Management Research Methodology:

Integration of Principles Methods and Techniques

Chapter 1 Scientific Method

Introduction
Management is synonymous with design making Managers base their decisions either on knowledge drawn from good practice or on knowledge derived from research

Introduction
Research as systematic self critical enquiry Nature of management research

University research Research by organization/manager Research by an outside consultant Research may be reporting, description, explanation or prediction

What Is Science?

Science is both a
A body of knowledge and A process of enquiry to generate that knowledge

What Is Science?

Goals of Science are

Advancement of knowledge Mapping of patterns of various domains of facts Continuous improvement of understanding of reality

Meta Science

Scientific Enquiry

There are Two modes of Scientific Enquiry

Speculative Critical (analytical)

Analysis is the expression of thinking in three ways

Redefinition Explication

Illustration
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Scientific Enquiry (contd.)

Earlier Empirical Scientific Enquiry used only inductive logic Bacon & Mill Current Scientific Enquiry:

Uses both inductive logic and deductive logic Strives for falsification Holds science as only relativistic

Definition
A definition aims to show the meaning of a term/concept Definitions serve to:

Describe relationship between concepts Substitute concepts Facilitate measurement Link concepts

Kinds of Definition
Ostensive Definitions Lexical Definitions Descriptive Definitions Operational Definitions Mathematical Definitions

Hypothesis

A Hypothesis:
Is a declarative statement about a phenomenon Has a definite practical consequence Can be experimentally verified

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Theory Development

A Theory:
is a set of definitions, constructs, laws and hypotheses which are systematically related is tested against observable data is Used for explaining and predicting phenomenon guides useful ways of investigating the phenomenon

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Scientific Method

Formal Science is based on Axiomatic Method Empirical Science is based on facts (eg: natural sciences)

Scientific method for developing theories in Empirical Sciences uses

Deductive Logic which Draws particular conclusion from general principles Inductive logic which Draws inference from evidence in the form of conclusions

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Scientific Method (contd.)

Hypothetico deductive procedure

Evokes Hypotheses inductively from experience or a limited observation of phenomenon Tests hypotheses deductively using data from phenomenon in a systematic and rigorous way

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Deductive logic
Uses - Premises Uses Arguments and draws conclusions Deduction is true if and only if arguments are valid and premises are true Deductive logic is a study of validity not of truth

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Inductive logic
The starting point of inductive logic is evidence or a fact in an observation. Conclusion is inferred from the evidence, as conclusion is one of the many possible explanations of the evidence. The conclusion is tentative and ONLY supports the evidence

Scientific Investigation

Studies present available knowledge and observes the phenomenon Raises practical and precise questions to develop a theoretical framework Translates these questions into unambigious hypotheses Tests the hypotheses rigorously using appropriate instruments and relevant data from the phenomenon

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Scientific Investigation (Contd.)

One also uses mathematical models Models represents function, structure and process of phenomenon using models Models can describe behaviours of systems and predict alternate scenarios for decision making

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Scientific Attitude
Scientific method is an attitude of mind. Scientific attitude: Is a firm conviction that an order of things exists and is subject to laws Demands a devotion to facts and an adherence to empirical nature of the phenomenon Searches for theories which are refutable

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Scientific Attitude (contd.)

Appreciates a possibility of error in search and tentativeness of scientific conclusions Is open to public criticism and correction Makes acceptance of theories serve as a model for further scientific work in the area

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Issues of Management Research

Many management researchers question the applicability of the scientific method modelled by natural sciences Their main objections are that organizations are

Unique Unstable Sensitive Lacks realism Epistemologically different

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Research based on above scientific method

Alternative Perspectives of Management Research

Enquiry from outside dominant in natural science research

is rational, objective, and stresses the generalisable knowledge

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Alternative Perspectives Of Management Research (contd.)

Enquiry from inside which is becoming dominant in management research

Is contextual Subjective and Stresses the knowledge of the particular

A judicious mix of the enquiry from outside and enquiry from inside is desirable in management research

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