Business and Management Research

Lecture 3
Professional Development and Research
Lecturer R. Milyankova
Chapter 1

Introduction to Business and

Management Research (Chapter 1)
Objectives of this session:
Formulating and understanding of research
Developing an appreciation of research
problems
Developing a recognition of what constitutes a
good dissertation/ project

Introduction to Business and

Management Research

Research Method tools and techniques

used to obtain and analyze data
Research methodology the theory of
how research should be undertaken

The nature of research

Research is something that people undertake in order

to find out things in a systematic way
Why people undertake research?

in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby

increasing their knowledge (Jankowicz, 1995)
Systematic = based on logical relations and not just beliefs
To find out things = possible purposes are describing,
explaining, understanding, criticizing and analyzing

What is research?

to research is to seek answers that involve understanding

and explanation (Williams & May, 1996)

The nature of research

Main characteristics of research:

Data is collected systematically

Data is interpreted systematically
There is a clear purpose: to find things out

The Nature of Business and Management

Research

Need to go beyond common sense

often wrong
incomplete

Research is different from common sense

done to achieve specific goals/ relies on

specific methods/ and is done systematically

Purpose of doing research

to describe/ explain/ understand/ criticize/

analyze

Main features of business and

management research

The way in which managers and researchers draw

on knowledge developed by other disciplines or the
transdisciplinary nature of this research
Managers are powerful and busy people and do not
allow research unless they see personal and
commercial advantages
Research must have practical consequences on the
findings or research should complete the virtuous
circle of theory and practice

Main features of business and

management research
The double hurdle of theory and practice:
Mode 1 knowledge creation: questions are set
and solved by academic interests
Mode 2 knowledge creation : research is
governed by the world of practice

Research is:

Pure (fundamental, basic)

Applied

discovery
invention
reflection
solution of problems
evaluation

Action

should lead to change

Business and Management Research

Basic

Applied

Purpose

expand knowledge of
process of B&M
results in universal
principles relating to the
process and its
relationship to outcomes
findings of significance
and value to society in
general

Purpose

improve understanding of
particular B&M problem
results in solution to
problem
new knowledge limited to
problem
findings of practical
relevance and value to
manager/s in organization/s

Business and Management Research

Basic

Applied

Context

undertaken by people based in

universities/ researh institutes
choice of topic and objectives
determined by researcher
flexible timescales

Context

undertaken by people based

in a variety of settings
including organizations
objectives negotiated with
originator
tight timescales

The research process

Formulating and clarifying a topic
Reviewing literature
Choosing a strategy
Collecting data
Analyzing data
Writing up

Wish to do
research

Formulate and clarify your research topic

Critically review the literature

The research
process

Choose your research approach and strategy

Negotiate access and address ethical issues
Plan the data collection and collect data:
Sampling

Secondary
data

Observation

Interviews

Questionnaires

Analyse the data using:

Quantitative methods

Forward planning

Qualitative methods

Write and submit the project report

Reflection and revision

Why do a dissertation?
To extend knowledge
To develop research skills
To demonstrate ability to apply knowledge and
skills and analyze problems
For personal learning

develop in-depth knowledge

help with career

What should a dissertation include?

Abstract
Introductory chapter
Literature review
Methodology
Results chapter/s
Conclusions / recommendations
References / bibliography
Appendices

How should the dissertation be written?

Clarity and simplicity

write simple sentences
avoid jargon
beware of using large numbers of quotations from
literature

Spelling and Grammar

Person, tense and gender
Correct reference

Formulating the research topic

(Chapter 2)

To be something you are capable of undertaking

To excite your imagination
To feel comfortable you have or can develop the
skills required to research the topic
To have a genuine interest towards the topic
To have financial and time resources to undertake
research
To receive an answer with significant importance

Checklist of attributes of a good

research topic

Does the topic fit the specifications and meet the

standards set by the examining institution
Is the topic something with which you are really
fascinated
Does your research topic contain issues that have
clear link to theory
Do you have or can you develop within the project
time frame, the necessary research skills to
undertake the topic
Is the research topic achievable within the available
time

Checklist of attributes of a good

research topic

Is the research topic achievable within the financial

resources that are likely to be available?
Are you reasonably certain of being able to gain
access to data you are likely to require for this topic
Are you able to state your research questions and
objectives clearly?
Will your proposed research be able to provide fresh
insights into the topic?

Assignment:

Choose your research topic for the next

classes and be ready to discuss it