Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Phil
Course Objective
Enhance your understanding, knowledge and skills enough to teach conduct a business research project and publish
Outline
Understanding business research process, design and proposal Problem definition, literature review, secondary data, citation management and plagiarism Research methods and techniques: qualitative, quantitative & mixed methods; survey, observation and experimentation Understanding measurement of research constructs, scaling and designing the data collection instrument Determining the sample size and data collection Data analysis, interpretation, publication/sharing the results
Knowledge and understanding Lectures, Discussions Skills Seminars/workshops, Assignments, EndNote, Turnitin, SPSS Assessment: Attendance and class participation 10% Publications/Project 40% End term 50% Total marks 100 Recommended Text Book: Business Research Methods, 8th ed. Zikmund et al Reference Book SPSS Survival Manual: A Step by Step Guide to Data Analysis Using SPSS, 4th ed. Pallant, J.
Methodology
Business?
We do business to earn profits Business is a dynamic field We have competitors We need to keep up We need to grow We need customers We come across problems and issues We need to look into opportunities
This all requires decision-making at the right time and that depends on right information and data
Business Research
Research information is neither sensitive nor unsystematically gathered. Literally, research (re-search) -search again Business research must be objective Detached and impersonal rather than biased (unfair, partial and influenced) It facilitates the managerial decision process for all aspects of a business.
Information Reduces
Uncertainty
Example: HKB
Purchased products are recorded in Kot Lakhpat Ware House by scanner forming data Each item checked out/sold is recorded and becomes data Inventory system structures data in a way that it can generate stock reports, can place orders for more stocks, hence turning data into information Information from Liberty and DHA stores sales and inventory records may be used by analysts to determine trends in customer purchases, needs for opening new stores in new localities: Johar Town, DHA Phase 6
The Decision-making Process --Development and Implementation of a Strategy Identifying problems and opportunities Diagnosis and assessment Selecting and implementing a course of action Evaluating the course of action
Is the information already Yes on hand inadequate for making the decision?
Does the value of the research Yes information exceed the cost of conducting research?
No
No
No
No
Basic Research
Attempts to expand the limits of knowledge. Not directly involved in the solution to a pragmatic problem. Example Is executive success correlated with high need for achievement? Are members of highly organized work groups more satisfied than members of less organized work groups? Do consumers experience cognitive (act of knowing, perception) disagreement (intellectual thinking ability) in low-involvement situations?
Applied Research
Conducted when a decision must be made about a specific real-life problem Example Should McDonalds add Italian pasta dinners to its menu? Business research told McDonalds it should not? Should Procter & Gamble add a high-priced home teeth bleaching kit to its product line? Research showed Crest Whitestrips would sell well at a retail price of $44
Scientific Method
The analysis and interpretation of empirical evidence (facts from observation or experimentation) to confirm or disprove prior conceptions. A way to use knowledge and evidence to reach objective conclusions about the real world A set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events for analyzing empirical evidence, and for predicting events yet unknown in an attempt to confirm or disapprove prior conceptions
Statement of Hypotheses
Design research
Theory
Theory is the foundation of research It guides and help researcher to be focused and systematic so that the ultimate purpose of research is obtained and problem is solved
Theoretical framework
A theoretical framework is the foundation of hypothetico-deductive research as it is the basis of the hypotheses that you will develop. A theoretical framework represents your beliefs how certain phenomenon (variables, concepts) are related to each other ( a model) and an explanation of why you belief that these variables are associated with each other (theory) Both model and theory flow logically from previous research in the problem area.
Dependent variable
Research Stages
Cyclical process - conclusions generate new ideas Stages can overlap (something else ) chronologically (arranged in the order of time) Stages are functionally interrelated
Forward linkages Backward linkages
Research Design
Problem discovery
Sampling
Probability
Nonprobability
Experience survey
Pilot study
Case study
Research Design
Interpretation of findings
Experiment
Laboratory Field Interview
Survey
Questionnaire
Observation
Report
The formulation of the problem is often more essential than its solution Albert Einstein
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Hypothesis
A statement that can be proved false by empirical data
Pilot Study
Experience Survey
Case Study
Exploratory Research
Research Design
Master plan Framework for action Specifies methods and procedures
Selecting a Sample
Sample: Subset of a larger population. SAMPLE
POPULATION
Sampling
Who is to be sampled? How large a sample? How will sample units be selected?
Questions?
Thank you
The Introduction
Introduction is the opening part of the proposal that justifies the problem to be researched and clarifies the significance of the proposed study in order to establish a framework for research.
Components of introduction
Background of the study The research problem Studies that have addressed the problem Deficiencies in the studies The significance of the study
13-Feb-13
Azra Naheed Center for Research and Development Superior University Lahore
53
Purpose Statement The purpose statement indicates why you want to do the study and what you intend to accomplish (Locke et al, 2000) Why Purpose Statement It is the most important statement in an entire research study. It conveys the overall intention of a proposed study. It establishes the direction for the research. Qualitative Research: In qualitative research we use the worlds like explore, understand, or discover and we have focus on single phenomena. Quantitative Research: In quantitative research we use words like determine, identify, or compare and we have focus on comparing and relating two or more variables. Mixed Methods Research: In Mixed methods research we focus on both qualitative and quantitative research and mention the design with justification.
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E x a m p l e
To explore teachers view on performance that how they define performance and what they see as good, bad or acceptable performance. To explore teachers experiences about HRM practices and how they feel about these practices? To explore teachers opinion about organizational factor that contributes to their performance. To establish the basis for evolving effective and performance oriented human resource practices.
To facilitate the policy making bodies to evolve a comprehensive view of teachers performance and thus undertake necessary administrative adjustments.
Theory
Theory is the standard principle that defines the relationship of two or more variables
Qualitative Research: In case of qualitative research theory is an outcome of the whole research process by finding the answers to the research questions Quantitative Research: In case of quantitative research theory is used as bases to be verified through the acceptance or rejection of hypothesis using statistical results. Mixed Methods Research: in case of Mixed Methods Research theory is both developed and also verified.
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Hypothesis are predictive statements that the researcher holds about the relationship among variables to be tested
HO = There is no relationship between HR practices and performance HA = There is relationship between HR practices and performance
Classificatio n of Research
Application of the Research Study
Basic or Pure Research
Time Dimension
Crosssectional research Longitudinal research
Inquiry Mode
Exploratory research
Qualitative research
Applied Research
Explanatory research
Descriptive research
Descriptive Research
Cross-Sectional Design Single CrossSectional Design
Causal Research
Longitudinal Design
Descriptive
Describe market characteristics or functions Marked by the prior formulation of specific hypotheses
Causal
Determine cause and effect relationships Manipulation of one or more independent variables
Characteristics:
Flexible, versatile
Preplanned and structured design Control of other mediating variables Secondary data: quantitative analysis Surveys Panels Observation and other data Experiments
Methods:
Expert surveys Pilot surveys Secondary data: qualitative analysis Qualitative research
Research Proposal
A written statement of the research design that includes a statement explaining the purpose of the study
Detailed outline of procedures associated with a particular methodology
Basic Questions - Problem Definition What is the purpose of the study? How much is already known? Is additional background information necessary? What is to be measured? How? Can the data be made available? Should research be conducted? Can a hypothesis be formulated?
Anticipating Outcomes
Dummy (a representation or copy of something) tables: Representations of the actual tables that will be in the findings section of the final report; used to gain a better understanding of what the actual outcomes of the research will be.
1. Title
2. Introduction Background of the study (Sectoral Brief) The research problem Studies that have addressed the problem Deficiencies in the studies The significance of the study The purpose statement 3. Purpose Statement The purpose or study, aim of the project and reasons for the research design The research questions and hypotheses
4. Philosophical Foundations worldview and philosophical assumptions for using specific research approach. 5. Literature Review 6. Methodology and Methods Site and sample Data collection procedures Data analysis procedures 7. Theoretical Framework 8. Potential Ethical issues 9. References and appendixes
Thank you
Dr. Muhammad Ramzan mramzaninfo@gmail.com, 03004487844