Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz

Course Number and Title:

BA 327 – Business Research

Course Description:

Business research methodology, its sequential development, types and steps of the scientific method applied
to business. The course is a follow-up of the business method course in the previous semester. This deals primarily
about measurement and scale, statistical analysis and writing the research report.

Course Objectives:

During and upon the completion of the course, the students should be able to:
1. Explain the idea of research and its process.
2. Formulate research title and research objectives or statement of the problem
3. Write and organize related literature
4. Decide on what research methodology to use
5. Present and interpret research results
6. Make conclusions and implications out of the research results
7. Analyze and critic a research paper
8. Write a research proposal.

Course credit:

3 units/54 hours/semester

Indicative Content:

1. Introduction
a. Definition
b. Characteristics of good research
c. The research process
d. Types of research
e. Basic structure of the research paper
f. The language of research
i. Concepts
ii. Construct
iii. Definitions
iv. Variables
v. Theories and Models
vi. Hypotheses
2. Formulating Research Problem/Topic
a. Elements of Research Problem
b. Sources of research problem/topic
i. Reviewing literature
c. Identifying research gaps
d. Formulating research title

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz
i. Examples of research title
e. Formulating the statement of the problem
f. Formulating the research objectives
g. Justifying the research topic
i. Writing the introduction
3. Reviewing the Literature
a. Sources of literature
b. Organizing and writing the literature
4. Research Methodologies
a. Research design
b. Research sample
c. Data collection
i. Types of data
ii. Methods of collection
d. Statistical methods
i. Research objectives and statistical methods
ii. Variable Measurement and Statistical methods
5. Presenting and Interpreting the research results
a. Descriptive results
b. Inferential results
6. Summarizing the research results
a. Conclusions and implications
b. Recommendations
c. Limitations and Future Direction

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz
Module 1

Introduction to Research

What is research?

There are many definitions of research.

The word research is composed of two syllables, re and search. The dictionary defines the
former as a prefix meaning again, anew or over again and the latter as a verb meaning
to examine closely and carefully, to test and try, or to probe. Together they form a noun
describing a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to establish
facts or principles. (Grinnell 1993: 4)

Burns (1997: 2) defines research as ‘a systematic investigation to find answers to a problem’.

According to Kerlinger (1986: 10), ‘scientific research is a systematic, controlled empirical and critical investigation of
propositions about the presumed relationships about various phenomena’. Bulmer (1977: 5) states: ‘Nevertheless
sociological research, as research, is primarily committed to establishing systematic, reliable and valid knowledge
about the social world.

The OECD definition of Research and Experimental Development (R &D):

Research and experimental development comprises creative work undertaken on a systematic

basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man (sic), culture and
society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

Characteristics of a Good Research (Cooper and Schindler, 2011)

1. Purpose clearly defined. The purpose of the business research—the problem involved or the
decision to be made—should be clearly defined and sharply delineated in terms as unambiguous as possible.
2. Research process detailed. The research procedures used should be described in sufficient
detail to permit another researcher to repeat the research. This includes the steps to acquire
participants, informed consent, sampling methods and representativeness, and data gathering
procedures.
3. Research design thoroughly planned. The procedural design of the research, and its choice
among competing designs, should be clearly described and carefully planned to yield results
that are as objective as possible.
4. High ethical standards applied. Researchers often work independently and have significant
latitude in designing and executing projects. A research design that includes safeguards against
causing mental or physical harm to participants and makes data integrity a first priority should
be highly valued. Ethical issues in research reflect important moral concerns about the practice
of responsible behavior in society.
5. Limitations frankly revealed. The researcher should report, with complete frankness, flaws in
procedural design and estimate their effect on the findings. There are very few perfect research
designs. Some of the imperfections may have little effect on the validity and reliability of the
data; others may invalidate them entirely.
6. Adequate analysis for decision maker’s needs. Analysis of the data should be extensive enough
to reveal its significance, what managers call insights. The methods of analysis used should

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz
be appropriate. The extent to which this criterion is met is frequently a good measure of the
competence of the researcher.
7. Findings presented unambiguously. Some evidence of the competence and integrity of the
researcher may be found in the report itself. For example, language that is restrained, clear,
and precise; assertions that are carefully drawn and hedged with appropriate reservations;
and an apparent effort to achieve maximum objectivity tend to leave a favorable impression of the researcher
with the decision maker. Generalizations that outrun the statistical findings
or other evidence on which they are based, exaggerations, and unnecessary verbiage tend to
leave an unfavorable impression.
8. Conclusions justified. Conclusions should be limited to those for which the data provide an
adequate basis. Researchers are often tempted to broaden the basis of induction by including
personal experiences and their interpretations—data not subject to the controls under which the
research was conducted.
9. Researcher’s experience reflected. Greater confidence in the research is warranted if the
researcher is experienced, has a good reputation in research, and is a person of integrity.

Types of Research (Kumar, 2011)

Figure 1.1 Types of research

Pure research is experimental and theoretical work undertaken to acquire new knowledge without looking for long
term benefits other than the advancement of knowledge

Applied research is original work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge with a specific application in view.
It is undertaken to determine possible uses for the findings of basic research or to determine new ways of achieving
some specific and predetermined objectives.

Descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or programme,
or provides information about, say, the living conditions of a community, or describes attitudes towards an issue. For
example, what is the climate change adaptation practices of indigenous people.

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz

Correlational research aims to discover or establish the existence of a relationship or interdependence between
variables. For example, What is the relationship between stressful living and the incidence of heart attack? What is
the relationship between fertility and mortality? What is the relationship between technology and unemployment?

Exploratory research is undertaken with the objective either to explore an area where little is known or to investigate
the possibilities of undertaking a particular research study. When a study is carried out to determine its feasibility it is
also called a feasibility study or a pilot study. It is usually carried out when a researcher wants to explore areas about
which s/he has little or no knowledge.

Explanatory research attempts to clarify why and how there is a relationship between two aspects of a situation or
phenomenon. This type of research attempts to explain, for example, why stressful living results in heart attacks; why
a decline in mortality is followed by a fertility decline; or how the home environment affects children’s level of
academic achievement.

Quantitative research attempts to quantify the variation in a phenomenon, situation, problem or issue; if information
is gathered using predominantly quantitative variables; and if the analysis is geared to ascertain the magnitude of the
variation.

Qualitative research aims to describe a situation, phenomenon, problem or event; if the information is gathered
through the use of variables measured on nominal or ordinal scales (qualitative measurement scales); and if the
analysis is done to establish the variation in the situation, phenomenon or problem without quantifying it.

Basic Language of Research

Concept is a generally accepted collection of meanings or characteristics associated with certain events, objects,
conditions, situations, and behaviors.

Construct is an image or abstract idea specifically invented for a given research and/or theory-building purpose.
Researcher build constructs by combining the simpler, more concrete concepts, especially when the idea or image we
intend to convey is not subject to direct observation. Example: Trust, Satisfaction, Happiness

Operational Definition is a definition stated in terms of specific criteria for testing or measurement. These terms must
refer to empirical standards (i.e., we must be able to count, measure, or in some other way gather the information
through our senses). Whether the object to be defined is physical (e.g., a can of soup) or highly abstract (e.g.,
achievement motivation), the definition must specify the characteristics and how they are to be observed.

Theory is a set of systematically interrelated concepts, definitions, and propositions that are advanced to explain and
predict phenomena (facts). In this sense, we have many theories and use them continually to explain or predict what
goes on around us. To the degree that our theories are sound and fit the situation, we are successful in our
explanations and predictions. This is found in the theoretical framework of the study. Example: theory of planned
behavior, life cycle theory, social career cognitive theory and many more

Model is defined here as a representation of a system that is constructed to study some aspect of that system or the
system as a whole. Models differ from theories in that a theory’s role is explanation whereas a model’s role is
representation.

Proposition as a statement about observable phenomena (concepts) that may be judged as true or false.

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz
Hypotheses a proposition that is stated in a testable form and that predicts a particular relationship between
two (or more) variables. In other words, if we think that a relationship exists, we first state it as a hypothesis and then
test the hypothesis. Take note that theory primarily guides the direction of the hypothesis. Hypotheses can often be
translated to research questions and research objectives.

Types of Hypotheses
Descriptive hypotheses state the existence, size, form, or distribution of some variable. Researchers often
use a research question rather than a descriptive hypothesis.
Correlational hypotheses state that the variables occur together in some specif ed manner without
implying that one causes the other. Such weak claims are often made when we believe there are more basic causal
forces that affect both variables or when we have not developed enough evidence to claim a stronger linkage.
Explanatory (causal) hypotheses, there is an implication that the existence of or a change in one variable
causes or leads to a change in the other variable. As we noted previously, the causal variable is typically called the
independent variable (IV) and the other the dependent variable (DV). Cause means roughly to “help make happen.”
So the IV need not be the sole reason for the existence of or change in the DV.

The role of the Hypotheses

1. It guides the direction of the study.
2. It identifies facts that are relevant and those that are not.
3. It suggests which form of research design is likely to be most appropriate.
4. It provides a framework for organizing the conclusions that result.

Variable is used as a synonym for construct, or the property being studied. In this context, a variable is a symbol of an
event, act, characteristic, trait, or attribute that can be measured and to which we assign values.

Independent variable (IV) also known as predictor variable is manipulated by the researcher, and the manipulation
causes an effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent Variable (DV) is measured, predicted, or otherwise monitored and is expected to be affected by
manipulation of an independent variable. In each relationship, there is at least one independent variable (IV) and one
dependent variable (DV). It is normally hypothesized that, in some way, the IV “causes” the DV to occur. It should be
noted, however, that although it is easy to establish whether an IV influences a DV, it is much harder to show that the
relationship between an IV and DV is a causal relationship.

Moderating or interaction variable is a second independent variable that is included because it is believed to have a
significant contributory or contingent effect on the original IV–DV relationship.

Extraneous variables (EVs) or control variables might conceivably affect a given relationship. Some can be treated as
IVs or MVs, but most must either be assumed or excluded from the study. Fortunately, an infinite number of variables
has little or no effect on a given situation. Most can safely be ignored because their impact occurs in such a random
fashion as to have little effect.

Take note: Formulating the research title and research objectives requires familiarity about the variables, hypothesis,
and theories you are going to use.

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 Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY
Bailan, Pontevedra, Capiz

Figure 1.2 The research process

Basic Structure of a Research Paper/Thesis

1. Introduction
a. Context/research gap
b. Significance of the study/Contribution
c. Objectives/Research questions
2. Review of Literature (some format do not have review of literature, they are integrated in the introduction)
a. Related empirical studies
b. Synthesis of related studies
c. Theories used
d. Formulation of hypothesis (Can also be found in the introduction)
3. Methodology
a. Design
b. Sample
c. Data collection
d. Statistical analysis
4. Results and Discussions (often organized by objectives)
5. Conclusion
a. Summary
b. Conclusion (organized by objectives)
c. Implications and recommendations
d. Limitations and future direction

Please explore the samples of research papers that I sent to you.