ResearchMethodology Week01

RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
(Business Research Methods)
Week 1
29 August 2005 MBA III (Research Methodology) Course Instructor: Dr. Aurangzeb Z. Khan 1
How This Course Will Be Conducted
Comprehensive introduction to Research Methodology (Business Research
Methods)
Knowledge acquisition and application of subject matter to real-life situations
Course literature (see the must read section)
Use of multimedia visual aids (MS PowerPoint slides)
Reference to case studies when desirable
Encouragement of questions, comments and constructive criticism from course

participants
Analytical and critical thinking, inquisitiveness as well as common sense from
course participants also expected
The DOs and DONTs Catalogue for Course Participants
listen attentively be late to class. We start at 6 PM

be considerate and amenable PM sharp!
be inquisitive, analytical and critical distract the attention of other
in your approach to learning course participants
research methodology use mobile phones or send SMS
mention if you do not understand messages in the class
something and seek clarification follow a rote-learning approach.
read the prescribed course There is zero tolerance for this in
literature. It is the basic all classes taught at CIIT!
requirement for comprehending feel afraid to bring up any relevant
research methodology and point for discussion
succeeding in this course hesitate to visit me at my office,
start reading from the beginning individually or as a group, if you
of the course and not towards the have a course-related problem and
end! seek counseling in this regard
Fundamental Course Objectives
To acquaint course participants with all salient aspects of research methodology in accordance with the
current body of scientific literature on this challenging, interesting and indepensible area of
management science
To show that the subject of research methodology has matured into a substantive body of knowledge,
an indepth understanding of which is crucial for ensuring the success of commercial or non-commercial
organizations
To show and encourage the course participants that the theoretical knowledge acquired in this course
can - with the appropriate context-related modifications - be applied to numerous real-life situations in
business, public-sector and non-profit enterprises
To stimulate interest in the business research field as a prospective career field
Demands on Course Participants
The essence of knowledge is having it to apply it - Confucius
Acquisition and careful application of knowledge

Analytical and critical thinking, innovation, inquisitiveness
Holistic perspective
Quizzes & (proof that the course participant is familar with the essentials
Sessionals of research methodology)
Project Work (each course participant is expected to show that he or she is able to
apply the research skills learned in this course)
Examination (case study in which each course participant is expected to demonstrate

his or her indepth understanding of research methodology and apply the knowledge
acquired in the course to a real-life situation)
Important Information for Course Participants (1)
You MUST read the course literature from the beginning of the semester. Relying
on the PowerPoint slides is NOT sufficient! The purpose of these slides is to
provide you with a broad and general introduction to research methodology. Kindly
note that the slides are intended as a supplement to, and NOT as a substitute
for the prescribed course literature
The prescribed course literature will be used as a reference for the quizzes,
sessionals and final examination. Failure to read and understand the course
literature could mean that a course participant will fail the course! An automatic
passing grade in this course is NOT guaranteed, rather, a course participants
marks will reflect his or her effort and performance in the subject
Important Information for Course Participants (2)
The project work to be undertaken in this course will be chosen by the course instructor and
must be undertaken by the course participant according to the project guidelines which will
be distributed in paper form seperately. It is essential that primary data is collected,
analysed, evaluated and recorded by the course participant in his or her project report.
Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated! If caught, zero marks will be given
The course lectures, discussions etc. will be conducted exclusively in english! The use of
Urdu language in this course is strongly discouraged
Specific questions on the subject of research methodology may be asked from candidates in
the Viva oral examination at the end of their MBA programme. Failure to answer these
questions will definitely result in a deduction of examination marks
Course Highlights
Primary and Secondary Data

Introduction to research
methodology
Analyzing primary and
Research Terminology and the secondary data (quantitative
Scientific Method techniques)
Designing and implementing a

research project Communicating Research
Results
Ethics in Research
Undertaking Research Project by
Types of Research the course participants
Measurements in Research
Use of Multimedia Visual Aids in this Course
All MS PowerPoint course presentation slides, the
course outline, quizzes, the two sessionals and final
examination (after completion) supporting
eDocument files and the course participants project
reports will be uploaded to the yahoo webgroup CIIT
Research Methodology, from where they will be
accessible via Internet to all course participants and
any other scholars or persons in Pakistan or overseas
who are interested in this CIIT Research
Methodology course
What is Business Research?
Business Research may be defined as the

systematic and objective process of gathering,
recording and analyzing data for aid in making
business decisions (Zikmund, Business Research Methods,
2002, p. 6)
Systematicness and Objectivity are its

distinguishing features of Business Research,
which is important tool for managers and
decision-makers in corporate and non-corporate
organizations
When is Business Research Used?
Typically, business research methods are

used in situations of uncertainty, that is,
when decision-makers face two or more
courses of action and seek to select the
best possible alternative under the
circumstances. Business Research is
hence aimed at improving the quality of
decision-making which, in turn, benefits
the organization and helps ensure its
continuity and efficiency
Typical Users of Business Research Methods
Businesses and Corporations

Public-Sector Agencies
Consulting Firms
Research Institutes
Non-Governmental Organizations
Non-Profit Organizations
Independent Researchers and Consultants
Common Business Research Methods &
Techniques
Surveys
Interviews
Observation
Experiments
Archival and Historical Data
Qualitative Analysis
Quantitative Analysis
Fields Where Business Research is Often Used (1)
General Business Conditions and Financial and Accounting Research
Corporate Research
Forecasts of financial interest rate
trends,
Short- & Long-Range Forecasting,
Stock,bond and commodity value
Business and Industry Trends predictions
Global Environments capital formation alternatives
Inflation and Pricing mergers and acquisitions
Plant and Warehouse Location risk-return trade-offs
Acquisitions portfolio analysis
Management and Organizational impact of taxes
Behaviour Research research on financial institutions
expected rate of return
Total Quality Management capital asset pricing models
Morale and Job Satisfaction credit risk
Leadership Style cost analysis
Employee Productivity
Organizational Effectiveness
Structural ssues
Absenteeism and turnover
Organizational Climate
Fields Where Business Research is Often Used (2)
Information Systems Research
Sales and Marketing Research
Knowledge and information needs
Market Potentials assessment
Market Share Computer information system use and
Market segmentation evaluation
Technical suppot satisfaction
Market characteristics
Database analysis
Sales Analysis Data mining
Establishment of sales quotas Enterprise resource planning systems
Distribution channels Customer relationship management
New product concepts systems
Test markets
Advertising research Corporate Responsibility Research
Buyer behaviour
Ecological Impact
Customer satisfaction Legal Constraints on advertising and
Website visitation rates promotion
Sex, age and racial discrimination / worker
equity
Social values and ethics
Selected Examples of Real-Life Situations in
Which Business Research Methods are Used
A firm wants to produce and market a new product but first wants to
ascertain if there is a potential consumer demand for this product in markets
x,y and z
a multinational firm wants to establish a production facility in another
country after determining its technical and economic feasibility
A government agency wants to ascertain the satisfaction level of its
employees, the causes for any possible discontent, and propose a scheme
for enhancing this level
A financial institution wants to invest in commodities and commissions a
study to determine the past trends and forecast future returns in a portfolio
of commodities
The CEO of a firm wants to undertake a SWOT-Analysis as part of his plan
to redefine his organizations priorities
Basic and Applied Research
Basic Research aims to expand the frontiers of science and knowledge by
verifying or disproving the acceptability of a given theory or attempting to
discover more about a certain concept (non-specificity)
Example: How does motivation affect employee performance?
Applied Research focusses on a real-life problem or situation with a view to

helping reach a decision how to deal with it (Specificity)
Example: Should Corporation X adopt a paperless office environment?
Science and the Scientific Method
Science has been defined as the methodological and
systematic approach to acquisition of new knowledge
(Geoffrey Marcyzk, David DeMatteo, David Festinger, Essentials of
Research Design and Methodology, John Wiley & Sons, 2005, p. 4)
The scientific method, which has evolved since the 13 th

century, concerns the set of tools, techniques and
procedures used by basic and applied researchers to
analyze and understand phenomena and prove or
disprove prior conceptions
The Essence of the Scientific Method
Characteristics of the Scientific Method

Elements of the
Objectivity Scientific Method
Systematic Analysis
Logical Interpretation of Results
Empirical Approach
Observations
Questions
Hypotheses
Basic Experiments
General Laws
Research Analysis
Scientific
Method
Conclusion
Replication
Applied Information or
Research Ideas for alternative
Courses of action
The Value of Business Research for Managers (1)
Reduction of uncertainty and improvement in the

quality of decision-making with several
consequent advantages (e.g. strategic,
operational) and benefits for organizations
Business Research Methods can be employed in

each of the following four stages:
(1) Identification of problems and/or opportunities

Useful for strategy planning, analysis of internal and
external organizational environment
(2) Diagnosing and Assessment of problems and/or

opportunities
Its purpose is to gain insight into the underlying reasons

and causes for the situation. If there is a problem, it
asks what happened and why? If there is an
opportunity, it seeks to explore, clarify and refine the
nature of the opportunity and, in the case of multiple
opportunities, seeks to set priorities
(3) Selection and Implementation of Courses of Action
After alternative courses of action have been

determined, selection of the best possible course.
An important consideration is the quality of

forecasting which is an essential tool of research
(4) Evaluating the Course of Action
Business Research Methods are used after a course

of action has been implemented in order to
determine whether activities have been properly
implemented and have accomplished what they
intended to do
Evaluation Research It is the formal objective measurement
and evaluation of the extent which an activity, project or
programme has achieved its goal, and the factors which
influence performance (e.g. audits). It is also the formal
objective measurement and evaluation of the extent to which
on-going activities, projects or programmes are meeting their
goals (performance-monitoring research)
Examples of performance-monitoring research:
(1) Are railway passengers satisfied with the level of service

the railway company is providing? If not, then research
may need to be undertaken to ascertain the reasons for
customer dissatisfaction and propose corrective measures
(2) What are the trends in retail and wholesale sector?

Can research suggest new ways to improve efficiency
in purchase transactions?
When Should Business Research be Undertaken?
Is sufficient time
available?
Yes
Is information
inadequate? NO Do not
undertake Business Research
Yes
High importance
of decision?
Yes
Research benefits
greater than costs? Undertake Business Research
Value and Costs of Undertaking Business
Research
VALUE
COSTS
Decreased Uncertainty Research Costs

Higher Likelihood of Delay in Making
Correct Decisions Business Decisions
Better Business Disclosure of
performance Information to Rivals
Higher Profits Possibility of Error
Better Reputation
The Building Blocks of Research
Blend of information, experience and in-sights that

KNOWLEDGE provides a framework that can be thoughtfully evaluated
when assessing new information or evaluating
relevant situations
Determination of relationship amongst data with a

view to facilitating understanding of the phenomena,
INFORMATION
their relationships and decision-making
(e.g. past and predicted future sales trends)
DATA Measurements of phenomena

(e.g. sales statistics of a department store)
Demands on Data & Information
Relevance to the problem or situation at hand
Must be available in a timely manner to the right person (manager or
decision-maker)
Completeness
Accuracy
Accessibility
Affordability
Integrateability into a broader global information or decision-support
system
Global Information Support Systems
A Global Information System may be defined as an
organized collection of computer hardware,
communication equipment, software, data, and
personnel designed to capture, store, update,
manipulate, analyze, and immediately display information
about worldwide business activities
A Global Information System is a tool for providing past,

current and projected information on internal operations
and external activity. It organizes and integrates data
from production, operations, marketing, finance,
accounting and other business functions
(Zikmund, p. 22)
Decision-Support System
A computer-based system that helps decision makers
confront problems through direct interaction with
databases and analytical software programs
The purpose of a decision support system is to store data

and transform them into organized information that is
easily accessible to decision-makers
Decision-Support Systems are integrated in Global

Information Systems. They are aimed usually for assisting
managers and decision-makers in specific organizational
business units (e.g. divisions, departments and functional
areas) by providing organized and adaptable information
Databases & Software
Databases are collections of raw data which

have been arranged in a logical manner and
which can be stored and processed
electronically
Software are programmes that allow complex

operations to be undertaken on data and which
give information for managers and decision-
makers
Data Warehousing & Data Mining

Data and Information Sources for Business
Researchers (1)
Internal Records
Example: Data about costs, shipments, inventory, sales, and other aspects
of regular operations which are collected from various functional areas of an
organization
Proprietary Business Research
Example: New data and information from projects which are undertaken ad
hoc to study specific company problems
Business intelligence Systems
Example: Information about nonrecurring developments in the external

business environment stemming from a network of sources and regular
procedures
Researchers (2)
On-Line Databases
Examples: PROQUEST, INFOTRAC, DIALOG, LEXIS-NEXIS, Dow Jones

News Retrieval Services, CompuStat
Internet
Examples: World Wide Web search engines (Google, Yahoo, Altavista,

Lycos, Excite etc.)
All Other Sources
Examples: Research Institutions, Libraries, Books, Journals, Periodicals,

Newspapers, Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Business Research in the International Context
Business Research is being increasingly applied in an international

context in the wake of globalization and the consequent freedom of
movement of the resources of labour, capital and information of
businesses and corporations:
Overseas market potential

Joint ventures and relocating production lines overseas
Framework considerations for investment and trade (e.g. culture,
legal environment, security, physical infrastructure, availability and
quality of human resources, logistics, political stability, trade and
investment incentives)
Researchers (Pakistan)
Federal and provincial ministries of commerce, industries and production
Federal, provincial and city Chambers of Commerce and Industry
State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Banking Council, local and foreign banking
institutions
Stock Exchanges
National Investment Board
Export Promotion Bureau
Manufacturers, Traders and Exporters Associations
Research Institutes (e.g. Pakistan Institute of Development Economics)
Newspapers and Magazines (e.g. Business Recorder, Pakistan and Gulf
Economist)
Business and Trade Directories
Internet (e.g.: www.forexpk.com)
Business Recorder
(www.brecorder.com)

ResearchMethodology Week01

Transféré par

Informations du document

Description originale:

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

ResearchMethodology Week01

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

RESEARCH

Course literature (see the must read section)

Use of multimedia visual aids (MS PowerPoint slides)

Reference to case studies when desirable

Encouragement of questions, comments and constructive criticism from course

listen attentively be late to class. We start at 6 PM

To stimulate interest in the business research field as a prospective career field

The essence of knowledge is having it to apply it - Confucius

Acquisition and careful application of knowledge

Examination (case study in which each course participant is expected to demonstrate

Primary and Secondary Data

Designing and implementing a

Business Research may be defined as the

Systematicness and Objectivity are its

Typically, business research methods are

Businesses and Corporations

Example: How does motivation affect employee performance?

Applied Research focusses on a real-life problem or situation with a view to

Example: Should Corporation X adopt a paperless office environment?

The scientific method, which has evolved since the 13 th

Characteristics of the Scientific Method

Reduction of uncertainty and improvement in the

Business Research Methods can be employed in

(1) Identification of problems and/or opportunities

(2) Diagnosing and Assessment of problems and/or

Its purpose is to gain insight into the underlying reasons

(3) Selection and Implementation of Courses of Action

After alternative courses of action have been

An important consideration is the quality of

(4) Evaluating the Course of Action

Business Research Methods are used after a course

Examples of performance-monitoring research:

(1) Are railway passengers satisfied with the level of service

(2) What are the trends in retail and wholesale sector?

Decreased Uncertainty Research Costs

Blend of information, experience and in-sights that

Determination of relationship amongst data with a

DATA Measurements of phenomena

A Global Information System is a tool for providing past,

The purpose of a decision support system is to store data

Decision-Support Systems are integrated in Global

Databases are collections of raw data which

Software are programmes that allow complex

Data Warehousing & Data Mining

Proprietary Business Research

Business intelligence Systems

Example: Information about nonrecurring developments in the external

Examples: PROQUEST, INFOTRAC, DIALOG, LEXIS-NEXIS, Dow Jones

Examples: World Wide Web search engines (Google, Yahoo, Altavista,

All Other Sources

Examples: Research Institutions, Libraries, Books, Journals, Periodicals,

Business Research is being increasingly applied in an international

Overseas market potential

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi