Chapter 2

Scientific Investigation

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Hallmarks of scientific research:
Hallmarks or main distinguishing
characteristics of scientific research:
Purposiveness
Rigor
Testability
Replicability
Precision and Condence
Objectivity
Generalizability
Parsimony

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Hypothetico-Deductive Research
The Seven-Step Process in the Hypothetico-
Deductive Method
Identify a broad problem area
Define the problem statement
Develop hypotheses
Determine measures
Data collection
Data analysis
Interpretation of data

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Deduction and Induction
Deductive reasoning: application of a general
theory to a specific case.
Hypothesis testing

Inductive reasoning: a process where we

observe specific phenomena and on this basis
arrive at general conclusions.
Counting white swans

Both inductive and deductive processes are

often used in research.

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Alternative approaches to what makes
good research
Positivism
Constructionnism

The middle ground:

Critical realism
Pragmatism

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Positivism
Scientific research is the way to get to the
truth

Rigour and replicability, reliability, and

generalizability

Key approach: experiment

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Critical realism
There is an external reality but we cannot
always objectively measure this external
reality

The critical realist is critical of our ability to

understand the world with certainty

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Constructionism
The world as we know it is fundamentally
mental

Aim to understand the rules people use to

make sense of the world

Research methods are often qualitative in

nature
Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran
 Pragmatism
Do not take a particular position on what makes
good research

Research on both objective and subjective

phenomena can produce useful knowledge

Relationship between theory and practice

Purpose of theory is to inform practice

Research Methods 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
for Business www.wiley.com/college/sekaran