Section - 1

The Research Process and

the Nature of Business
and Management Research
 Learning Objectives
 At the end of this section you should be able to:

 understand the meaning of research and its purposes.

 understand the nature of business and management

research and why it is important in both business and
academia.

 understand the research types (e.g., descriptive,

explanatory, and evaluative), and the difference between
academic and organizational research (basic and applied).

 Understand the key concepts or terms of research

(concepts, constructs, models, theories, variables,
scientific methids etc.).

 gain an overview of the research process and be aware of

the research skills required to undertake research.
 The Meaning of
Research
 Although the title of our course is “ADVANCE RESEARCH
METHODS”, it is worth having a review of what is actually meant
by the term research.

 Research is important in both business and academia, there is no

consensus in the literature on how it should be defined.

 The main reason for this is that different people can interpret
research differently.

 The meaning of research is very much domain-dependent (different

things to different people).

 For example:

 To research - is to search again, to take another, more careful

look, to find out more.

 For instance: we take another look because something may be

wrong with what we already know.
 The Meaning of
Research (contd:)
 Is research necessary?

 At times it is.

 Isn’t plain old common sense enough?

 It may be enough is no guarantee that it must be?

 For example:

 Would an infant see what you see here when you see
words and sentences and he/she sees marks and lines.

 When we look, what we see differs according to what we

know, think, or expect.

 Just looking involves previous training, experience, or

knowledge.
 The Meaning of
Research (contd:)
 Research is a process through which

Researcher Reveal
Or
Discover Knowledge
Or
To find out things
Through:
planned and systematic collection, analysis, and
interpretation of data.

For what:
 to advance human knowledge.
 to explain why things are as they are.
 judging the success or value (e.g., management policies,
programs, and strategies etc).
 The Meaning of
Research (contd:)
 The nature of research as a distinctly human process through
which researcher (s) make knowledge (Gareth Morgan, 1983).

 Science progresses most rapidly when we attempt to refute our

theories and hypotheses rather than seek to confirm them (Karl
Popper, 1958).

 Research as something that people undertake in order “to find

out things” in a “systematic way”, thereby increasing their
knowledge” (Saunders, 2004).

 Two phrases are important in this definition: “systematic

way” of research and “to find out things”.

(please see next slide)

 The Meaning of
Research (contd:)
 “Systematic”

 research is based on logical relationships and not just on

beliefs.

 involve an explanation of the methods used to collect data,

will argue why the results obtained are meaningful, and will
explain any limitations that are associated with them.

 “To find out things”

 include describing, explaining, understanding, criticizing and
analyzing (Ghauri & Gronhaug 2002).

 Clear purpose or set of things, that researcher (s) want to

find out, such as the answer to a question or number of
questions.
 The Meaning of
Research (contd:)
 However, from the many different definitions offered, there
appears to be conformity/agreement that:

 research is a process of enquiry and investigation, - suggests

that research is all about having a predetermined set of
questions and then aiming to answer these questions through
the gathering of information and analysis.

 it is systematic and methodical - imply that your research

must be well organized and go through a series of stages.

 research increase knowledge – your own knowledge about your

chosen subject will certainly improve as a result of your
research. But hopefully:
 will also contribute in the body of knowledge as well
including your audience.
 The Meaning of
Research (contd:)
 On the basis of previous discussion, research can be defined:
 as a “step-by-step process that involves the collecting, recording,
analyzing and interpreting of information” (Wilson, 2008).

 Obviously, as a researchers, we are interested to improve our knowledge

and understanding of our chosen topic or subject.

 To do this effectively researchers must have a clear set of research

questions.

 The research questions are the main focus of any research

dissertation, and can probably best be described as:
 “the glue that holds the dissertation together” (Wilson,
2008).

 Generally speaking, research is all about generating answer to questions –

advance knowledge.
 The nature of these questions depends on the topic/subject of research.
 The Wrong Meaning of
Research
 Everyday use of the term “research” is not research in the true
meaning of the word. Williman (2001) highlights ways in which the
term is used wrongly.

 Just collecting facts or information with no clear purpose

 Re-assembling and re-ordering facts or information without

interpretation

 As to get your product or idea noticed and respected (by

people and should have confidence in it)

 Research has a number of characteristics:

 Data are collected systematically

 Data are interpreted systematically

 There is a clear purpose to find things out

 Research: What’s it Got to Do
With Me?
 Research is going on all around us, everyday and may have
indirect effects on our lives.

 Policy makers in government may, e.g., make decisions

on the basis of research findings.

 Government departments, commissions, universities or

research organizations to carry out enquires on their
behalf.

 Organizations (public, private, NGO’s etc.) may make

changes on the basis of research that they, or others
have carried out.

(see next slide: purpose of research).

 Purpose of Research

 Broadly, research is carried out to fulfill one of the following

objectives:

 To contribute to a particular discipline (e.g., psychology,

business, etc.).

 To inform policy (e.g., policy on housing, crime, education).

 To address a specific issue or problem (e.g., drug taking in a

local school).

 Advancing knowledge for promoting progress and enabling

individual (s) to relate more effectively to his/her
environment.

 To accomplish purposes, and to resolve conflicts.

 To improve business and management decision-making process.

 Your Reasons for Doing Research

 Generally, you have following reasons to do research:

 I love the subject and study.

 I want to be an intellectual.
 I have a personal question I want to answer.
 I want to be creative and useful.
 I want to be a member of the research community.
 I haven’t been able to get a job.
 Employers want people with this qualification.
 All my friends are doing it.
 It’s part of my course.
 My parents/superiors want me to do it.
 The Nature of Business and
Management Research
 To define business and management research as undertaking
systematic research to find out things (e.g. explaining,
describing, critiquing and analyzing) about business and
management.

 Three things combine to make business and management a

distinctive focus for research.

1. The way in which managers draw on knowledge

developed by other disciplines to gain new insights.

2. Managers tend to be powerful and busy people. They

are unlikely to allow research access unless they see
personal or commercial advantages.

3. Requirement for the research to have some practical

consequence (develop new ideas and relate them to
practice).
 The Nature of Business and
Management Research (contd:)
 Cooper & Schindler, (2009) defined business and management
research:
 A systematic inquiry that provides information to guide
managerial decisions. More specifically:

 “a process of planning, acquiring, analyzing, and

disseminating relevant data, information, and insights to
decision makers in ways that mobilize the organization to
take appropriate actions that, in turn, maximize
performance” (P.4).

 In its simplest form - business and management research is to

gather and analyze information's in order to aid business and
management-related decision-making and problem solving.
 These decision-making and problem solving can be linked to
any business function, e.g., HRM, Finance, Marketing, and
R&D etc
 Formal Definitions of Business and
Management Research
 As a broad definition of business and management research
is: “to enhance the performance of the business enterprise”.

 Business research – based upon financial and numerical needs

– quite often conducted using cost and profit as variables.

 For example:

 Research on functional and technical areas of the

organization (e.g., accounting or marketing, IT,
production, engineering etc.). Conducted by using
specialist approach and area.
 Formal Definitions of Business and
Management Research (contd:)
 Management Research - based upon people needs - specific
dimension of business research, where the research is
concerned with influences on the work behavior of people –
how to improve productivity.

 Management research – sometimes need to consider the

cost of implementing research findings.

 Conducted by using generalist approach and area –

research on managers, employees, or the
organization.
 Specialist and Generalist Approach
in Business and Management
 Every field has the particular tools and techniques that are of
most use to those disciplines or functions.

 For example: own jargon and specific tools and techniques to

handle the type of data used.

 Specialist approach – specific research techniques developed to

address the research objectives of a particular discipline. For
example: market research, operations research, and product
research etc.

 Generalist approach – tends to relate mostly to the areas –

research on managers, employees, the organization (strategic
management, international business, OD)
 Areas of Business and Management
Research
 The two primary areas of business and management research are
specialist and generalist research.

 Specialist Areas of Research are:

 Evaluation – could be anything
 Technical – IT, Product R&D, Production, Engineering, Legal
 Functional – Accounting, Finance, Marketing, HRM, Operation etc.

 Generalist Areas of Research are:

 The Managers – Performance, Skills and Job Characteristics,
Contextual Influence, Gender Issues, Psychology and Development.

 Other Employees – Performance, Motivation, Group Work,

Productivity and Psychology.

 The Organization – Strategic Management, International Business,

Organization Development.
Areas of Business and Management Research
Source: Adopted from Page & Meyer, 2000.
 Common Terms Used in Business
and Management Research
 The most common terms used in business and management
research are:

 Concepts, Constructs, Variables, Operational Definitions,

Theories, Model, Data, Indicators, Measurement,
Information, Methods, Methodology, Scientific Methods,
Principles of Scientific Methods, Argument etc.

 What is meant by all of these terms, in order to identify how

they relate to each other, as well as to the conducting of high-
quality research in the area of business and management?

 These terms comes in many shapes and sizes throughout in our

course. In this lecture, I provide you an elementary introduction
and you will encounter with these terms in later topics/sections as
well.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
1. Concepts - are in psychological terms:
 mental systems for organizing objects, knowledge, and so on into
groups that share similar characteristics.

 refer to concept, we can write about how we classify, interpret,

describe, explain and evaluate aspects of the social world.

 One concept will be defined in relation to other concepts, so

“education” might be defined in relation to concepts like
“instruction”, “creativity”, “training” or “skill formation”.

 A building blocks of research ideas.

 The ideas a researcher has will be based upon the concepts being
used to represent the researcher’s thinking.
An Example of a Concept of “Cat”
Source: Adopted from Page & Meyer, 2000.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
2. Construct - is the:

 structural framework linking a number of concepts

into a much more comprehensive concept, or mega-
concept, of a phenomenon that is not directly
observable or measurable.

 For such phenomenon, researchers must use

indirect means to observe and measure.

 The abstract concepts are called constructs.

 Construct are the abstraction that researchers

discuss in their theories.

 such as social status, power, gender roles.

An Example of a Construct of Managerial
Effectiveness
Source: Adopted from Page & Meyer, 2000
 Common Terms
(contd:)
3. Variable - is a concrete representation of construct
– a characteristic, trait, or attribute that is measured (a
symbol to which values are assigned).

For example: anything in the universe that has the capacity to

vary in attributes or characteristics.

4. Operational definition - procedure of measuring variables

(deciding how they might be measured).
 Specifying testing criteria and what must be counted,
measured, or gathered through our sense.

 It is necessary to capture the rich and complex ideas

contained in a construct.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
5. Theory - goes further than an idea or concept and further
than most constructs, in that:

o A set of systematically interrelated concepts,

definitions, and propositions that are advanced to explain
or predict phenomena (facts); generalizations about
variables and relationships among variables.
Or
 Set of interrelated assumptions that is used to explain a
phenomenon and make predications about associations
among constructs relevant to phenomenon.

 Theory is a system used to order concepts into a

coherent framework of contributing elements and their
interrelations.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
Theory has three features:

1. contains constructs - that are of theoretical interest and

that it attempt to explain/make clear (developing meaning of
an idea) or account for in someway.

2. association among construct - which are frequently causal

(which constructs exert effects on which others under
varying conditions).

3. hypothesized links - between the theoretical constructs and

observable variables that can be used to measure the
constructs.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
6. Model (s):
 A full representation or description of a phenomenon or set
of relationships, including statements about the assumptions
and interactions in the model.

 Representation of complex reality

 Communicate ideas and better understanding of more
complex phenomena
 Model represents a set of assumptions for or general way of
thinking about or seeing, some phenomenon.

7. Data
 Representations of facts that come from some type of
measurement process.

8. Measurement
 The act of quantifying (determine the quantity) the
performance dimensions of products, services, processes and
other business activities.
 Common Terms
(contd:)

9. Indicators
 The term “indicator” is used to define a measurement
that is not a direct or exclusive measure of
performance, such as, complaints -- an indicator of
customer dissatisfaction.

10. Information
 Information is derived from the analysis of data. Good
information allows managers to make decisions on the
basis of facts, not opinions.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
11. Methods - refer to tools and techniques used to obtain and
analyze data (e.g., questionnaires, observations, interviews). Or
- the ways by which data can be collected and analyzed.

12. Methodology - refers to the theory of how research should be

undertaken. Or - the approach and strategy used to conduct
research and concerned with the overall approach to the
research process.

13 Scientific Attitude - a way of thinking about and looking at

the world that reflects a commitment to the norms and values
of the scientific community.

14. Scientific Methods - the idea, techniques, rules, and

approaches that the scientific community uses to create and
evaluate knowledge.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
Principals of Scientific Methods - this is the basis of most
research and consists of a number of steps.

 Observation - All basic concepts must be clearly defined.

Systematic observation is necessary for any type of
research.

 Hypothesis Formulation - On the basis of systematic

observation, researcher formulates a hypothesis (a
proposition) that explains what has been observed.

 Experimentation - The hypothesis is tested to ascertain

(discover or determine) its truth.

 Scientific Laws - From the results of experimentation,

general explanations or laws can be developed (e.g., law of
gravity).
 Common Terms
(contd:)
Principals of Scientific Methods (contd):
 Theory Formulation - the discovery of particular laws can
lead to more general theories or models.

 Flexibility - if new evidence is found that falsifies (fake) or

changes an explanation the researcher should acknowledge this
and change the law and theory.

 Replicability - the procedures used, including definitions of

main concepts along with data, should be open for other
researchers.

 Objectivity - value free research, no concern with morality

or ethics, only motivated pursuing knowledge.
 Common Terms
(contd:)
15. An argument - involves putting-forward (stance/position-
onward) reasons to influence someone’s belief that what you are
proposing in the case (Hinderer, 1992).
 An argument has therefore at least two components: 1) a
point and 2) a reason:
 Making a point (or statement)
by
 Providing sufficient reason (or evidence) for the
point to be accepted by others.

 These elements are related and the movement can go either way
to form the argument:
 a movement from either a point to reason
Or
 from evidence to conclusion (the point) (giving reasons
for some conclusion), (Hart, 2009).
 Common Terms
(contd:)
An Argument as consisting in “giving reasons for some conclusion: the
reasons are put forward in order to establish, support, justify, prove or
demonstrate the conclusion” (Fisher, 1993).

 Every argument—contains its reasons and its conclusions: the reasons

presented for a conclusion are usually called premises (ground) of the
argument.

 An argument based on supposition, inference and assertion.

 Supposition – an assumption made about what is or is not a case or
state of affairs.

 Assertion – a declaration made on the existence or cause of

something which or without the use of evidence.

 Inference – an assertion made on the basis of something else

observed or taken as knowledge; used in deductive and inductive
argument.
 Types of Research
Study
 Generally, your choice of research study largely depends on the
purpose of your research.

 For example:
 Do you intend to conduct research into a subject that
has been neglected among researchers?
 Discovering or finding-out to enhance human knowledge.

 Are you interested in determining how one variable

impacts on another?
 Explain why things are as they are, or judging the success
of policies, strategies, and programs etc.

 Three types of research study can therefore be distinguished

which correspond to the above two questions.
(see next slide)
 Types of Research
Study (contd:)
 If we are classifying research study according its purpose, we can
describe as being either exploratory, descriptive, explanatory/ or
analytical or predictive.

 Exploratory research – is conducted into a research problem or issue

when there are very few or no earlier studies to which we can refer for
information about the issue or problem.

 The aim of this type of research is to develop a better insight into a

particular topic, leading to the development of a set of hypotheses
which can be tested at a later stages.

 Descriptive research – seeks to find out and describe phenomena as

they exist. It is used to identify and obtain information on the
characteristic of a particular problem or issue.

 For example: descriptive research tries to discover answers to the

questions who, what, where and sometimes, how.
 Types of Research
Study
 Explanatory research – is a continuation of descriptive research. The
researcher goes beyond simply describing the characteristics, to analyzing
and explaining why or how it is happening. Or we can say:

 Explanatory research - attempts to explain the reasons for the

phenomena that the descriptive study has only observed.

 Explanatory study aims to understand phenomena by discovering

and measuring causal relations among them.

 Predictive research – establishes an explanation for what is happening

in a particular situation, whereas the former forecasts the likelihood of a
similar situation occurring elsewhere.

 Predictive study aims to generalize from the analysis by predicting

certain phenomena on the basis of hypothesized, general
relationships.
 Basic and Applied
Research
 One reasons for conducting research is to develop and apply
concepts and theories. There are many other purposes for
conducting research, but final outcome can be categories as
either:

 Purely for scientific purpose (Basic) - to expand our knowledge

about a particular subject.

 For example – obtain new knowledge of an experimental or

theoretical nature that have little impact on action,
performance, or policy decision. or

 For the purpose of solving specific problem (Applied) – explore

real-life problems with the aim of establishing practical solutions.

 For example – it is conducted to reveal answers to specific

questions relied to action, performance, policy needs.

 Research based on these two types of outcomes/concepts is known

basic/pure or applied research.
 Basic and Applied Research:
Purpose and Context
 All business and management research dissertations/projects can
be placed on a continuum/range (basic and applied research)
according to their purpose and context.

 Basic/Fundamental/Pure Research - is being conducted to

understand the processes of business and management and their
outcomes.

 This type of research is largely undertaken in universities

and largely as the result of academic agenda.

 Key consumer is academic community with relatively little

attention being given to its practical application.

 Academics generate much pure research in order to build theories

and models in their disciplines.
 Basic and Applied Research:
Purpose and Context (contd:)
 Applied Research - is research with a specific application in
mind.

 This type of research conducted by managers and academics

to solve specific organizational problems or address issues
that they sees as important.

 At the end of this research, it is direct and immediate

relevance to managers/employees.

 Applied research presented in ways that they understand and can

act on.
 Basic and Applied Research:
Purpose and Context (contd:)
Basic Research Applied Research
Purpose: Purpose:
1. Expand knowledge of processes of 1. Improve understanding of
business and management. particular business or management
2. Value to society in general. problem.
3. Results in universal principles 2. Result in solution to problem
relating to the process and its 3. New knowledge limited to problem.
relationship to outcomes. 4. Findings of practical relevance and
value to manager (s) in
organization (s)

Context: Context:
1. Undertaken by people based in 1. Undertaken by people based in a
Universities. variety of settings including
2. Choice of topic and objectives organizations and universities.
determined by the researcher. 2. Objectives negotiated with
3. Flexible timescales. originator.
3. Tight timescales.
 Research Process

 Experienced and new researchers go through similar stages when

conducing a research.

 The majority of textbooks on research skills make reference

to the research process by illustrating a series of stages. In
reality, your research unlikely a logical series of steps.

 All type of research is a multi-stage process that you must

follow in order to undertake and complete the research study
or dissertation/or thesis.

 The precise number of stages varies, a typical example of the

research process is as follow:

(see next slide)

 Research Process
(contd:)
 Establish an intention – you need to have a basic purpose prior to
carrying out your research.
 Your focus will be on starting and eventually completing your research
study within the time period laid down by the university.

 Choosing a research topic - before you start you need a subject.

 The nature of the research topic, how to generate ideas and
establish research problem or question will be discussed throughout
the course.

 Conduct a literature review – essential part of academic research and

an acknowledgement of what has already been written on the chosen
subject for research.
 The existing literature that may help you to form the basis of
present study and will be discussed in section -4.

 Research design - a systematic plan of the data collection and analysis

phases of your dissertation. The is full explored in section – 5.
 Research Process
(contd:)
 Address ethics – the principles and values that underpin the way
researchers conduct their research.
 Research ethics will be discussed in detail in section – 4.

 Collect data – process of gathering the data from a wide range of

sources.
 These are likely to include both primary and secondary data. We will
examine the main data collection methods in next few sections.

 Analyze data – process of analyzing your results to see the extent to

which extent they address your research question/hypotheses.
 The tools of analysis depend on whether you have collected
quantitative or qualitative data. These tools are addressed in
section 9,10,11.

 Conclusion and write-up - at some point all the information that you
have gathered, probably over several months or years, need to be
concluded and written-up. The wrap-up of the research along with writing
issues will discussed later on.
Research Process and Role
of Supervisor
Source: Adopted from Wilson, 2008
 Summary
(Research Process)
Conducting research requires following sequence of steps.
1. select topic
2. focus question/problem
3. design method
1. collect data
4. analyze data
1. interpret data
2. Discussion
5. Conclusion
6. inform others

These steps vary slightly by whether a study involves

quantitative or a qualitative approach and data.
 What is Good
Research?
 Good research generates dependable solution (s) to problem
through the planned and systematic collection, analysis, and
interpretation of data.

 Good research follows the standards of the scientific method.

The characteristics of good research are:

 Purpose clearly defined.

 Research processes must be defined and detailed.

 Research design thoroughly planned

 Exploratory or descriptive procedures must be outlined.

 What is Good
Research?
 Ethical standards must be followed

 Limitations must be acknowledged and detailed.

 Extensive analysis of the data and used methods should be

appropriate.

 The reliability and validity of data should be checked.

 Unambiguously presentation of research findings.

 Conclusions must be justified.

 Summary

 This section-1 has introduced the meaning of research,

particularly in the context of business and management.

 For example:
 A step-by-step process that involves the collecting, recording,
analyzing and interpreting of information.

 It has also drawn attention to the key terms or concepts of research.

 Different types of research have been discussed, along with the

necessary research skills required to be an effective researcher.

 For example:

 Research is any organized inquiry carried out to provide information

for solving problems (given or chosen). This includes:
 descriptive, explanatory, and predictive studies.
 Summary
(contd:)
 Descriptive studies – answer to the question who, what, when,
where, and how.

 Attempt to describe or define a subject by creating a

profile of a group of problems, people, or events.
 Involve the interaction of two or more variables.

 Explanatory Studies – attempts to explain the reasons for the

phenomenon that the descriptive study only observed. Or
 Attempts to explain an event, act – explores phenomena
or events/issues/ problem.

 Predictive Study – to determine if a relationship exists between

two or more variables.
 When causation is established, one variable can be used
to predict the other.