SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

CHAPTER

WHAT IS RESEARCH???
Research: is simply the process of finding solutions to a problem after a
thorough study and analysis of the situational factors.
Business research: systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific
problem encountered in the work setting, that needs a solution. It comprises a
series of steps designed and executed, with the goal of finding answers to the
issues that are of concern to the manager in the work environment.
Business

research:

organized,

systematic,

data-based

critical,

objective,

scientific inquiry or investigation into a specific problem, undertaken with the

purpose of finding answers or solutions to it.
Yeah, ga usah bingung sama yang namanya mahluk bernama PENELITIAN.
Intinya: penelitian itu kan nyelidikin suatu masalah buat nemuin solusinya.
Prosesnya ga jauh beda sama usaha kita nyari kebenaran suatu gossip atau cari
info tentang orang yang kita gebet. Bedanya: RISET BISNIS ini harus dikerjain
secara sistematis, datanya jelas, dan ada dalil-dalil keilmuan yang sudah diakui
dan terbukti keabsahannya. Santai semua orang pasti bisa menaklukan
binatang yang bernama PENELITIAN ini; khususnya SKRIPSI (buat mahasiswa
S1). Chayo! Pasti bisa!
TYPE OF BUSINESS RESEARCH
Two different purposes of research:
to solve a current problem faced by the manager in the work setting,
demanding a timely solution; (applied research).
to generate a body of knowledge by trying to comprehend how certain problems
that occur in organizations can be solved; (basic research).
Applied research: research done with the intention of applying the results of the
findings

to

solve

specific

problems

currently

being

experienced

in

the

organization.
Basic/fundamental/pure research: research done chiefly to enhance the
understanding of certain problems that commonly occur in organizational
settings, and seek methods of solving them.
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

CHAPTER

II

THE HALLMARKS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The main distinguishing characteristics of scientific research:
1. Purposiveness: started the research with a definite aim or purpose,
purposive focus
2. Rigor: carefulness, scrupulousness, the degree of exactitude in research
investigations. Good theoretical base and a sound methodological design
3. Testability: researcher develops certain hypotheses, then these can be
tested by applying certain statistical tests to the data collected for the purpose
4. Replicability: the results of the tests of hypotheses should be supported
again and yet again when the same type of research is repeated in other
similar circumtances
5. Precision and confidence:

Precision: the closeness of the findings to reality based on a sample.

Reflects the degree of accuracy or axactitude of the results on the basis of
the sample to what really exist in the universe

Confidence: the probability that our estimations are correct

6. Objectivity: the conclusions drawn through the interpretation of the results

of data analysis based on the facts of the findings derived from actual data
and not on our own subjective or emotional values
7. Generalizability: the scope of applicability of the research findings in one
organizational setting to other settings. The research sampling design has to
be logically developed and a number of other details in the data-collection
methods need to be meticulously followed
8. Parsimony: simplicity in explaining the phenomena or problemsthat occur,
and in generating solutions for the problems. Introduced with a good
understanding of the problem and the important factors that influences it;
good conceptual theoretical model
The reason for following a scientific method is that the results will be
less prone to errors and more confidence can be placed in the findings
because of the greater rigor in application of the design details. This also
increases the replicability and generalizability of the findings.

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Makanya, ikutin deh aturan scientific method. Ibaratnya, meneliti juga ada
rukunnya; sama kayak sholat. Kalo kita sholat rukunnya berantakan, ga tertib
urutan ga teratur, kan sholatnya jadi ga karuan tu. Ga jelas juntrungannya.
Bisa-bisa ga ada artinya or ga ada nilainya. Prinsip harus bertindak sesuai
rukun juga berlaku dalam melakukan penelitian.
BUILDING BLOCKS OF SCIENCE IN RESEARCH
Deduction: the process by which we arrive at a reasoned conclusion by logical
generalization of a known fact.
Induction: a process where we observe certain phenomena and on this basis
arrive at conclusions.
HYPOTHETICO-DEDUCTIVE METHOD
7 steps in the hypothetico-deductive method:
1. Observation
2. Preliminary information gathering
3. Theory formulation
4. Hypothesizing
5. Further scientific data collection
6. Data analysis
7. Deduction

CHAPTER IV
RESEARCH PROCESS
Research process for basic and applied research:
1. Observation: broad area of research interest identified
2. Preliminary data gathering: interviewing, literature survey
3. Problem definition: research problem delineated
4. Theoretical framework: variables clearly identified and labeled
5. Generation of hypotheses:
6. Scientific research design:
7. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation:
8. Deduction: hypotheses substantiated? Research question answered? Kalau
pada tahap ini hipotesis dan pertanyaan permasalahan belum terjawab, maka
kita harus kembali ke proses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, atau pun 7. Yang sabar ya say
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Kalau sudah terjawab, ya lanjut ke tahap selanjutnya;
9. Report writing:
10.Report presentation:
11.Managerial decision making:
Yeah, tahap pertama pasti observasi dulu. Gue inget banget, waktu pertamatama dulu gue bilang mau ngangkat Kampung Betawi buat objek penelitian.
Aswin bilang gini deh! Kamu observasi dulu tu Kampung Betawi selama
seminggu penuh berturut-turut. Kalo perlu, lo ga pulang-pulang, diem aja lo
disana. Liatin orang-orang yang dateng, ada apa aja disana, ngapain aja, mereka
dateng dari mana, pokoknya perhatiin apa aja yang terjadi di sana!.
Ga berenti sampe disitu! Gue disuruh wawancara si empunya yang berkuasa di
Kampung Betawi itu. Tanya tentang Kampung Betawi, secara implisit tanyain
juga masalah apa yang dihadapi sama Kampung Betawi, gali sebanyakbanyaknya informasi; untuk memahami objek penelitian lo. Dan yang ga kalah
penting: tanyain mereka punya data-data sesuai kebutuhan lo ga; mereka bisa
kasih data itu ke lo ga. Ini penting! Kalo mereka ga bisa kasih data sesuai
kebutuhan lo, batalkan niat lo buat ngangkat tu objek. Gue saranin (sangat) lo
ganti objek aja. Daripada tar lo repot belakangan, mending antisipasi dari awal
khan! Oh, iya: ga ketinggalan, gue juga disuruh cari teori dan penelitian
terdahulu yang relevan. Untuk memudahkan gue di masa mendatang.
Kalo lo udah observasi dan preliminary data gathering, baru deh lo bisa
menemukan masalah utama yang akan lo angkat, secara spesifik, apa
permasalahan yang paling menarik, paling kritis, paling menggelitik, paling
sensasional, yang paling membuat lo bertanya-tanya geregetan and penasaran!
Silakan berkhayal
Abis itu, dengan teori-teori yang lo temukan, lo bikin model deh
Despite the fact that the research model is depicted and discussed in this book as
if it were a step-by-step linear process, one has to bear in mind that it is not
actually so in practice. For example, though the literature search and interviews
might have been conducted before formulating the theoretical framework, one
may have to go back and conduct more interviews and/or seek additional
information from the literature for a clearer understanding, so as to refine
the theory.
Gue setuju banget sama pernyataan ini! Soalnya gue juga ngerasain harus balik
lagi, balik lagi, balik lagi, sampe gue bener-bener ngedapetin apa yang gue mau.
Interview,

nemu

teori,

interview,

nemu

teori,

cari

ketersediaan

data,

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

AARGGHH!!!! Mo gila! Mungkin ini yang dimaksud aswin kalo nanti ternyata
penemuan kamu ga cocok, ya kita rombak lagi. Sadis! Sialan. Tapi kita tetap
harus sabar SEMANGAAAAATTT!!!!!
Gue jadi inget pertanyaan Hermas: kapan kita tau kalo penelitian kita udah
bener-bener: BENER???. Dan aswin menjawab dengan sok romantis: itu semua
tergantung kecintaan kalian terhadap ilmu pengetahuan . Makanya, bikin
penelitian tentang sesuatu yang benar-benar lo sukai, lo cintai. Jadi di tengahtengah kegilaan dan kebingungan, masih ada alasan waras kenapa lo masih mau
ngelanjutin tu penelitian: karna gue suka banget! (selain karna alasan harus
ngerjain skripsi supaya bisa lulus dari FE). Percaya deh, mengerjakan sesuatu
yang lo suka bakal bikin HIDUP lebih HIDUP.
OBSERVATION
1. Problems currently existing in an organizational setting that need to be solved
2. Areas that a manager believes need to be improved in the organization
3. A conceptual or theoretical issue that needs to be tightened up for the basic
researcher to understand certain phenomena
4. Some research questions that a basic researcher wants to answer empirically
PRELIMINARY DATA COLLECTION
1. Background information of the organization that is, the contextual factors

The origin and history of the company when it came into being, business
it is in, rate of growth, ownership and control, and so on

Size in terms of employees, assets, or both

Charter purposes and ideology

Location regional, national, or other

Resources human and others

Interdependent relationships with other institutions and the external

environment

Financial position during the previous 5 to 10 years, and relevant financial

data

2. Managerial philosophy, company policies, and other structural aspects

Roles and positions in the organization and number of employees at each

job level

Extent of specialization
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Communication channels

Control systems

Coordination and span of control

Reward systems

Workflow systems and the like

3. Perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral responses of organizational members

and client systems (as applicable)

Nature of the work

Workflow interdependencies

Superiors in the organization

Participation in decision making

Client systems

Co-workers

Rewards provided by the organization, such as pay raises and fringe

benefits

Opportunities for advancement in the organization

Organizations attitudes toward employees family responsibilities

Companys involvement with community, civic, and other social groups

Companys tolerance of employees taking time off from the job

LITERATURE SURVEY
Good literature survey ensure that:
1. Important variables that are likely to influence the problem situation are not
left out of the study
2. A clearer idea emerges as to what variables would be most important to
consider (parsimony), why they would be considered important, and how they
should be investigated to solve the problem. Thus, the literature survey helps
the development of the theoretical framework and hypotheses for testing
3. The problem statement can be made with precision and clarity
4. Testability and replicability of the findings of the current research are
enhanced
5. One does not run the risk of reinventing the wheel that is, wasting
efforts on trying to rediscover something that is already known
6. The problem investigated is perceived by the scientific community as relevant
and significant

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

PROBLEM DEFINITION

Narrow down the problem from its original broad base and define the issues of
concern more clearly.

It is critical that the focus of further research, or in other words, the problem,
be unambiguously identified and defined.

No amount of good research can find solutions to the situation, if the critical
issue or the problem to be studied is not clearly pinpointed.

A problem does not necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong with a
current situation that needs to be rectified immediately.

A problem could simply indicate an interest in an issue where finding the

right answers might help to improve an existing situation.

It is fruitful to define a problem as any situation where a gap exists between

the actual and the desired ideal states.

Is this factor I have identified an antecendent, the real problem, or the

consequence?

Problem definition or problem statement: a clear, precise, and succinct

statement of the question or issue that is to be investigated with the goal of
finding an answer or solution.
Could pertain to:
1. Existing business problems where a manager is looking for a solution (applied
research)
2. Situations that may not pose any current problems but which the manager
feels have scope for improvement (applied research)
3. Areas where some conceptual clarity is needed for better theory building
(basic research)
4. Situations in which a researcher is trying to answer a research question
empirically because of interest in the topic (basic research)

CHAPTER V
NEED FOR THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Theoretical framework: a conceptual model of how one theorizes or makes
logical sense of the relationships among the several factors that have been
identified as important to the problem.
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

This theory flows logically from documentation of previous research in the

problem area.

Integrating

ones

logical

beliefs

with

published

research,

taking

into

consideration the boundaries and constraints governing the situation, is

pivotal in developing a scientific basis for investigating the research problem.

Theoretical framework: discusses the interrelationships among the variables

that are deemed to be integral to the dynamics of the situation being
investigated.

From the theoretical framework, then, testable hypotheses can be developed

to examine whether the theory formulated is valid or not.

The entire research rests on the basis of the theoretical framework.

VARIABLES
Variable: anything that can take on differing or varying values.
4 main types of variables:
1. Dependent variable (also known as the criterion variable)
2. Independent variable (also known as predictor variable)
3. Moderating variable
4. Intervening variable
Dependent variable:

Variable of primary interest to the researcher

The researchers goal is to understand and describe the dependent

variable, or to explain its variability, or predict it

The main variable that lends itself for investigation as a viable

factor

It is possible to have more than one dependent variable in a study

Pantesan! Mungkin ini yang dimaksud aswin dengan pertanyaan yang selalu dia
tujukan ke gue: WHAT DO YOU WANT???.....tujuan lo apa sih??? Lo mau apa
ha???. Nah, kalo kayak gini gue jadi bingung lagi nih. Jadi dependent variable
gue jumlah pengunjung atraksi wisata budaya PBB atau keinginan mengunjungi
atraksi wisata budaya PBB????? Duh jadi bingung mikir lagi deh.
Wahai teman, makanya selalu tanyakan dan pastikan tujuan akhir apa yang lo
mau???. Itulah dependent variable lo (hmm,,, sepertinya ini ga cuma berlaku
buat penelitian deh, tapi dalam kehidupan nyata lo juga! what do you
want???!!!)
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Independent variable:

One that influences the dependent variable in either a positive or negative

way

When the independent variable is present, the dependent variable is also

present

With each unit of increase in the independent variable, there is an increase

or decrease in the dependent variable also

Variance in the dependent variable is accounted for by the independent

variable

Moderating variable:

One that has a strong contingent effect on the independent variabledependent variable relationship

Whenever the relationship between the independent variable and dependent

variable becomes contingent or dependent on another variable, we say that
the third variable has a moderating effect on the independent variabledependent variable relationship

The variable that moderates the relationship is known as the moderating

variable

Intervening variable

One that surfaces between the time the independent variables start operating
to influence the dependent variable and the time their impact is felt on it

There is thus a temporal quality or time dimension to the intervening variable

The intervening variable surfaces as a function of the independent variable(s)

operating in any situation, and helps to conceptualize and explain the
influence of the independent variable(s) on the dependent variable

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

It becomes evident at this stage that to arrive at good solutions to the

problem, one should correctly identify the problem first, and then the
variables that contribute to it.

After identifying the appropriate variables, the next step is to elaborate the
network of associations among the variables, so that relevant hypotheses can
be developed and subsequently tested.

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Based on the results of hypotheses testing (which would indicate whether or

not the hypotheses have been supported), the extent to which the problem
can be solved would become evident.

Theoretical framework: elaborates the relationships among the variables,

explains the theory underlying these relations, and describes the nature and
direction of the relationships.
A good theoretical framework identifies and labels the important
variables in the situation that are relevant to the problem identified.
Berarti gue bener donggue ga ngikutin teori dan penelitian lainnya secara plekplekan sama! Gue pake mereka dengan menyesuaikan diri dengan kondisi kasus
gue, si PBB.
5 basic features that should be incorporated in any theoretical framework:
1. The variables considered relevant to the study should be clearly identified and
labeled in the discussions.
2. The discussions should state how two or more variables are related to one
another. This should be done for the important relationships that are
theorized to exist among the variables.
3. If the nature and direction of the relationships can be theorized on the basis
of findings of previous research, then there should be an indication in the
discussions as to whether the relationships would be positive or negative.
4. There should be a clear explanation of why we would expect these
relationships to exist. This arguments could be drawn from the previous
research findings.
5. A schematic diagram of the theoretical framework should be given so that the
reader can see and easily comprehend the theorized relationship.
HYPOTHESES DEVELOPMENT
Hypotheses development: formulating such testable statement
Hypotheses: a logically conjectured relationship between two or more variables
expressed in the form of a testable statement

To call a relationship statistically significant, we should be confident that

95 times out of 100 the observed relationship will hold true

Only a 5% chance that the relationship would not be detected

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Statement of hypotheses: format

If-then statement

Directional

The direction of the relationship between the variables (positive/negative)

is indicated

The nature of the difference between two groups on a variable (more

than/less than) is postulated

Nondirectional

Do postulate a relationship or difference, but offer no indication of the

direction of these relationships or differences

It may be conjectured that there would be a significant relationship

between two variables, we may not be able to say whether the relationship
would be positive or negative

Formulated either because the relationships or differences have never

been previously explored & no basis for indicating the direction, or
because there have been conflicting findings in previous research studies
on the variables

Null and alternate hypotheses

Null hypothesis: a proposition that states a definitive, exact relationship

between two variables

States that the population correlation between two variables is equal to

zero or that the difference in the means of two groups in the population is
equal to zero (or some definite number)

Expressed as no (significant) relationship between two variables or no

(significant) difference between two groups

Alternate hypotheses: the opposite of the null

Statement expressing a relationship between two variables or indicating

differences between groups

If we reject the null hypothesis, then all permissible alternative hypotheses

relating to the particular relationship tested could be supported

Example:

Directional (group differences)

Null hypothesis:
H0 : M = W
H0 : M - W = 0
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Alternate hypothesis:
HA : M < W
HA : M > W

Nondirectional (group differences)

Null hypothesis:
H0 : AM = AS
H0 : AM - AS = 0

Alternate hypothesis:
H0 : AM AS

Directional (relationship between 2 variables)

Null hypothesis:
H0 : there is no relationship between stress experienced on the job and
the
job satisfaction of employees
H0 : = 0

Alternate hypothesis:
HA : < 0

Nondirectional (relationship between 2 variables)

Null hypothesis:
H0 : = 0

Alternate hypothesis:
HA : 0

Steps in hypotheses testing:

1. State the null and the alternate hypotheses
2. Choose the appropriate statistical test depending on whether the data
collected are parametric or nonparametric
3. Determine the level of significance desired (p=0.05, or more, or less)
4. See if the output results from computer analysis indicate that the significance
level is met. If, as in the case of Pearson correlation analysis in Excel
software, the significance level is not indicated in the printout, look up the
critical values that defined the regions of acceptance on the appropriate table
[(t, F, X2) see tables at the end of the book]. This critical value demarcates
the region of rejection from that of acceptance of the null hypotheses.
5. When the resultant value is larger than critical value, the null hypotheses is
rejected, and the alternate accepted. If the calculated value is less than the
critical value, the null is accepted and the alternate rejected.
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Hypotheses generation and testing can be done both through deduction and
induction:

Deduction: the theoretical model is first developed, testable hypotheses are

then formulated, data collected, and then the hypotheses are tested.

Induction: new hypotheses are formulated based on what is known from the
data already collected, which are then tested.

CHAPTER VI
RESEARCH DESIGN

Purpose of the study

Types of investigation

Extent of researcher interference

Study setting

Unit of analysis (population to be studied)

Time horizon

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Exploratory study:

When not much is known about the situation at hand, or no information is

available on how similar problems or research issues have been solved in the
past

To better comprehend the nature of the problem since very few studies might
have been conducted in that area

When some facts are known, but more information is needed for developing a
viable theoretical framework

For obtaining a good graps of the phenomena of interest and advancing

knowledge through subsequent theory building and hypotheses testing

Descriptive study:

To ascertain and be able to describe the characteristics of the variables of

interest in a situation

The goal: to offer to the researcher a profile or to describe relevant

aspects of the phenomena of interest from an individual, organization,
industry-oriented, or other perspective
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Present data in meaningful form, help to:

Understand the characteristics of a group in a given situation

Think systematically about aspects in a given situation

Offer ideas for further probe and research

Help make certain simple decisions

Hypotheses testing:

Explain the nature of certain relationships, or establish the

differences among groups or the independence of two or more factors in a
situation

To explain the variance in the dependent variable or to predict

organizational outcome

Case study analysis:

Involve in-depth, contextual analyses of matters relating to similar situations

in other organizations

Problem-solving technique

Qualitative in nature, useful in applying solutions to current problems based

on past problem-solving experiences

Useful in understanding certain phenomena, and generating further theories

for empirical testing

TYPE OF INVESTIGATION
Causal study: the study in which the researcher wants to delineate the cause of
one or more problems
Correlational study: when the researcher is interested in delineating the
important variables associated with the problem
STUDY SETTING
Field studies: correlational studies done in organizations
Field experiments: studies conducted to establish cause-and-effect relationship
using the same natural environment in which employees normally fuction
Lab experiments: experiments done to establish cause and effect relationship
beyond the possibility of the least doubt require the creation of an artificial,
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

contrived environment in which all the extraneous factors are strictly controlled.
Similar subjects are choosen carefully to respond to certain manipulated stimuli
UNIT OF ANALYSIS
Unit of analysis: level of aggregation of the data collected during the
subsequent data analysis stage. Depend on problem statement focuses.
Individual: data gathered from each individual and treating each employees
response as an individual data source
Dyads: interested in studying two-persons interactions, then several two-persons
groups
Groups: even though we may gather relevant data from all individuals
comprising, we would aggregate the individual data into group data so as to see
the differences among some groups (missal jadi 6 group)
Our research question determines the unit of analysis.
TIME HORIZON
Cross-sectional/one-shot studies: data are gathered just once, perhaps over
a period of days or weeks or moths, in order to answer a research question
Longitudinal studies: data on the dependent variable are gathered at two or
more points in time to answer the research question

CHAPTER VIII
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Operationalizing the concepts: reduction of abstract concept to render them
measurable in a tangible way
Operationalizing: defining a concept to render it measurable, is done by looking
at the behavioral dimensions, facets, or properties denoted by the concept
Operationalizing the concept:

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

They would probably have some typical broad characteristics, which we call
dimensions.

Examining each of the dimension and breaking each further into its elements

These should somehow be observable and quantitatively measurable

What an operational definition is not:

Does not describe the correlates of the concept

Does not consist of delineating the reasons, antecedents, consequences, or

correlates of the concept

If we either operationalize the concepts incorrectly or confuse them with

other concepts, then we will not have valid measures. This means that
we will not have good data, and our research will not be scientific.
Yeahkalo kita salah mengoperasionalisasikan suatu variabel, fatal akibatnya.
Bisa-bisa kita salah bikin pertanyaan buat diukur nilainya. Jelek deh datanya.
(kayaknya gue baru sadar deh kalo gue salah operasionalisasi. Hix.)
Tips agar tidak salah operasionalisasi variabel:
Bikin landasan teori yang bagus! semua berawal dari landasan teori!
Selalu temukan definisi yang tepat dari sebuah konsep ataupun variabel.
DEFINISI itu kunci yang penting! Kalo kata Lovelock -si professor
pemasaran jasa yang kita selalu punya kunci cinta- : If you cant define
something, you cant measure it, and what you cant measure you
cant manage.
Punya definisi yang tepat, pasti akan menuntun lo kepada operasionalisasi
variabel

yang

tepat.

Ini

teori

gue,

hehe

(berdasarkan

pengalaman pribadi). Pantesan, aswin selalu bertanya pada gue: ini

definisinya apa?! Itu definisinya apa?!. Hmmmm.pantesaku baru
mengerti sekarang.
SCALES
Scale: a tool or mechanism by which individuals are distinguished as to how they
differ from one another on the variables of interest to our study
4 basic types of scales: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio
Nominal scale: One that allows researcher to assign subjects to certain
categories or groups
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Assigned code number

These number serve as simple and convenient category labels with

no intrinsic value, other than to assign respondents to one of two
nonoverlapping or mutually exclusive categories

Note that the categories are also collectively exhaustive

The information is to calculate the percentage (or frequency)

Ordinal scale: not only categorizes the variables in such a way as to denote
differences among the various categories, it also rank-orders the categories in
some meaningful way

Helps the researcher to determine the percentage of respondents who

consider interaction with others as most important, those who consider using
a number of different skills as most important, and so on

Interval scale: let us measure the distance between any two points on the scale

Helps us to compute the means and the standard deviations of the responses
on the variables

Not only groups individuals according to certain categories and taps the order
of these groups, it also measures the magnitude of the differences in the
preferences among individuals

The origin, or the starting point, could be any arbitrary number

More powerful scale than the nominal and ordinal scale, and has for its
measure of central tendency the arithmetic mean

It measures of dispersion are the range, the standard deviation, and the
variance

Ratio scale: not only measures the magnitude of the differences between points
on the scale but also taps the proportions in the differences

It has an absolute

(in contrast to an arbitrary) zero point, which is a

meaningful measurement point

The most powerful of the 4 scales because it has a unique zero origin (not an
arbitrary origin) and subsumes all the properties of the other three scales

Use of 4 types of scales:

Nominal scale: for obtaining personal data such as gender or department

Ordinal scale: to rank the preferences or usage of various brands of a

product by individuals and to rank order individuals, objects, or events
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Interval scale: when responses to various items that measure a variable can
be tapped on a five-point (or seven-point or any other number of points)
scale, which can thereafter be summated across the items

Ratio scale: when exact numbers on objective (as opposed to subjective)

factor are called for

CHAPTER IX
GOODNESS OF MEASURES
Goodness of measures: reasonably sure that the instruments we use in our
research do indeed measure the variables they are supposed to, and that they
measure them accurately
Item analysis: to see if the items in the instrument belong there or not.

The means between the high-score group and the low-score group are
tested to detect significant difference through the t-values

The items with a high t-value (test which is able to identify the highly
discriminating items in the instrument) are then included in the instrument

RELIABILITY
Reliability: tests how consistently a measuring instrument measures whatever
concept it is measuring

Measure stability and consistency

Reliability:

Stability of measures: the ability of a measure to remain the same over

time despite uncontrollable testing conditions or the state of the
respondents themselves

Test-retest reliability: the reliability coefficient obtained with a

repetition of the same measure on a second occasion, the higher the
better

Parallel-form reliability: when responses on two comparable sets of

measures tapping the same construct are highly correlated

Internal consistency of measures: the items should hang together as a

set and be capable of independently measuring the same concept so that the
respondents attach the same overall meaning to each of the items
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Interitem

consistency

reliability:

test

of

the

consistency

of

respondents answer to all the items in a measure. To the degree that the
items are independent measures of the same concept, they will be
correlated with one another. Cronbachs coefficient alpha used for
multipoint-scaled items, Kuder-Richardson formulas used for dichotomous
items. The higher the coefficients, the better the measuring instrument

Split-half reliability: reflects the correlations between two halves of an

instrument

VALIDITY
Validity: tests how well an instrument that is developed measures the particular
concept it is intended to measure

Whether we measure the right concept

Validity:

Content validity: ensures that the measure includes an adequate and

representative set of items that tap the concept. A function of how well the
dimensions and elements of a concept have been delineated

Criterion-related validity: established when the measure differentiates

individuals on a criterion it is expected to predict

Construct validity: testifies to how well the results obtained from the use of
the measure fit the theories around which the test is designed

Correlational analysis: as in the case of establishing concurrent and

predictive validity or convergent and discriminant validity

Factor analysis: a multivariate technique that would confirm the

dimensions of the concept that have been operationally defined, as well as
indicate which of the items are most appropriate for each dimension

Multitrait: multimethod matrix of correlations derived from measuring

concepts by different forms and different methods

CHAPTER XI
POPULATION, ELEMENT, POPULATION FRAME, SAMPLE, & SUBJECT
Population: the entire group of people, events, or things of interest that the
researcher wishes to investigate

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Element: a single member of the population
Population frame: a listing of all the elements in the population from which the
sample is drawn
Sample: a subset of the population, it comprises some members selected from it
Subject: a single member of the sample
SAMPLING
Sampling: the process of selecting a sufficient number of elements from the
population, so that the study of the sample and an understanding of its properties
or characteristics would make it possible for us to generalize such properties or
characteristics to the population elements

All conclusions drawn about the sample under study are generalized to the
population

Xbar, S, S2 are used as estimates of the population parameters , , 2

Reason for sampling:

Self-evident

Time, cost, and other human resources considered

Sometimes likely to produce more reliable results

Representativeness of samples:

Rarely will the sample be the exact replica of the population from which it is
drawn

If we choose the sample in a scientific way, we can be reasonably sure that

the sample statistic (e.g.,X bar, S, S2) is fairly close to the population parameter
(i.e.,, , 2)

NORMALITY OF DISTRIBUTIONS
Attributes

or

characteristics

of

the

population

are

generally

normally distributed
If we take a sufficiently large number of samples and choose them

with care, we will have a sampling distribution of the means that has
normality

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

This is the reason that the two important issues in sampling are the

sample size (n) and the sampling design

If our sampling design and sample size are right, the sample mean

Xbar will be within close range of the true population mean ()

The more representative of the population the sample is, the more

generalizable are the findings of the research

2 major types of sampling design:
1. Probability sampling

Simple random sampling

Complex probability sampling

Systematic sampling

Stratified random sampling

Proportionate and disproportionate stratified random sampling

Cluster sampling

Single-stage and multistage cluster sampling

Area sampling

Double sampling

2. Nonprobability sampling

Convenience sampling

Purposive sampling

Judgment sampling

Quota sampling

PROBABILITY SAMPLING
Probability sampling: when elements in the population have a known chance of
being chosen as subjects in the sample
Simple random sampling: every element in the population has a known and
equal chance of being selected as a subject

Best: when the generalizability of the findings to the whole population is

the main objective of the study
Complex probability sampling:

Systematic sampling: drawing every nth element in the population starting

with a randomly chosen element between 1 and n
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Best: when the population frame is large, and a listing of the elements is
conveniently available at one place

Stratified random sampling: a process stratification or segregation,

followed by random selection of subjects from each stratum. The population is
first divided into mutually exclusive groups that are relevant, appropriate, and
meaningful in the context of the study

Best: when differentiated information is needed regarding various strata

within the population, which are known to differ in their parameters

Proportionate and disproportionate stratified random sampling:

Proportionate: the subjects drawn from each stratum, members represented

in the sample from each stratum will be proportionate to the total number of
elements in the respective strata

Disproportionate: the subjects drawn from each stratum, the number of

subjects from each stratum will now be altered, while keeping the sample size
unchanged

Cluster sampling: when several groups with intragroup heterogeneity and

intergroup homogeneity are found, then a random sampling of the clusters or
groups can ideally be done and information gathered from each of the
members in the randomly chosen clusters

Best: when heterogeneous group is to be studied at one time

Single-stage and multistage cluster sampling: the division of of the

population into convenient clusters, randomly choosing the required number
of clusters as sample subjects, and investigating all the elements in each of
the randomly chosen clusters

Area sampling: constitutes geographical clusters, when the research pertains

to populations within identifiable geographical areas such as coutries, city
blocks, or particular boundaries within a locality

Best: when the goal of the research is confined to a particular locality or

area

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Double sampling: where initially a sample is used in a study to collect some

preliminary information of interest, and later a subsample of this primary
sample is used to examine the matter in more detail

Best: provided added information at minimal additional expenditure

NONPROBABILITY SAMPLING
Nonprobability sampling: the elements in the population do not have any
probabilities attached to their being chosen as sample subjects
Convenience sampling: collection of information from members of the
population who are conveniently available to provide it

Best: to obtain some quick information to get a feel for the phenomenon
or variables of interest

Purposive sampling: confined a specific types of people who can provide the
desired information, either because they are the only ones who have it, or
conform to some criteria set by the researcher

Judgment sampling: the choice of subjects who are most advantageously

placed or in the best position to provide the information required

Best: where the collection of specialized informed inputs on the topic

area researched is vital, and the use of any other sampling design would
not offer opportunities to obtain the specialized information

Quota sampling: a form of proportionate stratified sampling, in which a

predetermined proportion of people are sampled from different groups, but on
a convenience basis

Best: for the inclusion of all groups in the system researched

ISSUES IN DETERMINING SAMPLE SIZE

1. Precision

How close our estimate is to the true population characteristic

The narrower this interval, the greater the precision

A function of the range of variability in the sampling distribution of the

sample mean

If we want to reduce the standard error given a particular standard

deviation in the sample, we need to increase the sample size
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

2. Confidence

How certain we are that our estimates will really hold true for the
population

Reflects the level of certainty with which we can state that our estimates
of the population parameters will hold true

A 95% confidence is the conventionally accepted level for most business

research, most commonly expressed by denoting the significance level as
p0.05

At least 95 times out of 100, our estimate will reflect the true population
characteristic

The sample size, n, is a function of:

1. The variability in the population
2. Precision or accuracy needed
3. Confidence level desired
4. Type of sampling plan used
4 aspects while making decisions on the sample size:
1. How

much

precision

is

really

needed

in

estimating

the

population

characteristics of interest what is the margin of allowable errors?

2. How much confidence is really needed how much chance can we take of
making errors in estimating the population parameters?
3. To what extent is there variability in the population on the characteristics
investigated?
4. What is the cost-benefit analysis of increasing the sample size?
Roscoe (1975); rules of thumb for determining sample size:
1. Sample sizes larger than 30 and less than 500 are appropriate for most
research
2. Where samples are to be broken into subsamples (ex:male/female, etc), a
minimum sample size of 30 for each category is necessary
3. In multivariate research (including multiple regression analysis), the sample
size should be several times (preferably 10 times or more) as large as the
number of variables in the study
4. For simple experimental research with tight experimental controls (matched
pairs, etc), successful research is possible with samples as small as 10 to 20
in size

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Kalo menurut gue sih, tahapan yang paling genting dan paling kritis ya di
pembuatan BAB 3 alias pembuatan/penentuan metodologi ini. Ibaratnya bikin
racikan obat, BAB 3 ini kayak tahap ketika lo lagi menentukan takaran dosis
setiap elemen ramuan (ya populasi, ya sample, ya lainnya). Kalo dosisnya
kurang, pasien ga sembuh, merana harus menderita terus-menerus. Kalo
dosisnya berlebihan, pasien over dosis, meledak nanti! Dua-duanya sama-sama
gawat. Kalo lo udah bikin BAB 3 lo dengan benar, selanjutnya gampang kok,
tinggal ngambil data or sebar kuesioner, analisa. Tingal jalan.ga perlu berlarilari jatuh bangun kedebak-kedebuk. Well, udah bisa berpikir lebih santai lah..
Tapi inget!!! BAB 3 juga berasal dari BAB 2! Model penelitian lo kan berasal dari
landasan teori di BAB 2. Salah teori, bisa-bisa salah model. Salah model,
berakibat salah operasionalisasi variabel. Salah operasionalisasi variabel, salah
kuesioner. Salah kuesioner, salah data. Salah data, tebak sendiri.
Tapi, BAB 2 juga berasal dari BAB 1 lho. Lo kan harus tau permasalahan lo
dengan jelas tuh. Apa yang jadi latar belakang permasalahannya, apa hasil akhir
yang lo mau. Semua itu yang menentukan teori-teori apa aja yang lo butuhin
untuk dicantumin!
Hahahaha. Intinya sih, semua harus dikerjakan secara berurutan yah: BAB 1-23. Inget prinsip rukun yang gue jabarin di atas. Pokoknya selamat
mengerjakan BAB1,2,3 bolak-balik deh. 1,2,3 3,2,1 2,1,3 begitu aja terus!
Yang penting: sabar semua harus dikerjakan dengan ketenangan akal dan
pikiran. Nikmatin aja prosesnya goodluck yo!

CHAPTER XII
4 steps in data analyis:
1. Getting data ready for analyis
2. Getting a feel for the data
3. Testing the goodness of data
4. Testing the hypotheses
GETTING DATA READY FOR ANALYSIS
Editing data:

Data have to be edited

Information that may have been noted down by the interviewer, observer, or
researcher in a hurry must be clearly deciphered so that it may be coded
systematically in its entirety
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

Incoming mailed questionnaire data have to be checked for incompleteness

and inconsistencies

Handling blank responses:

Not all respondents answer every item in the questionnaire

Blank because the respondent did not understand the question, did not know
the answer, was not willing to answer, or was simply indifferent to the need to
respond to the entire questionnaire

Way to handle a blank response:

Assign the midpoint in the scale as the response to that particular item

Allow the computer to ignore the blank responses when the analysis are
done

Assign to the item the mean value of the responses of all those who have
responded to that particular item

Give the item the mean of the responses of this particular respondent to
all other questions measuring this variable

Give the

missing response a random number within the range for that

scale
Coding:

Code the responses

Coding sheet first to transcribe the data from the questionnaire and then key
in the data

Categorization

Set up scheme for categorizing the variables such that the several items
measuring a concept are all grouped together

Responses to some of the negatively worded questions have also to be

reversed so that all answers are in the same direction

Entering data

Questionnaire data are collected on scanner answer sheets or tha raw data
manually keyed into the computer

DATA ANALYSIS
3 objectives in data analysis:
1. Getting a feel for the data
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

2. Testing the goodness of data
3. Testing the hypotheses developed for the research
Feel for the data:

Examination of the measure of central tendency, and how clustered or

dispersed the variables are, gives a good idea of how well the questions were
framed for tapping the concept

The statistics give feel for the data:

The frequency distributions for the demographic variables

The mean, standard deviation, range, and variance on the other

dependent and independent variables

An intercorrelation matrix of the variables, irrespective of whether or not

the hypotheses are directly related to these analysis

Testing goodness of data:

Reliability:

Testing consistency and stability

Consistency indicates how well the items measuring a concept hang

together as a set

Cronbachs alpha is a reliability coefficient that indicates how well the

items in a set are positively correlated to one another

The closer Cronbachs alpha is to 1, the higher the internal consistency

reliability

Validity:

Factorial validity can be established by submitting the data for factor

analysis

The results of factor analysis (a multivariate technique) will confirm

whether or not the theorized dimensions emerge

Hypotheses testing:

Test the hypotheses already developed for the study

Analisis. Selamat merangkai kata. Selamat merangkai logika! Ayo fitut. Yang
rajin dong ah! Jangan menunda-nunda!

PEKERJAAN TEKNIS
FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM
0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley

SUMMARY: UMA SEKARAN

SPECIMENT FORMAT FOR REFERENCING [APA FORMAT]

Book by single author
Leshin, C. B. (1997). Management on the World Wide Web. Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.
Book by more than one author
Cornett, M., Wiley, B.J., & Sankar, S. (1998) The pleasures of nurturing. London:
McMunster Publishing.
Book review
Nichols, P. (1998). A new look at Home Services [Review of the book Providing
Home Services to the Elderly by Girch, S.] Family Review Bulletin, 45, 1213.
Journal Article
Jeanquart,

S., &

Peluchette,

J.

(1997).

Diversity

in

the

workforce

and

management models. Journal of Social Work Studies, 43 (3), 72-85.

FITRI UTAMI NINGRUM

0604001559
2008-2009
th
Sekaran, Uma. (2003). Research Methods for Business, 4 Ed. USA: Wiley