Research

Methods for
Business

A skill Building Approach

Fourth Edition

Uma Sekaran
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Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Sekaran/RESEARCH 4E

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 Introduction to Research.
Scientific Investigation.
Technology and Business Research.
The Research Process: Steps 1 to 3:
The Broad Problem Area,
Preliminary Data Gathering,
Problem Definition.
The Research Process: Steps 4 and 5:
Theoretical Framework Hypothesis
Development.
The Research Process: Step 6:
Elements of Research Design.
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 Measurement of Variables:
Operational Definition and Scales.
Measurement: Scaling, Reliability,
Validity.
Data Collection Methods.
Sampling.
Data Analysis and Interpretation.
The Research Report.
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 What is Research.
Research involves a series of well-thought-out and
carefully executed activities that will enable the
manager to know how org. problems can be
solved, or at least considerably minimized.
OR
Organized, systematic, data-based , critical,
objective, scientific inquiry or investigation into
a specific problem, undertaken with the purpose
of finding answers or solution to it.
Quantitative (structured questioner)
Qualitative (Open-ended questioner)
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Management may take Decision

On the determination of luck

On the basis of investigation
Choose between alternatives.

The main FUNCTION of

Management is Decision Making
Good decision

Problem Solved
Poor decision

Problem persists
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Situations
1. Machine on the shop floor stops
working
2. Employee absents from work floor.
3. Employees are not motivated
4. Creditors have negative perception
about your organization.
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Check list for Good Decision

1. Do manager identify where exactly the problem
lies? Yes /No
2. Do they know what type of information are to be
gathered and how? Yes /No
3. Do they know how to make use of collected
information and draw appropriate conclusion to
make the right decisions? Yes /No
4. Do they know how to implement the results of the
process to solve the problem? Yes /No.

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Decision Making & Research

Problem Area
Problem identification
Gathering Information
Analysis of Data
Delineate (describe) the
factors OR
corrective
action
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What is Research.
Organized, systematic, data-based,
critical, objective, scientific inquiry or
investigation into a specific problem,
undertaken with the purpose of finding
answers or solution to it.

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Business Research.
Is usually primarily conducted to resolve
problematic issues in or interrelated
among, the areas of business.
1. Accounting
2. Finance
3. Management
4. Marketing

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 Accounting: budget control system,

Practices and procedure, inventory costing
method, Cash recovery, taxation Planning.
Finance: Operation of financial
institutions, financial ratios, leverage,
mortgage, merger, acquisition etc.

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 Management: Employees attitude and

behavior, human recourses management,
impact of changing demographic on
management practices, production
operations.
Marketing: Branding image, advertising,
after sale services, Consumer preferences,
new product development etc.
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Fundamental Type of
Research
1. Applied Research:

To solve the current

problem.

Research done with

intention of applying the
results of the finding to solve
specific problems currently
being experienced in the
organization is called
applied research.
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Fundamental Type of Research

2. Basic / Pure /Fundamental Research
To improve our understanding about
problems.
Research done chiefly to enhance the
understanding of certain problems
that commonly occur in
organizational setting and seek
method of solving them.

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Fundamental Type of Research

2. Basic / Pure /Fundamental Research

To generate a body of knowledge by trying

to comprehend how certain problems that
occur in organizations can be solved.
e-g Multiculturalism, ethnicity, demographic
factors etc.

Various organization General Electronic

Company

Professors in universities .
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Fundamental Type of Research

2. Basic / Pure /Fundamental Research

Objective of Basic research is to

equip oneself with additional
knowledge of certain phenomena/
problems that occur in several
organizations.

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Effect of Nasal Spray on Flu

A research scientist surveys 1000
employees in different
organization setting to study the
efficacy of several type of nasal
sprays in controlling the flu
virus. He subsequently publishes
his finding in a high respected
medical journal.
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Why should a manager know

research?

Facilitates good decision

making.
Become able to discriminate
about research findings.
Prevents vested (personal)
interests
Educates to share pertinent/
significant and relevant
information with researcher.

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Why should a manager know research?

Help for calculation of risks and
probabilities attached.
Understand the complexity of the
variables in organization.
Integrate research with profession.
Hire /select researcher /consultant
more effectively.
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The Manager Researcher

Relationship

Each should know

his /her role.
Trust level
Value system
Acceptance of
findings and
implementation
Issues of inside
versus outside
researchers.
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INTERNAL RESEARCHERS
Advantages

Better acceptance from staff

Knowledge about organization
Would be an integral part of implementation and
evolution of the research recommendations.

Disadvantages

Less fresh ideas

Power politics could prevail
Possibility not valued as experts by staff.
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EXTERNAL RESEARCHERS
Advantages

Divergent and convergent thinking

Experience from several situations in different type of
organizations.
Better technical training, usually.

Disadvantages

Take time to know and understand the organizational

system.
Rapport and corporation from staff not only easy.
Not available for evaluation after implementation cost.
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