultimately motivates an organization
to engage in business research.
Not every decision requires research.
Making a decision is crucial to the survival of
the company.

THE DETERMINING
FACTORS OF RESEARCH

Time constraints.
The availability of data.
The nature of decision to be made.
The value of the research findings in relation
to cost.

THE TRASLATION
OF OBJECTIVES

Into research proposal

(a statement of problem)
Research question.
Hypotheses.

The Research Process

RESEARCH PROCESS
1. Problem Statement Is Important
2.Correctly Diagnosed Disease Is Half Cured
3.If Problem Is Not Identified Properly and
Treatment Is Given Side Effects Will Be There
4. Identify the Variables to Be Studied
5.Test the Variables With the Problem
6.Conclude and Implement

SOME BROAD PROBLEM AREA

1.Why Recent Training Program Has Not
Brought the Desired Results
2.The Sales Volume of a Product Decreases
Rapidly but the Competitor Doing Roaring
Business
3.The Newly Installed Information System Is Not
Being Used by the Managers for Whom It Was
Designed Primarily.
4.The Inventory Control Is Not Effective
5.The Introduction of Flexible Working Hours
Has Brought More Problems Than It Has Solved.

PRELIMINARY DATA
COLLECTION
Think some body approaches you for a loan
of RM 1m.
1. Back ground information
2.Companies policies, philosophy and
structural factors
3.Perceptions, attitudes and behaviour of
workers, clients and suppliers.

ORGANISATIONS BACKGROUND
1.History
2.Size in Terms of Employees,assets and
Liabilities
3.Aims and Objectives (Main Business)
4.Location and Markets
5. Resources
6. Interdependency and the External
Environment
7.Relevant Financial Data for 10 Years (Gross
Profit, Net Profit, Market Share Dividend P/E
Ratio Etc)

STRUCTURAL FACTORS

1.Organisation Structure
2. Authority Responsibility
3.Communication
4.Control Systems
5.Extent of Specialisation
6.Span of Control
7.Reward Systems Etc.

MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY
QUALITY- REALLY MEANS OR ONLY LIP
SERVICE?
SHORT TERM GOALS AND LONG TERM
GOALS
WHETHER CONTROLS ARE RIGID OR
FLEXIBLE
CREATIVE OR STAGNANT
PLAY IT SAFE OR CALCULATED RISK
PEOPLE ORIENTED OR PROFIT ORIENTED

BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES

Actual Work Habits

Absenteeism
Job Performance
Labour Turnover
Industriousness
Taking Time off
Sabotage
Bombay Port Example
Attack Real Issues Rather Than Symptoms
Co Workers
Companys Involvement in Social Work

LITERATURE SURVEY
Not Inventing the Wheel Again
No Important Variable Is Omitted
Clear Idea Emerges What Variables Are to
Be Included (Parsimony)
Problem Statement Can Be Made With
Precision and Clarity
Earlier Methods of Sampling and Its
Criticism
Development of Theoretical Frame Work

CONDUCTING LITERATURE SURVEY

IDENTIFYING THE RELEVANT SOURCES

BOOKS
PERIODICALS
NEWS PAPERS AND MAGAZINES
PUBLISHED PAPERS AND ARTICLES
DISSERTATIONS

MODERN METHODS OF LITERATURE SURVEY

(SEARCH ENGINES)

COMPUTERISED ONLINE DATABASES IN INTERNET

CD-ROM
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASES
ABSTRACT DATABASES
FULL TEXT DATABASES

WRITING UP THE LITERATURE

REVIEW

On Line Articles Can Be Edited In Word

For Bibliography Documentation Is Needed
Identify And Highlight The Important Variables
Significant Conclusions Arrived
Sampling Methods And Measurements
Your Criticism And Updation
The Flow Should Exist Rather Than Showing Them
Either Chronologically Or In Bits

PROBLEM DEFINITION OR
STATEMENT
Dont Try to Find Out Right Answer for a Wrong Problem

1.Clear
2.Precise
3.The Gap Should Be Pointed Out
4.Gap = Expected Result - Actual Result
5.Antecedent (the Factor Which Contributes)
6.Consequence (Will Be Seen by the Manager)

SOME WELL DEFINED PROBLEMS

Has the productivity increased after the
installation of new machinery?
How has the new packaging affected the sales
of the product?
How is ISO 9002 perceived by the workers?
Has TQM increased the EPS?
What network system is best suited for
OUM.edu.my?
What are the specific factors to be considered in
creating a data warehouse for a marketing
company.

Ethical issues
Be frank and transparent
Assure that the statements made will be kept
confidential
Only transparency will get the needed real data
Deceptive means of data collection will lead to
biased answer, fear, anxiety and distrust
The employees have the right to privacy and
confidentiality

STRESS

Physical tension

1. Blood pressure
2.Pulse rate

Emotional tension

1. Sleeplessness

1. N
ervo
usne
ss
2. An
xiety
3.Fe
ar

2.Sweating
3.Stomach upsets

1 Headaches
2.Fatigue
Mental tension

3. Confusion
4.Unusual number of mistakes