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 1A
 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.

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 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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