Introduction to Research

► What is research?
 Research is the process of finding solutions
to a problem after a thorough study and
analysis of the situational factors.
► “Research is an organized, systematic,
data based, critical, scientific enquiry or
investigation into a specific problem,
undertaken with the objective of finding
answer or solution to it” Uma
sekeran(2007)
 Commonsense Meaning of
Research
► Research is usually associated with the
outcomes of endeavours of scholars who
pursue it in order to earn such degrees as
M.Phil/M.Litt/Ph.D./D.Phil or D.Litt/D.Sc. of some
university. Another genre of research is
associated with the findings contained in the
project reports, while the projects may or may
not be sponsored, or the projects may
constitute an integral part of the programme of
studies for specific degrees or diplomas.
 Con…. Research

► Literal meanings of "Research' are "re-search',

or search again, a phenomenon. It means that
research seldom, if ever, occurs without there
being precedents. But no one re-invents the
wheel, though wheels may be made daily. This
means that research does not stand for
investigating a given subject again and again to
reach the same results.
► The word ‘re’ before ‘search’ may be interpreted
to mean that research is an endeavour to
advance ahead of the prevailing and go beyond
what is already known about the given
phenomenon. Research may thus be defined as
an effort to know more about any given subject
or topic. In common parlance, research may
thus refer to a search for knowledge.
 Con…. Research

► Research has also been defined as a systematic

inquiry for finding relevant facts or information
about the subject of investigation.
► The phenomenal world may, however, not be
completely factual. It may partly be factual and
partly be perceptual.
► As facts may also be real as well as perceptual,
research as the search for real and perceptual
facts may apparently be accepted as the
commonsense definition of research.
► The commonsense definition may be compared
and contrasted with the dictionary meaning of
research in order to understand and appreciate
the limitations, if any, of the commonsense
definition, and hence, the need for evolving a
technical definition of research and its
methodology.
► Fundamental research:-it is pure or basic
research. It is undertaken for the sole
purpose of adding to our knowledge.
► Example:- The productivity of
organization is decreased. why it is
decreased & what factors are
responsible.
► Reason may be money, human resource,
machines, mgmt etc.
► Applied research:- its major purpose is to
answer practical & useful questions about
policies, programs & projects. It is
concerned with knowledge that has
immediate applications.
► Example:-organization x wants to improve
the production.
► New technology, training , policy formation
 Business Research

 Research provides the needed information that

guides managers to make informed decisions to
successfully deal with problems.

 The information provided could be the result of a

careful analysis of data gathered firsthand or of
data that are already available (in the
company).
 Why is it important for managers to
know about research?

 Solve problems
 Decision making tool
 Risk minimization
 Hire researchers and consultants more
effectively
 Characteristics of Research
 Research is directed towards the solution of a problem

 Research is based upon observable experience or empirical evidence.

 Research demands accurate observation and description.

 Research involves gathering new data from primary sources or using

existing data for a new purpose.

 Research activities are characterized by carefully designed procedures.

 Research requires expertise i.e., skill necessary to carryout investigation,

search the related literature and to understand and analyze the data
gathered.
 Characteristics of Research

 Research is objective and logical – applying every possible test to validate

the data collected and conclusions reached.

 Research involves the quest for answers to unsolved problems.

 Research requires courage.

 Research is characterized by patient and unhurried activity.

 Research is carefully recorded and reported.

► Purposiveness
► Testability
► Replicability:-by using same method &
procedure should deliver same result.
► Objectivity:-specific
► Rigour:-careful & intense
► generalizability
Research Process

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Clear problem definition is not always given
even in real business research situations
an issue especially relevant for dissertation
research
A.Problem definition (topic selection) in
dissertation research
a. Sources of research topics
work experience

 articles in academic/professional journals

professors pointing to a particularly fruitful

area
dissertations, journal articles referring to

further research work 14

2. Planning the research design
research design: methods and procedures for
collecting and analyzing the required
information
It is necessary to determine:
the sources of information

the research technique followed

sampling methodology

schedule, costs

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Factors in selecting a particular design:
objectives of the study

availability of data

urgency of the decision

cost of obtaining the data

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Sampling:
Any procedure that uses a small number of
items (or parts of the population) to make a
conclusion regarding the whole population

certainstatistical procedures should be followed

a good sample should have the same
characteristics as the population as a whole

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Data collection
as many methods as many research
techniques
Editing and coding
Editing:
checking the data collection forms

Coding:
determining categories for groups of

responses
Analysis

Conclusions

Report Preparation 18
To undertake the above
mentioned types of research,
there can be a number of ways
or approaches that one
researcher may follow-this is
called research methods.
Actually, research method is a procedure
to help you find the required data to draw
conclusion or make some predictable results
on similar types of experiments or incidents –
no matter where or when or what extent that
particular incident is happening.
 In other words, research method is a way of
collecting inputs and finding the outputs, to
conduct your research successfully.
Experiments
Surveys
Observation
Existing data
This is used in exploratory
type research. What types of
experiments necessary
depends on the research
topic. This is very time
consuming and expensive
type of research method.
This is used in empirical or
exploratory type of research,
usually used in business
studies. You can use
questionnaires or even
interview some specific group
of people to get your research
result.
Observational data can be
recorded in order to find
empirical relationship between
different parameters of your
research. One disadvantage of
this type of research is that it
is very time-consuming and
expensive method.
This type of research is done on the available
data to find any findings or patterns in the
data.
 This is the most effortless, time-saving and
less-expensive type of research,
 To carry out this type of research researchers
need to be extra careful in order to find the
real findings out of the existing data-a slight
mistake can lead you to wrong direction-waste
of time.
 So, the accuracy of this type of research
mainly depends on the experience of the
researchers, but it has the advantage of give
you some important clue about any novel
findings.
RESEARCH FOR DECISION MAKING

Throws light on risks and uncertainty

Identify alternative courses of action
Helps in economic use of resources
Helps in project identification

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 Solves investment problems
 Solves pricing problems
 Solves allocation problems
 Solves decision making issues in HR
 Solves various operational and planning problems of
business and industry

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 Provides the basis for all government policies in our
economic system.
 Helps social scientists in studying social relationships and
in seeking answers to various social problems.
 For students, research means a careerism or a way to
attain a high position in the social structure.
 For professionals in research, it may mean a source of
livelihood.

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 ROLE OF RESEARCH IN DECISION-MAKING

 Decision-making is the process of selecting the best

alternative from the available set of alternatives.

 Management is chiefly concerned with decision-making

and its implementation.

 These decisions should be based on appropriate studies,

evaluations and observations.
 Research provides us with knowledge and skills needed
to solve the problems and to meet the challenges of a fast
paced decision-making environment.

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Ethics are norms or standards of behavior
that guide moral choices about our behavior
and our relationships with others.
Ethics differ from legal constraints, in which

generally accepted standards have defined

penalties that are universally enforced.
The goal of ethics in research is to ensure

that no one is harmed or suffers adverse

consequences from research activities.

research ethics 30
As research is designed, several ethical
considerations must be balanced:
Protect the rights of the participant or

subject.
Ensure the sponsor receives ethically
conducted and reported research.
Follow ethical standards when designing

research.
Protect the safety of the research and team.

Ensure the research team follows the

design.
research ethics 31
In general research must be designed so that a
participant does not suffer physical harm,
discomfort, pain, embarrassment [shy or guilty
feeling] or loss of privacy.
Being data collection by explaining to
participants the benefits expected from the
research.
Explain that their rights and well being will be

adequately protected & say how that will be

done.
Be certain that interviewers obtain the
informed consent of the participants.
The use of deception is questionable, when it is

used, debrief any participant who has been

deceived. research ethics 32
Many sponsors wise to undertake research
without revealing [giving you interesting
information that you did not know before]
themselves. Sponsors have the right to demand
& receive confidentiality between themselves
and the researchers.
The ethical researchers provide sponsors with

the research design needed to solve the

managerial question.
The ethical researcher shows the data
objectivity, despite the sponsors’ preferred
outcomes.
research ethics 33
The research team safety is the
responsibility of the researcher.
Researchers should require ethical
compliance from team members in following
the research design, just as sponsors expect
ethical behavior from the researcher.

research ethics 34
Many corporations & research firms have
adopted a code of ethics. Several
professional associations have detailed
research provisions.
Several professional associations have laws,

policies and procedures in place to regulate

research on human beings. i,e The American
Psychological Association etc.

research ethics 35
The following is a general summary of some
ethical principles:

Honesty

Objectivity

Integrity:- Act with sincerity & strive for

consistency of thought and action
Legality

Non-discrimination

Confidentiality

Respect for intellectual property

research ethics 36