Business Research Methodology

Lecture 1
Introduction
Course leader : Dr. Moges Logaw
 Course Objectives

At the end of this course students are expected

to
 be familiar with the meaning of research ;
 formulate proposal on business related research
topics; and
 Identify the ways in which research papers are
formulated, written and presented with a view to
informing the forthcoming dissertation.

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Contents

Chapter I - Meaning of Research

Chapter II - Defining Research Problem and Hypothesis Formulation

Chapter III - Research Proposal

Chapter IV - Research Design (planning of research project)

Chapter V - Sources and Methods of data collection

Chapter VI - Sample Design and Procedure

Chapter VII - Data analysis (an overview)
Chapter VIII - Interpretation & reporting the research result

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 CHAPTER ONE
Introduction

1.1. Meaning of Research

Different meaning have given by different scholars for research.
 Research in common parlance refers to a search for
knowledge.
 It is a scientific and systematic search for relevant information
on a specific topic or to gain new knowledge.
 Research is an art of scientific investigation.
 A careful investigation or inquiry especially through search
for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
 It is a movement from the known to the unknown.
 It is actually a voyage of discovery.

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 Meaning…

 According to Clifford Woody research comprises

◦ defining and redefining problems
◦ formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions
◦ collecting, organizing and evaluating data
◦ making inferences and reaching conclusions
◦ and at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
 D. Slesinger and M. Stephenson define research as
◦ the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the
purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify
knowledge

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 Meaning…

Research is, thus,

 an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge
making for its advancement.
 It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation,
comparison and experiment.
Generally,
 research Simply means, a search for facts – answers to
questions and solutions to Problems.
 It is a Purposive investigation.
 It is an “Organized inquiry” (It seeks to find explanations to
unexplained phenomenon, to classify the doubtful propositions
and to correct the misconceived facts).

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 1.2. Characteristic and Types of Research

1.2.1. Major Characteristics of Research

Best and Kahn( 1992) have summarized the main characteristics of
research as under:
 Research is directed towards the solution of the problem.
 It may attempt to answer a question or to determine the relation
between two or more variable
 is based up on observable experience or empirical evidences.
 demands accurate observation and description
 involves gathering new data from primary or first –hand sources
or using existing data for a new purpose.
 It is more often characterized by carefully designed procedures,
always applying rigorous analysis.

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Characteristics …
 requires expertise.
 strives to be objective and logical, applying every possible
test to validate the procedure employed, the data collected,
and the conclusions reached.
 involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems.
 is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.
 is carefully recorded and reported
 sometimes requires courage.

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 1.2.2. Types of Research

Research Can be Classified in to Three Ways

1.Methods 2. Function
◦ Historical research ◦ Applied
◦ Descriptive research ◦ Action Research
◦ Correlational research ◦ Fundamental (Basic)
◦ Causal research Research
◦ Experimental research 3. Data
◦ Case study research  Quantitative
◦ Ethnographic research  Qualitative
◦ Grounded theory

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1. Classification by Method
A. Historical research
◦ generates descriptions, and sometimes attempted
explanations, of conditions, situations, and events that
have occurred in the past.
◦ consists of studying a problem, an issue, a
phenomenon, a movement, etc
◦ Historical researchers use documents and other
artifacts to reconstruct the past through a process of
critical inquiry.
◦ Historical research consists of describing what was,
rather than what is or what effects certain variables
may have on others.

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Types of Historical Data
 Historical evidences may be classified in to three
A) Documents (usually written). Examples:
 Official records, minutes of meeting, legal documents, Court
decisions charter, etc
 Institutional records:
 university bulletins proceedings
 Memories, biography, diaries personal letter, etc
 News papers, periodicals. Journals, etc
B) Relics or Remains
 Archeologically remains (such as tools & utensils)
 Buildings, furniture & equipment
 Photographs and other records
Forms of degree, diploma & certificate rewards registers
 Text books, maps, drawings, etc
 Written material
C) Oral Testimony
 Is a spoken account of a witness, or participation in an event?
◦ Recorded interviews

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 Sources of Historical Data

Can be classified in to two categories Namely

a) Primary source of data
Refers to the original documents and remains which are the
first witness of a fact
Are eye witness accounts and are reported by actual
observer or
a participant in an event
e.g. Original records kept, eye witness, photographs,
minutes of
organization etc
b) Secondarily sources of data
A record which is one or more steps removed from an
original history
e.g. Most history books
Encyclopaedias

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B. Descriptive research

 provides information about conditions, situations, and events

that occur in the present.
 simply describes and assess the nature of an existing
phenomenon.
 descriptive research is limited to characterizing something as it
is.
 There is no manipulation of treatments or subjects; the
researcher measures things as they naturally occur.
 questions answered by means of descriptive designs:
◦ How many times during a school day does Mr. Birhanu use
negative reinforcement with his students?
◦ What are the students' attitudes toward school discipline?
◦ What is the reading achievement level of different ethnic
groups in the school?

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 C. Correlation Research
 Involves the search for relationships between variables
◦ For example, an investigation of the relationship between visitors’
satisfaction with hotel service
◦ more headaches?
 Variables measured but not manipulated
 Cannot determine cause or effect
 Correlation Coefficient Varies from -1.0 to +1.0
Strength
 The higher the absolute value, the stronger the relationship (-.9 > +.6;
+.9 > -.8)
Direction
 Positive ፡Higher scores on Var X associated with higher scores on Var
Y
 Negative ፡Higher scores on Var X associated with lower scores on Var
Y

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Correlation…

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Correlation…

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Correlation…

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Correlation…

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 D. Causal Comparative Research

 Causal Comparative Research is also said to be “ex-post

facet” (Latin saying) meaning after the fact research.
 It attempts to determine the causes or consequences of
noted difference that already exist b/n or among groups or
individuals.
 Is a type of research method used to explore not only what
a phenomena like but also how and why it occurred?
 Its aim is to
 Compare similarities and differences among the
phenomenon (Associational research).
 Discover what factors contribute to the occurrence of
certain events or practices.
Examples
How does customer satisfaction affect profitability

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