Welcome

Chapter - 2
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGA
TION
Introduction to Research
TOPICS
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research
Limitations to scientific research in the managemer
 Hypo-thetico deductive research method
Other types of research (Case studies and Action research)
Main Characteristics
Purposiveness
2. Rigor
Testability
4. Replicability
5. Precision and Confidence
The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research;
6. Objectivity
The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research;
Purposiveness
It has to start with a definite aim or
purpose.
Thus it has a purposive focus.
The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research;
Riqor
A good theoretical base and sound
methodoloqical desiqn would add rigor to the
purposive study.
Rigor adds carefulness, scrupulousness and
the degree of exactitude in research. Example:
How to increase the level of commitment.
A manager asks onlv from 10-12 employees
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Testability
After random selection manager and researcher
deve10' certain hypothesis on how manager
employee commitment can be enhanced, then these
can be tested by applying certain statistical tests to
the data collected for the purpose.
If the scientific analysis of data supports the
hypothesis, it is accepted as a fact or as truth.
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
Replicability
It means that the results of the tests of
hypotheses should be su orted a ain and eta ain
when the same type of researc IS repeate In other
similar circumstances. Example:
The study concludes that participation in decision makinq is
one of the most important factors that influences the
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
commitment, we will place more faith and credibility in
these finding and apply in similar situations.
Precision and Confidence
Precision refers to the closeness of the
findings to "ceaUtY' based on a sample.
It reflects the de ree of accurac and exactitude
of the results o t e samp e.
Example:
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
If a supervisor estimated the number of production days
lost during the year due to absenteeism at between 30
and 40, as against the actual of 35.
Precision and Confidence
Confidence refers to the our
estimations are correct.
That is, it is not merely enough to be precise, but
it is also important that we can confidently claim
The Hallmarks of Scientific Research;
that 95% of the time our results would be true
and there is only a 5% chance of our being
wrong.
This is also known as confidence level.
The Hallmarks of
Scientific Research;
Objectivity
The conclusions drawn through the interpretation c
the results of data analysis should be objective;
the is, they should be based on the facts of the
derived from subjective
The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research;
Generalizability
It refers to the scope of applicability of the
research findings in one organization setting to
other settings.
The Hallmarks of Scientific
Research;
Parsimony
explaining the phenomenon or problems
that occur, and in generating solutions for the problems, is
always preferred to complex research frameworks that
consider an unmanageable number of factors. Example:
 For instance, if 2-3 specific variables in the work situation are
identified, which when changed would raise the
organizational commitment of the employees by 45% that
would be more useful and valuable to the manager than

Obstacles to conduct research in

managementarea
In business Research:
It is not possible to conduct 100% scientific research
studies.
It is due to human behavior beinq studied.
Data collection in the subjective areas of feelings, moods,
attitudes and perceptions may not be 100% accurate.
Sometimes, the obstacle is due to lack of a representative
sample.
CH-2: Scientific Investigation
Deduction and Induction
Deduction and Induction are the two methods of
drawing conclusions.

a. Deduction:
Deduction is a process of arriving at a conclusion by
applying known facts or principles to a specific
situation.

b. Induction:
CH-2: Scientific Investigation
Induction is a process in which certain observations
are
CH-2: Scientific Investigation
CH-2: Scientific Investigation
The Hypothetic- Deductive Method
CareerSkills Training opportunityvariety

Rumors
Employees
Motivation

ManagerWork employeeitself relations

The Hypothetico-Deductive
Identify a broad problem area: Step 1
Observation is the first staqe, in which one senses
that certain changes are occurring or that some
new behaviors, attitudes and feelings are
surfacing in one's environment (i.e., the work
place).
Drop in sales
Customer switching
The Hypothetico-Deductive
Disinterestedness of employees

Define the problem statement: Step 2

Scientific research starts with a definite aim or purpose
It involves the seekinq of information in depth, of what is
observed, to find solutions for identified problems
A problem statement that states the general objective of the
research should be developed
The Hypothetico-Deductive
This could be done by talkinq informally to several people in
the work setting or to clients or to other relevant sources,
thereby gathering information on what is happening and
Define the Problem statement:
To find solutions for identified problems, a problem
statement that state a general obtective of the
research should be developed
The Hypothetico-Deductive
Initial information helps to narrow the broad problem
area and to define the problem statement

A clear, pæj_se, and to the point statement of the

question or issue that is to be investigated with the
goal of finding an answer or solution.
Examples of Problem statement:
What are the effects of downsizing on the long-range
growth patterns of companies?
What are the specific factors to be considered in
creating a data warehouse for a manufacturing
company?
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
Has the new advertising message resulted in enhanced
recall?
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
Develop hypotheses: Step 3
It is the next logical step after theory formulation.
From the theorized network of associations among the
variables, certain testable hypotheses or educated
conjecture: can be generated.

Hypothesis testinq is called deductive research .

Sometimes, hypotheses that were not originally
formulated do get generated through the process of
induction.
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
Develop hypotheses: Step 3
Gathered information also helps the manager to formulate a
conceptual model and theoretical framework of all the
factors contributing to the problems.

It is an attempt to integrate all the information in a loqical

manners, so that the factors responsible for the problem can
be on conceptualized and tested.
 In this step the critical variables are identified and
examined a to their contribution or influence in explaining
why the probler
Determine measures: Step 4
Measurement of variables (variables and measuring scales)

After the development of the hypotheses, data with respect to

each variable in the hypotheses need to be obtained.

The variables in the theoretical framework should be

measurable in some way.
The Hypothetic-Deductive Method
Some variables cannot be measured quantitatively, such as
unresponsive employees, we need to operationalize this
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;

Data Collection: Step 5

Further data are collected to test the hypotheses that are
generated in the study.
The Hypothetico-Deductive
Data Analysis: Step 6
Data gathered are statistically analyzed to see if the hypotheses
that were generated have been supported.

Co-relational method will be used to analyze and

determine the relationship of two or more factors in
the hypotheses for example:
Stock availability and customer satisfaction.
The Hypothetico-Deductive Method;

Interpretation of data: Step 7

Now we must decide whether our hypotheses are supported
or not by interpreting the meaning of the results or the data
analysis.
Based on these results, the researcher would make
recommendations in order to solve the problem in hand.
 Deduction is the process of arrivinq at conclusions by
interpreting the meaninq of results of the data analysis.
Other Types of Research;
Other Types
Case studies and action research are sometimes
used to study certain types of issues.

1. Case Studies
2. Action Research
Other Types of Research;
Case Studies
Case studies involve in depth, contextual analyses of similar
situations in the other organizations, where the nature and
definition of the problem happen to be the same as
experienced in the current situation.

Case study, as a problem solvinq technique, is not often

undertaken in organizations
 Because such studies dealing with problems similar to the
one experienced by a particular organization of a particular

CH-2: Other Types of Research

Action Research
Action Research is used by trained and experienced
consultant to bring about a planned change.
In Action Research, the researcher beqins with a problem
that i already identified, and gathers relevant data to
provide a tentative problem solution.
This solution is then implemented, with the knowledqe that
ther may be unintended consequences as a result of this
implementation.
The effects are then evaluated, defined and diagnosed and the

Author
Year Journal Vol.
(s) Issue Page
Download five research papers and make a list.
HR — Marketing — Management — Finance — Project
Managemenl
 1
2
3

Title Author (s) Journal Year Vol. Issue pag

The Influence of
Ayanwale, A. B., Jouma/ of
Advertising on Consumer 2005 10 9*1 c
Alimi, T. Social Science
Brand Preference.

Example: